Timstar Posted September 26, 2014 Author Share Posted September 26, 2014 Sleeping Late on Judgement Day - Tad Williams Synopsis The final book of the Bobby Dollar trilogy sees Bobby back in Heaven fighting his soul. Review Aside from this series having some of my favourite book titles ever (The Dirty Streets of Heaven and Happy Hour in Hell been the first two) it is simply great urban fantasy and the final book doesn't disappoint. The style is much more akin to TDSoH then HHiH; The latter was very much an exploration of hell and its occupants, SLoJD has Bobby back in Heaven on trial for his crimes over the previous two books. However he is given the opportunity to vindicate himself by gathering evidence on Earth. Dollar is once again full of wit and charm and the side characters are colourful and numerous. However the key aspect in these books is the pacing, and Williams' nailed it every time. It never feels drawn out or rushed, but carries on at a very read-able pace that kept me glued to the pages. This been said there was something about it that I didn't enjoy as much as the first two, maybe because it felt quite similar to the first one and therefore less unique. I came away from the other books thinking 'wow, what have I just read!?' which I didn't really get this time around. But still a superb read and a great conclusion to a great series. Luckily Williams' has strongly hinted that this isn't the last we've seen of Bobby Dollar, in the mean time I have the rest of Williams' catalogue to catch up on, starting with Memory, Sorrow and Thorn. Overall 9/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 I'm glad you enjoyed this book, although it's a shame it wasn't quite as good as the previous two. I've only read the Otherland series by Tad Williams, but I do have other books by him on my TBR and on my wishlist. Great review ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Great reviews Tim! Glad you got your money's worth with the Williams. Glad you enjoyed The Book Thief - I loved it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 More reviews pending but from non SF/F/H I have recently finished: Sharpe's Regiment - Bernard Cornwell 8/10 The Spy Who Loved Me- Ian Fleming 7/10 The Book Thief - Makus Zusak 8/10 Land of Fire - Chris Ryan 9/10 I'd be interested in your review of The Book Thief, it is on my TBR and have heard nothing but good things. I've never read Fleming but recently read an article on his life in BBC History magazine. I'd like to though, would you recommend The Spy Who Loved Me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 I haven't heard of The Void Trilogy, but as I enjoyed Pandora's Star so much I've just looked into it on Amazon. The Dreaming Void is only £1.89 on the Kindle so I have bought it. Had a quick look at the reviews and someone has said it is set after the Starflyer War, so I guess I need to get The Commonwealth Saga finished before I start this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 I think that would be wise, BB ! From what I can tell from Tim's reviews at least . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timstar Posted September 28, 2014 Author Share Posted September 28, 2014 I'm glad you enjoyed this book, although it's a shame it wasn't quite as good as the previous two. I've only read the Otherland series by Tad Williams, but I do have other books by him on my TBR and on my wishlist. Great review ! Did you enjoy Otherland? It's one I want to get. Great reviews Tim! Glad you got your money's worth with the Williams. Glad you enjoyed The Book Thief - I loved it. Yeah I certainly did, thanks again Laura! I'd be interested in your review of The Book Thief, it is on my TBR and have heard nothing but good things. I've never read Fleming but recently read an article on his life in BBC History magazine. I'd like to though, would you recommend The Spy Who Loved Me? I certainly wouldn't start with it, it is a very different style to his others.I'd recommended Casino Royale to begin with, it's the first and one of my favourites. I haven't heard of The Void Trilogy, but as I enjoyed Pandora's Star so much I've just looked into it on Amazon. The Dreaming Void is only £1.89 on the Kindle so I have bought it. Had a quick look at the reviews and someone has said it is set after the Starflyer War, so I guess I need to get The Commonwealth Saga finished before I start this. Yeah you would need to, although it is a different story it still has some of the same characters with lots of references to the events in The Commonwealth Saga. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Did you enjoy Otherland? It's one I want to get. I did! It was one of the first fantasy / science-fiction series I read as a teenager (in Dutch). I re-read it a few years ago in English and fell in love with it all over again. I hope you get to read it some day and that you enjoy it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timstar Posted October 10, 2014 Author Share Posted October 10, 2014 Apologies for my lack of updates, life has been a bit hectic lately. I was made redundant through lack of funding and didn't have anything else lined up. I had a couple of interviews that went well but didn't get a job unfortunately. But then my last hope prevailed and I got another interview 2 weeks which went really well and I found out early this week that I got the job! I won't be starting until November but I am super thrilled (also gives me some time to catch up on reading ) The job is a couple of bands higher then what I was previously on and based in a hospital much nearer to where I now live. I will be assisting lung cancer research at the University of Cambridge On the reading front I have just finished Patrick Lee's Runner which is one of the best thrillers I have ever read. Great action with convincing characters and a cool super-natural twist. The only issue I had a gripe with through-out was the convenience of the girl running into the most perfect guy to help her get out of the situation. I was happy enough to take it with a pinch of salt and enjoy it but was super pleased when it was explained at the end ) Overall 10/10 I will be reading more Patrick Lee. I have also started on Deadhouse Gates Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissy Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Congratulations on the new job Tim. Enjoy the few weeks of quiet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Apologies for my lack of updates, life has been a bit hectic lately. I was made redundant through lack of funding and didn't have anything else lined up. I had a couple of interviews that went well but didn't get a job unfortunately. But then my last hope prevailed and I got another interview 2 weeks which went really well and I found out early this week that I got the job! I won't be starting until November but I am super thrilled (also gives me some time to catch up on reading ) The job is a couple of bands higher then what I was previously on and based in a hospital much nearer to where I now live. I will be assisting lung cancer research at the University of Cambridge Congrats on the new job, Tim, glad you've managed to get things sorted On the reading front I have just finished Patrick Lee's Runner which is one of the best thrillers I have ever read. Great action with convincing characters and a cool super-natural twist. The only issue I had a gripe with through-out was the convenience of the girl running into the most perfect guy to help her get out of the situation. I was happy enough to take it with a pinch of salt and enjoy it but was super pleased when it was explained at the end ) Overall 10/10 I was just about to say 'but he explained that at the end', then realised you'd already said it Glad you enjoyed it, too. It's a proper thriller, that one, a thriller that actually thrills I will be reading more Patrick Lee. I thought the Breach trilogy was fab - a bit more 'out there' but still thrilling. So you can't go wrong, really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Apologies for my lack of updates, life has been a bit hectic lately. I was made redundant through lack of funding and didn't have anything else lined up. I had a couple of interviews that went well but didn't get a job unfortunately. But then my last hope prevailed and I got another interview 2 weeks which went really well and I found out early this week that I got the job! I won't be starting until November but I am super thrilled (also gives me some time to catch up on reading ) The job is a couple of bands higher then what I was previously on and based in a hospital much nearer to where I now live. I will be assisting lung cancer research at the University of Cambridge This is great news! Congratulations on getting the new job ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devi Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Congrats on the new job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Tim, do you have any books you particularly plan to be reading in your time 'off'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timstar Posted October 11, 2014 Author Share Posted October 11, 2014 Thanks all, although it's only a 12 month contract (there are very few permanent contracts in Science) I think it will lead to bigger and better things. Tim, do you have any books you particularly plan to be reading in your time 'off'? Yeah I really want to try and finish or continue some of the series I have on the go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Congrats on the new job. I've heard of Runner before, and must have liked what I heard coz it was already on my wishlist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Signor Finzione Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Deadhouse Gates! Deadhouse Gates! Deadhouse Gates! Congrats again on the new job - I imagine having something like that on your CV will make you even more employable in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 I've heard of Runner before, and must have liked what I heard coz it was already on my wishlist. http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/12439-steves-bookshelf-2014/?p=400586 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Thanks, Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timstar Posted October 17, 2014 Author Share Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) Congrats again on the new job - I imagine having something like that on your CV will make you even more employable in the future. I hope so! I met Peter F. Hamilton yesterday in Ely, got him to sign my collection Wearing one of his trademark waistcoats, he gave an interesting talk about his writing and a Q&A. Edited October 17, 2014 by Timstar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 I'm jaleous!! It's so great you got to meet him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timstar Posted October 21, 2014 Author Share Posted October 21, 2014 Sorry, I promise reviews are coming soon, but at the moment I am working through Deadhouse Gates and Les Misérables so those ones will be a while! It was my birthday yesterday (the big 25) and my Father-in-Law took me to see John Cleese at the Cambridge Arts theatre which was awesome! He answers every question with a funny anecdote, he's still full of life even at 75! Front row seats! Also went to see Conn Iggulden this evening talking about his new book. He's a great public speaker, went on for over an hour without notes or slowing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Happy (belated) birthday, Tim!! I'm glad you had a great time seeing John Cleese (the man is hilarious, it's great he's doing well at his age) and Conn Iggulden (pretty impressive he didn't need to use notes)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devi Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Happy Belated Birthday! So jealous you saw John Cleese, I enjoy his work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timstar Posted October 27, 2014 Author Share Posted October 27, 2014 Cujo- Stephen King Synopsis Once upon a time, not so long ago, a monster came to the small town of Castle Rock, Maine . . . He was not a werewolf, vampire, ghoul, or unnameable creature from the enchanted forest or snow wastes; he was only a cop . . . Cujo is a huge Saint Bernard dog, the best friend Brett Camber has ever had. Then one day Cujo chases a rabbit into a bolt-hole. Except it isn't a rabbit warren any more. It is a cave inhabited by rabid bats.And Cujo falls sick. Very sick. And the gentle giant who once protected the family becomes a vortex of horror inexorably drawing in all the people around him . . . Review Cujo wasn't quite what I expected, which is strange as I have read over 35 King novels to date and Cujo is one of the more well known storylines. Well, half of it was what I expected which is a rapid St Bernard on a killing spree. These sections switched between Cujo's point of view and his victims. The other half went into detail about the residents of Castle Rock (A common setting for King), especially focused around two families the Trenton's and the Camber's. None of this latter half had anything to do with Cujo and seemingly no addition to the storyline. The sections with Cujo were great, King does a good job showing the mind of Cujo, innocent and playful at first, then the illness of the rabies infection followed his decent into madness as the disease takes over. Here, King writes a brilliant blend of both gorey and his more conventional psychological horror that kept me glued to the pages. However the other half of the book felt like King was trying to put more of his own personal struggles in, such as addiction and alcoholism. This felt forced and therefore out of place. As for the characters, the usual array of King suspects are all there but the stand-out was Donna who is put through hell with the reader right along side her, the rest however fell flat as the story didn't hand them any opportunities to develop. So overall it was a bit of a let down, had it been more like Gerald's Game with a tightly focused story on the one horror, I think it would have worked much better, or even it had been edited down to a novella. Overall 6/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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