Book Review: Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi

Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My general opinion on the updating or re-writing of classics is why mess with a good thing, usually that opinion bears out in new works failing badly. In this case I am wrong.
Scalzi has successfully managed to modernize and re-tell H. Beam Piper's story of little fuzzy and make this classic tale more relevant to a current audience, while staying true to the original story.

In some ways he not only succeeded in capturing all of the impact, charm and story of the original, but was able to surpass it.

"Fuzzy Nation" has earned it's spot on my shelf next to my much read copies of "Little Fuzzy", "Fuzzy Sapiens" and "Fuzzies and Other People".

Visit John Scalzi's award winning Blog Whatever.


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Book Review: So Long Been Dreaming: Postcolonial Science Fiction and Fantasy

So Long Been Dreaming: Postcolonial Science Fiction and Fantasy by Nalo Hopkinson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nalo Hopkinson (Editor), Uppinder Mehan (Editor), Karin Lowachee, Devorah Major, Nnedi Okorafor, Eden Robinson, Opal Palmer Adisa, Celu Amberstone, Wayde Compton, Andrea Hairston, Maya Khankhoje

I really enjoyed reading "So Long Been Dreaming" many stories in this anthology push the boundaries of what we are familiar with in a fantasy or Science Fiction world, the authors have taken risks in exploring the issues raised, and in the fascinating look at colonizing, colonized, and colonizers.

Like any anthology some stories in this collection were fantastic, some were great, and many were good. Some of the stories felt like they ended to soon,or were rushed, and perhaps they are snippets of fuller stories to come by these amazing authors.

Though I am a life long Sci-Fi Fantasy, speculative fiction reader it is a treat to be introduced to a wide range of writers looking at SF/F from a different viewpoint.
It is always a treat to read new authors I have not discovered yet. I will be adding many of the authors from this anthology to my to-read list.

Links:
Nalo Hopkinson
Nnedi Okorafor

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Book Review: Wolfsangel, Craw Trilogy 1 M.D. Lachlan

Wolfsangel by M.D. Lachlan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can imagine that if The myths of Odin had continued through time this is how one would read today.
This is a myth based fantasy book that does not read or feel like a fantasy book. The parts to a fantasy are there, magic, myth, witches, mythic beasts, Gods,Prophesy, Swords, Princes and a Quest.
The story is interesting and the pace deceiving at times it feels slow, but then you realize how much has happened. I do not feel as drawn into another realm as one usually does in a fantasty novel. As a reader of fantasy, I missed at times the elaborate world building and detail, but in many ways that would have pulled the book away from the feel of a saga, which I think Lachlan has succeeded in doing.

Wolfsangel is a fascinating and different book, It is more of a modern telling of a saga than a "typical" fantasy book. That will appeal to both fantasy and non-fantasy readers.



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Book Review: First Ladies: An Intimate Group Portrait of White House Wives by Margaret Truman

First Ladies: An Intimate Group Portrait of White House Wives by Margaret Truman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this audio book, a fascinating and informative look at the role and history of the white house through the efforts and influences of the first ladies. This mostly ignored role in history has much to offer in understanding not just the politics but the people who have run this country.

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