Alvin Minus the Chipmunks

Despite some of his right wing views I must admit to a soft spot for Orson Scott Card's writing. [b]But[/b] I will never by any of his books new because of it (I prefer to give money to people who aren't arseholes). Damn I wish he wasn't such a good writer.

I'd read a short story from this reality in the 'Legends II' short story collection and loved it. When I saw 'Alvin Journeyman' second hand I grabbed it... then discovered there were 6 more titles in the series - gah!

So I made friends with my library and they got them in for me. I <3 my library. Great collection, and easy to get hold of the things you really want (and I can check their progress online).

Down to the first book - 'Seventh Son.'

I found the world building intensely exciting. My knowledge of American history is, well, non-existent (and will remain that way) so I can't really compare it to the real thing, but it seems based on an interesting time. During the push west, when Native Americans, the English, the French, the 'Colonials' are all powers in their own right. Slavery is mentioned also, and I know that it comes forward in later books - I'll be interested to see how it's handled.

The story of Alvin is good - compelling. It's not shiny and perfect - something I love about Orson Scott Card. He gives his characters damn good reasons for being strong (if they are) and doesn't shy away from showing the dark and gritty side of life.

The 'bad guy' in the film is a perfect example of this. The horror we feel is because his 'evil' is so understandable. So real. So damned insidious. He is the logical extension of religious fundamentalism leading to evil when paired with intolerance. An argument I've made in the past - surprising that this book so readily lends itself to this given Card's views on homosexuality - I guess conservatism is OK when it's something [i]you[/i] believe. Thank goodness none of his intolerance finds it's way into the book (unless you count being invisible).

In summing up I highly recommend this book - it's enjoyable and makes you think.

Majipoor Chronicles

'Majipoor Chronicles' is a refreshing change after the weightier 'Lord Valentine's Castle. More like a collection of short stories. Silverberg used Hissune's jaunts into 'The Register of Souls' as a frame for stories about people of the past; relative unknowns and great figures. But also a means to show the diversity of the Majipoor itself.

The people represented give us a good idea of Majipoor's collective psyche. Diverse the characters might be, but they come together to show us Majipoor as a complicated, compelling whole.

Lord Valentine's Castle

My prejudice against epics is strong. The reasons I even picked up this epic of fantasy/sci-fi (yes it's both, no, don't scoff):

• It and the next book in the series were 50 cents each
• I'd just read (and enjoyed) a short story by Robert Silverberg, set in this world (Majipoor)
• That story had reminded me of how much I'd enjoyed reading this book the first time, nearly 20 years ago, before I'd formed my epic prejudice (pun intended =D)

Now most epics turn me cold. I'm not sure what it is, probably because it's becoming clichéd. This story never irritated me though, I think because the quest came naturally, as a part of the characters' development. It wasn't forced on them from outside by say, a wizard or *shudders* a prophecy.

It is still an epic, with all the travels, travails, and overreaching themes, that entails. Majipoor's size and diversity is what makes a futuristic epic and travel story possible. With chances to meet rich and varied characters and peoples.

Post First

...in the first post.

This is just a quick introduction to me and this new blog of mine. I'm excited (as we all are with a new toy). I don't know how many book review blogs there are out there (I'm about to google) but I hope this will be a useful one. I read mostly fantasy and the softer, more personable side of science fiction.

Don't frown at me you hard-science fans. Science for the sake of it just doesn't do it for me. It's the 'what if' of science fiction that I find interesting, but in relation to how it affects things, and especially people. It's the personalities that make reading interesting for me. I love Asimov, some of Arthur C Clarke's work (though I must admit I haven't read any in a while) and will give other stuff a try if recommended by enough people.

But on to the real reviews!