While stories can be solely for escape, they also ask and answer questions that are too ghastly to be explored in real life. Even though fiction asks many questions, it sticks to certain ones, and others are ignored. In Fantasy, the war to end the evil empire is common, but rarer are the stories that … Continue reading Review: Redemption’s Blade
Book Reviews
Review: Kompromat
In 2016, Russia ran an unprecedented cyber operation in the United States, which impacted the 2016 presidential election. But it's most devastating consequence is creating doubt in the objectivity of our elections. Through a variety of tactics like social engineering, fake news, and targeted advertising, the Russians sought to undermine the US's democracy, and even … Continue reading Review: Kompromat
Review: Free Space
As with Admiral, Free Space is a survival story but in a completely different way. The Admiral and Salmagard are kidnapped with two other Imperials for the purposes of human trafficking.
Review: Lost in Math
One thought experiment that I love is the Theseus Paradox, which asks the question that if a ship is repaired and all of its old parts replaced, is it the same ship that was originally built or a new one? When looking at modern theoretical physics, I start to wonder if we're approaching a similar … Continue reading Review: Lost in Math
Review: Admiral
Two weeks ago, I came home to a package from Berkley Publishing. Inside, they'd given me a copy of each book in Sean Danker's Admiral series. I got a hardcover Admiral and paperbacks of Free Space and The Glory of the Empress. Thank you Berkley and Mr. Danker! In exchange for their generosity, I thought … Continue reading Review: Admiral
Review: Trade Deal (Born to the Blade S1E5)
The dust settled with Kris as a new Warder. Trade Deal, episode five of Born to the Blade, returns to the political jockeying that makes Twaa-fei so interesting. The consequences of The Gauntlet begin here. Trade Deal by Malka Older is the fifth episode of Serial Box’s Born to the Blade series. TL;DR Trade Deal … Continue reading Review: Trade Deal (Born to the Blade S1E5)
Review: The Gauntlet (Born to the Blade S1E4)
The Gauntlet awaits Kris Denn. Will they succeed and take their place as part of the Warder’s Circle? Or will they fail, which means Rumika must wait a decade to challenge again? Episode four of Serial Box’s Born to the Blade series focuses on the warder candidate and their trial. In order to join the … Continue reading Review: The Gauntlet (Born to the Blade S1E4)
Change to Review Process
When I set out to build this blog, I knew that I had a lot to learn and that only through continuous improvement would it succeed. I love reviewing books and hope to continue to be able to do so. This means improving my reviews of Advanced Review Copies (ARCs) and how I promote those … Continue reading Change to Review Process
Review: Baby Shower (Born to the Blade S1E3)
Baby Shower continues the excellent story being told in Born to the Blade. This third episode does indeed feature a baby shower that is political not friendly. Baby Shower focuses on character interaction and builds on the subtleties of episode two, Fault Lines. TL;DR Baby Shower is another enjoyable entry in the saga of Born … Continue reading Review: Baby Shower (Born to the Blade S1E3)
Review: Fault Lines (Born to the Blade S1E2)
In Episode Two of Serial Box’s latest series, politics, world-building, and a party feature. Where episode one, Arrivals, opened the world and the set the stage, episode two, Fault Lines by Marie Brennan, deepens the world while ratcheting up the politicking. Episode two solidifies Born to the Blade as a fun series worth reading. TL;DR … Continue reading Review: Fault Lines (Born to the Blade S1E2)