Review: The Starmen of Llydris by Leigh Brackett

Synopsis: Outcast in space. Michael Trehearne had always been an outcast among his people on Earth. He knew he was different. He did not know how or why. Then one day, on the wind-swept coast of Brittany, a bewitchingly beautiful girl appeared & told him he had the look of the Vardda--those elite star travelers who alone could withstand the rigors of intergalactic flight.

Michael had to join them, had to find his place in the universe at last. But it would not be easy. For even when they allowed him to risk his life aboard their ship, to seal his fate upon their planet, even then, they viewed him as an outcast, a dangerous changeling who suddenly threatened them. He was a man who sooner or later would have to be destroyed! (from the back of the book)

Review: Classic Pulp Science Fiction. Laser guns, space-travel, new worlds, plots of murder, and galaxy-changing events!

Leigh Brackett writes excellent action-adventure stories. My only qualm with her writing is the women – that tend towards the stereotypical sex-bomb or damsel-in-distress, and seem to be there only to further the plot for the hero. But, she was writing to a particular audience and that is what they wanted!

As for this particular story, it was more well-written then others by her. I say that because I had strong opinions about the choices the characters made and could only have that if I cared about the outcome. To point, I agreed with the “villains” of the story and not the hero. The hero’s fight, I thought, seemed idealistic and based on naive and short-sighted assumptions about a world he had just entered. The villains seems to understand the long-reaching consequences of the hero’s action (that being war, suffering, and death for millions of people) but because the hero’s action lead to the “Free Choice” of others, we’re supposed to agree with it. Maybe if you are an emotion-driven person, yea, but not for a logical person.

But then, it’s that the mark of a good book? It stirs the mind and engages the heart?

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 345-24668-3-150
Year Published: 1952
Date Finished: 1-29-2019
Pages: 164

Review: Know Why You Believe by Paul E. Little

Synopsis: Basic Christian Apologetics.

Review: Solid, if somewhat shallow, explanation of Christianity. Worth reading if you are new to apologetics, or just want an overview. Excellent jumping-off point for deeper study.

Note: This review refers to the Audibook.

Bookmarks: 3 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0830834228
Year Published: 2008
Date Finished: 1-29-2019
Pages: N/A

Review: Juniper Time by Kate Wilhelm

Synopsis: Published in 1979, this novel is set in a drought-ridden America, in a world of social and economic collapse.

This tale switches between the perspectives of a scientist named Cluny, and a naturalist and photographer named Jean. They are reunited when they become part of a study to learn more about extraterrestrial contact.

Review: Set in the years following a drought so horrible is collapses the world economy, Kate Wilhelm explores the idea of hope and time as it relates to both the individual and the community. The main characters are tossed through a series of events that eventually lead them to a place where they can alter the course of human destiny – either to hope or to destruction.

As with her previous work, it is the rich and complete characters that Wilhelm writes that make the story. Her focus on the people, even side characters draw the reader in and sink them into the story, even when the plot is tends toward trite or confusing.

In this story, it is Jean’s strength in the face of immense pain and trauma that create a story worth reading. Yes, there are some odd points, and I would not say this was Wilhelm’s best, but it is a solid science fiction story about hope and humanity.

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: Nebula Award Nominee (1979), Prix Apollo (1981)

ISBN: N/A
Year Published: 1979
Date Finished: 1-28-19
Pages: 250

Review: Collected Poems by Chinua Achebe

Synopsis:  A short collection of his poems, covering subjects from family to war to love to culture.

Review: I enjoyed this collection immensely. But then, I enjoy stacado poems, where each word is a measured punch to the gut. Worth reading, if for no other reason that the author is non-western (although western-trained) and helps us see another part of the world.

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None (For the Book. The Author has Won Multiple Awards)

ISBN: 1-4000-7658-7
Year Published: 1971-1974
Date Finished: 1-26-2019
Pages: 84

Review: Where Late The Sweet Birds Sang by Kate Wilhelm

Synopsis: The spellbinding story of an isolated post-holocaust community determined to preserve itself, through a perilous experiment in cloning (from the online description)

Review:  Where to start about this book? First, its prediction of the “end of the world” is so close to our current issue with Global Warming and Climate Change, it is almost terrifying.

But the real cleverness in this book is the characters and the idea these grapple with – how much would one sacrifice to see the human race survive? And what is the balance between self and community?

The book is divided into three parts. The first concerns the beginning, when the last humans created the clones. The middle tells what happens when the clones inadvertently trigger the individuality that had been buried in them. And the last section, what happens when a true individual gets tossed into a community of clones.

It’s hard to explain why this book is so good. But the characters are what compel the story forward. It is the characters, rich and complex, that snares the reader and drags them into the story, only to let one surface at the end.

For anyone who wants a truly great science fiction read, this is it!

Bookmarks: 4.5 of 5

Awards: The Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1977 /  The Locus Award and Poll for best novel in 1977 / The Jupiter Award in 1977 / The John W. Campbell Memorial Award in 1977, Third Place / Nominated for the Nebula Award in 1977

ISBN: 0-671-80912-1
Year Published: 1974 / 1976
Date Finished: 01-21-2019
Pages: 207

Review: Diamond Willow by Helen Frost

Synopsis: 

There's

more to me than

most people

see.

Twelve-year-old Willow would rather blend in than stick out. But she still wants to be seen for who she is. She wants her parents to notice that she is growing up. She wants her best friend to like her better than she likes a certain boy. She wants, more than anything, to mush the dogs out to her grandparents' house, by herself, with Roxy in the lead. But sometimes when it's just you, one mistake can have frightening consequences . . . And when Willow stumbles, it takes a surprising group of friends to help her make things right again.

Using diamond-shaped poems inspired by forms found in polished diamond willow sticks, Helen Frost tells the moving story of Willow and her family. Hidden messages within each diamond carry the reader further, into feelings Willow doesn't reveal even to herself. (from the online description)

Review: After reading this author’s book Keisha’s House, I immediately picked this up when I saw it on sale. I was not disappointed. Alternating between diamond-shaped poems, from the viewpoint of Willow, and from the viewpoint of her ancestors, the story takes the reader through the wild and frozen world of Alaska. Willow has spent her short 12 years under the knowledge that something isn’t right about her and her life. But it takes a journey, a horrible accident, and a special dog for her to set things right.

The unique story-telling technique brings so much to this narrative. With just a few words, the authors draws in the reader, and creates an authentic world, full of magic, sorrow, and redemption. I particularly enjoyed the First Nations mythology that is woven into the story. It gives this book a spirit and soul.

I highly recommend this book, particularly for late elementary and middle grade readers. It is an excellent introduction to story-thru-poetry. Also, SPOILER: No animals die. 

Bookmarks:  4 of 5

Awards: 2009 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award / 2008 Mitten Award--Michigan Library Association / The Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry: 2009 Honor Book / 2009 Winner of Best Books of Indiana, Children and Young Adult Book / 2009 CCBC Choices List

ISBN: 978-0-374-31776-8
Year Published: 2008
Date Finished: 1-6-2019
Pages: 112