Johnny L. Wilson ( of High Score)

Johnny rated a book really liked it The Halfhyde Line (Halfhyde Adventure, #11) by Philip McCutchan	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
After taking his naval hero of the late 19th to early 20th century through ten books of a naval career, Phillip McCutcheon lets St. Vincent Halfhyde try his hand at being an independent merchant seaman. He soon finds out that being out of the Royal N ...more
Apr 13, 2026 08:34PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Halfhyde Line by Philip McCutchan. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Halfhyde Line by Philip McCutchan <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Johnny rated a book really liked it The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
What on earth am I doing reading the literary equivalent of a “chick flick?” I don’t know, but I occasionally enjoy a cozy mystery, a period romance, or a novel presented totally from a female perspective. Usually, I end up reading such novels with a ...more
Apr 13, 2026 08:12PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Johnny rated a book liked it Sparring Partners (Jake Brigance, #4) by John Grisham (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I need to start with a disclaimer in pointing out that I much prefer novels to novellas and short stories. In fact, I don’t like to let go of characters too soon, so I much prefer novels in a series to standalone novels. That being said, I enjoyed th ...more
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Johnny rated a book liked it The Delirium Brief (Laundry Files, #8) by Charles Stross (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Charles Stross’ “Laundry Files” offers a reimagined multiverse that creepily interfaces with Cthulhu-like monsters and modernized interpretations of legendary monsters and horror tropes. Yet, they are comedic putdowns of corporation and government bu ...more
Apr 13, 2026 07:10PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Delirium Brief by Charles Stross. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Delirium Brief by Charles Stross <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Johnny rated a book liked it The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Patrick DeWitt makes some assumptions about Bob Comet, his protagonist in The Librarianist. Those assumptions seem to be assertions about librarians in general (avid readers, lacking social grace, introverted, and lacking motivation). I’m not a libra ...more
Mar 19, 2026 07:27AM · 1 like · like · see review
Johnny rated a book liked it Twelve Months (The Dresden Files, #18) by Jim Butcher (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
The latest “file” in “The Dresden Files,” Twelve Months narrates a year in the life of Chicago wizard, Harry Dresden, as he struggles to move on after the demise of his heart’s desire. Struggling to move on is correct because he uses every excuse to ...more
Mar 19, 2026 07:25AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Twelve Months by Jim Butcher. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Twelve Months by Jim Butcher <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Johnny rated a book liked it THE UNREASONING MASK by Philip José Farmer	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Since I haven’t read Lord Tyger, The Adventure of the Peerless Peer or Hadon of Ancient Opar in terms of Farmer’s homages to Edgar Rice Burroughs, I cannot speak to those efforts (though I am making it a point to put them in my reading rotation). How ...more
Mar 09, 2026 07:28PM · like · see review
Johnny rated a book really liked it Calamity (Reckoners, #3) by Brandon Sanderson (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
As one reads through Brandon Sanderson’s Reckoners series, one gets the sense that this is a new genre—anti-superhero fantasy/science-fiction (elements of both of the latter) in a sense similar to the antihero fad of late 20th century film. Yet, as C ...more
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Johnny rated a book liked it The Rockford Files: The Green Bottle by Stuart M. Kaminsky	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Having enjoyed Kaminsky’s novels in many forms, I had high expectations for this first novel in this series built from the characters and history of the television series known as The Rockford Files. I knew that Kaminsky would weave a good mystery in ...more
Mar 01, 2026 09:36PM · like · see review
Johnny rated a book really liked it Dragon Champion (Age of Fire, #1) by E.E. Knight (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
As a first novel in a multiple book series, Dragon Champion offers a rich world, replete with fascinating ecology, classic fantasy cultures full of biases and mistrust, a villain acting as a totalitarian demigod, and a protagonist who spends much of ...more
Feb 26, 2026 10:33PM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Dragon Champion by E.E. Knight. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Dragon Champion by E.E. Knight <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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The Halfhyde Line (Halfhyde Adventure, #11)
by Philip McCutchan

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After taking his naval hero of the late 19th to early 20th century through ten books of a naval career, Phillip McCutcheon lets St. Vincent Halfhyde try his hand at being an independent merchant seaman. He soon finds out that being out of the Royal N After taking his naval hero of the late 19th to early 20th century through ten books of a naval career, Phillip McCutcheon lets St. Vincent Halfhyde try his hand at being an independent merchant seaman. He soon finds out that being out of the Royal Navy can be as dangerous as being in it. One must be careful of what kind of cargo one takes aboard, especially if it involves unwelcome passengers, as well. The Halfhyde Line is the first episode with the protagonist as a civilian and it does not disappoint.

The novel highlights tension between the Irish predecessors of Sinn Fein and the British occupiers, as well as the hardships at sea. Realistically, though Halfhyde thinks quickly in terms of saving his ship from one type of storm to another, there are times when he is reliant on others. Also realistically, there are times when his plans simply don’t come to fruition for one reason or another, just as battle plans rarely survive contact with the enemy.

The Halhyde Line was so good that I forgot that I had read its sequel some years ago. It seemed like McCutcheon was going to assemble a cast of characters among the crew for future novels. Yet, the inevitable and often senseless deaths mitigated against doing that. No one can quibble that these were throwaway characters who faced death in this novel. Rather, most of them were characters with whom one has terrific sympathy.

The bad guy, Porteous Higgins the powerbroker and smuggler, combined with his mute (because of torture) bodyguard and hit man, are somewhat like pulp villains except for the fact that both have detailed background stories that come out in the course of the novel. And though McCutcheon doesn’t spell it out, once senses that Higgins gets his comeuppance at the hands of none other than Michael Connelly, “The Big Man” of the Irish Revolution himself. Again, that was my impression and I loved it—even if my sympathies are with the Irish. And despite my sympathies with the Irish, I rooted for Halhyde, the Englishman, because he had been so ill-used.

Maybe it’s because it’s been so long since I read a novel in this series, but I enjoyed The Halfhyde Line even more than the others in the series. ...more

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The Air Raid Book Club
by Annie Lyons (Goodreads Author)

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What on earth am I doing reading the literary equivalent of a “chick flick?” I don’t know, but I occasionally enjoy a cozy mystery, a period romance, or a novel presented totally from a female perspective. Usually, I end up reading such novels with a What on earth am I doing reading the literary equivalent of a “chick flick?” I don’t know, but I occasionally enjoy a cozy mystery, a period romance, or a novel presented totally from a female perspective. Usually, I end up reading such novels with a historical hook of some kind. Air raids made me think of World War II and, after a brief nod to WWI and the interim between the wars, that’s exactly what The Air Raid Book Club is about. It is also about books (duh) and the love of reading, of fiction bringing people together, of love and loss, and rebuilding. And despite the final part of that prescription, it isn’t as cliché as you’d expect.

The protagonist of The Air Raid Book Club is Gertie Bingham. She is a headstrong young woman in the early 20th century and a generally strong and creative woman toward the middle of the century. She gets to build her dream, Bingham’s Books, with her husband in a suburb of London. The couple’s love of books spills over into the love of the people in their community and community pride. But when Gertie is widowed, she considers giving everything up.

A friend of her and her husband talks her into accommodating a young Jewish girl whose parents and brothers are trapped in Hitler’s Germany. What the friend and Gertie expected to be a salve for her loneliness actually increases her stress and creates multiple crises. Yet, there seems to be significant hope, though some of the hope is occasionally dashed on the shore of reality and tragedy. To be honest, the book is very balanced between love and loss. Things work out very well for some, very poorly for others. Yet, there is a sense that the courage to keep going is worthwhile.

Appropriate to a story which prominently features a young Jewish girl, I found myself becoming verklempt at various times. The emotions were touched with just the right chords. The losses were painful; the gains were to be savored. It is a great tale for reminding us that our lives have ripple effects around us such that we cannot immediately see what we may or may not have accomplished. Indeed, there are several points in the book where Gertie makes the point that fiction reminds us of what is really important in the human experience. Because fiction is more focused than life as we live it, it can sometimes teach life lessons before we make equivalent mistakes ourselves.

The descriptions of the blitz, the dealing with rations, the treatment of refugees because of their German upbringing, and the number of wartime deaths provide the historical details which make The Air Raid Book Club serve as interesting historical fiction as well as what I feel is beyond genre fiction and simply “literary fiction.” And even though this novel was not written for me as a target audience, it definitely spoke to me. ...more

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Sparring Partners (Jake Brigance, #4)
by John Grisham (Goodreads Author)

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I need to start with a disclaimer in pointing out that I much prefer novels to novellas and short stories. In fact, I don’t like to let go of characters too soon, so I much prefer novels in a series to standalone novels. That being said, I enjoyed th I need to start with a disclaimer in pointing out that I much prefer novels to novellas and short stories. In fact, I don’t like to let go of characters too soon, so I much prefer novels in a series to standalone novels. That being said, I enjoyed the three novellas in John Grisham’s Sparring Partners, but not as much as some of his off-beat novels like Skipping Christmas and Playing for Pizza, much less the classic thrillers like The Pelican Brief (I liked it even though many didn’t) and The Firm.
At first, I thought the three novellas in Sparring Partners were going to be connected, but they weren’t. Also, I tend to be a sucker for, at least, semi-happy endings. None of these three are exactly happy, though one can enjoy one of them with a little schadenfreude. The first, “The Homecoming,” is about a crooked lawyer who looks like he might get away with a fraud that would have him disbarred and tax evasion that could get him imprisoned. The ending is interesting, but one is forced to finish the story in one’s own mind. It’s not a legal version of “The Lady or the Tiger” but it is an indefinite ending that left me with ambivalent feelings.

“Strawberry Moon” takes place on death row during execution day and night. There are some sweet moments in the story, as well as some calling out of what seems injustice, but while the conclusion seems realistic, it isn’t exactly what one might have hoped for in story by a lawyer.

However, “Sparring Partners” is a story about two feuding brothers, to different styles of attorneys, locked together by their father’s iron-clad partnership agreement, even though the father has been disbarred and imprisoned. This last story has multiple conspiracies circling around and is well worth the effort. And the ending? Let’s just say that the reader may enjoy that before-mentioned schadenfreude in the poetic justice. Yet, the reader will also realize that there really isn’t a character worth cheering for—even the character who ends up with the best. ...more

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The Delirium Brief (Laundry Files, #8)
by Charles Stross (Goodreads Author)

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Charles Stross’ “Laundry Files” offers a reimagined multiverse that creepily interfaces with Cthulhu-like monsters and modernized interpretations of legendary monsters and horror tropes. Yet, they are comedic putdowns of corporation and government bu Charles Stross’ “Laundry Files” offers a reimagined multiverse that creepily interfaces with Cthulhu-like monsters and modernized interpretations of legendary monsters and horror tropes. Yet, they are comedic putdowns of corporation and government bureaucracy with witty repartee and stimulating descriptive observations. The horrific elements are gross and violent enough to keep the books from feeling like a modern take on Discworld but some of the twists and turns would do honor to Pratchett himself.

The Delirium Brief is a parody of our times when unscrupulous clerics seem like a hybrid threat of Sinclair Lewis’ Reverend Peter Prang (It Can’t Happen Here) and the Reverend Jim Jones of cyanide Kool-Aid fame. Add supernatural elements and power to that of those unwholesome and irreverent influences under the false flag of the institutional church, and one has a proverbial powder keg or petard set to blow up. In It Can’t Happen Here the voters were complicit in the creation of a dictatorship in the US. In The Delirium Brief, the corruption is brought about by the Reverend (and again, I use the term loosely and with venomous disdain) Raymond Schiller’s charismatic powers and nearly unlimited resources. Greedy, power-hungry politicians circle like insects to those electric bug zappers. The coup doesn’t come by election (as it seems to have occurred in the USA), but by the lack of integrity in the elected governments of both the USA and the UK.

I mentioned the incredible writing before, so here’s a couple of samples from early in the book. Our protagonist Bob keeps getting put in spots he doesn’t think he should be. When he is chosen to be the public face of his heretofore covert agency, he comments that when they picked him “…they weren’t just scraping the bottom of the barrel, they were fracking for oil in the basement.” (p. 13) When Bob is sequestered in a luxury apartment, we read about “…a white leather sofa so big it could be the end product of a bad taxidermy job on Moby Dick.” (p. 78)

But with all of that going for it, this wasn’t my favorite novel in the series. Either my personal life was all messed up or the pacing was just “off.” It just didn’t keep me turning pages as fast as others. Maybe it was a reaction to off-putting, horrific sex scenes you’d have to read to believe. Vivid and visceral, I admired the carefully crafted nature of something that sent paroxysms of shuddering through me upon reading some of them. Way to hit me where I’m most vulnerable. It reminded me of smelling popcorn just before that alien came out of the science officer’s chest. But for whatever reason, I didn’t find this novel to be as compelling as previous ones in the series. So, I liked it. I didn’t love it. ...more

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The Librarianist
by Patrick deWitt

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Patrick DeWitt makes some assumptions about Bob Comet, his protagonist in The Librarianist. Those assumptions seem to be assertions about librarians in general (avid readers, lacking social grace, introverted, and lacking motivation). I’m not a libra Patrick DeWitt makes some assumptions about Bob Comet, his protagonist in The Librarianist. Those assumptions seem to be assertions about librarians in general (avid readers, lacking social grace, introverted, and lacking motivation). I’m not a librarian, but I worked in my college library, and I didn’t find our head librarian to be lacking in social grace at all. She was active in politics, interested in the arts, and always helpful. My female compatriots were active socially (one played tennis, was nominated for homecoming queen, and much in demand for dates) and, while interested in books and periodicals (as well as the nascent forms of multimedia appearing in that era), they were conversant on many levels.

Bob Comet, on the other hand, was backward socially and wanted to be so. The library was a place of refuge for his younger self such that it became his career. As a protagonist, his “character sheet” is not the type that you would expect to have much adventure. Indeed, if it weren’t for impulsive acquaintances, one would think that hardly anything of note would happen in this otherwise drab life. He gets dragged into things (drinking bouts with his first friend Ethan, first sex and marriage with his estranged wife Connie (estranged in more than one way), and a brief foray into “theater” with two thespian veterans who recruit him into their acting “troupe” while he is fleeing reality) by others. He seems easily influenced. And while I’m speaking of that easy influence, let me illustrate with some of the clever, imaginative descriptions typical of this book.

“After decades of rejecting the television medium he experienced a period of not just watching TV, but watching with enthusiastic interest. All his life he had believed the real world was the world of books; it was here that mankind’s finest inclinations were represented. And this must have been true at some point in history, but now he understood that the species had devolved and that this shrill, base, banal potpourri of humanity’s worst and weakest and laziest desires and behaviors was the document of the time.” (pp. 313-314) If you don’t enjoy that kind of writing, stay away from The Librarianist.

The Librarianist is a story of a life that should have had regrets, a life desperately needing closure. There are times when one wants to throw the book across the room in frustration at the phlegmatic inaction Bob demonstrates at critical moments. There are times when one is swallowing back a potential sob because of the possibility of happiness only to have the moment pass when Bob doesn’t seem to react suitably. In short, this is both a fascinating and frustrating book. In that sense, I suppose it is a success. Yet, despite the fine writing, I’m not sure I’ll be chasing down this author again. ...more

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Twelve Months (The Dresden Files, #18)
by Jim Butcher (Goodreads Author)

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The latest “file” in “The Dresden Files,” Twelve Months narrates a year in the life of Chicago wizard, Harry Dresden, as he struggles to move on after the demise of his heart’s desire. Struggling to move on is correct because he uses every excuse to The latest “file” in “The Dresden Files,” Twelve Months narrates a year in the life of Chicago wizard, Harry Dresden, as he struggles to move on after the demise of his heart’s desire. Struggling to move on is correct because he uses every excuse to hang onto his misery and grief. Even when he asserts his will to correct his emotional vulnerability with physical and emotional discipline, he backslides into a hollow ritual that solves nothing and anchors him firmly in his problem.

Yet, while that is going on, he faces crises that he can’t meet in his old style and barely manages to keep it together with the help of his friends (and Harry has lots of friends). To cap his problems, the warden appointed to watch over Chicago is a gunslinger who is absolutely certain of Dresden’s guilt and complicity in everything that goes wrong supernaturally in Chicago. At one point, Harry solves a problem and confiscates a dangerous object that can be used in black magic. Harry confiscates it to keep anyone else from being able to use it, but I was certain the gunslinging warden was going to find it on Harry’s person and accuse him of using it. Fortunately, Jim Butcher doesn’t dredge to that level of cliché.

But that’s not all of the complications in Harry’s life. The Winter Queen has ordered Harry to date and marry the white vampire leader, Lara Raith (interesting punful last name, no?). How do you date a dangerous potential enemy when you have just lost the potential love of your life? How do you date someone so glamorous, attractive, and sensual that you know she could control you and reduce you to slavering slave in mere moments? It’s not merely complicated; it’s a Byzantine labyrinth of ambiguous, contradictory feelings.

But wait, there’s more! Dresden has hidden away his half-brother Thomas on his magical island out in Lake Michigan. In so doing, he is risking war with a supernatural clan that the Winter Queen (Harry’s liege as the Winter Knight) doesn’t want war with. Even then, Thomas’ vampire nature (the Hunger) is potentially out-of-control if Dresden lets him out of the suspended animation he is in. If Harry leaves him too long, Thomas dies. If Harry lets him out, he may either die or massacre many innocents—not to mention precipitate the aforementioned war. It seems equivalent to the “catch” that Joseph Heller made famous.

To be sure, there is action. There’s more than one fascinating combat, and they aren’t always resolved by the strategy or tactics one is expecting. But the bulk of the novel deals with Harry’s mental struggles and emotional (potentially lose-lose) problems described above. I have no desire to be a wizard, even if that were possible, but I found myself resonating with his struggles such that I kept turning pages. Twelve Months is one of the most emotionally satisfying novels in the series (and several have had tear-jerking moments for me). It doesn’t seem as humorous or fast-paced as Butcher’s novels which captured me as a reader, but it was a welcome gift to receive (and I am torn between just liking it or commending it with four stars). ...more

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THE UNREASONING MASK
by Philip José Farmer

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Since I haven’t read Lord Tyger, The Adventure of the Peerless Peer or Hadon of Ancient Opar in terms of Farmer’s homages to Edgar Rice Burroughs, I cannot speak to those efforts (though I am making it a point to put them in my reading rotation). How Since I haven’t read Lord Tyger, The Adventure of the Peerless Peer or Hadon of Ancient Opar in terms of Farmer’s homages to Edgar Rice Burroughs, I cannot speak to those efforts (though I am making it a point to put them in my reading rotation). However, everything else I’ve read by Farmer, inclusive of the Riverworld series (my first encounter with Farmer), World of Tiers (my next investment in Farmer), and The Unreasoning Mask have been cosmic in scope, often psychedelic in description. I sometimes become numb to the descriptive exposition because said prose tends to be so psychedelic it sends me into my own weird mental hallucinations—somewhat distracting when one is actually absorbed in a somewhat linear plot.

But how can one describe a plot based on exploring consciousness impinged upon by other instances of consciousness and a “universe” bounded by enough other instances of what appear to be “universes” attached by permeable “walls.” Farmer’s multiverse building identifies the latter as the Pluriverse while Captain Ramstan, his protagonist, tries to save his instance of a “universe” from a cosmic entity (if that is not misspeaking) which acts as an antibody to life, as if all of life is a virus. Sound confusing? It is, but it is confusing in a most intriguing way.

Farmer textures his cosmos with Sufi and Islamic mysticism. He even spices matters with a bit of Jewish mysticism. As a theist who firmly believes in a God Who allows the divine reality to be known (in a contingent form, tantamount to accommodating human limitation), I should probably be offended by Farmer’s near-Deistic perception of “God” as an almost accidental creator who is a functional infant in the cosmological scheme. Yet, I understand Farmer’s attempt to represent the empirically unknowable. I understand the value of metaphor even when it doesn’t dovetail with my belief system—especially when it takes me to thoughts and visions which are not my experience.
And regardless of the relatively amorphous theological perspectives in The Unreasoning Mask, I have to applaud the ethical dilemmas and ethical/moral challenges represented in the protagonist’s experiences. It is, indeed, a rich story. ...more

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Calamity (Reckoners, #3)
by Brandon Sanderson (Goodreads Author)

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As one reads through Brandon Sanderson’s Reckoners series, one gets the sense that this is a new genre—anti-superhero fantasy/science-fiction (elements of both of the latter) in a sense similar to the antihero fad of late 20th century film. Yet, as C As one reads through Brandon Sanderson’s Reckoners series, one gets the sense that this is a new genre—anti-superhero fantasy/science-fiction (elements of both of the latter) in a sense similar to the antihero fad of late 20th century film. Yet, as Calamity unfolds, anti-superhero may be a hasty generalization. Some may think the themes of redemption, even forgiveness, in this volume are too glib, too superficial to be credited, but they are introduced with thematic elements worthy of many pulp science-fiction tales or comic book story arcs. We have already seen evidence of a multiverse in Firefight when we learn the secret of Megan as “Firefight” and the fuller revelation of Firefight’s identity (to be further explored in Calamity) is teased. Now, we see it with greater clarity.

At the end of Firefight, protagonist David Charleston, “Steelslayer,” complains that his metaphors (including similes, as well) “suck.” In my opinion, they weren’t that bad but they’re better in Calamity. At one point, he describes his trail of blood from an open wound as being “…as blatant as a sudden tuba solo in the middle of a rap single.” (p. 28) I thought twice about the following (and doubly enjoyed it) when a compatriot was “…attacking his bowl of food like a man whose house had once been burned down by a particularly violent ear of corn.” (p. 66) When a High Epic invites himself into the Reckoners’ hideout, we are told: “We were specks of mud on the window; he was a giant, vengeful bottle of spray cleaner. Extra-strength lemon scent.” (p. 158) At another point, Charleston is asked about metaphors he used in a specific situation, and he complains about not being able to remember his metaphor. “’Oh! I talked about using toothpaste for hair gel. No, wait. Ketchup, Ketchup for hair gel, but as I think about it, toothpaste would have been a way better metaphor. It hardens stronger, I think, and…” (p. 173). Though he is mercifully interrupted, my risibility was regularly inflated by these moments throughout the novel.

The bulk of Calamity is concerned with fending off the epic power of the Reckoners’ former leader and mentor, Prof. The resolution is both expected and unexpected, so it is definitely worth reading. Atop that arc, worthy in its own right, is David’s impending showdown with Calamity, the uber-Epic who seems to have started the entire Epic era. I say, “seems,” because there is much about the secrets revealed in this volume which is not what one would expect. However, Sanderson is even here able to knit together the unexpected with the expected. And, even though there is a traumatic or dramatic (probably both) evolution in David’s experience within the volume, there is more to be revealed in the next installment as well as a foreshadowed showdown with yet another High Epic.

Calamity is a fascinating blend. Purist superhero fans won’t like it, nor will fantasy or science-fiction aficionados who despise fusion (exclusive of nuclear fusion and fission, of course). As for me, I can only hope that this off-beat blend finds its audience. I don’t think it can sustain a trend like Cyberpunk in the ‘80s or Steampunk into the millenium, but I can only hope it continues long enough for me to enjoy the rest of this series and at least one emulator. ...more

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The Rockford Files by Stuart M. Kaminsky

The Rockford Files: The Green Bottle
by Stuart M. Kaminsky

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Having enjoyed Kaminsky’s novels in many forms, I had high expectations for this first novel in this series built from the characters and history of the television series known as The Rockford Files. I knew that Kaminsky would weave a good mystery in Having enjoyed Kaminsky’s novels in many forms, I had high expectations for this first novel in this series built from the characters and history of the television series known as The Rockford Files. I knew that Kaminsky would weave a good mystery in The Rockford Files: The Green Bottle, and I wasn’t disappointed. The mystery is just as convoluted and prone to misadventure and coincidence as one would expect from an episode of the show. Fortunately, Kaminsky has time to probe deeper into motivations and chase additional rabbits or red herrings.

It’s always amazing to some people what collectors find valuable. In this case, the initial case begins with an attempt to recover a miniature Chinese bottle with delicate hand-painted brush strokes, many requiring a single strand of the brush with their precision. Amazingly, Rockford solves this case very quickly, but the veteran mystery reader (and anyone who can count pages remaining) realizes that something is going to go very wrong. The veteran Rockford fan is going to know that Rockford will be accused of foul play and have to lean on his friend Dennis to steer him around the landmine of the vindictive Captain Diehl. Friends are good to have, but one can’t always say that about Angel, Rockford’s con-man acquaintance from that prison stint and inveterate perpetrator of fraud on the easy-going Rockford. Rockford deals sternly with Angel in this story, but there are some rugged moments which can strictly be placed on Angel’s shoulders.

It is almost too late when Rockford figures out the person who has framed him and actually committed the murders. This was somewhat frustrating because the red light seemed to flashing over the head of this character from early on in the book. The suspicious behavior was too much. But it was entertaining and interesting. At least, when Rockford does something that seems foolish in bearding the villain in his den, he has mitigated the danger with preparations unknown to, but suspected by, the reader.

My favorite line in the book was when Rockford takes a long drive and listens to: “…talk radio, with wise-guy, glib young men with lots of opinions, little thought, and a whole lot of contempt for their callers.” (p. 237) I guess some things never change. As for my rating, I want to read more of these, but I have to confess that this is not the best Kaminsky mystery I’ve read. ...more

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Dragon Champion (Age of Fire, #1)
by E.E. Knight (Goodreads Author)

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As a first novel in a multiple book series, Dragon Champion offers a rich world, replete with fascinating ecology, classic fantasy cultures full of biases and mistrust, a villain acting as a totalitarian demigod, and a protagonist who spends much of As a first novel in a multiple book series, Dragon Champion offers a rich world, replete with fascinating ecology, classic fantasy cultures full of biases and mistrust, a villain acting as a totalitarian demigod, and a protagonist who spends much of the novel as an underdog despite what will ultimately be innate advantages.

The cover blurb compares Dragon Champion with Watership Down. That is a very apt comparison of the first quarter of the book, but is not as true once Auron, the dragon protagonist, begins to interact with humans, dwarves, blighters, and elves. The first quarter of the book is extremely well-conceived and underscores a desperate drive for survival. It might be a slow start for some readers, but as someone who used to enjoy those “The Ecology of…” articles in Dragon magazine, I was extremely intrigued and kept turning pages.

I was also enamored with E. E. Knight’s imaginative use of “mind pictures” as draconic telepathic communication. When circumstances isolate Auron from other dragons, such communication ceases, but it cleverly reappears about three-fourths of the way through the novel when Auron discovers more, albeit oppressed dragons. Indeed, this intriguing mechanism plays an important role in more than one scene late in the book.

I would have lost patience with the novel if there had been much more beyond that 25% mark where Auron was alone and not really interacting with other communicative beings. Not only does Auron communicate but he finds common ground to make alliances, particularly with a dwarf trader and a human who becomes his virtual daughter. As strange as it sounds, it truly works in the context of the book. Auron gains wisdom from all of his encounters. I particularly liked a lesson taught him by the dwarf. “A dwarf will fight for honor, but a man will kill for pride.” Then, when Auron is unclear on the distinction, the dwarf goes on: “Honor is how others see you. Pride is how you see yourself.” (p. 133)

For me, Dragon Champion is a promising start to the series. It isn’t perfect for my taste in pacing, but it’s close. I’ll be scanning store and library shelves for the sequels and, if I don’t see them before I get too deep into my “to be read” pile(s), I’ll be ordering them. That’s my intent, even though this voume was passed along to me by my middle brother. ...more

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	High Score by Rusel DeMaria, Johnny L. Wilson (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 244 ratings — published 2002 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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