Sandi Layne > Recent Status Updates

I was intrigued as the Immortals were from Maryland, and I'd never heard that there was a distinctive unit from MD, before.

The story is at this point introducing the readers to the main movers and shakers of the unit. A good read, well told, so far.

Finally met the Arthurian crew! Interesting approach, and I always like a good sword fight. :)

We got introduced to the Arthurian element in the prologue, but they haven't made a reappearance yet, and I going, waiting for them. lol It's a bit frustrating.

So far, I'm quite engaged! Roger Mulligan, Our Hero, has got this breezy narrative style as he begins work for someone who appears to be, at the very least, erm, eccentric...

But there are mysteries afoot and I am interested in finding them out.

Also VERY tickled with the Shackleford Butler Bible. Nice!

I came in with one set of preconceptions but they've been dramatically overset! I'm enjoying this, though! Stirling does great world-crafting.

I came in with one set of preconceptions but they've been dramatically overset! I'm enjoying this, though! Stirling does great world-crafting.

I appreciate the careful work to present multiple perspectives to this crux of history between peoples. No one is perfect, but I feel respect has been given to all sides.

Also listening to the audiobook!

Tense? Yes, very, very tense. The inside cover of the dust jacket says,

"...The Institute is Stephen King's gutwrenchingly dramatic story of good versus evil in a world where the good guys don't always win."

This makes me, at this point in the story, very nervous.

It's fun to catch echoes of some of my favorite Stephen King lines in this story.

And I think I love what he's done with Luke Ellis. It's HARD to write brilliant genius kids as KIDS. Especially socially adept KIDS and King has managed it (I think) with Luke.

All the kids, really, are wonderful.

And the bad guys are .... evil. Which is par for a King novel, yeah?

I haven't read The Hobbit in far too long, and it's lovely to rush out with Bilbo again! Currently about to meet Gollum.

Started to read to follow along with my son's class assignment. He finished it before I did.

Good survey of traditional and sometimes forgotten woodland crafts and industries. Recommended as a launching resource for further study.

Some great lines in here, I think. "If you want to marry, my advice is to be the kind of man a woman wants." - This is to Saiyen-gu. Later, he thinks: "If he was mad, it was a gentle madness, and he held it close."

Lovely lines, Penina!

I was up for hours reading last night. Returning to this world makes me smile.

Great YA Sci-fi romance. Interesting alien culture created - reminded me of some popular TV shows I've heard about, but it still worked. Good socio-political tension and a do-able romance. 5 stars