computer scientist, mathematician, photographer, human. Debian Developer, Notmuch Maintainer, scuba diver
Much of my "reading" these days is actually audiobooks while walking.
FediMain: bremner@mathstodon.xyz
bremner@bookwyrm.social is also me. Trying a smaller instance to see if the delays are less maddening.
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For readers of Walter Isaacson’s Steve Jobs and Chris Miller’s Chip War, a riveting look …
Third in the series that’s “an intriguing mix of modern world, Victorian/Regency England, and faery” …
I recently listened to the first 3 books in this series back to back, and they certainly held my interest. On the other hand readers expecting things to be wrapped up after 3 books will be disappointed. Similarly, the first three books read more or less like one extended book.
As Pierre Poilievre closes in on power, journalist Martin Lukacs reveals the playbook behind his …
"Want" might not be the right word here.
Most literal Deus ex Machina ending I've read in a while.
A spellbinding, propulsive new novel from the bestselling mystery writer who "is in a class …
Based on a review from sunny.garden/@booktrail
A young ruler must forge a delicate alliance with the untrustworthy yet magnetic God of …
I enjoyed Daughter of the Moon Goddess
Arthur C. Clarke winner and Sunday Times bestseller Adrian Tchaikovsky's triumphant return to fantasy with …
The setting is reminiscent of the industrialized magic setting of Robert Jackson Bennett's Foundryside. There are quite a few narrative threads but I did not find it overwhelming (as an audiobook, fwiw).
The villains are bureaucratic, venal, and hypocritical. They are also a "foreign occupation", but Tchaikovsky spends as much time poking fun at patriotism and nostalgia as he does explaining the (many) failings of the occupiers.
The would-be heroes are various of combinations pompous, naive, violent, passive, venal (again), opportunistic, and cowardly. It is something of a magic trick of character development that one's sympathies are clear. It isn't even that one identifies with some of the character's cynicism (although there is a bit of that).
As an academic, I endorse books where the main villains are academic organizations. Imagine if not only were University administrators not going to save us, but if they were the ones the whole …
The setting is reminiscent of the industrialized magic setting of Robert Jackson Bennett's Foundryside. There are quite a few narrative threads but I did not find it overwhelming (as an audiobook, fwiw).
The villains are bureaucratic, venal, and hypocritical. They are also a "foreign occupation", but Tchaikovsky spends as much time poking fun at patriotism and nostalgia as he does explaining the (many) failings of the occupiers.
The would-be heroes are various of combinations pompous, naive, violent, passive, venal (again), opportunistic, and cowardly. It is something of a magic trick of character development that one's sympathies are clear. It isn't even that one identifies with some of the character's cynicism (although there is a bit of that).
As an academic, I endorse books where the main villains are academic organizations. Imagine if not only were University administrators not going to save us, but if they were the ones the whole of society needed saving from.
I laughed out loud several times while listening to this. At some points it has an almost Pratchett-like wit (if Pratchett had been doomscrolling for another decade, instead of shuffling off this mortal coil).
"In the nineteenth century, English textile workers responded to the introduction of new technologies on …
Move quietly and break things.
Content warning mild spoiler
It's surprisingly stressful to read about the kid being deceived by his hosts / captors and the rescuer being deceived by the kid.
Arthur C. Clarke winner and Sunday Times bestseller Adrian Tchaikovsky's triumphant return to fantasy with …
Why are there so many Scots in this Audiobook? Is it secretly set in Glasgow? Confused.
Escaping Exodus is a story of a young woman named Seske Kaleigh, heir to the …
Really enjoying the world-building in this one.
Edwin St. Andrew is eighteen years old when he crosses the Atlantic by steamship, exiled …
I forget when I read this, sometime in the last year
A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired …
This is essentially a tragedy. I'm not saying every book needs a happy ending and/or redemption arc, but golly, if you're feeling down this might not be for you.
How humanity came to the planet called Anjiin is lost in the fog of history, …
Hrm. I wonder if everything I read will seem like a comment on fascism these days.
The Metagalactic Grand Prix—part gladiatorial contest, part beauty pageant, part concert extravaganza, and part continuation …
I don't know if it's just my current mood suits it better, or the book is genuinely exploring deeper themes than the first one (while still being silly).