David Bremner wants to read Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan
A young ruler must forge a delicate alliance with the untrustworthy yet magnetic God of …
I enjoyed Daughter of the Moon Goddess
Reviews and Comments
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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David Bremner reviewed City of Last Chances by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Arthur C. Clarke winner and Sunday Times bestseller Adrian Tchaikovsky's triumphant return to fantasy with …
Cynical but fun
5 stars
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).
David Bremner wants to read Breaking Things at Work by Gavin Mueller
"In the nineteenth century, English textile workers responded to the introduction of new technologies on …
Move quietly and break things.
David Bremner commented on A Fire Upon The Deep by Vernor Vinge
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.
David Bremner commented on City of Last Chances by Adrian Tchaikovsky
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.
David Bremner commented on Escaping Exodus by Nicky Drayden
Escaping Exodus is a story of a young woman named Seske Kaleigh, heir to the …
Really enjoying the world-building in this one.
David Bremner finished reading Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
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
David Bremner finished reading The Poppy War by R. F Kuang
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.
David Bremner commented on The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey
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.
David Bremner reviewed Space Oddity by Catherynne M. Valente
The Metagalactic Grand Prix—part gladiatorial contest, part beauty pageant, part concert extravaganza, and part continuation …
For me, better than the first.
4 stars
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).
I want to read this after hearing several episodes of 500songs.com using it for source material.
David Bremner wants to read The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey
How humanity came to the planet called Anjiin is lost in the fog of history, …
I was reminded the audiobook is sitting on my phone unlistened. A sure sign I'm not spending enough time walking the dog.
David Bremner commented on Space Oddity by Catherynne M. Valente
The Metagalactic Grand Prix—part gladiatorial contest, part beauty pageant, part concert extravaganza, and part continuation …
This may be the first book I've bought because the author's cat was sick. Somehow that fits with the Douglas Adams adjacent humour of the book. I don't know how much the voice acting of this ebook contributes, but it is quite convincingly Brit for something written by a resident of the USA.
David Bremner wants to read Knight Moves by Walter Jon Williams
A Philip K Dick Award-nominated novel.
Eight hundred years ago Doran Falkner gave humanity the …
Based on a review by wandering.shop/@jdnicoll
David Bremner wants to read The Shadowed Sun by N. K. Jemisin
Gujaareh, the city of dreams, suffers under the imperial rule of the Kisuati Protectorate. A …
Book 2 (and final?) of the series...