Emperor Mollusk versus the Sinister Brain: By A. Lee Martinez

Emperor Mollusk versus the Sinister Brain

SUMMARY

Emperor Mollusk.

Intergalactic Menace. Destroyer of Worlds. Conqueror of Other Worlds. Mad Genius. Ex-Warlord of Earth.

Not bad for a guy without a spine.

But what's a villain to do after he's done . . . everything. With no new ambitions, he's happy to pitch in and solve the energy crisis or repel alien invaders should the need arise, but if he had his way, he'd prefer to be left alone to explore the boundaries of dangerous science. Just as a hobby, of course.

Retirement isn't easy though. If the boredom doesn't get him, there's always the Venusians. Or the Saturnites. Or the Mercurials. Or . . . well, you get the idea. If that wasn't bad enough, there's also the assassins of a legendary death cult and an up-and-coming megalomaniac (as brilliant as he is bodiless) who have marked Emperor for their own nefarious purposes. But Mollusk isn't about to let the Earth slip out of his own tentacles and into the less capable clutches of another. So it's time to dust off the old death ray and come out of retirement. Except this time, he's not out to rule the world. He's out to save it from the peril of THE SINISTER BRAIN!

REVIEW

Are you looking for a book that is funny?

Full of action?

What about full of witty, well written characters?

Well Emperor Mollusk versus the Sinister Brain is the book for you then.

EM v. SB is fun, exciting, and really full of interesting and likable characters. How could a person not like a book that includes time travel, giant gelatin monsters, law suits in Atlantis, exploding spaceships, and talking dinosaurs. Of course, besides these wilder ideas, the background for the series is fun and incredibly imaginative, as there is a different species of alien on each planet, and almost all of them hate Emperor Mollusk.

Of course while I loved the fun that Martinez had in making this imaginative universe and situations, I also was very impressed by his characters. Readers get to see the transformation of the Emperor as he goes from evil scientist to renouncing his Empire on Earth, (don’t worry I didn’t give anything away, he starts out renouncing Earth and readers see why through flashback chapters.) Of course, besides the charming and utterly fantastic Emperor, Snarg was a ton of fun to read about. Snarg is the Emperor’s pet ultrapede, and key line of defense against attacks as this ultrapede is as vicious as it is hilarious in its kitten-like attitude around the Emperor.

All in all Emperor Mollusk is a great book. It’s funny, full of interesting and fun characters, and is jam packed with action. Exactly what you’d want in a light read.

INFO

Publisher: Orbit

Published: March 5, 2012

Price: $19.99

The Project: By Brian Falkner

THE PROJECT

SUMMARY

It begins with a book, the most boring book in the world, a book so boring no one could ever read it—the perfect place to hide a dangerous secret.

When best friends Luke and Tommy volunteer to help move books from their library's basement to higher ground during a quick rising flood, they discover the only surviving copy of the most boring book in the world: Leonardo's River, lost for over 100 years. The book is connected to Leonardo da Vinci and is worth millions, so they return that night to steal it. Unfortunately, they're not the only ones with that plan. . . .

REVIEW

The Project is a fascinating combination of young adult mishaps and science fiction. The science fiction isn't officially introduced until the end of the story, but Falkner does a great job weaving the story along until this point, creating a culmination that will excite and captivate readers of all ages.

The Project has well crafted characters, Luke the protagonist, is particularly interesting and reminded me much of Robert Munchamore’s Cherub series. Yet some of the characters, such as Tommy and the antagonists could have used more development. They felt simple in relation to the rest of the story, and in comparison to Luke, were practically useless. That said I liked many of the characters, but felt they could have been more than they were.

Of course besides the characters, the plot itself is interesting. Falkner does a great job taking an unused subject matter, Leonardo’s creations and the Vitruvian Man, and turning them into a pulse pounding easy read. But of course one of my favorite parts of the books is the ending (you'll have to read it to see why.)

All in all I liked The Project. The subject matter was interesting, Luke was a great character, and the book itself was fast paced enough to both hold my attention and make me want to keep reading. Definitely would recommend readers (especially boys 12 and up) give it a chance.

RATING

8.5 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Published: August 23, 2011

Price: $17.99

Fuzzy Nation: By John Scalzi

FUZZY NATION

SUMMARY

Jack Holloway works alone, for reasons he doesn’t care to talk about. Hundreds of miles from ZaraCorp’s headquarters on planet, 178 light-years from the corporation’s headquarters on Earth, Jack is content as an independent contractor, prospecting and surveying at his own pace. As for his past, that’s not up for discussion.

Then, in the wake of an accidental cliff collapse, Jack discovers a seam of unimaginably valuable jewels, to which he manages to lay legal claim just as ZaraCorp is cancelling their contract with him for his part in causing the collapse. Briefly in the catbird seat, legally speaking, Jack pressures ZaraCorp into recognizing his claim, and cuts them in as partners to help extract the wealth.

But there’s another wrinkle to ZaraCorp’s relationship with the planet Zarathustra. Their entire legal right to exploit the verdant Earth-like planet, the basis of the wealth they derive from extracting its resources, is based on being able to certify to the authorities on Earth that Zarathustra is home to no sentient species.

Then a small furry biped—trusting, appealing, and ridiculously cute—shows up at Jack’s outback home. Followed by its family. As it dawns on Jack that despite their stature, these are people, he begins to suspect that ZaraCorp’s claim to a planet’s worth of wealth is very flimsy indeed…and that ZaraCorp may stop at nothing to eliminate the “fuzzys” before their existence becomes more widely known.

REVIEW

The first thing you should know about Fuzzy Nation is that it is actually a reboot of H. Beam Piper’s Hugo-nominated Little Fuzzy. Scalzi has taken this world, and created a brand new novel, based on Beam’s Little Fuzzy world.

Now that you know that, the best way to describe Fuzzy Nation is to take one part science fiction, one part legal drama, and add in Scalzi’s humorous and engaging writing style and you get a sense of what Fuzzy Nation is.

Fuzzy Nation takes place on the planet Zarathustra (AKA Zara XXIII), where like many other planets, ZaraCorp is mining it for its minerals. Of course, Zara XXIII is just like any other planet until independent contractor, Jack Holloway, discovers a vein of jewels that would revolutionize the earnings potential of the company. While the company takes an obvious interests in this vein, Holloway also discovers a tribe of small fuzzy animals, which over time connects to, and dubs fuzzies. Of course this discovery means the end of ZaraCorp’s and Jack’s fortune, for if these fuzzies turn out to be sentient beings then that means they’ll have to stop mining of the site. With his friendships, wealth, and the future hanging in the balance, Jack’s decision could mean his personal fortune, or the death of an entire civilization, a decision ZaraCorp will do anything to make go their way.

Whether this synopsis grabbed your attention or not Fuzzy Nation is a great book. It is exciting, fast paced, and engaging. Not only that but Scalzi once again does a fantastic job creating endearing yet complex characters who readers will be sure to love.

While there were a few points that seemed a little much in the book (I would describe them, but they give away key points in the plot), Fuzzy Nation is ripe with humor and heart. Coupled with its great cast of characters and its captivating tone, Fuzzy Nation is a fantastic read that any Scalzi fan will certainly enjoy.

RATING

8.5 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: Tor Books

Published: May 10, 2011

Price: $24.99

Subject Seven: By James A. Moore

SUBJECT SEVEN

SUMMARY

Years ago, scientists began developing the ultimate military weapon: deadly sleeper assassins housed within the bodies of teenagers. Now, Subject Seven, the dangerous alter-ego living inside a 16-year-old boy, has escaped the lab and is on a mission. His objective? To seek out others like him and build an army capable of destroying their creators.

Hunter, Cody, Gene, Tina, and Kylie: five teenagers leading typical lives, until the day they each receive a call from a mysterious strangerÑand learn that their destinies are intertwined. Subject Seven holds the key that connects them all. And a vicious, bloody battle for their lives is just beginning.

REVIEW

When I read the description for Subject Seven I was pretty excited. It seemed like it was exciting, action driven, and had just enough of a science fiction element to make the books really great. Now after having read it I would say Subject Seven a fun exciting book, but to truly review it you have to almost break the book up into the first half and the second half of the book.

To me the first half of Subject Seven was gritty, jumpy, and almost seemed unnecessary in parts. There was so much anguish for the kid characters (especially Hunter), and most of the action wasn’t seen, but was instead witnessed after the fact, with readers only seeing the outcomes of these blood and gore rampages. To me the first half of the book was about a 6-6.5 out of 10.

Of course the second half of the book is where it finally starts to get interesting. The characters meet up, and the reader finally get some real dialog and interaction between characters instead of just a one sided bought of confusion on how they got there. Also, once the characters are together we’re able to see the action while it’s happening. Not only that but a new level to the mystery is added with the addition of two alphas in the group (can’t say more than that.) Between the increased action, the increased character interaction, and the heightened level of mystery introduced in the second half of the book I would give the second half of Subject Seven a 9.

Of course this is the first book in a series and so you have to account for that when looking at the first part of the book. Because of that I would say that this is an exciting book that seems to be the lead-up to an adrenaline filled exciting series, and that readers should get through the first half of the book because the second half is worth the wait.

RATING

8.5 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: Razorbill

Published: January 20, 2011

Price: $9.99

Genesis: By Bernard Beckett

GENESIS

SUMMARY

“What does it mean to be human?” The answer lies within the mystery of Genesis. Set in a postapocalyptic future, the novel takes the form of an examination undergone by young Anaximander as she prepares to enter an enigmatic institution known simply as The Academy. For her subject she has chosen the life of the philosopher-soldier Adam Forde, her long-dead hero. It is through Anax’s presentation and her answers to persistent questioning by her examiners that we learn the history of her island Republic, along with the rules and beliefs of their society. At the completion of the examination, when everything has been laid bare, Anax must confront the Republic’s last great secret, her own surprising link to Adam Forde, and the horrifying truth about her world.

REVIEW

Imagine your entire life’s work summed up to one point. One test that decides everything about your future.

This is what we are introduced to in the world of Genesis.

Anaximander is sitting for her final exam. The decision made here will change her world forever, and it is through this judging that we will hear the story of how the world was destroyed and recreated, Adam Ford’s story, also known as the story of Genesis.

Genesis is a creative and exhilarating mixture between Richard Matheson’s “I Am Legend” and the movie I, Robot. It is an ingenious blend between the suspense of what is to come and the anticipation of discovering what it was that created the situation that we’re reading about today.

Genesis is an intelligent and intriguing read. It provides intelligent arguments and really examines the pertinent question offered up in the book, “what is it that makes us human”. Science fiction fans favoring a more philosophical look at the world will love this Genesis, as it becomes a new cult classic.

Unfortunately Genesis is not perfect. First and foremost is the price. Genesis is $10.95 for a 150 page book. It is an interesting and exhilarating book, but it is still very short. Second while fans of a more philosophical book will eat this up, this is not for anyone looking for action or adventure. Genesis is built up as a philosophical thriller and that is exactly what it is, no more no less. And anyone looking for something else will be disappointed.

All in all a good book that is a tad on the expensive side. A very interesting read that philosophical readers will love, as it begs the question “What makes us human.” And leaves audiences shocked with the result.

RATING

8 out of 10

INFO

Publisher: Mariner Books

Published: May 11, 2010

Price: $10.95

The Kid Who Never Slept and Never Had To: By D. C. Pierson

The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To

SUMMARY

When Darren Bennett meets Eric Lederer, there's an instant connection. They share a love of drawing, the bottom rung on the cruel high school social ladder, and a pathological fear of girls. Soon they're collaborating on a comic book that becomes a series of graphic novels that becomes a movie trilogy before they've actually put pen to paper. Then Eric reveals a secret: He doesn't sleep. Ever. When word leaks out about Eric's condition, he and Darren suddenly find themselves on the run from mysterious forces. Is it the government trying to tap into Eric's mind, or is there something else Eric hasn't told Darren? It could be that not sleeping is only part of what he's capable of, and the truth is both better and worse than they could ever imagine.

REVIEW

The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To was a much different book than I thought it was going to be. I thought this book was going to be a funny and poignant coming of age story with the possibility of some zany adventure, something along the lines of I Love You, Beth Cooper. And while it is a coming of age story and there are strange and mysterious adventures that occur in the story, the book really isn’t about that.

Instead The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To is the sad and heartbreaking story of a kid who, in the midst of teenage hormones and anger, revealed his best friends secret, exposing his friend forever to a life of pain and suffering. This is the story of their journey from friend, to enemy, to greatest regret. And how years later one boys actions changed the world.

The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To is a young adult science fiction novel that contains an incredibly strong and moving story. The characters are interesting and the story moves at a pretty good pace, but what stuck me the most was the genuine sadness and strong emotions that emanated from the narrative. This emotion really strikes home with the reader making the short novel into so much more than it appears.

Of course The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To didn’t escape without a few faults. It has moments that are just plain boring, the brother and friend characters are poorly written, and the issue of materializing objects comes much to late in the story.

And yet this book was still a good read. While it may not win any awards, it certainly was emotionally charged and had its share of fun adventurous moments. And because of these I would recommend The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To to teenagers who want to read a good book with a sad ending.

RATING

6 out of 10

INFO

PUBLISHER: Vintage

PUBLISHED: January 26, 2010

PRICE: $14.00

Old Man's War: By John Scalzi

OLD MAN'S WAR

SUMMARY

With his wife dead and buried, and life nearly over at 75, John Perry takes the only logical course of action left him: he joins the army. Now better known as the Colonial Defense Force (CDF), Perry's service-of-choice has extended its reach into interstellar space to pave the way for human colonization of other planets while fending off marauding aliens. The CDF has a trick up its sleeve that makes enlistment especially enticing for seniors: the promise of restoring youth. After bonding with a group of fellow recruits who dub their clique the Old Farts, Perry finds himself in a new body crafted from his original DNA and upgraded for battle, including fast-clotting "smartblood" and a brain-implanted personal computer. All too quickly the Old Farts are separated, and Perry fights for his life on various alien-infested battlegrounds.

REVIEW

I’ve never been a big military science fiction fan. That said John Scalzi thoroughly impressed me with Old Man’s War. It was the work of a great genius and because of this book I’m now trying to read all of Scalzi’s work.

Old Man’s War takes place in a future where there is an intergalactic force that recruits not from the poor, and not from the young, but from the wealthy nation of the United States’ elderly. These old Americans are then transported to space where their consciousness is transferred into a new and improved body. This body is the one they will go to war with, and if they survive, then they’ll be allowed to retire in another youthful body.

The story quickly turns to the war and we soon discover there are many different species out there and few of them are friendly. As such the band of characters we’re introduced to soon becomes much smaller, moving the story along at a startling pace.

Scalzi has taken a used old idea, the military in space, and turned it into a piece of art. The descriptions are sensational and the story gripping, but what readers will be most fascinated with is Scalzi’s superb writing style. Readers really feel like they are being drawn into battle, becoming mesmerized with each minute detail of the intergalactic war.

As you may have guessed I’m a big fan of this book and all of Scalzi’s work at this point, and as such would eagerly recommend it to anyone who wants an engaging and thrilling book to read.

INFO

Publisher: Tor

Published: December 27, 2005