Mad March – Reading

I started out the month reading the short fiction of Lucius Shepard, took a break to read “Don’t Make Me Think” by Steve Krug. Took a break from that too when I had an urge to read some Weber.

So for most of March, I have been slowly re-reading

The Shadow of Saganami
by David Weber
ISBN 978-1416509295 (Baen)
Paperback, 2005

This is book 1 of the Saganami Island series. The hardback of book 2 “Storm from the Shadows” was released this month, and the cliff hangers at the end of that will have you “hanging” in wait for its sequel.

Shadow of Saganami follows the adventures of a few Saganami Island graduates on their snotty cruise. For a little more background, read “Crown of Slaves” by David Weber & Eric Flint

They only have one thing to support and guide them: the tradition of Saganami. The tradition that sometimes a Queen’s officer’s duty is to face impossible odds … and die fighting.

Verdict:
Not quite so riveting as Weber’s Honnor Harrington Series, but has a great battle scene and ending – tear jerker. A bit of a trial getting through the first half though, due the the extra detail inserted – just wanted to get on with the story.

There are no treecats – something you love about Honor Harrington’s adventures. At least the ship has a fierce cat name – hexapuma (nasty kitty). For more reviews, see amazon.com

Other Reading:
I did get to finish “Don’t Make Me Think” by Steve Krug – a good/interesting read. It’s about the design of websites. When you enter a website, it should be obvious on what it’s about and navigation should be easily discoverable. The associated website is titled “Advanced Common Sense” @ sensible.com

I read a couple more Lucius Shepard stories and was side-tracked into reading K.E.Mills’s Accidental Sorcerer – see the review. Lucius Shepard’s writing reminds me of Ray Bradbury… but the reasons why will have to wait until I finish the book – April maybe!! … I have just picked up Philip Palmer’s “Debatable Space”.

K.E.Mills: Rogue Agent Series

1) Accidental Sorcerer
2) Witches Incorporated

The Accidental Sorcerer
ISBN-13: 978-0732287634 (Voyager)
Paperback 01-Sep-2008

Witches Incorporated
ISBN-13: 978-0732286057 (HarperVoyager)
Trade Paperback 01-Apr-2009

The Accidental Sorcerer: For the life of him, Gerald Dunwoody can’t seem to keep a job or a roof over his head. When disaster strikes again it looks like his days of being a wizard are over for good … until his friend Monk, genius of the government’s secret research department, helps him to get appointed as Royal Court Wizard to the King of New Ottosland. His offsider, Reg, an ensorcelled bird with a mysterious past, isn’t so sure this is a good idea. But Gerald’s choices are limited. It’s New Ottosland, or starve.

But once Gerald arrives it quickly becomes clear that King Lional isn’t the vain, indolent young man he first appeared to be. And with the passing of time, it becomes even clearer that Lional’s plans may not, in fact, be in Gerald’s best interests.

Witches Incorporated: Gerald is deep in training for his first official assignment – a case of espionage with international consequences. Melissande, meanwhile, has gone into business … she’s opened a new witching locum agency. A one-stop shop where magical problems are solved – for a reasonable price. Managing her own business should be a breeze after negotiating the tough tides of New Ottosland politics. The future is looking good. Good, that is, until Witches Incorporated is offered a job that puts Melissande on a collision course with Gerald. Before long, any kind of future is looking increasingly unlikely.

The Author:
K.E.Mills is Karen Miller. Miller says she is writing under this pen name because it’s not epic historical fantasy, and instead of being a self-contained multi-volume series, it’s a series of self-contained adventures featuring continuing characters. Plus the tone is a bit different to her other work. karenmiller.net

Verdict:
Book 2 has just been released, and I look forward to reading it.

Book 1 was very-hard-to-put-down. It was also a quick read. The above blurb from Karen’s website covers the subject well. The Accidental Sorcerer is a good tale, and it left me with an “Introduction to an open ended series” feeling. The story escaped cheezyness/cringe-factor and was action packed to the end. Definitely a different tone to her other work. Recommended reading.