Monday, February 08, 2016

Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Gorn Crisis by Kevin J. Anderson

Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Gorn CrisisStar Trek: The Next Generation - The Gorn Crisis by Kevin J. Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Interesting TNG story covering political upheaval in the Gorn empire. Aspects (to me) reminiscent of the culture of the green folk on Barsoom.

Fun to see this turn in the Star Trek Universe by Kevin J. Anderson, better known for his work in the Star Wars and Dune 'verses. There's an interesting afterword about the design of the Gorn race, with anatomical drawings and more.


View all my reviews

Star Trek: Movie Adaptation by J.J. Abrams

Star Trek: Movie AdaptationStar Trek: Movie Adaptation by J.J. Abrams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good adaptation - nicely done, glad it was included in the Humble Bundle.

While I understand the detractors vis a vis JJ's reboot, I can enjoy Star Trek wherever I find it. The graphic novel has a lot of nice visuals interpreted from the movie, and adds in a few details to flesh out the story.


View all my reviews

Lords of Space by Michael Wallace

Lords of Space (Starship Blackbeard Book 2)Lords of Space by Michael Wallace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

More perils for Captain Drake!

Nicely done continuation of the series. Plenty of intrigue, battles, betrayal and even romance. I appreciate the reasonably priced ($1.99) Audible narrations and have already picked up the third book and audio.

Wallace does a good job pillaging the past with his "triangle trade"-like situation with the ancient Hroom and their sugar addictions and the neo-Brit humans with their sugar plantations. Add in pirates, skullduggery in the admiralty and a mysterious alien enemy - there is a nice mix of complex storytelling.

View all my reviews

Lafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell

Lafayette in the Somewhat United StatesLafayette in the Somewhat United States by Sarah Vowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Inspiring excursion into history!

As always, Vowell does a great job bringing history to life with humor, and a keen eye towards the meaning for our age. Went well with listening to the musical "Hamilton." This also inspired me to pick up an audio book of Democracy in America. I know that will take me a while, considering other books (and audio books ) in progress, but it is another interesting French take on America.

I especially appreciate all the background Vowell brings to her historical explorations, and in particular her appreciation of the National Park Service, and the credit she gives them in her books!

View all my reviews