This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max
Gladstone
Gallery/Saga
Press; 7/16/19
eBook review copy; 208 pages
ISBN-13: 9781534431003
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and
Max Gladstone is a highly recommended epistolary science fiction
story.
Red and Blue are rival time traveling special agents from two
vastly different cultures/races that are at war. Red is part of
the Agency, working for the Commandant, and represents a
technological-based manufactured race of AI, while Blue is part of
the Garden and represents a biological/organic race of intertwined
mass consciousness. They both travel up, down, and along different
of time strands to make sure their culture succeeds and flourishes
in the future, winning the war.
When Blue leaves a letter for Red
on a bloody battlefield of a dying world, what began as a taunt evolves into a friendship and
later a romance through letters. The letter read: Burn
before reading. Red reads the letter and writes one of her
own, leaving it where Blue will find it on one of her assignments.
The two proceed to exchange letters in hidden, inventive,
creative, unique and unexpected ways across timelines in the
future and past. Any discovery of their exchange would mean death
for both women.
The narrative alternates between following Red and Blue on their
missions and with the letters sent to each other in-between
descriptions of their current objective. The two travel across
history and the future, both with multiple realities of each time
period. This abbreviated novel is composed of expertly crafted
exchanges using poetic language. Their romance is one of ideas,
thoughts, and emotions, not physical, because they are from such
different species.
The strength and the challenge of this novel is in the language
because the prose is so poetic, full of metaphors and similes. The world
building is there, but vague enough that it might be irksome to many
science fiction fans. The focus is not the worlds they are from or how
the war between the different future races evolved. Instead the prose
covers basically the missions they are on, with the heart of the novel
focusing on the burgeoning relationship between these two very different
special agents.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Gallery/Saga
Press.
Native Tongue by Suzette Haden Elgin
The Feminist Press at CUNY: rerelease 7/16/19
eBook review copy; 327 pages
ISBN-13: 9781936932634
Native Tongue by Suzette Haden Elgin is a highly recommended
classic dystopian novel which was originally published in 1984 and is
currently being re-released. This is the first book in a three book
series.
In 2205 the Nineteenth Amendment has long been repealed. Men hold
absolute power. Women are treated as children who must always be
supervised by men and any of their actions require male approval. The
only value women hold is to provide children. The current world-wide
economy depends upon trade with other cultures, including alien. The
Chornyak family is a powerful family of translators who raise their
children, daughters included, to be linguists. All their members speak
multiple languages and are used as translators in sensitive
negotiations.
Nazareth Adiness is a brilliant
linguist and the most talented of the Chornyak family. As with
all translators she has been working since she was young and is a
valuable asset to the family, yet she still has to endure an arranged
marriage as a teen and the expectation that she will have a large number
of children (while still working). Once women are past child bearing
years or deemed infertile, they are moved to Barren House, to keep the
older women from causing any drama in the main house.
Unknown to any man is that the useless older women of Barren house
have been working together to make up a secret language of their own, a
language that will only be taught to women and one they can use to
communicate with each other without the men's interference. The women
are preparing for a coming revolution where they will remove themselves
from the control of men.
It's rather surprising to me that I never came across Native Tongue
before this reissued edition. The world building depicts a misogynistic
society in a realistic manner. We currently have cultures/societies
where women have no rights and men are in control. It is an interesting
concept, but certainly Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale is
over all a better novel with more depth and clarity of characters. The
society is too divided here, too bad versus good, with men versus women,
and all men bad. It is interesting, certainly the discussion of
languages was interesting, but it also was a bit too simplistic.
First, I was engrossed in the narrative and found the whole concept
fascinating, but I can't say it was especially well written as a novel.
The character development is superficial. Perhaps the main issue I had
was the implausibility that the Nineteenth Amendment would ever be
repealed and all women would just submit. Even today there are women who
fight back against certain societies that have patriarchal cultural
expectations to control women. Not all women will submit; there will
always be some women who will fight for their freedom and rights. I'm
highly recommending it for some of the science fiction concepts
presented. 3.5 rounded up.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of The Feminist Press at CUNY.
The Lightest Object in the Universe by Kimi Eisele
Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill; 7/9/19
eBook review copy; 336 pages
ISBN-13: 9781616207939
The Lightest Object in the Universe by Kimi Eisele is a recommended post-apocalyptic novel.
A flu pandemic sweeps the world, twice. Protests are already tearing
the country apart when society completely breaks down after a cyber
attack takes out the electrical grid, along with the global economy and
everything else. What is left is a world of individuals on their own who
must know how to survive by their own wits and means. Carson is living
on the East Coast when the collapse happens, while the woman he has been
having a long-distance relationship with, Beatrix, lives on the West
Coast. While Beatrix finds herself trying to work with her neighbors to
create a cooperative community, set up a radio station, and watch out
for the gangs of unruly teenagers on bikes who call themselves T-Rizers, Carson sets out to cross the country on foot to find Beatrix.
The narrative alternates between Carson and Beatrix's point-of-view,
with a few sections told through teenage Rosie's eyes. Along Carson's
journey he encounters a wide variety of people, most of which are
adapting to the new world, mostly helpful. Many are heading toward the
compound of a man called Jonathan Blue and the Center he
leads in Wyoming. He has taken over the radio frequencies and
offers food and community for all who come and join his self-styled
religious cult. People across the country are headed toward his group,
while others stay in place and try to survive by their own strength and
wits.
I would probably scoff at this kinder, gentler post-apocalyptic
novel, except for the absolutely exceptional writing - and the quality
of the writing is exquisite. She also delves deep into her characters,
who are good people. You will want the best to happen to them, even if
you, like me, doubt the vision created here. There is also a little too
much implied finger-pointing about the "various evil whatever entities
that brought us to this horrid path, but look at how we can overcome"
going on.
Eisele has envisioned a collapse of society that is actually somewhat
optimistic. One would imagine that the actual violence is taking place
somewhere off the page, because this novel is more about hope, community
efforts, and a new beginning, which is kind of nice, but not highly
likely in reality. If people can't get along when they are living
(generally, in comparison) comfortable lives, how would the end of
society suddenly make them try? Beatrix scoffs at armed guards
protecting her neighborhood. Really? Digging composting toilets with
your neighbors doesn't necessarily bring people together and make them
want to share all they have with others. I also found the idea that
thousands of people would head off to a cult located in Wyoming a
fantastical fabrication.
In the final analysis, suspend your disbelief and read this novel for the determination of Carson to get to Beatrix.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.
The Liar's House by Carla Kovach
Bookouture: 7/2/19
eBook review copy; 328 pages
ISBN-13:
9781786818812
Detective Gina Harte #4
The Liar's House by Carla Kovach is a highly recommended police procedural and the fourth book in the British Detective Gina Harte series.
In a small Midlands town there is a killer on the loose. Samantha is
making her way home from a party at a private club, when she is
murdered. A body is never found, so her disappearance is labeled as a
missing person. Jumping ahead seven years, another woman, Jade Ashmore,
is murdered on her way home from a party. As the detectives investigate
the new crime, an older woman who was a friend of Samantha's receives a
birthday card for Sam with a fingernail inside. When police analyze the
nail, they discover that it belongs to Jade, not Samantha, and they
realize that the cases are linked.
At the same time Detective Gina Harte is at loose ends. She still
misses having a close relationship to Briggs, her boss, so she is trying
Tinder dating. She is basically just using it to hook up with men
rather than actually seeking a relationship. Her latest date, Rex, seems
way too intent on continuing the relationship.
Based on my experience, you can read this as a standalone and get the
background information without reading the previous books in the
series, although those who have read the whole series are suggesting
starting with the first book. From the back ground information it
appears that Gina has a rather detrimental acquaintance with unstable,
perverse men and unhealthy relationships. Abuse and violence against
women is a theme in this novel, as is women making bad choices. This all
creates a bit of a quandary for me. I didn't care for Gina as a
character based on her personal choices, which made the narrative feel a
little more tedious. Once a victim does not mean always a victim.
The plot is a well-written procedural and Kovach provides plenty of
suspects to consider as the investigation deepens. The pace is even. I
didn't experience any twists or surprises here, but is it a solid
procedural. I guessed the identity of the killer right away. The
connection to a partner-swapping group just made a gray novel feel even
darker. It's not that it is a bad novel, it's just a rather bleak,
depressing one. 3.5 rounded up.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Bookouture via Netgalley.
Girls Like Us by Cristina Alger
Penguin Random House: 7/2/19
eBook review copy; 288 pages
ISBN-13:
9780525535805
Girls Like Us by Cristina Alger is a highly recommended procedural and psychological thriller.
FBI Agent Nell Flynn returns home to Long Island to bury her father,
Homicide Detective Martin Flynn, and settle his estate. After a second
body is discovered, Nell, who is still recovery from a gunshot wound,
ends up helping her father's new partner, Lee Davis, with the investigation into the murder of two young women.
As she looks into the investigation it appears that her father may have
been involved in corruption and a prostitution ring and his long-time
friends on the force may also be involved.
As the investigation continues, Nell uncovers secrets and
lies, exposure of which could threaten her life. The more she unearths,
the more the tension and suspense build. As the narrative builds
momentum, the plot intensifies to a break-neck velocity, with some
surprising twists along the way. Nell is a great character, smart and
tenacious, as she takes on the investigation and her own personal quest
for the truth, despite the consequences of what she exposes. Nell is questioning both her past and the present as she looks for the answers to her questions.
The quality of the writing is outstanding, both in the plot and
character development. The plot is intricate, gritty, fast-paced and
action-packed. The pacing of the narrative is pitch-perfect, which helps
keep the tension and suspense steadily rising with each chapter. (It is
also appealing to have a reliable female narrator.) There are a number
of well-placed twists and discoveries as the investigation proceeds.
Book clubs may enjoy the discussion based on social classes that will
ensue from the privileged home owners versus the undocumented women and
sex trafficking. This is a winning summer read with a surprising ending.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Penguin Random House.
Never Look Back by Alison Gaylin
HarperCollins; 7/2/19
eBook review copy; 368 pages
ISBN-13: 9780062844545
Never Look Back by Alison Gaylin is a highly recommended mystery/thriller that begs the question, "How well do you know your parents?"
In 1976 teenage murderers April Cooper and
Gabriel LeRoy terrorized Southern California. Now forty years
later true-crime podcaster Quentin Garrison is looking into the pair for
a show he has named "Closure" because that is what he is hoping to
find. The pair killed his mother's little sister and he blames them for
his mother's drug abuse and tearing his family apart. Now he has a tip
that April didn't die in 1976, but is still alive under the name Renee Bloom. He contacts her daughter,
New York
City film columnist Robin Diamond, and asks her how well does she
know her mother's background and if her mother could be April Cooper.
The narrative is told through events in the past and present by
alternating between current day events and fifteen-year-old April
Cooper's diary of letters to her future daughter. The twists and
new information abound between the present day investigation and action
in juxtaposition to the story of what really happened in 1976. The
suspense builds in both time periods as the question of trust and
honesty comes into play. As events unfold, Gaylin keeps the action
moving quickly forward.
The quality of writing is excellent. The duel points-of-view work
well in this novel and Gaylin does an excellent job keeping the voices
of the different characters distinct and unique. The plot moves quickly
and directly without any sidetracks or superfluous facts thrown in for
distraction. She keeps her characters distinct and unique while allowing
them to provide the clues and information needed to tell the story and
solve the mystery. Some parts will be easy for readers to predict the
outcome, but all in all this was a very good mystery.
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of HarperCollins
The Girl in the Woods by Patricia MacDonald
Severn House Publishers: 2/1/19 (reprint)
eBook review copy; 240 pages
ISBN-13: 9781847518941
The Girl in the Woods by Patricia MacDonald is a so-so/recommended mystery surrounding a murder that occurred fifteen years previously.
Blair Butler has returned to the small town where she and her
sister, Celeste, grew up with their Uncle Ellis after their mother died.
Blair left as soon as she was able and never looked back, especially
after her best friend, Molly, was murdered there fifteen years ago when
the girls were thirteen. Now Celeste is dying and Blair returns to her
bedside, only to have her sister tell her a shocking secret that means
the man convicted of killing Molly is not guilty and the real killer is
still out there. Molly begins to investigate and let people know about
her sister's secret, but this only seems to stir up more secrets and
resentment.
This is all in all, an okay mystery/thriller, with nothing to really
set it apart or make it stand out. Blair is an annoying
character/caricature, but she is set in a novel full of annoying
characters/caricatures who all are representative of a certain type of
person. Descriptions of characters are simply a repeated rehashing of
their negative personality traits and actions. The narrative itself is
very derivative and takes huge plot elements from several other novels (two
novels in particular) so there is no real original story telling here.
You will likely know where the story is going. It is, however, a fast
and quick read. (I've rounded up to three stars.)
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of Severn House Publishers.
