Wool Omnibus (1-5) by Hugh Howey

Book Description: This is the story of mankind clawing for survival, of mankind on the edge. The world outside has grown unkind, the view of it limited, talk of it forbidden. But there are always those who hope, who dream. These are the dangerous people, the residents who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple. They are given the very thing they profess to want: They are allowed outside.



Review 5 of 5 Stars:
At the suggestion of an author I recently reviewed, I finally got around to reading Wool by Hugh Howey and was greatly pleased with the recommendation.  It seems I benefited from being a little late to the game as the first five stories had been bundled together while I procrastinated. This story is extremely well done from start to finish. I not only enjoyed it, but life pretty much came to a halt as I read it over the Memorial Day holiday. Another good indication of the story's quality is that I immediately purchased First Shift - Legacy (Part 6 of the Silo Series) within hours of finishing because I'd run out of book and wasn't ready for the story to end. Wool was so well done. I was truly intrigued by the characters and found myself fully involved especially once Juliette's struggles began in this controlled and broken world of the silo. She was a great character - independent, intelligent, feisty, compassionate, loyal and willing to overcome any odds to survive against seemingly impossible odds. One of those characters who brings to mind the phrase indomitable will and I truly enjoyed this story from start to finish. Everything about this story was well done from social dynamics to the uncovering of the hidden truths. I can only suggest that you read it and hope that you enjoy the experience as much as I did. I'd give it more than a 5, but that's as high as the rating scale goes.

The Brotherhood of Piaxia by Michael Drakich

Book Description: Years have passed since the overthrow of the monarchy by the Brotherhood of Warlocks and they rule Piaxia in peaceful accord. But now forces are at work to disrupt this rule from outside the Brotherhood as well as within! In the border town of Rok, a young warlock acolyte, Tarlok and his older brother, Savan, captain of the guard, become embroiled in the machinations of dominance. While in the capital city, Tessia, the daughter of Piaxia’s most influential merchant, begins a journey of survival. Follow the three as their paths intertwine, with members of the Brotherhood in pursuit and the powerful merchant’s guild manipulating the populace for their own ends.


Review 3 of 5 Stars:


The author requested that I review this book. I really enjoy a good fantasy and the description sounded pretty good so I sat down to read it. Overall it was a decent story. Not epic and sweeping, but not bad either and I didn't have to struggle to finish it. The writing was good and the story flowed along. All things considered the writing was not the problem (and that is a compliment). I believe the overall problem was that the author played it a little too safe in the story and I really didn't feel that the characters were explored enough. Several of the characters had great promise to invest the reader in their struggle, but never quite hit the depth that drives emotion. As far as characters go Tarlok was my favorite, but at times even he seemed a little flat in his responses. For me, this type of story should be a valiant struggle against the adverse force that is causing trouble to make you really feel for the characters and get caught up in their struggle to right wrongs. There were moments when I was truly intrigued and couldn't wait to get back to the story. However, everything worked out a little too neatly, what should have been major battles were won too easily, everyone's plans worked out just as they had hoped and what should have seemed like insurmountable odds kind of fizzled due to the ease with which those odds were overcome and the predictability of the outcomes. There was no moment when you felt that the good guys might really lose the day and I think that's an integral piece for this type of story. Note that I'm not discouraging readers from this book. If you enjoy a good general fantasy story then you'll probably enjoy this, but don't expect to be holding your breath for the conclusion. I think with some additional skill honing with regard to plot and characterization along with a dash of risk taking we might see some really good things from this author.

Savannah by Peter Cawdron

Book Description: Savannah is the third in a series of stand-alone novellas exploring alternatives to the Rare Earth Hypothesis in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

How did a nurse from Chicago find herself on a voyage to the outer reaches of the galaxy? After taking up a position in an exclusive hotel in Kenya, Diana finds her world turned upside down by the advent of the equatorial space-port. 



Review 5 of 5 Stars:

As I have enjoyed his other works, I happily settled down to read Savannah, Peter Cawdron's most recent addition to the set of novellas he's been working on in his exploration of the Rare Earth hypothesis and how mankind might go about searching for extraterrestrial life. Having read the other novellas he has written in this series, I was ready to see where the latest installment would take me as I still had unanswered questions and was truly interested to see where the story was going. Gladly, I can say that I very much enjoyed Savannah and was pleased that it tied together several of the things in the previous novellas that I felt were missing. This volume really tied together the pieces for me from Serengeti and it was interesting to see meet the characters in Trixie and Me in a different setting before they set out on their explorations. I will freely admit that I was a little confused as the story got started since the others were further along the timeline, but I immediately recognized the characters and was more than willing to explore their stories more as I felt I'd been left hanging regarding the story of these characters when I first read about them in Serengeti. As I had hoped from the description I was soon drawn into the characters and the story of how it all began, which I very much enjoyed reading and I was disappointed when it had to end. I'm afraid that to say more would give away too much and lessen the enjoyment for readers. In reviewing this, I wish that I could say I'm only reviewing Savannah which was very interesting, had some wonderfully fun and unusual humorous moments and kept my attention from start to finish. However, having now read three of the stories in this series it's kind of like reading a really good book that covers several different story lines in sections. In fact, it reminds me of reading serial science fiction where you had to wait expectantly for the next month's issue to come out. I definitely suggest Savannah to readers and am waiting expectantly for the next issue in a manner of speaking...

Sisterhood of Dune by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert

Book Description:

It is eighty-three years after the last of the thinking machines were destroyed in the Battle of Corrin, after Faykan Butler took the name of Corrino and established himself as the first Emperor of a new Imperium. Great changes are brewing that will shape and twist all of humankind.

The war hero Vorian Atreides has turned his back on politics and Salusa Secundus. The descendants of Abulurd Harkonnen Griffen and Valya have sworn vengeance against Vor, blaming him for the downfall of their fortunes. Raquella Berto-Anirul has formed the Bene Gesserit School on the jungle planet Rossak as the first Reverend Mother. The descendants of Aurelius Venport and Norma Cenva have built Venport Holdings, using mutated, spice-saturated Navigators who fly precursors of Heighliners. Gilbertus Albans, the ward of the hated Erasmus, is teaching humans to become Mentats…and hiding an unbelievable secret.

The Butlerian movement, rabidly opposed to all forms of “dangerous technology,” is led by Manford Torondo and his devoted Swordmaster, Anari Idaho. And it is this group, so many decades after the defeat of the thinking machines, which begins to sweep across the known universe in mobs, millions strong, destroying everything in its path.

Every one of these characters, and all of these groups, will become enmeshed in the contest between Reason and Faith. All of them will be forced to choose sides in the inevitable crusade that could destroy humankind forever….

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Review 3 of 5 Stars:
I love the Dune universe and was really looking forward to this book.  In fact, I bought the hardback for my birthday since I own them all and I've mostly enjoyed and been entertained by the other books that Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert wrote in the Dune universe after Frank Herbert's passing.  I wish I could say that I loved it, felt good about paying almost $30 for it and will read it over and over for years to come, but unfortunately I can't.  There were some interesting tidbits and history, but on the whole I never was thoroughly engaged in the story presented.  The Bene Gesserit stuff was kind of blah where it seemed it should have been more exciting given the events taking place.  I most enjoyed finding out what became of Vorian Atreides after he rode off into the sunset, so to speak, in the series previously. The Harkonnen ploy for vengeance wasn't really all that vengeful in nature or exciting.  Seemed like all the factions were just kind of blundering along trying to get their houses in order. I wish I could add something more positive as I've loved the series up until now.  Let's hope that if there's a next one that it regains the flavor that made Dune such an intriguing series to visit.