By Sonny Whitelaw and Elizabeth Christensen.
Summary: A series of gruesome murders on Earth leads back to the SGC, with ties to Pegasus. Weir and some team members are recalled to help Daniel Jackson and an FBI Profiler solve the mystery.
Review: I enjoyed this story.
This is a heavy crossover that leans more into SG1 than SGA and if you haven't watched a lot of SG1 (like me) parts won't be perfectly clear. Me, I'm easily pleased so I just accepted that things would make sense in the end, despite me not knowing all the SG1 backstory. And I basically read between the lines and figured most of it out.
Still, for me it always felt like an SG1 story that just happened to have most of the SGA characters in it, but that's probably due to 1) it happens largely on Earth, and 2) a lot of the "reasons why" everything happened were related to or were explained in SG1 episodes I didn't see.
Were the characters In Character? Yes. I thought so. They sounded like themselves to me.
Since finishing this book I read the Amazon reviews and was really surprised. I didn't think Rodney came off as a coward. He isn't my favorite character though, so sometimes I miss the nuances, but he wasn't so off that I even noticed it. Several people think Larance, the OC, is a Mary Sue. I didn't really think so, at least not as much as Keller was. The reasoning given for who was killed and "planted in position", etc., applied to Larance too, even if she didn't know it, and gave a reason in my mind for her to be in the story a lot. She was in it more than most of the SGA characters, other than John and Rodney--something that bothered me a little and I suspect bothers others too. That she was also the one who happened to clear John to go to Antarctica years ago was a little bit of a stretch to me, but not too bad.
And I saw references to John "Kirking" and flirting a lot in the book which just made me go, huh? To me, he was uncomfortable with all the women in the book except for Weir and Teyla. All of them. He acted like he wished they weren't there. That's how it read to me, though he did admit to sleeping with Chaya in this story.
The story was obviously heavily-researched and was well-written. I don't recall any typos or bad editing at all. There was a little, to me, gruesome Shep whump and I liked the way Teyla was used near the end. Some of the dialogue had me chuckling aloud--mostly Rodney's lines. I did like the new aliens and the new world the authors created.
For the most part it was really interesting. The only parts that dragged for me were some of the long explanations about mythology or genetics, but thankfully there wasn't a lot of it. Most was sprinkled throughout.
A good read? Yes. For me it was. I liked it, stayed up late a few nights, and am glad I read it. I tried to relax and just enjoy a new adventure with characters I like in it.
If you're looking for a mostly SGA or "Team" SGA story, this isn't it. If you aren't a fan of OC's or Daniel Jackson, then maybe you should skip this one.
_________________________________
So far I haven't read any SGA books I truly disliked enough to "toss out". The worst I can say about a few is the editing isn't always terrific and they have boring stretches. But then, the same can be said of a lot of non-tv tie-in novels too. To me, part of the reason some are a little dull is that the characters are the same at the end as they were when the story started, with only minor changes, so some exciting stuff has to be downplayed. That's basically the nature of tie-ins though and doesn't leave any room for major character growth like you'd find in other types of novels. It doesn't often bother me, though I'm hoping growth happens in the new, approved series that starts with Homecoming, the book I've chosen to read next.
I have to hurry though. In three days I start the 2011 SFR Reading Challenge and will have to set aside SGA until I can read my quota. I haven't signed up for a level yet but the 2010 challenge had a minimum of 25 books--a LOT for me to squeeze in particularly since this year I want to revise my novel. Also, I signed up for a writing workshop given by the charismatic and talented Margie Lawson. Her classes take so much work I may have to set aside Homecoming for a month too. LOL.
Happy Reading, everyone!
Anna
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Just read: Ej-Es by Nancy Kress
This short SF story is unique, interesting and heartbreaking. The worldbuilding is excellent.
Summary: A team of future Marines/Peace Corp medics lands on a planet that's been decimated by a plague. No one is alive...or are they? Mia, a medic who's about to retire from active duty, finds survivors. But all isn't as it first seems. The survivors behave very strangely, talking to a mysterious Ej-Es and other things that aren't there.
Mia spearheads the investigation to what is really happening and then faces a choice that will change her life forever.
Review: Excellent short story. I really loved it. It was tense, exciting and I truly couldn't figure out what was going on until the bittersweet ending. Afterwards, I found out it was written for an anthology of stories based on lyrics from Janis Ian songs. Ej-Es is a play on Jessie. In the audio version it's pronounced "Edges".
I'm glad I read this. It's one that I'll remember for a long time. The themes are powerful. The characters are interesting. The worldbuilding made me stop and think. Very well done. I've always read Ms. Kress' writing articles, but now I'll look up her fiction, too.
Summary: A team of future Marines/Peace Corp medics lands on a planet that's been decimated by a plague. No one is alive...or are they? Mia, a medic who's about to retire from active duty, finds survivors. But all isn't as it first seems. The survivors behave very strangely, talking to a mysterious Ej-Es and other things that aren't there.
Mia spearheads the investigation to what is really happening and then faces a choice that will change her life forever.
Review: Excellent short story. I really loved it. It was tense, exciting and I truly couldn't figure out what was going on until the bittersweet ending. Afterwards, I found out it was written for an anthology of stories based on lyrics from Janis Ian songs. Ej-Es is a play on Jessie. In the audio version it's pronounced "Edges".
I'm glad I read this. It's one that I'll remember for a long time. The themes are powerful. The characters are interesting. The worldbuilding made me stop and think. Very well done. I've always read Ms. Kress' writing articles, but now I'll look up her fiction, too.
SGA: Mirror, Mirror
Stargate Atlantis: Mirror, Mirror is action-filled and full of twists.
Summary: The Team plus two are offered the chance of a lifetime--a device that can rewrite time and erase the Wraith from existance. Ikaros, the Ancient prodigy who created the device assures them it's foolproof. But he leaves out vital information and suddenly our Team is divided, spread out across infinite timelines in Atlantis and the clock is ticking to save the galaxy.
Review: I really liked it. The characters sound like themselves, even when they aren't totally themselves. There's whump, bits of humor, snark, lots of action, and some surprises. All of the Team members, Drs. Weir, and Zelenka get a lot of time, but most of the story does seem to focus on the Team members and Weir.
I read it more than once and really enjoyed it. I could see this as a movie.
Summary: The Team plus two are offered the chance of a lifetime--a device that can rewrite time and erase the Wraith from existance. Ikaros, the Ancient prodigy who created the device assures them it's foolproof. But he leaves out vital information and suddenly our Team is divided, spread out across infinite timelines in Atlantis and the clock is ticking to save the galaxy.
Review: I really liked it. The characters sound like themselves, even when they aren't totally themselves. There's whump, bits of humor, snark, lots of action, and some surprises. All of the Team members, Drs. Weir, and Zelenka get a lot of time, but most of the story does seem to focus on the Team members and Weir.
I read it more than once and really enjoyed it. I could see this as a movie.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Review: BARK! by Darrell Bain
I finished this a few days ago.
Summary: A weird weather phenomenon happened on the day of Tonto the wiener dog's conception and equal weirdness happened to the pup. Turns out aliens were landing in Texas and now Tonto is the only one on the entire planet that can tell them apart from all other life on Earth.
Tonto is billed as ADHD, cross-eyed and having one testicle. He seemed more obsessive-compulsive to me, but that doesn't stop him from being a hero.
This story is hilarious, thought-provoking and down-right strange. I loved it! Tonto is wonderful. All of the characters are unique and intersting. The plot is unusual and fun. It did end a bit abruptly but I think there may be a sequel.
The only downside to the story is it's chock-full of cussing. Yes, it fits the character that does most of it, but still, if you don't like copious amounts of cussing this might not be the story for you. Two of the characters also spent the entire story drunk.
I liked the aliens. I loved Tonto the dog. I liked all of the other characters. I've already bought a couple more of Mr. Bain's short stories.
Summary: A weird weather phenomenon happened on the day of Tonto the wiener dog's conception and equal weirdness happened to the pup. Turns out aliens were landing in Texas and now Tonto is the only one on the entire planet that can tell them apart from all other life on Earth.
Tonto is billed as ADHD, cross-eyed and having one testicle. He seemed more obsessive-compulsive to me, but that doesn't stop him from being a hero.
This story is hilarious, thought-provoking and down-right strange. I loved it! Tonto is wonderful. All of the characters are unique and intersting. The plot is unusual and fun. It did end a bit abruptly but I think there may be a sequel.
The only downside to the story is it's chock-full of cussing. Yes, it fits the character that does most of it, but still, if you don't like copious amounts of cussing this might not be the story for you. Two of the characters also spent the entire story drunk.
I liked the aliens. I loved Tonto the dog. I liked all of the other characters. I've already bought a couple more of Mr. Bain's short stories.
Currently Reading.
Hi!
I'm now reading SGA: Mirror, Mirror. I had started a year ago or so and stopped. Don't remember why. This one has gotten much better reviews so hopefully I'll think it rocks. :-)
There's a chance I'll participate in a Dec SFR reading challenge on Goodreads, so I don't know how far I'll get.
I'm also working on my Resoutions. How about you? Too early?
I'm now reading SGA: Mirror, Mirror. I had started a year ago or so and stopped. Don't remember why. This one has gotten much better reviews so hopefully I'll think it rocks. :-)
There's a chance I'll participate in a Dec SFR reading challenge on Goodreads, so I don't know how far I'll get.
I'm also working on my Resoutions. How about you? Too early?
Review: SGA: Angelus
This tie-in has gotten a lot of bad reviews, from what I understand. A lot. So of course I had to read it for myself.
**
Set in the Pegasus Galaxy during Sam Carter's new tenure, three weeks after Elizabeth was lost, it's the story of a long-lost Ancient who promises to build a weapon that can destory the Replicators. The meddling IOA forces Sam to allow Angelus, the Ancient, into Alantis so they can get their grubby mitts on the weapon. Things don't go as planned, of course, and all heck breaks loose.
**
I can see why many die-hard SGA-only fans don't like this book. It stars Sam Carter from SG1. She wasn't in SGA very long yet she is clearly the main character with all the SGA characters taking a backseat, except perhaps Rodney, who, for most of the book, didn't speak or act like the character in the show. He sort-of did, but then he was really off, as were most of the SGA characters. His relationship with Sam was not done like the show.
I could overlook it most of the time, but parts were really off--like having Keller quip, "Jesus!" when things suprised or bothered her. Or Rodney willingly sticking his hand into muck and bringing it to his face without much complaint while John whines, 'can we leave yet?' (please, please?) Or, having Ronon call Shep "John" instead of "Sheppard", and John calling him "Dex" instead of "Ronon". Teyla seemed the most like herself.
And then Angelus started out calling the humans "Tou'ri" (sp?) which I thought was Go'auld (sp?) and not Ancient and I thought only applied to specific groups of resistance fighters. I could be wrong but it was really weird to hear him say something I only associated with SG1.
I did like Zelenka's parts, despite him not sounding like himself. The part with he and Sam in the lab in the middle of the night was very creepy and probably my favorite part of the whole book. "What did you hear!" He nodded toward the monitor. "That." Been there. I know the sound they're describing. Very, very creepy!
Also, large chunks of the story star someone named Ellis who I presume was on SG1, a show I only watched part of, on the Apollo. While I can see the author having a legitimate reason to use these characters, it gave the whole novel more of the feel of an SG1 book and not an SGA book. Why didn't he just use Caldwell? Caldwell was on SGA a lot. I couldn't even picture Ellis.
Now, if I forget about all that above for a while and focus on the story itself. I can't believe I read this after dark. LOL. I'm surprised I didn't have nightmares. It was a horror story pure and simple. Gross, scary, and then gory.
The writing itself was good. The imagery was strong. The villain was bad and the ultimate twists were pretty good. The editing wasn't the best but not the worst I've read.
All in all I think the people who will like this book the best are those who are fans of both SGA and SG1. I was surprised how much I did like it after all the bad things I've heard about it.
Still, it's not a keeper for me because ultimately the SGA was lacking and that's why I bought it in the first place. Too bad it has such a nice cover.
**
Set in the Pegasus Galaxy during Sam Carter's new tenure, three weeks after Elizabeth was lost, it's the story of a long-lost Ancient who promises to build a weapon that can destory the Replicators. The meddling IOA forces Sam to allow Angelus, the Ancient, into Alantis so they can get their grubby mitts on the weapon. Things don't go as planned, of course, and all heck breaks loose.
**
I can see why many die-hard SGA-only fans don't like this book. It stars Sam Carter from SG1. She wasn't in SGA very long yet she is clearly the main character with all the SGA characters taking a backseat, except perhaps Rodney, who, for most of the book, didn't speak or act like the character in the show. He sort-of did, but then he was really off, as were most of the SGA characters. His relationship with Sam was not done like the show.
I could overlook it most of the time, but parts were really off--like having Keller quip, "Jesus!" when things suprised or bothered her. Or Rodney willingly sticking his hand into muck and bringing it to his face without much complaint while John whines, 'can we leave yet?' (please, please?) Or, having Ronon call Shep "John" instead of "Sheppard", and John calling him "Dex" instead of "Ronon". Teyla seemed the most like herself.
And then Angelus started out calling the humans "Tou'ri" (sp?) which I thought was Go'auld (sp?) and not Ancient and I thought only applied to specific groups of resistance fighters. I could be wrong but it was really weird to hear him say something I only associated with SG1.
I did like Zelenka's parts, despite him not sounding like himself. The part with he and Sam in the lab in the middle of the night was very creepy and probably my favorite part of the whole book. "What did you hear!" He nodded toward the monitor. "That." Been there. I know the sound they're describing. Very, very creepy!
Also, large chunks of the story star someone named Ellis who I presume was on SG1, a show I only watched part of, on the Apollo. While I can see the author having a legitimate reason to use these characters, it gave the whole novel more of the feel of an SG1 book and not an SGA book. Why didn't he just use Caldwell? Caldwell was on SGA a lot. I couldn't even picture Ellis.
Now, if I forget about all that above for a while and focus on the story itself. I can't believe I read this after dark. LOL. I'm surprised I didn't have nightmares. It was a horror story pure and simple. Gross, scary, and then gory.
The writing itself was good. The imagery was strong. The villain was bad and the ultimate twists were pretty good. The editing wasn't the best but not the worst I've read.
All in all I think the people who will like this book the best are those who are fans of both SGA and SG1. I was surprised how much I did like it after all the bad things I've heard about it.
Still, it's not a keeper for me because ultimately the SGA was lacking and that's why I bought it in the first place. Too bad it has such a nice cover.
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