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Prior to 2004

Alvin Journeyman
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Good
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:Book 4 in the Alvin Maker series. This series remains strong. This time around, Alvin returns home to work as a blacksmith and teach others how to become a maker. He works toward his vision of the Crystal City and the reader can get a sense of where this series is headed.

American Gods
Author: Gaiman, Neil
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: OK
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:Being a big fan of Gaiman's other work, I was disappointed by this book. He explores some wonderful themes and creates some entertaining concepts. But the main character did not draw me in and I had a hard time getting through this book. I didn't necessarily enjoy reading it, but I could appreciate it when I finally finished.

Children of the Mind
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Good
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:The last installment in the first Ender series, Children of the Mind asks us to once more pull for struggling races on the planet Lusitania. This time, in addition to the humans and the alien races we have grown to know over this series, Card puts Jane, Ender's nebulous computer friend, at risk as well. Just as compelling and fabulous as the earlier books in the series.

Cryptonomicon
Author: Stephenson, Neal
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Good
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:The nerd in me loved this book. It has tons of nerdy technical details: cryptography, math, computers, what more could you want. A crypto/sci-fi thriller, chock-full of techno babble. But it's short on plot and only mediocre in character development. This book is typical Stephenson, elaborately geeky, but not exactly great literature. I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Enchantment
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:Another one of my all-time favorites, Enchantment is a fabulous modern day fairy tale. The protagonist discovers a magical portal in the forest which transports him across the world and to a different time period in which he must save his princess. An all-around brilliant, very fun, witty fairy-tale.

Ender's Game
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:I can't even begin to give justice to how good this book is. Card has created a masterpiece to last the ages. Fun, adventurous, intriguing, intense. Ender Wiggins, as a young boy, is sent off to battle school in space. He trains to battle an alien race with other school children. It sounds simple, but it's magnificent.

Ender's Shadow
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:Card has managed to rediscover the magic that created Ender's Game. In this book, he retells the story of Ender's Game, but this time from Little Bean's perspective. A delightful look at the original story from a different point of view, sheds new light on the days at the space battle station

Galatea 2.2
Author: Powers, Richard
Genre: Fiction
Rating: Good
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:An intellectual thriller, Galatea 2.2 explores the mind/brain dichotomy in a non-academic and amusing way. A humanist paired up with a cognitive neuroscientist push the limits of their own conception of this classic problem when they train a machine on a set of Great Books.

Harry Potter Series
Author: Rawlings, J.K.
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Good
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:As a first-time author, Rawling has created a wonderfully intriguing world. Although the Potter series is targeted towards children, the stories are intricate enough to also entertain adults. Rawlings is creative, witty and very clever with word-play. Although like many fantasy writers, as the series goes on, the books have gotten longer. She is clearly fascinated by the world she has created and can't help but go into delicious details. Her world is fascinating, so I don't mind all the detail but it does begin to detract from the plot.

Heartfire
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Good
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:Between the title and the cover image, many might mistake this for a romance novel. But thankfully, it's another book in the charming Alvin Maker series. Alvin, Peggy, Calvin, and others continue their adventures where they left off in Alvin Journeyman.

Jurgen
Author: Cabell, James Branch
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:Jurgen, the protagonist, regains his youth, and encounters a number of wild adventures while searching for his lost wife. The flawed romantic, Jurgen falls in love half a dozen times, encounters both God and the devil, explores alternate pasts, and travels wondrous lands. In this brilliant fantasy, Cabell is erudite, imaginative, allegorical. I could reread this book dozens of times before discovering all of its hidden meanings.

Neverwhere
Author: Gaiman, Neil
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:A fascinating adventure. It's been awhile since I've read this, but I recall it being a wild adventure in a wonderfully fantastical world in the underground sewers below London. Gaimain creates unique characters, explores dark themes and has a lot of fun along the way.

Prentice Alvin
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:Another great installment in the Alvin Maker series. Unlike most fantasy writers, as this series goes on, the books remain concise and the story stays strong.

Red Prophet
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:The Alvin Maker tale continues in book 2, Red Prophet. In this installment, Alvin uses his power to influence the political struggles of the time - strained relations with the Indians, competing European nations for fronteir lands, corrupt governors of remote territories. Card's compelling characters keep you turning the pages to untangle the political turmoil and discover the elaborate intricacies of a world in which magic is part of every day life.

Seventh Son
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:The first in the Alvin Maker series, Card introduces great characters and opens a fascinating story set in fronteir America. Card creates an alternate history which almost could have happened, except in his world, folk magic works. People have knacks, make charms, and some can even foretell the future. All of this is weaved into an otherwise normal world and provides a magnificent setting for a wonderful adventure.

Smoke and Mirrors
Author: Gaiman, Neil
Genre: Short Stories
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:A wonderful collection of imaginative short stories. Another body of work that represents the brilliance of Gaiman's writing. Dark, comical, fantastical, always amusing.

Snow Crash
Author: Stephenson, Neal
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:This book is a must read for any science fiction fans. A thrilling adventure from beginning to end. This book explores the dichotomy between reality and virtual space long before we had any clue what virtual reality was. It draws from the classics, primarily Sumerian mythology, and weaves technology with ancient stories to create a compelling universe and fascinating story.

Speaker for the Dead
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Good
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:The sequel to Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead takes place 3000 years after the end of the first book. Ender, due to space flight, is still alive. Dealing with the consequences of destroying an alien race, Ender dedicates his life to speaking for the dead and learning about a new alien race found on a colony planet. This riveting tale cuts right to the human compassion in all of us. Card is a master at creating compelling characters and has great insight into what makes us so human. Quite different from Ender's Game, this book stands on its own as a sequel.

Stardust
Author: Gaiman, Neil
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:One of my all-time favorites. Gaiman masters the art of modern day fairy tales. The protagonist, Tristan Thorn, ventures off into the magical realm just beyond his village wall, in search of a fallen star. In this sweet fairy tale, Gaiman creates an enchanting land filled with magical beasts and wondrous items. A quick read, very fun and quite imaginative.

Sword of Truth Series
Author: Goodkind, Terry
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:The Sword of Truth series is often compared to Robert Jordon's Wheel of Time series, but really there is no comparison. Goodkind is a far superior writer. His character development is far more accomplished. Unlike Jordan's series, as this series goes on, it continues to stay strong. Each book is a good novel on its own. There are many parellels in Goodkind's fantasy world and Jordan's. But Goodkind tells a more compelling story and creates fewer and more well-rounded characters.

Tai-Pan
Author: Clavell, James
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:A compelling writer, every few pages sometihng else happens that keeps you turning the pages. Tai-Pan takes place in Hong Kong during 1841. Follow Dick Straum, a pirate smuggler and leading trader in the Hong Kong seas, on intriguing adventures to remain the most powerful European in all of Hong Kong.

The Big U
Author: Stephenson, Neal
Genre: Fiction
Rating: Poor
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:I was mostly disappointed by this book. I'm a big fan of Stephenson and had high expectations. It meant none of them. It rambled, it lacked direction, it tried to be several novels in one. But it was his first and all authors must start somewhere. It does show some of Stephenson's satirical brilliance and creative wit. A good read if you are interested in Stephenson as an author, otherwise I wouldn't recommend it.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Author: Adams, Douglas
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:Douglas Adam's is the master at creating funny scenarios. A very witty and always entertaining adventure.

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
Author: Tolkien, J.R.R.
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:Tolkien's word of Middle Earth filled with Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves and many other fabulous things is incomparable to anything else in the realm of fantasy literature. Tolkien, a mythologist, more than a novel writer, created an intricate world in which a heroic tale emerges. Follow Bilbo, Frodo, Merry, Pippin, Aragon, Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, and many others as they strive to protect mankind from the evil of Mordor.

The Stranger
Author: Camus, Albert
Genre: Fiction
Rating: Good
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:A short and quick read, this novel tells the story of a seemingly amoral and unfeeling man who commits a senseless murder. Well-written and concise, Camus does a fabulous job exploring the darker sides of mankind.

Xenocide
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Good
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:Continuing with his theme of extinction, Card puts three races (humans, the buggars and the pequininos) at risk in this installment of the Ender series. It's up to one bright girl to figure out a way to save them all. This book is another riveting tale of humans being humans.