That pleases me. I have read three books so far this month. Well, to be honest, I should count A Matter of Profit as 1/2 of a book since it was written for readers ages 9-12. But, I'm not going to! Now I can start another book. Yea!
This young adult novel by Hilari Bell is quite compelling reading.
Ahvren is a young man in search of himself. He is a Vivitar (warrior) who is sick of war. His people, the Vivitare have just conquered the T'Chin Confederation. Or, as Ahvren disgustedly thinks, the T'Chin surrendered to the Vivitare without a fight, marking them in Ahvren's mind as cowards (but to the T'Chin "it doesn't matter" if they have been conquered [a philosophy that becomes another puzzle for Ahvren to figure out])
Ahvren's father wants him to accept a new assignment with the Fleet to go to Zodan, the one world of the T'Chin that hasn't surrendered. Ahvren doesn't want to. He wants to find a career in which he can use his wit and his sword in a "clean" way, not in the bloody tides of war. Ahvren's father makes a deal; find out who is behind a rumor there is a plot to assasinate the Emperor (or if there really is a plot) and Ahvren can have a year to figure out what he wants to do. If Ahvren fails; he goes to Zodan with the fleet. In addition, Ahvren realizes if he can unmask the plot, he can ask a favor of the Emperor - a favor more dear than life itself.
A Matter of Profit is written for young people ages 9-12. It's story is rather simplistic, but it is a rewarding read even for this adult. I recommend it.
This novel is number 14 in Star Wars: The New Jedi Order series (although it is actually number 15 if you count the ebook Recovery). It's author, Walter Jon Williams does a fine job of representing the Star Wars universe. He finds just the right balance between characterization and action (though the battle scenes with the Yuuzhan Vong do run on a bit too much for my taste).
Jacen Solo is returned from his captivity with the Vong accompanied by the Old Republic Jedi, Vergere. Jaina Solo is beating herself just about to death leading her squardron of fighters against the Vong. Luke Skywalker is helping reestablish the New Republic government after its fall during the battle for Coruscant. Han and Leia on on a mission to the Empire to court their help in battling the Vong. Ackbar is back at the helm of a desperate plan to defeat the Vong once and for all (unexpectedly, no one even considers the lengths to which the Vong warmaster will go to capture the Jedi twins Jacen and Jaina in order to sacrifice them to the Yuuzhan Vong gods, an oversight that costs the life of at least one Jedi).
There is lots of political intrigue, too. It fun to watch smugglers, traders like Lando Calrissian manipulate the candidates for the new Chief of State into giving way to the candidate of his choice (one that benefits his Jedi friends, of course!).
It was also amusing to read of the astonishment and indignation of Kyp Durron when he realizes Jedi Master Luke Skywalker had changed his mind about certain things over which Kip and Luke had disagreed.
One of the most emotionally satisfying moments came when the young Jedi are promoted to Jedi Knight in a public ceremony (never before done, as Vergere recalls her own promotion happened when Yoda stated simply, "Jedi you are."), it actually brought tears to my eyes.
Vector Prime
Dark Tide I: Onslaught
Dark Tide II: Ruin
Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial
Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse
Balance Point
Recovery
Edge of Victory I: Conquest
Star by Star
Dark Journey
Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream
Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand
Traitor
Destiny's Way
The book by Stanislaw Lem is a strange story of how the planet Solaris tries to communicate with the humans on the science station that observes it. Of course, at first the scientists don't realize that is what is happening when apparitions appear and attach themselves to the three remaining scientists, the fourth having committed suicide in an apparent effort to escape the apparition that was plaguing him.
Kris Kelvin is newly arrived on station and it doesn't take long for the Ocean of Solaris to send up a copy of Kris's dead wife. Kris is horrified, then fascinated by the apparition. At first he does away with her but discovers that a new version will appear. He decides to accept her presence and work with the other two scientists to find out how to get rid of the apparitions permanantly, or maybe not!
I didn't really enjoy this book. There were large section of nothing more than rambling on and on about what was Solaris. That was quite boring actually and I found myself skipping large portions of the book. There wasn't really an ending to the story either. Things were left unresolved. I don't like that in a novel.
The plan behind this blog is to prod myself into reading more novels than I am right now. Currently I read about one novel each month. That is a sad thing because I used to read a couple of books a week (or more) - easily. A poll I saw recently said that the average person read an average of two books a month. I think I can read three books a month, so that is the goal I have set for myself.
What has interferred with my reading to such an extent. I do spend a lot of time online with my various websites, keeping them updated. Plus, I have a few other hobbies like amateur journalism and writing poetry (not to mention husband, four teenagers, three dogs, and a cat).
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