The month has passed me by. I thought of a snappy title, but didn't want to give the wrong impression. So the long and the short of the month is that I've been reading a lot. It takes me away from problems that are outside of my control. It is what it is.
Failure Mode the last book in the Expeditionary Force series by Craig Allanson
The finale. Sort of figured out the shape of the ending, as in there is a story that is set up in a certain way and the ending has to deliver on the promise. So while the details of said ending were well played, there was nothing unexpected. No twist that might have made me go, I didn't think of that! Fun read.
Leviathan Falls last book in The Expanse series by by James S. Corey
The conclusion to the Holden and proto-molecule shenanigans that was the basis of six seasons of TV space show awesomeness. The books are subtlety different to the show, which is neither good nor bad. Arguably the books do some things better than the show, and the show does some things better than the books. For example Cara Gee as Drummer, and Shohreh Aghdashloo as Chrisjen Avasarala
Again, the promise of the story and the title pretty much gives away the plot of the book. The epilogue was a welcome, if slightly predicable from projecting the consequences of the plot, meant again that the basic shape of the ending was obvious; it was just the order of the details.
That might be me being a bit harsh.
Shards of Earth & Eyes of the Void by Adrian Tchaikovsky
The first two books of the Final Architecture series, which I think is going to be a trilogy. Has the whole Expanse vibe going for it, except the setting is farther into the future.
Really enjoyed both. They kept me thinking, and surprised me too. So highly recommended.
War Dogs Trilogy by Greg Bear
War Dogs, Killing Titan, and Take Back the Sky read as a result of his passing, which was not your typical MilSF story. Felt like I was reading a fever dream, or someone recounting a their trauma.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamysin Muir
Another fever dream of a read, is this gay romp; think Rocky Horror Picture show, featuring lesbian necromancers, which I understand is now a thing. We met the author at a convention several years ago, before the dark times, and she was a scream to hang out with. Not a book for everyone, but a book that a lot of people will enjoy.
I've managed to read a bunch of other books too, but I'll talk about them next time.
However, I will say that I've started reading Mick Herron's Slow Horses series, as research for Anderson's character development in my current draft of Two Moons.
Also, I've managed to get about half way through the editing of my Cthulhu novel, The Bureau, which is good.
Things are looking up. That's all for now.
