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Tooner's Reviews Creator and designer of FOLKLORE, Tooner has been into Science Fiction and Fantasy novels for over 15 years. Enjoys Fantasy primarily over Science Fiction, and plans to write an epic of his own.
David's Reviews |
TJ's Reviews Co-designer of FOLKLORE, TJ has been an avid Science Fiction and Fantasy Fan for over 23 years. His personal library contains more than 500 titles. He has no preference of one genre over the other.
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"Dune", Frank Herbert, ©1965
![[IMG: 4 Worlds Rating]](images/z0000020.jpg)
Review by TJ, ©1997
![[IMG: Book Cover]](images/z0000119.gif) |
A Chilton hardcover book club edition, 1965 - Jacket Art by John Schoenherr "Dune" is one of the all time classics of Science Fiction, and I agree with that statement wholeheartedly. I have read "Dune" at least 7 times, and it is a very long book, almost 700 pages. The story is a very detailed and in-depth epic that spans a great deal of time and space. Whenever I read a good book I feel as if I generally get most of the details and don't miss much. With "Dune", every time I read it I get a better understanding of the story, and pick up things that I missed in the previous readings. I am not giving the book a 5-world rating because of the sheer bulk of the work and I am not against large books. It is a great story, a magnificent universe with a great deal of depth in character's and cultures. The problem is that it goes through some real slow chapters. Unfortunately all of the slow chapters are needed to tell the complete story, so I can't fault the Frank Herbert for including them, it is just a shame that those parts of the story could have been told in a more interesting manner. I found that all of the characters are almost as real as a stand up in front of you person made up of flesh and bone. I could identify with all of the characters. I felt pain and sorrow, pity, and even betrayal by one of the main players in the saga and then forgiveness of the traitor when I read why they had acted the way that they did. I always disliked the need for a reference appendix for characters and terms in any book but with a work of this magnitude I can understand the need for it. One of my main disappointments in the book was the maps that were suppose to give you an understanding of where things were located on Arrakis were next to useless. None of the covers that I have ever seen on a "Dune" book has been anything to rave about, but this in surely not a book to judge by its cover. I can only tell you that if you enjoy an epic story this is a definite must read, just be prepared for a lot of details and some slow areas in the book. It is a story that is worth forcing yourself through those areas to read the entire thing. "Dune" was also made into an epic Motion Picture and has been reviewed in June's Monthly Features by our new movie critic, David. |
"Star Guard", Andre Norton, ©1955
![[IMG: 2 Worlds Rating]](images/z0000018.jpg)
Review by TJ, ©1997
![[IMG: Book Cover]](images/z0000172.gif) |
A Fawcett Crest Paperback Edition, 1955 - Cover Art by Ken Barr This was an interesting story that hasn't stood up well to test of time. I can see where a younger reader might as one of their first books might find this book more enjoyable than I did. "Star Guard" was recommended to me and was suppose to be one of the all-time classics of Science Fiction. I found that much of the writing was done in a manner that was not real easy to read and I got confused several times and had to reread sections and then stop and puzzle out just what was going on. There were times that the author used bigger words just for the heck of it. An example of this was that one time the story's characters were being transported on the backs of some animals. Normally this is called riding, and written in that way, but in this book they were bestriding the animals. I also was disappointed that some of the more interesting situations were just glossed over quickly for no good reason except for...I don't know why. I did enjoy the first part of the book where most of the character development took place. This was done well and started giving you some insight into the characters and the universe that they live in. The book does show flashes of promise now and again but it just isn't sustained and that is why I was disappointed with the book. |
"Narabedla LTD.", Frederik Pohl, ©1988
Review by TJ, ©1997
![[IMG: Book Cover]](images/z0000168.gif) |
A Del Rey Science Fiction paperback edition, 1988 - Cover art by Barclay Shaw The basic premise of this story is not a new one, it is as old as science fiction has been around. The basis of the story is that aliens and their agents are secretly among us doing things to us that we are unaware of. If this were all that Frederik Pohl was going to offer us this would be a very lackluster book at best. Fortunately for us the twist in the plot, and the commodities that the aliens are after is a new, unique and a very refreshing change from your standard Science Fiction fare. There are the usual assortment of odd aliens, and their even odder behaviors. The aliens' society is reasonably balanced and believable. The same thing can be said of the aliens habits and beliefs. None of the characters, either human or alien are written with a great deal of depth. They are not wooden and one dimensional either, they have just enough depth to keep the readers attention. The story starts a little slow and it is confusing because as the story gets underway it sure doesn't start off like a Science Fiction story, but be sure to stick with it. Once you start reading, the unusual nature of the story keeps your imagination churning while it slowly reels you into its web of mystery and intrigue. It is a well-written and entertaining story. |
"The Mercenary", Jerry Pournelle, ©1977
Review by TJ, ©1997
![[IMG: Book Cover]](images/z0000201.gif) |
A Pocket Science Fiction paperback edition, February 1977 - Cover art by Boris ©1979 John Christian Falkenberg, is one of the most memorable names and inspiring fictional military leaders I have ever read about. "The Mercenary" is the story of a man who's drive and determination takes him to the top of his profession. This would be enough for most books, but "The Mercenary" is not most books, John Christian then is forced but not altogether unwillingly to give it all up to protect as much of Mankind from the inevitable disaster it is facing as he can, even at the cost of his home, friends, and reputation. David Drake's, Alios Hammer (See the May review of "Hammer's Slammers"), reminds me a lot of John Christian Falkenberg. They both inspire the men and women serving under them, and both are willing to do what ever it takes to make things right. The story is fast moving and is not written in a real complex manner. The pages seem to just flow by and if anything the book is to short. There is nothing missing from the story, so maybe it is the right length. It is just such a good story it leaves you wanting more. There are sequels to the mercenary, so that fans of the story can sate themselves on more of the exploits of John Christian Falkenberg and his band of mercenaries. There is a simple, clean and easy to understand map to help the reader out, that covers the major battles. I found that the writing was done in a clear enough manner so that I didn't need to use the map, but it was there if you needed it. This is another one of those books that it is hard to say why it is so good, it is just a real good read. |
"The Aldebaran Campaign", Kevin Randle and Robert Cornett, ©1988
Review by TJ, ©1997
![[IMG: Book Cover]](images/z0000184.gif) |
An Ace Science Fiction paperback edition, December 1988, Cover art by Miro "The Aldebaran Campaign" is really not a campaign at all it is a one man vendetta mission that really stretches the believability of even the most die hard and forgiving Sci-Fi fan. I found most of the background and character development to very shallow or non-existent. This book was a real schizophrenic book. The aliens were probably the most interesting part of the whole story, but their background was given in a riddle of poetry and weird story out-takes that really lost me as a reader. There was also several instances of them doing things would only mean something to another human, so why would they do them? There were many actions taken by them cast members that the only sensible reason that they would act the way they did was because the story writers wrote the story that way. I really enjoyed the gritty realistic way some of the characters talked some of the time but that was often offset by inappropriate character actions or attitude given their situation at that time. This book seemed to be a half-baked idea turned into a quickie sequel. This story needed a little more time in preparation and a lot better execution to be considered done. |
"Armor", John Steakley, ©1984
![[IMG: 3 Worlds Rating]](images/z0000019.jpg)
Review by TJ, ©1997
![[IMG: Book Cover]](images/z0000195.gif) |
A Daw Science Fiction paperback edition, December 1984 - Cover Art by James Gurney I picked up "Armor" to read one evening when I was in the mood to read but nothing looked good to me so I went to my "I'll get around to reading someday shelf" and just grabbed a book. The back of the book sounded interesting but cover just didn't create any excitement for me. I am to never judge a book by its cover but it can play a big part in how soon I read it. The story mainly centers around 2 individuals. Felix is who we meet first and is clearly suffering through the trials and torments described on the back of the book and in the teaser. Felix enters into this bloody, tenacious, gritty battle as a green trooper just out of basic training. The history leading up to the fight for the planet A-9 are rather vague but it is clear that some group of Admiral's and General's have decided that this planet is as good a place as any other for their men to die on so they send in the troops. After some very intense and vivid combat the story takes a very sudden turn. Enter Jack Crow, Who??? Jack Crow. We follow Jack for a while and for a long time I was pretty sure I had no clue why he was in this book. This little mystery kept me reading, because then I wanted to know just what the heck was going on. Once the waters start to clear a bit about why Felix and Jack are being written about in the same book, it seemed like a great waste of what started out to be a very good war story to just be the sideline for the main story. Now is when, John Steakley's talent comes into full flower. He proceeds to weave these two very dissimilar and separate stories into one. This is done in a way that it isn't until the final 4 or 5 pages that you even have any idea how the story is going to end. The air of mystery that winds through the entire book keeps you constantly wondering and thinking about where this whole thing is headed. I found this book to be a very enjoyable but mysterious read. The combat sequences were better then any I have ever read involving the one man Armored Tank concept. Unfortunately the mixing of the 2 stories dilutes the best portions of this book. |
 
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