Another few illustrated tiny stories from #MastoPrompt in my newest #BlogPost
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Pathologist, educator, also writes tiny stories and speculative fiction. Scottish-born (hence @mhthaung@mastodon.scot), now lives in London. Reading tastes vary, depending on how much of a break I need from academia. Mainly speculative fiction, some mystery (going through a Golden Age phase), and chunks of science- or society-related non-fiction. She/her.
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MH Thaung
boosted
Bit dry, but a good starting point for further reading
This is an exploration of how Victorian innovations, development and men (I use the term intentionally) laid the foundation for ongoing science and technology.
I admit I found the first half slow going. The events and personalities came across as facts and lists rather than the (I would imagine) exciting, maybe even scandalous, clashes that would have played out at the time. No doubt The Royal Society played a hugely important role in fostering and challenging ideas, but its internal politics make dry reading from this vantage point. I found myself dipping in and out rather than reading from start to finish. This was easy enough to do with each chapter’s focus being on a different technology.
I enjoyed the later chapters more, especially about telegraphy and attempts to fly.
Each chapter ends with a list of cited references, which will be a useful resource for further perusal.
MH Thaung replied to Bodhipaksa's status
MH Thaung
boosted
Just wanted to let you know, @mhthaung, that I’m three chapters into The Diamond Device and enjoying it very much! It’s very well written. Thank you.
MH Thaung replied to Bodhipaksa's status
@bodhipaksa@mastodon.scot Thanks! I had enormous fun writing it :)
Fourteen year old Mona is a baker but she is also a not-very-powerful wizard - …
Fun adventure for young readers
This was a quick and fun story that I think would appeal to young readers. The plot was straightforward and clearly explained: a bit too clearly for my tastes, with heavy-handed social commentary, but then I’m certainly not young! I liked that Mona had a good relationship with her aunt and uncle. She did came across as younger than her stated 14, especially in the medieval-ish setting. She struck me more as an observer and pushed around by circumstances (and other people’s actions/decisions) than having her own agency, which added to the “young” feel. The gingerbread man was fun.
MH Thaung
boosted
You have until *tomorrow* to pick up any of my novels for just 0.99 in your favourite ebook store!
Fancy a light-hearted steampunk romp with mismatched buddies? Try The Diamond Device at https://books2read.com/mhthaung11
Or for a thoughtful exploration of infection paranormal powers, start with A Quiet Rebellion: Guilt at https://books2read.com/mhthaung1
MH Thaung reviewed Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine (Teixcalaan, #2)
An alien armada lurks on the edges of Teixcalaanli space. No one can communicate with …
Solid space opera
I read A Memory Called Empire earlier this year and really enjoyed it. In this sequel, I was curious to see how the author would handle the mysterious aliens, who we previously hadn’t seen on page.
We see this story from multiple points of view. While I liked getting different perspectives, they felt rather contrived in terms of answering questions raised by the previous PoV character. I also felt there was a lot of characters standing around being told (or overhearing) information by other characters. Sometimes I was put in mind of “messenger speeches” in Greek drama, where important events are recounted to the actors (and audience) by a messenger, rather than being played out on stage.
There was a sex scene which… felt unnecessary and didn’t (in my opinion) contribute in any way to the story, and I could have done without as much angst-y interactions. (Or perhaps, since …
I read A Memory Called Empire earlier this year and really enjoyed it. In this sequel, I was curious to see how the author would handle the mysterious aliens, who we previously hadn’t seen on page.
We see this story from multiple points of view. While I liked getting different perspectives, they felt rather contrived in terms of answering questions raised by the previous PoV character. I also felt there was a lot of characters standing around being told (or overhearing) information by other characters. Sometimes I was put in mind of “messenger speeches” in Greek drama, where important events are recounted to the actors (and audience) by a messenger, rather than being played out on stage.
There was a sex scene which… felt unnecessary and didn’t (in my opinion) contribute in any way to the story, and I could have done without as much angst-y interactions. (Or perhaps, since we all have angsty moments, not having them spelled out so explicitly).
That said, I enjoyed the read overall and the interweaving of the narrative viewpoints.
MH Thaung
boosted
It's time for the r/fantasy end of year megasale! Over 700 books, FREE or discounted today and tomorrow only! Fill up your TBR pile at https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/18r94ge/over_700_books_free_or_099_more_than_200/
Edit: Corrected subreddit 😋
MH Thaung
boosted
With the end of the year approaching, ALL my novels are just 0.99 each in your favourite ebook store - until 31 December!
After a light-hearted read? Start with The Diamond Device, a #steampunk romp with mismatched buddies racing to foil a bomb plot. https://books2read.com/mhthaung11
Or for a slower, more thoughtful pace, give my A Quiet Rebellion trilogy a go. Murder. Secrets. Infectious paranormal powers. https://books2read.com/mhthaung1
Boosts much appreciated 🙏🏽😊
MH Thaung reviewed Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire (InCryptid - Ghost Roads 2012, #1)
Cryptid, noun: Any creature whose existence has not yet been proven by science. See also …
Entertaining urban fantasy
This urban fantasy is the first book I’ve tried by this author. I found it a fast and entertaining read.
I enjoyed the narrative tone that didn’t portray Verity and her problems too seriously. The light style made it easy to accept improbable aspects of the background and decisions that were (to my thinking) downright peculiar. There were interesting backstory snippets, but I didn’t feel terribly invested in the characters. In particular, I wasn’t keen on how the love interest developed: their encounters felt unnecessarily contrived (but you may remember I’m not big on romance anyway). There were also a lot of different mythical creatures/people/entities which at times just felt thrown in randomly. Perhaps they’ll return in later books.
Entertaining urban fantasy, though I’m not rushing to pick up the sequel.
MH Thaung reviewed Agatha Christie by Agatha Christie
This is a collection of essays which was originally published in 1977, a year after …
Insightful collection of essays
I’ve been reading Agatha Christie books for as long as, well, as long as I can remember reading. So quite possibly from the time when this book was first published back in 1977. It’s a collection of essays about the Queen of Crime’s life and works. When I started reading, I didn’t quite realise how long ago it was originally published. Oddly, the commentary/opinions didn’t feel especially dated, other than references to (then) contemporary events.
I enjoyed the mix of personal insights, commercial “analysis” and commentary on her wide range of works: fiction, plays, memoir... And of course, now I’m in a mood to revisit some of her mysteries again.
MH Thaung replied to Stephanie Jane's status
@StephanieJane I agree with your conclusion. Enjoyed lots of his books as a teenager, but grown-up me (4 decades later, gulp!) isn't comfortable with how he explores some of his themes. These days I prefer more subtlety of expression.
MH Thaung
boosted
Here's my latest roundup of musings, book reviews and tiny stories: https://mhthaung.com/2023/11/05/vss-51/
#BlogPost #MicroFiction
MH Thaung reviewed Icebreaker by Steven William Hannah
Unusual weird horror SF
An interesting post-apocalyptic adventure where it seems dangerous to even properly comprehend the nature of the major threat. It’s written in present tense with a loosely omniscient third person viewpoint. I found that presentation odd though I guess it fits with certain questions and ambiguities about the nature of self and other.
The writing was generally tidy and easy to understand, though I tripped over a few typos (mainly homonyms). The characters (Bear, and those he meets along the way) were all distinct, with their own backgrounds, attitudes and secrets. I can’t say I felt particularly drawn towards any of them. Perhaps a good thing since some of their experiences are unpleasant, and I probably wouldn’t want to be in their heads for those.
I’m not sure I understood the explanations the ever-curious Bear uncovered about what was happening, never mind whether they were true or not. The ending isn’t …
An interesting post-apocalyptic adventure where it seems dangerous to even properly comprehend the nature of the major threat. It’s written in present tense with a loosely omniscient third person viewpoint. I found that presentation odd though I guess it fits with certain questions and ambiguities about the nature of self and other.
The writing was generally tidy and easy to understand, though I tripped over a few typos (mainly homonyms). The characters (Bear, and those he meets along the way) were all distinct, with their own backgrounds, attitudes and secrets. I can’t say I felt particularly drawn towards any of them. Perhaps a good thing since some of their experiences are unpleasant, and I probably wouldn’t want to be in their heads for those.
I’m not sure I understood the explanations the ever-curious Bear uncovered about what was happening, never mind whether they were true or not. The ending isn’t a cliffhanger, but it’s clear there are even more mysteries to solve out there, which no doubt will be addressed in later books.
Overall, a weird horror SF with a lead-in to further books.