This is based on someone else's short story, about which I know nothing. Maybe this is better with more context? Anyway, on its own merits, it's a reasonable story. Funny, some obvious twists. Unlike Starter Villain, the protagonist feels more consistent in character. The end just starts to feel a little patchy or thin or something. Can't quite explain it.
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I read when I can't sleep, so yes there's a lot of books here. Nearly all SF.
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Stephen has read 0 of 45 books.
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Stephen reviewed Fuzzy Nation (Fuzzy Sapiens #7) by John Scalzi
Stephen reviewed Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree (Legends & Lattes, #0)
Almost as good as the first one
5 stars
I found this one less cozy than the first book. I think there's more explicit threat hanging over it. But still very enjoyable if bittersweet throughout. Goes well with cake.
Stephen reviewed The Seventh Bride by T. Kingfisher
Great, but not for me
2 stars
I always feel bad for giving a rating a book by how I enjoyed it rather than its quality. But after suspecting I wouldn't like Kingfisher's teen horror books, I bought one in a sale. And I don't like it. But it's just as well written as her other books, just creepier and more dreamlike.
Stephen reviewed Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell
Novel enjoyable idea, monster's perspective
5 stars
This is a love story, but quite a messy one. I'm a bit sad the protagonist didn't get to eat more people! Also quite funny, despite touching on a number of quite sad themes.
Stephen reviewed Starter Villain by John Scalzi
Fine
4 stars
This is alright, I preferred Kaiju Preservation Society. As I read more Scalzi (and I enjoy his work so I will continue to do so) I haven't quite worked out why I like some books more than others. This one I felt I was missing some American references as it felt like there were more than usual.
I think one thing for me is the story is both a "fish out of water" story as the protagonist is introduced to this new world of villainy, and also a "quiet competence" one of he just makes all the right decisions. But his character is that he's also ruined his life, so why is he suddenly much better at all this stuff? Yeah that's it, I didn't really get the main character, unless it's an unreliable narrator and he's just taking credit for everything.
Entertaining though.
Stephen reviewed I Married the Klondike by Laura Beatrice Berton
Fantastic autobiography
5 stars
Really enjoyed this, very easy to read, very relaxing. Although the of-the-time racism (that she explicitly regrets) and misogyny is sometimes a surprise! Oh, she got married, so she's not allowed to keep working. The irony of trying to work out whether she uses farenheit or celsius is also entertaining, as -40 degrees is the same in both.
Went to Dawson City this year, and it's very easy to see it through her eyes.
Stephen finished reading I Married the Klondike by Laura Beatrice Berton
Stephen finished reading Starter Villain by John Scalzi
Starter Villain by John Scalzi
Inheriting your mysterious uncle's supervillain business is more complicated than you might imagine.
Sure, there are the things you'd expect. …
Stephen finished reading Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell
Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell
Discover this creepy, charming monster-slaying fantasy romance—from the perspective of the monster—by Nebula Award-winning debut author John Wiswell
Shesheshen has …
Stephen finished reading Fuzzy Nation (Fuzzy Sapiens #7) by John Scalzi
Fuzzy Nation (Fuzzy Sapiens #7) by John Scalzi
Jack Holloway works alone, for reasons he doesn't care to talk about. Hundreds of miles from ZaraCorp's headquarters on planet, …
Stephen finished reading The Seventh Bride by T. Kingfisher
Stephen finished reading Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree (Legends & Lattes, #0)
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree (Legends & Lattes, #0)
Viv's career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam's Ravens isn't going as planned.
Wounded during the hunt for a powerful …