Review of Revenger – Alastair Reynolds

A superb science fiction adventure set in the rubble of a ruined universe, this is a deep space heist story of kidnap, betrayal, alien artifacts and revenge.

The galaxy has seen great empires rise and fall. Planets have shattered and been remade. Amongst the ruins of alien civilizations, building our own from the rubble, humanity still thrives.

And there are vast fortunes to be made, if you know where to find them.

Captain Rackamore and his crew do. It’s their business to find the tiny, enigmatic worlds which have been hidden away, booby-trapped, surrounded by layers of protection–and to crack them open for the ancient relics and barely-remembered technologies inside. But while they ply their risky trade with integrity, not everyone is so scrupulous.

Adrana and Fura Ness are the newest members of Rackamore’s crew, signed on to save their family from bankruptcy. Only Rackamore has enemies, and there might be more waiting for them in space than adventure and fortune: the fabled and feared Bosa Sennen in particular.

Revenger is a science fiction adventure story set in the rubble of our solar system in the dark, distant future–a tale of space pirates, buried treasure, and phantom weapons, of unspeakable hazards and single-minded heroism and of vengeance..

Gollancz

Supplied by Hachette New Zealand

Reviewed by Jacqui

If piratepunk is a valid SF sub-genre, and I gather that it is, then Reynolds certainly puts a whole new spin on the concept in this rollicking far-future adventure. It has the feel and to some extent the language and social mores of the golden age of piracy, and yet is jolly hard SF at the same time. How so?

Reynolds gives us a beautifully crafted system of many worldlets…. The planets have apparently been dismantled and rebuilt into habitats over many millions of years, and it is now the 1799th recorded year of the 13th Occupation. Travel between the worlds is by sailing ships propelled by the solar wind. And there is treasure out there, strange and mysterious, trapped inside baubles, protected by force-fields that mysteriously open on their own schedule. Truly, Reynolds does a masterful job of world-building. Among the cleverest aspects is his use of language. The reader does not need to be told what “lungstuff” is, or what a “swallower” is, but those terms fit the genre so much better than “oxygen” or “singularity”.

The story begins when two teenage sisters run away to space in quest of fame and fortune, after discovering a mutual talent for an arcane form of communication called “bone-reading”. But when their ship is attacked and destroyed by the villainous pirate queen Bosa Sennen, Adrana is captured, while Fura escapes and begins plotting to somehow rescue her. Which will be no simple task…

This is a superb piece of writing, one of the most enjoyable and memorable novels I’ve read in a long time. And there’s a clever twist in the tail that may well change everything. And that means a sequel had better be in the offing, coves!

 

Review of You said Forever – Susan Lewis

Charlotte Goodman is living the dream.  Surrounded by family, friends and a stunning vineyard overlooking the ocean, it would be difficult for anyone to believe that she has a troubled past.

However, haunted by the theft of a young girl, Charlotte begins to realise the enormity of something she did many years ago, and soon finds herself having to make the most harrowing decision any woman would ever have to face.

Supplied by Penguin Random House New Zealand

Reviewed by Jan

The third in a series, the prequels being “No Child of Mine” and “Don’t Let Me Go”,  this is a great story and each one can be read as a stand-alone book.  They deal with child abuse and paedophilia, as well as how Social Services handle these cases and each book focuses on just one aspect in Chloe’s development.

Charlotte Goodman was a social worker in England and removed a three year old girl from an abusive home.  She and her husband Anthony then adopted her and renamed her Chloe.

Five years later the Goodmans have started a new life running a vineyard in New Zealand.  They have two more children and the traumas of Chloe’s early life begin to cause major problems, leading to her being a danger to her younger siblings.  The family are faced with making some heartbreaking serious decisions.

There are plenty of twists and turns in this emotional story and parts of it are told from Chloe’s view. The story deals with a harrowing aspect of child abuse that is horrific to read and heartbreaking for such a young girl. It’s beautifully written and I really liked the Goodman family and became invested in them.

 

Review of The Untold History of the United States – Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick

irector Oliver Stone and historian Peter Kuznick examine the dark side of American history, from the beginning of the twentieth century right up to the Obama administration. They ask whether America’s involvement in countries around the globe really reflects its much-vaunted democratic ideals, or self-interested action for poliitcal and economic gain. The Untold History is a meticulously researched and shocking picture of the American Empire, and its influence on the century’s defining events.

Ebury Press

Supplied by Penguin Random House New Zealand

Reviewed by Steve

Every country has a myth that its citizens usually subscribe to. In the United States’ case this is that they are the champions of liberal democracy and democratic freedoms. In this political history, Stone and Kuznick offer a view at odds with this myth by examining the behaviour of several administrations during key events of the twentieth and twenty first century. It is safe to say that the myth does not survive unscathed.

Oliver Stone is well known as a movie director, and is known for his views on the American involvement and conduct in the Vietnam War. Peter Kuznick is a history professor at American University, Washington D.C. with a speciality in Nuclear Studies, often taking a position critical of the American myth. They also assert that the United States is an imperial power, de facto if not de jure.

After the introduction, which lays bare their thesis, the book delves into Wilson’s presidency which they see as being a starting point of US imperialism. It then follows Roosevelt and The New Deal, Truman and successive presidents to Obama. Stone and Kuznick examine the degree various presidents were at the sway of their advisors and whether they had their own agenda regarding foreign and domestic policy. They also point out that US politics is frequently dominated by powerful lobby groups, whose ends and means are often in conflict with the American myth.

This book does a good job of presenting its case; that the American myth is just that and the United States administrations frequently pays lip service to these core ideals. It also explains why North Korea is dogmatically opposed to caving to US pressure. It is a welcome antidote to the Whiggish interpretation of US history that is often paraded before us.

Read this book. Alternatively watch the TV series it engendered.

 

Reciew of Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls – Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo

What if the princess didn’t marry Prince Charming but instead went on to be an astronaut? What if the jealous step sisters were supportive and kind? And what if the queen was the one really in charge of the kingdom? Illustrated by sixty female artists from every corner of the globe, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls introduces us to one hundred remarkable women and their extraordinary lives, from Ada Lovelace to Malala, Elizabeth I to Serena Williams. Empowering, moving and inspirational, these are true fairy tales for heroines who definitely don’t need rescuing.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls reinvents fairy tales, inspiring children with the stories of 100 heroic women from Elizabeth I to Serena Williams

Particular Books

Supplied by Penguin Random House New Zealand

Reviewed by Jan

A diverse grouping of one hundred women – from different backgrounds, religions, disabilities, ethnicities, sexualities – is featured in this collection of one page bios.  Each story is illustrated by a female artist from all over the world and all show how brave and determined these women were/are.

There are a few famous names – Michelle Obama, Malala, Venus Williams – but most are women I’d never heard of – a 19th century Colombian spy, the first female doctor in Mexico, an African woman who pretended to be a man to work in the mines, the first taqtooed lady in US carnivals.

This is a must read, not just for girls but boys too, my 60+ aunt couldn’t put it down.  It tells stories of strong women who had the courage to be a bit different and follow their dreams.  Each story being one page also encourages slow readers.

How this book was born is so cool.  The two authors are entreprenurers who understand how important it is for girls to grow up surrounded by female role models. It helps them to be more confident and set bigger goals.  They realized that 95% of the books and TV shows they grew up with lacked girls in prominent positions, so decided to do something about it.  They started a crowd-funding campaign, called for tales of inspirational women, and created Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls.  Now Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls 2 is being crafted and I can’t wait to read it.

Review of Te Araroa: A Walking Guide to New Zealand’s Long Trails – Geoff Chapple

This is the guidebook of Te Araroa: New Zealand’s Trail, a continuous trail running from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Thirty-five years in the making, the trail officially opened in late 2011. The book maps the 3000-kilometre trail in 40-kilometre sections, with maps by leading map maker Roger Smith of Geographx.

Author Geoff Chapple is a modern-day visionary who took the concept of a continuous trail running the length of New Zealand and turned it into a reality. Chapple, the founder of the trail, complements the maps with a running commentary describing the landscape, the flora and fauna encountered along the way, as well as the special features of particular parts of the trail. Photographs of the trail illustrate each section.

Each of the nine regional sections opens with a stunning 2-page 3D map. A short introduction describes the history of the trail as well as the variety of New Zealand’s landscape along the way: forest, farmland, volcanoes and mountain passes, river valleys, green pathways and the urban areas of seven cities. This book is an accessible guide both for those who only want to walk parts of the trail and dedicated trampers who intend to walk its entire length.

Random House

Supplied by Random House  New Zealand

Reviewed by Maree

113 walks from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Does what it says on the box, er, cover. A great resource for all trampers and walkers in general, this book lists walks that you can do through urban and park landscapes to proper tramping walks on bush and coast, where you would need to gear up. Gives you a bit of the history about the track as well. It’s all part of a notional trail that goes from Cape Reinga to Bluff. You can walk it, this book shows you how.

 

Review of Murdoch – Sharon Murdoch and Melinda Johnston

Sharon Murdoch, 2016 Canon Cartoonist of the Year, is a bold new voice in New Zealand cartooning. As the regular cartoonist for the Sunday Star Times and the Press, she provokes and delights readers with her witty and often hilarious observations, and her hard-hitting and insightful social and political analysis.

In Murdoch, Melinda Johnston’s commentary sets the cartoons within their historical context, while her introduction locates the work within New Zealand’s cartooning history. Featuring over 150 full-page cartoons, which highlight the breadth and depth of Sharon Murdoch’s work, this book will entertain and educate any reader with an interest in New Zealand’s contemporary social and political history.

Potton & Burton

Supplied by Potton & Burton

Reviewed by Steve

As a working cartoonist, Sharon Murdoch has been around for over 20 years. As a political cartoonist, the timespan is considerably shorter. And as an editorial political cartoonist… Melinda Johnston provides the text that puts the selected cartoons in context – when a topic is hot, cartoons need no explanation, but several years later, even key players may need to be re-identified.

The book covers the range of Murdoch’s career: Munro the Cat from the crossword page of the Dominion Post, cartoons for the Xhosa Community and Child Development Centre when she worked in South Africa, commentary cartoons, and political cartoons. Her style is distinctive and more caricature than, say, Tom Scott or Neville Lodge who preceded her at the Evening Post.

What sets Murdoch apart from most other New Zealand cartoonists is both she is a woman and is of Maori, Ngai Tahu, descent. This gives her a different perception of events. Frequently, Murdoch will draw a strip cartoon, instead of a single frame, which allows a narrative instead of a one line. Again, this is a departure from the norm for political cartooning.

A book of cartoons is naturally going to be a quicker read than a series of essays. Johnston’s text is not intrusive and the selection of cartoons is good. I enjoyed the book immensely and recommend it to anyone.

Review of For the Most Beautiful – Emily Hauser

Three thousand years ago a war took place that gave birth to legends – to Achilles, the greatest of the Greeks, and Hector, prince of Troy. It was a war that shook the very foundations of the world. But what if there was more to this epic conflict? What if there was another, hidden tale of the Trojan War?

Now is the time for the women of Troy to tell their story.

Thrillingly imagined and startlingly original, For the Most Beautiful reveals the true story of true for the first time. The story of Krisayis, daughter of the Trojans’ High Priest, and of Briseis, princess of Pedasus, who fight to determine the fate of a city and its people in this ancient time of mischievous gods and mythic heroes.

Doubleday

Supplied by Penguin Random House New Zealand

Reviewed by Jacqui

This is apparently an attempt to write the events of the Iliad from the point of view of the female characters… to re-write an ancient story of war as romance. The problem with this is that Homer doesn’t give you a lot of female characters to work with. So the author decides to choose Krisayis (Chryseis) as her central character. The problem with this is that Chryseis has a tiny role in the Iliad with no connection to Troilus, and her story wasn’t developed into the romance of “Troilus and Cressida” until medieval writers got hold of it. So, we’re already several steps away from Homer.

And that was only part of what irritated me… Maybe it’s just that I’m not into love stories. Or maybe it was that the attitudes of the characters seemed strikingly modern. Or simply that I read too many of Mary Renault’s excellent historical novels when I was young, which set the bar too high. But I failed to get past the first few chapters of this work, before casting it aside in annoyance. I suspect others like it better, but for me it was definitely opportunity lost.