Book Reviews

I have a big stack of books-recently-read, of which a few stand out:

Jeanette Walls, Half Broke Horses, a somewhat-fictionalized account of the life of the author's grandmother ("A True-Life Novel") written in the first person. It's a ground-level, front-row seat in the American West as the 20th Century blooms and blossoms. Highly recommended!

Larry Corriea's Hard Magic, splendid storytelling in the writer's trademark nonstop style. Film Noir by H.P. Lovecraft and Lester Dent might come close, maybe. This could have run as a serial in Unknown and would have been a reader's favorite if it had. Instead, we get it shiny-new -- use the Amazon link at Tam's for your copy. Set in a 1930s with just one small difference. (Some first-rate worldbuilding in this one, too).

Sherlock Holmes's War Of The Worlds, by Manley W. and Wade Wellman: the visions of H. G. Wells and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle intersect to remarkably good effect. I much prefer the eminent detective's approach to the Martian invaders, too.

Terry Pratchett's "Tiffany Aching/Wee Free Men" novels: The Wee Free Men, Hat Full Of Sky, Wintersmith and I Shall Wear Midnight. If you have been avoiding these because of the "young adult" tag, don't! Wonderful Discworld stories all, with cameos from Esme Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg -- and wait until you meet the Pictsies, a right bunch of tiny ruffians. I knew the Wee Folk were like that; I just didn't know that I knew until Pratchett pointed it out.

There are many more but alas, I'm out of time.