Review: The Strange Attractor

The Strange Attractor by Desmond Cory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Strange Attractor seems to be a Numbers episode put into a Sherlock Holmes book.

The book focuses on the main character John Dobie. Dobie is a Mathematics professor and as such the book is presented from that view point. The logical and structured thought process of Dobie makes for a unique voice. This very voice provides a humorous context to the entire story that is present even while investigating multiple murders.

I found the setting of the early technological era to be quite interesting combined with a main character who seems to be more of an applied mathematician making use of emerging computer technology. This played an important part in the story. However, Dobie’s ability to make logical deductions pulled me into the whole mystery of the story.

I was not a huge fan of how the police were portrayed. They were all incompetent cookie cutter characters until the very last part of the book. I think it would have made for a better story if they were not so over the top incompetent. I was also not a huge fan of the narrator randomly calling the killer Agatha Cristy to hide the identity. It didn’t fit, since any notion of the author was just introduced a scene earlier with completely different characters. That and it was fairly obvious who was behind it all by that point anyway.

There is one other aspect of the story that was distracting, that may just be a formatting issue in the Kindle book. There were no breaks in between scenes. The narration would just jump and I would have to realize that there were new characters in new scenes. Simple line breaks would have improved the flow immensely.

Overall I really enjoyed the book. It was fairly light reading, but still a book you will think about after you finish reading it.

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Review: Clockwork Prince

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Clockwork Prince is the second book in the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare. Infernal Devices is the prequel to her best selling series The Mortal Instruments. It is also where I decided to start reading in the series.

The second book takes the focus and puts it on, Will. I would say his backstory is a little melodramatic except it left me feeling appropriately sorry and remorseful for him. That and seen through the eyes of a twelve-year-old, it is completely plausible. I just don't get the connection between Terresa and Jem. I mean Jem is a pretty amazing character, but why did anything develop between the two? I don't feel like there really needed to be a love triangle. Although, that does seem to be in the formula for teenage fantasy.

The writing is good, although not amazing. The world is pretty classic steampunk. What really made me like the second book more than the first was the characters. I connected more with them then I did in the first book. They were more dynamic, even in their simplicity. I will pursue the third book soon, there is too much unsettled for me not to.

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Review: Clockwork Angel

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Clockwork Angel is the first book in the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare. Infernal Devices is the prequel to her best selling series The Mortal Instruments. It is also where I decided to start reading in the series.

The main character Terressa Gray was introduced right away, and right away her life is put into danger. Yet, while at no time does the action seem to stop in this book, it is still by far an introduction book. A lot of time is devoted to helping the reader understand the world that they have found themselves in. This has a natural flow, as the reader learns about the world right alongside Terressa.

There was nothing epic or amazing about the series. It is a good read, and I plan to finish the trilogy at least, if not the entire series. It just does not have the special appeal to rank as one of my favorites. Although, as the characters become more central to the story than the history that may change.



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Review: The City of Ember

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have no idea why it took me this long to read this book. I am almost embarrassed to say that this is the first time I have picked it up. My only saving grace is that I was an adult by the time that it was published - which is why it missed being read by my much younger self. I would have loved this book when I was in elementary school.

I love this book now.

The world is dying, or rather it is running out of lights, and the key to saving the city was lost buried in a cluttered closet. Now it is up to two children, who do not quite fit into the norm of society, to save the world. Well, they at least need to save themselves.

The concept of the book is a unique twist on a very common theme. Dystopian literature seems to dominate at the moment. The last part of the book answers a lot of questions, but it was still not satisfying. I hope that as I continue on in the series more questions will be answered.



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Review: Star Trek: Discovery: Desperate Hours

Star Trek: Discovery: Desperate Hours by David Mack
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Star Trek: Discovery: Desperate Hours is my first entry into the Star Trek: Discovery world. I was not thrilled with the concept and have steered clear of the actual television show. However, I was excited to see that David Mack wrote the introductory novel. I had confidence that he could mesh this series into the already well-established era of the Star Trek Universe.

This novel did not disappoint. At its core, it was Star Trek. It contained the overall goal of striving for good that is essential to be considered Star Trek. It also contained an amazing focus on the characters and a dynamic plot.

The book started off a little slow, or confusing, as I tried to orient myself to new characters. While they were described, it still seemed like I was expected to already know them. By the end of the novel, I knew them quite well. The writing was superb, not once did I stop and question the use of word choice or flow of the story.

I also listened to this book in audio. I quite enjoyed the narration. I prefer audio narrators that make you forget they are there so that you focus exclusively on the story. Susan Eisenberg did an amazing job at this.

I am still not sure about the vision for the new TV series of Discovery, but if the novels continue in this fashion I will keep current in reading them.

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