Guest Review: The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan
Fiction , Guest Posts , Latest Posts / August 9, 2012

Reviewed by Ren Zelen Buy this book in paper or electronic format While Vampires and Zombies have been jamming the highway to the bookshelves and multiplexes, Werewolves have largely been left to idle by the side of the literary road. With Glen Duncan’s protagonist, Jacob Marlowe, you get more than you bargain for: not just a man but a werewolf, not just a werewolf, but an existentially philosophical one. The novel is, ostensibly, a diary. The tale begins after a ‘feed’ “Two nights ago I’d eaten a 43-year-old hedge fund specialist,” Marlowe states with what will be his trademark insouciance, “I’ve been in a phase of taking the ones no-one wants.” We learn his backstory, a 19th-century costume tragedy, by means of his journal entries, composed in breaks between violent action and meaningless fornication. Two centuries of living have endowed him with a vast reserve of cultural expertise and a linguistic style that moves between the wisecracking cynicism of his noir namesake and the syntactical flourishes of the 19th century literary gentleman. Marlowe imparts the contents of his inner life and his impressions of the modern world in a series of dryly succinct verbal morsels: the topography of Wales is…

Book Review: The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells

Article first published as Book Review: The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells on Blogcritics. About: The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells is another classic book by the famous English author written in 1901. At the time the novel was ridiculed, however it stood the test of time for over more than a Century. 176 pages Publisher: Dover Publications (December 18, 2000) Language: English ISBN-10: 0486414183 My rat­ing for The First Men in the Moon — 3 Buy this book paper or elec­tronic for­mat More books by H. G. Wells Part of the League of Extra­or­di­nary Gen­tle — Men of la — Book Chal­lenge (Vol. 1) Thoughts: The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells is a very imaginative book which, in the context of what we know now, is an amazing testament to Mr. Wells’ imagination, logic and foresight. In this book objects float in space, weightlessness is applicable, humans are able to cover large distances on the moon due to low gravity and spaceships generate an immense amount of heat returning to earth. The story also has several philosophical tones. The two main characters, Cavor and Bedford are at odds with one another…

Thoughts on: The Testament of Jessie Lamb by Jane Rogers
5 Stars , Fiction , Latest Posts / May 23, 2012

Article first published as Book Review: The Testament of Jessie Lamb by Jane Rogers on Blogcritics. About: The Testament of Jessie Lamb by Jane Rogers is an award winning science-fiction book taking place in the near future. This is a book that out of my comfort zone as I usually don’t read this genre (I used to), but I’m glad I read and think it’s important to read books which you might not otherwise. The pub­lisher is giv­ing away one copy of this book— use the form at the end of the post to enter. 256 pages Publisher: Harper Perennial Language: English ISBN-10: 0062130803 My rating for The Testament of Jessie Lamb – 5 Buy this book in paper or electronic format More Book by Jane Rogers Thoughts: The Testament of Jessie Lamb by Jane Rogers (website | Facebook.)almost reads like a classic dystopian novel and I’m sure it will become one soon enough. I found the story surprising with several gentle twists, every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, I found out I was wrong. The writing is excellent, but the book is not your fast paced variety. The story is narrated from the point of view…

Fun Facts Friday: John Carter
Fun Facts Friday , Latest Posts / March 9, 2012

Edgar Rice Burroughs’ hero John Carter celebrates 100 this year. The John Carter movie comes out to much trumpeting and the books are on the verge of Renaissances – a reason for all of us to celebrate. Books by Edgar Rice Burroughs 1 ) Burroughs’ books which star John Carter are called the Barsoom series. Barsoom being the Martian name for Mars. 2 ) The first book of 11 in the Barsoom series is A Princess of Mars (my thoughts), published in 1917 and was also Burroughs’ first published novel. 3 ) John Carter is an ex-American Civil War Confederate Captain from Virginia. 4 ) Before he mysteriously transported to Mars, John Carter strikes it rich prospecting for gold in Arizona. John Carter’s Martian name is Dotar Sojat after two of the green warriors he killed. 5 ) During the nine years he spent on Mars, John Carter was believed to be dead until he shows in New York in 1876. John Carter stopped aging at 30, but also has no memories before that age. 6 ) In the height of his fame, Burroughs outsold Fitzgerald, Hemingway and Faulkner combined. In the 1960s Burroughs books were reprinted in paperback format…

Thoughts on: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
3 Stars , Fiction , Latest Posts / March 8, 2012

Article first published as Book Review: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs on Blogcritics. About: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs is a science-fiction book published in 1912. This is Burroughs first published book and stars John Carter. 160 pages Publisher: Del Rey ISBN: 0345331389 My rating for A Princess of Mars – 3 Great price on this book in paper or FREE in electronic Format through the Man of la Book Affil­i­ate Account More books by Edgar Rice Burroughs Thoughts: A Princess of Mars is Edgar Rice Burroughs’ first novel, while the novel is good, it feels like a first novel and I’m glad Burroughs continued to write and get better each time. What impressed me about the book was how imaginative it was compared to other science-fiction stories of the time. While Jules Verne concentrated on the science aspect of his stories (see my review of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) and H.G. Wells’ science fiction stories were more about social commentary (my thoughts on The Invisible Man), Burroughs concentrated more on the story aspect, but instead of taking place on earth, he set it on Mars. The book is an escapable fantasy, and enjoyable tale which, if…

Thoughts on: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
5 Stars , Classics , Fiction , Latest Posts / December 20, 2011

About: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne is a classic science fiction novel published in 1870. The book’s original title Vingt mille lieues sous les mers, the literal translation would be “Seas” which might imply the seven seas. 416 pages Publisher: Naval Institute Press ISBN-10: 0870216783 My rating for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea – 5 Buy & Save on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea through the ManOfLa­Book affil­i­ate account on: Ama­zon | Kin­dle | Book Depos­i­tory US | Book Depos­i­tory UK More books by Jules Verne Part of the League of Extra­or­di­nary Gen­tle — Men of la — Book Chal­lenge (Vol. 1) Thoughts: I have read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne in two languages and several versions. I have to say that this translation beats them all. The book shows Verne’s genius which is tough to translate, the characters come alive on the pages and the adventures they go through are exciting. The comedic tone and even psychology show well in this wonderful translation. As in the previous versions I have read, there are many “lists” and descriptions of the ocean life. I have to say that I did skimmed through the lists but read…

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