I’ve
long loved Feist’s Midkemia characters and the way he weaves a
multi-generational historic arch through his stories. This book was different.
While still embedded in the overall story arch, it’s a microcosm of the bigger
picture. Instead of the grand strategic view in the other series, this is a
tactical tale of personal struggles in war.
Leaders from different sides must
overcome their distrust, ignore their superiors, and work together against a
common enemy to survive. As you might expect, this doesn’t come easily, and
there are numerous twists and turns along the way. There’s also a backstory
that ties one of the main characters to the common enemy.
The conclusion of
that element is truly heartbreaking – it had me fighting back tears.
This
is Robinson Crusoe crossed with Apollo 13 on Mars. An unexpectedly powerful
storm forces the early termination of a Mars mission.
One astronaut, who was
presumed dead, was left behind. Using his training and knowledge, he not only
survives but figures out how to contact Earth. Together with the NASA team, the
Chinese, and his former crewmates, plans are formulated for his rescue.
There
are several failures and twists and turns along the way, as well as a few heroic
sacrifices. As a nerd (I’m an engineer by education), I identified with the
heroes (scientists and engineers) and appreciated the scientific integrity of
the story.
Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.
Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there.
After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he's alive--and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.
Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old human error are…
This
is the third book in the series, and I’ll admit that while I sped through the
first, I found the second to be a slower read. So, I started it with some
trepidation. Series conclusions can be difficult to pull off well. Tie things
up too neatly or leave too many loose ends, and the readers feel cheated. Schwab
hit the balance perfectly.
My favorite aspect was learning more about Holland, who transforms from a despicable person to an almost sympathetic one. I still
don’t like him or his actions, but I suspect that if I were in his position, I
might well have done the same things.
The precarious equilibrium among the four Londons has reached its breaking point. Once brimming with the red vivacity of magic, darkness casts a shadow over the Maresh Empire, leaving a space for another London to rise. Kell-once assumed to be the last surviving Antari-begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. Lila Bard, once a commonplace-but never common-thief, has survived and flourished through a series of magical trials. But now she must learn to control the magic, before it bleeds her dry. Meanwhile, the disgraced Captain Alucard Emery and the Night Spire crew are attempting a race against time…
Falsely
convicted and exiled for attacking his friend, half-elven half-barbarian Toran
flees to neighboring Eridan. Following his uncle's advice, he finds work in the
seedy Knife & Cat tavern. During the princess's welcoming parade, Toran
uses elven skills and barbarian battle rage to thwart her
assassination. His actions earn him an invitation to join the secret
protectors of Eridan, the Warders.
A second
attempt succeeds in poisoning the princess but fails to kill her. Toran, a
veteran dwarf agent, and the princess's lady-in-waiting embark on a
mission to retrieve the antidote's key ingredient.
Other Warder agents
work with the thieves' guild to protect the comatose princess from the
assassin, the sorceress Skade, and an unknown traitor within the royal household.
