Review: An Unkindness of Ghosts

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Read via audiobook, but I can safely say this book will be purchased for my shelf.

Solomon built a rich world and culture that I could experience with the characters. In fact, I felt connected with the characters. I wanted to understand them and to fight for them. I found a world where civil rights falls apart despite technology advanced enough to move an entire civilization completely believable. If there is one flaw that I fear will forever be with us, it is discrimination. This is the world that Solomon invites you into on a generation ship where the decks of the ship are physical manifestations of the economic status gradient. Our journey mostly stays on the lowest decks, where the characters live as slaves or indentured servants at best.

One benefit of the audio version was the range of dialects. I am interested to see how they work in the print version.

Solomon does well weaving together the plots as the main character battles discrimination, fulfills her role to help others, searches for the truth about her missing mother, and uncovers the larger truth about the fate of their people.

I noticed that several others had issue with the violence. I am not usually able to stomach graphic scenes of sexual and physical abuse, but I thought Solomon handled these scenes appropriately. The fear was there, the intense emotions were clear, but I did not feel like I was being forced to witness these horrible crimes for the sake of interest. For the most part she skirts around the ideas, makes them clear without smearing them on your face. Towards the end, as things become more difficult for the characters, the abuse increases, but I have read and seen things that were handled far less delicately.

There are a few shifts in point of view, but I found these moments useful to the plot. I was left with a few questions, but not so many that I did not feel the ending was effective. I think that another read will make the story even better.

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Review: Annihilation

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this via audiobook. I also had a print copy that I followed along periodically. I loved this book because of the vivid imagery, the careful details, and the internal monologue of a woman discovering a new world and her own mind's transformation.

The writing is poetic in a sense and not the best book for someone who must have an easy or direct plot. It is similar to other science fiction works that focus on world building and character arcs over a clear problem and solution. Despite that, there are plenty of actions and events to keep it moving.

Lots of questions and intrigue, perhaps not enough reveals, but it is only the first of a trilogy and I look forward to reading the other two.

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Quote of the Day

 “Finish the thing you’re on. Jot down enough of the idea. Then go back to the thing you’re on and finish it... You have to learn to finish... You can’t fix something you haven’t even begun.” --Neil Gaiman

Taken from https://www.austin360.com/news/20190309/neil-gaimans-sxsw-advice-to-writers-learn-to-finish 

January - Insecure Writers Support Group + Surprise Announcement!

January 6 question:

Being a writer, when you're reading someone else's work, what stops you from finishing a book/throws you out of the story/frustrates you the most about other people's books?

This is a tricky one. I fail to finish books all of the time, and it is not necessarily the book's fault. I easily have a dozen books I have partially read in the past few years alone. Perhaps if I analyze a few that I have not finished, it will help.

The first group of unfinished books:  God Emperor of Dune, The Sword of the Lady, Soul Music, and The Wishsong of Shannara are all fourth or later in a series. If I do not have time to read them quickly in succession, then they will likely not be finished because I become frustrated with not remembering the multiple side plots or character names. If I feel like I cannot remember something that I am supposed to, I give up. Chances are, I do not have time to start over.

There is another group of unfinished books outside the Speculative Fiction category and these tend to get put aside because the goal of the main character is either unclear or unimportant. I think the reason I prefer SF is because the goals somehow seem more relevant. Or perhaps it is because the obstacles that prevent the goal from being attained are more believable. (Basically there is a tangible cause for the conflict like magical intervention or alien mind control. If it is something that could happen to me, it is probably not that interesting!)

Another thing that annoys me while reading is proper noun overload. A cast that is too big, or with names that are too similar is a big turn off. Too many settings can also trick me if I have to remember them by name. This one turns me off of a lot of long fantasy series. I never can remember which castles and towns and historic weapons are being referred to. I will struggle through this as best I can (for at least the first three books).

Lastly, I have a few unfinished items because they are simply too long, and I know I will not be able to keep up over the extended time it will take to complete the work. I also become frustrated if I have seen a film series first and the book deviates too far.  If I look forward to something specific that does not occur, I will put it aside. The Magicians fits in both of these categories: too much to read, and too many deviations. (Why is Margot named Janet? Why? Julia already has a five-letter "J" name, there should not be two main characters that close! And Margot was my favorite character in the series but is not as prominent or spicy in the books.) I will definitely pick this one up again at some point. The Expanse books are on hold for me, too, but only because of time. So far the deviations are acceptable and even enjoyable.

Proper character motivation, limited and unique character names, acceptable length, plenty of unbelievable obstacles that have believable impacts and I will likely finish the book. Now if I could just finish my own book!!!!!

Almost to the surprise...

If you are interested in reading what others have to say about this question, please follow the link behind the badge below. You will find many, many blogs here, and can hop to any you please for interesting perspectives.

The awesome co-hosts for the January 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren , J Lenni Dorner, Gwen Gardner, Sandra Cox, and Louise - Fundy Blue!

...

You made it to the surprise!! 

Check out the new anthology coming out! Take a look at those awesome authors!!!

Dark Matter: Artificial

An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

 

Discover dark matter’s secrets…

 

What is an AI’s true role? Will bumbling siblings find their way home from deep space? Dark matter is judging us—are we worthy of existence? Would you step through a portal into another reality? Can the discoverer of dark matter uncover its secrets?

 

Ten authors explore dark matter, unraveling its secrets and revealing its mysterious nature. Featuring the talents of Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, C.D. Gallant-King, Tara Tyler, Mark Alpert, Olga Goldim, Steph Wolmarans, Charles Kowalski, Kim Mannix, Elizabeth Mueller, and Deniz Bevan.

 

Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a journey across time and space. Prepare for ignition!

 

 

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter. https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

 

Release date: May 4, 2021

Print ISBN 9781939844828 $14.95

EBook ISBN 9781939844835 $4.99

Science Fiction: Collections & Anthologies (FIC028040) / Space Exploration (FIC028130) / Genetic Engineering (FIC028110)

186 pages

 

 

Artificial - Stephanie Espinoza Villamor https://stephanieespinoza.com/
Space Folds and Broomsticks - C.D. Gallant-King  http://www.cdgallantking.ca/
Rift – Kim Mannix  https://makesmesodigress.com/
The Utten Mission – Steph Wolmarans  https://www.teasighcreate.com/
Sentient – Tara Tyler  https://taratylertalks.blogspot.com/
One to Another – Deniz Bevan http://thegirdleofmelian.blogspot.com/
Resident Alien - Charles Kowalski  https://charleskowalski.com/
Nano Pursuit – Olga Goldim  https://olgagodim.wordpress.com
Resurgence – Elizabeth Mueller  http://www.elizabethmueller.com/
Vera’s Last Voyage – Mark Alpert  http://www.markalpert.com/

I'm so nervous...