Lisa is a sub of mine (and I'm subbed to her), she's fun and ever so kind. I'm really happy you did a review of her book. She works really hard. I hope this boosts her sales. This was a very kind act on your part mon ami. I know it doesn't mean much but this Franc is proud of you. Even with all the success you have on Substack you still showing kindness like this to her is very impressive.
This was a very enticing review! Now I'm kind of intrigued by it. I wonder if after I'm done reformatting and updating Crown of Blood I shouldn't try sending you a copy John. It'd be neat to see what you think of it!
The whole book is in English. I've yet to finish revising my French books for publication (the shortest is around 1300 pages). So all current works (the smaller ones) are in English. But Crown needs formatting, and the map added and the cover touched up. All should be done tomorrow but it won't be fully processed for another week or so. If you want when the Third Edition drops I could tag you with the post.
Tech-position is difficult I suspect. Too little and we're left clueless as to how things happen and what limits there may be, too much and it messes up the story with lots of convenient breakdowns and "Why don't they just use X?"-moments.
And technobabble is even more difficult to pull off. I know that from 40 years GMing pen&paper RPGs, from Spacemaster to WEG SWD6. Characters spaceship gets shot at and something breaks? Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find a name for the part(s) and realistic consequences for the ship's operation. In under 3 seconds.
Such musings aside, the first image made me think "Ahh, a human slave girl on the balcony of her Master's homegrown Telvanni Mage's tower, looking out over Tel'Mora at dawn/dusk. I really should try to re-install Morrowind, I mean who needs sleep or going outside?"
The method of using documentary material from within the novel's own reality is often a good one, if done well, since it makes it more real. And, it is a good jumping-off point too for further exploration should the writer wish to do so: since - I'm guessing - much of those real fake quotes and excerpts come from unused or underutilised ideas in the first place. Wasn't it the Thieves' World series* that pulled that off to great effect, since virtually no characters in the stories would have reason to expose on things already known to them?
*Thieves' World series also sounds as a competition for politicians...
Yeah tech info dumps are usually awkward. At the same time drawing out technical limits can be useful to the story ... This isn't really that kind of story, though.
One of the good examples of how to do it is Starship Troopers. What tech-talk we get is detailed enough to give us an idea of what it is: the flame-weapon being a perfect example.
A bad example - as in tech-stuff done badly - is the hyperdrive, hyperspeed, travel time and hyperspace in Star Wars EU even before Disney (except the old D6 RPG): everything happens at the speed of P for Plot. What makes it bad, in my estimation, is that it is so obvious. Han Solo's boast about the Falcon becomes pointless when Darth Maul can travel from Imperial Center to Tatooine in an afternoon.
Eventually, one arrives at "look at cool stuff happening because", i.e. Hollywood and American main-stream comics since the millennium or so
>mutter grumble goes off to re-read "Galaxy Guide 6: Tramp Freighters"<
Thankyou. I enjoyed the novel even though the swashbuckling and boddice ripping was... enthusiastic. I was disappointed in the ending where things just inexplicably fizzled ou even as new themes were rapidly introduced. As you say, Dene and Savickas dropped out too soon as did Tawny (how did she get the ship out?). The anti-royalists inexplicably arrived then vanished. Someone happened upon a hole. Secondary love interest got a bit too prominent. And how did Kest get down the hole with a broken leg? Lev's fate is unclear. Yes, a good yarn, a good world creation but with an abrupt confusing ending. Keep 'em coming! I'm currently waiting for the latest Neal Asher to arrive in the post. Best go and read something more serious while I wait.
I purchased "Theft of Fire: Orbital Space #1 by Devon Erikson, after reading your review, and thoroughly enjoyed and bonded with the 3 main characters. I didn't really relate to most of the technical descriptions of the ship or its mechanisms, but I'm a female with little mechanical understanding or ability. I confess skimming some of that exposition, but I found the relationships and personalities of the characters readable, realistic and likable. I'll read the next book in the series for sure.
This review has certainly piqued my interest. I have a long queue of books on my digital shelf waiting to be read, but I'm probably going to put this one in my wish list. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Technical exposition in science fiction is always tricky. Personally I found it fine, but then, I have a technical background and am accustomed to reading much drier texts...
I totally expect the technical descriptions in SciFi and don't hold it against the writer or the story. The same is true for the physics and science of space travel. I do enjoy reading descriptions of alien environments and geography and the psychological and historical backgrounds of the aliens in that story's strange new world.
Typical of my gender, it's the human and alien relationships that appeal to me and if well done will keep me reading.
I read the first couple of chapters and it's like someone tried to combine Burroughs dramatic flair with Zelazny's brutal pragmatism, and almost succeeded.
I'm not sure if this author would be someone I would enjoy... but reading this piece made me think of a question I've been mulling recently: what are some things that all great epic sci-fi/fantasy has in common (world-building, including pieces of magic and history and wonder to make the setting feel complete and alien, some exploration of a different culture/politics/technology which illuminates aspects of our own... and a moral system).
I think that our (mainstream) culture has gotten to the point at which it can no longer create great imaginative works or allegories or fantasy stories. It's too relativist, too bored, too superficial. It's too disconnected from the needs and pains of the human condition. It's not that religion or sex roles or the hero's journey or duty or family loyalty have been changed or transformed in our culture. They've been erased, and with them the energy and vision to create great stories.
Your review is so good I stopped because I didn’t wan’t spoilers and you sold me with the description of Nikolai. Sounds like a great read.
Sweet.
Lisa is a sub of mine (and I'm subbed to her), she's fun and ever so kind. I'm really happy you did a review of her book. She works really hard. I hope this boosts her sales. This was a very kind act on your part mon ami. I know it doesn't mean much but this Franc is proud of you. Even with all the success you have on Substack you still showing kindness like this to her is very impressive.
This was a very enticing review! Now I'm kind of intrigued by it. I wonder if after I'm done reformatting and updating Crown of Blood I shouldn't try sending you a copy John. It'd be neat to see what you think of it!
English version?
The whole book is in English. I've yet to finish revising my French books for publication (the shortest is around 1300 pages). So all current works (the smaller ones) are in English. But Crown needs formatting, and the map added and the cover touched up. All should be done tomorrow but it won't be fully processed for another week or so. If you want when the Third Edition drops I could tag you with the post.
How long is it?
364 pages, might be too long come to think of it. I’m now rethinking things, might have to recommend another book when it comes out.
If the book is half as much fun as the review, it's worth buying.
Fantastic.
Well, you did the work, mate. :)
But I think I'd have to be soulless to not buy it after that review.
(and I'm not a politician!)
I very much hope you enjoy it!
P.S. Purchased a copy.
Also available through Rakuten Kobo if you'd rather not do Amazon.
Just downloaded it. This what they’re reading on Barsoom?
We only have the best books on Barsoom.
BTW, what’s Dejah Thoris really like?
Hawt
Some good writers, too.
Currently reading it!
I'm at 88/255.
I skipped the plot summary in your review because I don't want spoilers.
I am enjoying it.
Awesome!
It's a good book. I highly recommend it. In fact, I did.
Just bought it
Excellent
Tech-position is difficult I suspect. Too little and we're left clueless as to how things happen and what limits there may be, too much and it messes up the story with lots of convenient breakdowns and "Why don't they just use X?"-moments.
And technobabble is even more difficult to pull off. I know that from 40 years GMing pen&paper RPGs, from Spacemaster to WEG SWD6. Characters spaceship gets shot at and something breaks? Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find a name for the part(s) and realistic consequences for the ship's operation. In under 3 seconds.
Such musings aside, the first image made me think "Ahh, a human slave girl on the balcony of her Master's homegrown Telvanni Mage's tower, looking out over Tel'Mora at dawn/dusk. I really should try to re-install Morrowind, I mean who needs sleep or going outside?"
The method of using documentary material from within the novel's own reality is often a good one, if done well, since it makes it more real. And, it is a good jumping-off point too for further exploration should the writer wish to do so: since - I'm guessing - much of those real fake quotes and excerpts come from unused or underutilised ideas in the first place. Wasn't it the Thieves' World series* that pulled that off to great effect, since virtually no characters in the stories would have reason to expose on things already known to them?
*Thieves' World series also sounds as a competition for politicians...
Yeah tech info dumps are usually awkward. At the same time drawing out technical limits can be useful to the story ... This isn't really that kind of story, though.
One of the good examples of how to do it is Starship Troopers. What tech-talk we get is detailed enough to give us an idea of what it is: the flame-weapon being a perfect example.
A bad example - as in tech-stuff done badly - is the hyperdrive, hyperspeed, travel time and hyperspace in Star Wars EU even before Disney (except the old D6 RPG): everything happens at the speed of P for Plot. What makes it bad, in my estimation, is that it is so obvious. Han Solo's boast about the Falcon becomes pointless when Darth Maul can travel from Imperial Center to Tatooine in an afternoon.
Eventually, one arrives at "look at cool stuff happening because", i.e. Hollywood and American main-stream comics since the millennium or so
>mutter grumble goes off to re-read "Galaxy Guide 6: Tramp Freighters"<
Yep. Star Wars tech is infamously terrible for its ductility to the needs of the plot.
Thankyou. I enjoyed the novel even though the swashbuckling and boddice ripping was... enthusiastic. I was disappointed in the ending where things just inexplicably fizzled ou even as new themes were rapidly introduced. As you say, Dene and Savickas dropped out too soon as did Tawny (how did she get the ship out?). The anti-royalists inexplicably arrived then vanished. Someone happened upon a hole. Secondary love interest got a bit too prominent. And how did Kest get down the hole with a broken leg? Lev's fate is unclear. Yes, a good yarn, a good world creation but with an abrupt confusing ending. Keep 'em coming! I'm currently waiting for the latest Neal Asher to arrive in the post. Best go and read something more serious while I wait.
Neal Asher is great.
(I can recommend it.)
I purchased "Theft of Fire: Orbital Space #1 by Devon Erikson, after reading your review, and thoroughly enjoyed and bonded with the 3 main characters. I didn't really relate to most of the technical descriptions of the ship or its mechanisms, but I'm a female with little mechanical understanding or ability. I confess skimming some of that exposition, but I found the relationships and personalities of the characters readable, realistic and likable. I'll read the next book in the series for sure.
This review has certainly piqued my interest. I have a long queue of books on my digital shelf waiting to be read, but I'm probably going to put this one in my wish list. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Technical exposition in science fiction is always tricky. Personally I found it fine, but then, I have a technical background and am accustomed to reading much drier texts...
I totally expect the technical descriptions in SciFi and don't hold it against the writer or the story. The same is true for the physics and science of space travel. I do enjoy reading descriptions of alien environments and geography and the psychological and historical backgrounds of the aliens in that story's strange new world.
Typical of my gender, it's the human and alien relationships that appeal to me and if well done will keep me reading.
A lot of science fiction writers neglect those more human elements. Balancing them is the mark of a professional; excelling at all of them, a master.
I read the first couple of chapters and it's like someone tried to combine Burroughs dramatic flair with Zelazny's brutal pragmatism, and almost succeeded.
I'm not sure if this author would be someone I would enjoy... but reading this piece made me think of a question I've been mulling recently: what are some things that all great epic sci-fi/fantasy has in common (world-building, including pieces of magic and history and wonder to make the setting feel complete and alien, some exploration of a different culture/politics/technology which illuminates aspects of our own... and a moral system).
I think that our (mainstream) culture has gotten to the point at which it can no longer create great imaginative works or allegories or fantasy stories. It's too relativist, too bored, too superficial. It's too disconnected from the needs and pains of the human condition. It's not that religion or sex roles or the hero's journey or duty or family loyalty have been changed or transformed in our culture. They've been erased, and with them the energy and vision to create great stories.
Curious how you select books to review...
I read a book, and review it.
NB I don't typically take solicitations, as otherwise I'd get buried.
Thanks for taking the time to answer!