Category: Books

Kubrick’s Game by Derek Taylor Kent
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kubrick’s Game is the first adult-aimed novel from children’s author Derek Taylor Kent, who writes the Scary School series under the pen name Derek the Ghost. The author reached out to me about reading and reviewing the book, which was a great honor. I’m not sure if he approached me because of the book reviews on my site or the film reviews, but either way would make sense since Kubrick’s Game truly is a book for cinephiles.

Molded in the fashion of books like Ready Player One and The Da Vinci Code, the story involves an elaborate and mysterious treasure hunt based on clues hidden in the films of Stanley Kubrick.

When I recently described the book I was currently reading to my family, they said “that’s perfect for you”. And that’s mostly true. Except…

I am not the world’s biggest Kubrick fan. I have nothing but respect for the undeniable talent of the man and extremely little patience for his method of filmmaking. He was a master of shot composition and a visionary. I acknowledge without hesitation the indelible impact of his films; they are gorgeous, wholly unique and are completely stuffed with content ripe for analysis. But I never really went in for film analysis. I find much of his work slow, dull and pretentious. The absurdly methodical “film fifty takes and see what happens” approach with ambling, overlong shots badly in need of editing defined a generation of filmmakers and is directly responsible for the “director as auteur” nonsense that we are still stuck with.

I do not know if part of the author’s intent with Kubrick’s Game was to cultivate love of the filmmaker, but the book absolutely sent me back to the oeuvre to see if I hadn’t misjudged them. (Jury’s still out on that – I’ll let you know.)

The story is jam-packed with facts about filmmaking in general and Kubrick in particular, a sure sign that the author has put in time in La-La Land. I found the story most engaging during these moments, with film restoration specialists and aspiring directors discussing the craft.

The protagonist of Kubrick’s Game is Shawn Hagan, a promising film student who becomes central to a complicated game that the legendary filmmaker has engineered to take place some years after his death. Hagan is an introverted and talented young man, somewhere on the Autism spectrum, and it’s his journey that I found a little wanting. Possibly because the author is trying to convey Shawn’s difficulty with reading people, some of the plot points are delivered forcefully, without any subtlety. Other characters in the story act with transparent motives, but the story takes a long time to bring the main character up to speed. Again, I believe this is done for effect, an intentional representation of Shawn’s struggles to digest social clues, but this style of leaving obvious hints and spelling things out very slowly is also a hallmark of writing to a younger audience, and I can’t help but wonder if that is a carryover from Kent’s main writing experience.

The only way in which the book suffers from this deliberate writing style is in the length; as engaging as the story was, I thought it could use a sizable haircut. But again, perhaps this is an homage to Kubrick…

Lest my criticism of the feel of the story give you the wrong impression, let me be clear – I really enjoyed Kubrick’s Game. It is a well-thought out and unique story, brimming with details sure to spur the imagination and interest of fans of the director and possibly create some new devotees. While I did find the writing style somewhat exposition heavy, that sort of comes with the territory, and doesn’t detract from the imaginative hunt that drives the tale.

Possibly more interesting to fans of Kubrick, conspiracy theorists and codebreakers, the quality of the story is engaging for all and make Kubrick’s Game easy to recommend…

Oh, and there’s a game based on the book – a real life treasure hunt! DerekTaylorKent.com/the-game Very cool…

[schema type=”book” url=”http://www.derektaylorkent.com/work/#/kubricksgame/” name=”Kubrick’s Game” description=”Shawn Hagan, a college film student obsessed with legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, discovers hidden clues in his movies which lead him on a harrowing quest toward a mysterious treasure that Kubrick left behind. Endangered by sinister groups on the same quest, Shawn has no choice but to claim the prize first because in the wrong hands … “It has the power to change the course of history.”” author=”Derek Taylor Kent” publisher=”Evolved Publishing” pubdate=”2016-09-24″ isbn=”1622534522″ ebook=”yes” paperback=”yes” hardcover=”yes” ]

Empire of Imagination: Gary Gygax and the Birth of Dungeons & Dragons by Michael Witwer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Empire of Imagination: Gary Gygax and the Birth of Dungeons & Dragons is a fantastic biography of Dungeons & Dragons creator Gary Gygax. Written by author Michael Witwer as part of a masters’ thesis it nevertheless does not read at all like an academic work.

Empire of Imagination is written in some ways more like an adventure story than a biography. This suits me fine, as biography is not my favorite genre. More importantly, Witwer has found the perfect tone and setting for a tale of a man who spent his life telling stories.

Witwer very wisely chose to structure Empire of Imagination in short chapters somewhat like anecdotes. These short recollections of events lend themselves very well to the adventure style presentation. It’s an inspired touch, with the author structuring the entire work as a series of levels (broken up into +1 chapters) united into a loose narrative with vignettes of a Dungeon Master leading a player through a far-reaching quest. The result is a tale told much as though a group of friends was gathered around a game table sharing stories. Which is of course the point…

Empire of Imagination is neither a particularly quick or long read but I found myself reading it in spurts. Partially this is due to the aforementioned breaking up of the tale into serialized pieces that you can jump in and out of. But I think largely it is because the tale is bittersweet. As much as I was enjoying the book I found myself putting it down and not returning for a bit because I didn’t want to have tales of the creation of the beloved game and all of the wonderful memories it reanimated to stop or to be sullied by the inevitable fall from grace that always accompanies these stories. While it makes for good drama it is more than a little sad to see everything that Gary Gygax created come apart in predictable fashion. It is at this time that the book falls into a bit of the typical biography mold. But then, so too did Gygax’s story…

The book is clearly written with the input and/or approval of the Gygax estate, so I’m sure Gary gets the benefit of the doubt in all of the discussions of legal squabbles and the provenance of his works. But to this admittedly non-expert reader it comes off even-handed. No efforts are taken to whitewash the story or cover up Gygax’s foibles and failings. Others more familiar with all the details may well take exception to the handling of collaborators like Dave Arneson. The detailing of Arneson’s input and lack of involvement seems a bit one-sided, but I really have no first-hand knowledge to suggest this is not a fair telling. It’s quite possible we will never really know how accurate any accounting is regarding the creation of such a detailed game system especially considering the success that followed.

One of the most enjoyable parts about reading the book was that I was frequently reminded of products, games, books and stories that were so integral to my childhood and teen years. There were a host of stories that I had entirely forgotten about such as the Choose Your Own Adventure-style Endless Quest book series. I’m going to have to hunt in the attic to see if I can find any of my old copies!

I really loved reading Empire of Imagination, although to be fair I mostly listened to it. I purchased the ebook and audiobook at the same time, frequently listening and reading simultaneously. The narration for the audiobook is performed by the author’s brother, actor Sam Witwer and a better choice could not possibly have been found. His voice is deep and expressive and an excellent fit. I sincerely hope to hear more audio performances by Sam, and for that matter more stories told by Michael. The author notes in the acknowledgments that brother Sam was the Dungeon Master in their group. Hearing his narration as Empire of Imagination’s Dungeon Master in the interludes makes me wish I could sit down at the table with the brothers. Because the greatest takeaway from the book is a reminder of the spirit and desire that drove Gary Gygax; to get together with companions and play…

[schema type=”book” url=”http://www.empireofimagination.com/” name=”Empire of Imagination: Gary Gygax and the Birth of Dungeons & Dragons” description=”The life story of Gary Gygax, godfather of all fantasy adventure games, has been told only in bits and pieces. Michael Witwer has written a dynamic, dramatized biography of Gygax from his childhood in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to his untimely death in 2008. Gygax’s magnum opus, Dungeons & Dragons, would explode in popularity throughout the 1970s and ’80s and irreversibly alter the world of gaming. D&D is the best-known, best-selling role-playing game of all time, and it boasts an elite class of alumni–Stephen Colbert, Robin Williams, and Junot Diaz all have spoken openly about their experience with the game as teenagers, and some credit it as the workshop where their nascent imaginations were fostered. Gygax’s involvement in the industry lasted long after his dramatic and involuntary departure from D&D’s parent company, TSR, and his footprint can be seen in the genre he is largely responsible for creating. But as Witwer shows, perhaps the most compelling facet of his life and work was his unwavering commitment to the power of creativity in the face of myriad sources of adversity, whether cultural, economic, or personal. Through his creation of the role-playing genre, Gygax gave two generations of gamers the tools to invent characters and entire worlds in their minds. Told in narrative-driven and dramatic fashion, Witwer has written an engaging chronicle of the life and legacy of this emperor of the imagination.” author=”Michael Witwer” publisher=”Bloomsbury USA” pubdate=”2015-10-06″ isbn=”1632862794″ ebook=”yes” paperback=”yes” hardcover=”yes” ]

The Dispatcher by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gotta love John Scalzi. He really excels at the “big idea” stories, which practically is its own genre in science fiction. Nearly all of his works (or at least all of the ones I’ve read) feature some interesting concept made possible through imagined technology, then spend the rest of the time impressing you with the reality involved. It’s really remarkable – it’s as though his books are straightforward fiction that simply require you to make one leap of faith at the outset. Works every time…

The premise needs to be really good in order to make the whole thing gel, of course. That leap of faith needs to stick the landing. But I haven’t been disappointed with the “big idea” yet. So then it’s merely a matter of delivering the rest of the story, and Scalzi is best in class in dialogue and interactions.

In this audio-only short story, the execution works perhaps a little better than some of the full-length novels I’ve read. That’s because I really have only one criticism of his books, one that I didn’t really pick up on until I’d read several. Stated simply, the protagonists seem to have it all their own way. While they are always put in difficult and extreme situations, they all seem to roll with the punches with a somewhat unbelievable grace.

Though I haven’t yet reviewed them, I’ve recently read Agent to the Stars and Fuzzy Nation. These followed the pattern I noted in Lock In and Redshirts. I haven’t touched the Old Man’s War yet, having no appetite for starting a huge series, so it may prove entirely different, but thus far the only flaw I’ve found in these novels is lack of suspense. The main characters don’t seem all that fallible. They make assumptions that prove to be right nearly all the time and there’s never any real concern that they won’t end up on top.

Despite the aforementioned inevitability of success, the tale of Dispatcher Tony Valdez is a great one. The “big idea” in The Dispatcher is that for completely unknown reasons, at some point in our near future, humans who are murdered suddenly find themselves safely returned to life back in their homes. Most of the time. And there are rules, but they aren’t readily known. And only murder victims need apply…

What I’ve written here is not a spoiler – I’ve gone into less detail than the publisher’s blurb, even. But I feel wrong saying too much here. True, when Audible announced the novella, they included the set-up and I read it when I placed my pre-order. But that was a few months ago, and I didn’t even refresh my memory as to what the story was about before pressing play. And I’m very glad for that.

It can be so refreshing to just start a book without any preconceived notions about what you’re about to read. You have to learn something about books before deciding to read them, of course, but it seems a shame in many ways. I used to love going to a record store and selecting albums from groups I’d never heard, but solely based on the art or the titles. I had some idea of the style of music, of course, but little else. The main difference here being that with an album I could know within an hour at most whether my choice was wise. I can’t afford to start grabbing books at random, certainly not at the speed I read…

So I’m not going to tell you any more about The Dispatcher, only that it was a fantastic tale. Similar in style to Lock In, it’s a brisk read (listen) and very enjoyable. The narration by Zachary Quinto was perfect for the story. All of the previous audiobooks I’ve heard from the author have been performed by Wil Wheaton, but I like the choice of Quinto here. He has an entirely different style and conveys emotions that match the feel of The Dispatcher. I eagerly look forward to more audio performances from him.

Oh, and The Dispatcher is free until November 2, 2016, so get on that train…

audible.com/dispatcher

[schema type=”book” url=”http://www.audible.com/dispatcher” name=”The Dispatcher” description=”Zachary Quinto – best known for his role as the Nimoy-approved Spock in the recent Star Trek reboot and the menacing, power-stealing serial killer, Sylar, in Heroes – brings his well-earned sci-fi credentials and simmering intensity to this audio-exclusive novella from master storyteller John Scalzi. One day, not long from now, it becomes almost impossible to murder anyone – 999 times out of a thousand, anyone who is intentionally killed comes back. How? We don’t know. But it changes everything: war, crime, daily life. Tony Valdez is a Dispatcher – a licensed, bonded professional whose job is to humanely dispatch those whose circumstances put them in death’s crosshairs, so they can have a second chance to avoid the reaper. But when a fellow Dispatcher and former friend is apparently kidnapped, Tony learns that there are some things that are worse than death and that some people are ready to do almost anything to avenge a supposed wrong. It’s a race against time for Valdez to find his friend before it’s too late…before not even a Dispatcher can save him.” author=”John Scalzi” publisher=”Audible Audio” pubdate=”2016-10-04″ isbn=”B01KKPH1NI” ]

Written in Fire by Marcus Sakey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Written in Fire, the final book in the Brilliance Trilogy, is the all too rare instance of a perfect finale to a journey. It’s the most enjoyable installment in the series. It’s not that author Marcus Sakey was saving the best for last, it’s simply that everything in the first two books has been leading to this conclusion and it plays out very well.

The story of humans developing powers and the inevitable schism this evolution creates was never an original concept, but as the series has progressed, Sakey has shown he has something of value to add to the premise. In the third book, it is the realization of a battle that has been building for some time – normals versus brilliants.

In my review of the second novel, A Better World, I noted only one problem with an otherwise great book – there was no ending. My irritation over that fact and the bad taste it left in my mouth somewhat dampened my enthusiasm for the series and I sort of forgot in the intervening months how much I enjoyed the story and where it was going. A Better World had some truly unique scenes of urban chaos that are continued and expanded upon in Written in Fire.

There is a grounded, realistic quality to the story and the writing that makes the story work in a way that X-Men, for example, often doesn’t. Yes, there is a science fiction, supernatural element to the Brilliance stories, but that fantastical subject really isn’t the story. This is a tale about human beings, whatever their form, and Sakey does an excellent job keeping the story in the realm of possibility, even probability. There’s an inevitability to how events play out that strongly resonates with your expectation of how things would play out in this world.

I believe this series has been optioned for film, and while it certainly seems a natural fit, I wonder whether it would be sufficiently unique to distinguish itself among similar tales, particularly as I consider it a bit of a slow burn.

Recommended.

[schema type=”book” url=”http://marcussakey.com/” name=”Written In Fire” description=”The explosive conclusion to the bestselling Brilliance Trilogy For thirty years humanity struggled to cope with the brilliants, the 1 percent of people born with remarkable gifts. For thirty years we tried to avoid a devastating civil war. We failed. The White House is a smoking ruin. Madison Square Garden is an internment camp. In Wyoming, an armed militia of thousands marches toward a final, apocalyptic battle. Nick Cooper has spent his life fighting for his children and his country. Now, as the world staggers on the edge of ruin, he must risk everything he loves to face his oldest enemy—a brilliant terrorist so driven by his ideals that he will sacrifice humanity’s future to achieve them. From “one of our best storytellers” (Michael Connelly) comes the blistering conclusion to the acclaimed series that is a “forget-to-pick-up-milk, forget-to-water-the-plants, forget-to-eat total immersion experience” (Gillian Flynn).” author=”Marcus Sakey” publisher=”Thomas & Mercer” pubdate=”2016-01-12″ isbn=”1477827641 ” ebook=”yes” paperback=”yes” ]

The Authorities™ by Scott Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first non-SF book from Scott Meyer solidifies my belief that he’s an author to watch. While my favorite genre always has been and likely always will be science fiction, it’s nice to see him step outside of that comfort zone and try on a story in the “real” world. (Of course, his long running comic series Basic Instructions lives in this same space.)

The Authorities follows protagonist Sinclair Rutherford, a meticulous and sturdy police officer who succeeds at cracking a case despite the subtle indifference and outright hostility of his “superior” detectives. While the collar is a credit to his methodical mind and good instincts, the details of the case are embarrassing and the arrest he makes unfolds publicly and draws the type of attention he’d rather avoid.

His awkward public splash, however, is what draws the attention of an eccentric billionaire (are there any other kinds?) whose latest lark is creating a team of private Authorities (trademark pending) that will assist the police with high-profile crimes where they can generate publicity for the group. The team members have been selected for their marketability as much as their skill set, and Rutherford finds that in order to get the chance he’s always wanted, he’ll need to act the role of a loose cannon…

The premise is entirely believable, even probable. The idea of privatized police forces is the province of many stories and in point of fact, some reality. And of course they would be reality TV fodder.

The characters are intentionally diverse and interesting and the protagonist is very likable. There’s a slight over-emphasis on the characters – how they are all “characters” – and the story itself doesn’t quite distinguish itself as much as a result. I choose to believe this is because Meyer is setting the table for a series, and a certain amount of foundation work is needed.

I very much hope the author does develop The Authorities into a series. The whole thing feels like a TV series in many ways. (Not cinematic, but “tv-matic”? I know, you thought I’d say telematic, which sounds much better, but that’s an actual thing.)

If that’s how this plays out, then this first novel is really just a pilot, and virtually every TV pilot I’ve ever seen has the same characteristic as this book; great character introduction leading to little time for storyline. You have to wait until the show gets picked up for the good stories. I’m happy to wait…

[schema type=”book” url=”basicinstructions.net” name=”The Authorities™” description=”Sinclair Rutherford is a young Seattle cop with a taste for the finer things. Doing menial tasks and getting hassled by superiors he doesn’t respect are definitely not “finer things.” Good police work and bad luck lead him to crack a case that changes quickly from a career-making break into a high-profile humiliation when footage of his pursuit of the suspect—wildly inappropriate murder weapon in hand—becomes an Internet sensation. But the very publicity that has made Rutherford a laughing stock in the department lands him what could be the job opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to work with a team of eccentric experts, at the direction of a demanding but distracted billionaire. Together, they must solve the murder of a psychologist who specialized in the treatment of patients who give people “the creeps.” There is no shortage of suspects.” author=”Scott Meyer” publisher=”Rocket Hat Industries” pubdate=”2015-10-01″ isbn=”B015Q9EKA0″ ebook=”yes” paperback=”yes” ]