Review: NIGHT OF THE DRAGON by Julie Kagawa

5 Fantasy Stars 

An endearing and educating Asian fantasy, NIGHT OF THE DRAGON is the concluding volume in Julie Kagawa's exciting SHADOW OF THE FOX Series [SHADOW OF THE FOX; SOUL OF THE SWORD; NIGHT OF THE DRAGON]. Enjoyable fantasy,  lots of sword-and-sorcery action, views into a different culture not our own: NIGHT OF THE DRAGON wraps up all ends and brings a satisfying conclusion; but if you haven't read Books 1 and 2, you can certainly enjoy this novel on it's own. 

Review: VULCAN'S FORGE by Robert

5 Space Stars

Thoughtfully-presented future science fiction,  offered from a sociological or cultural viewpoint rather than from hard Science, VULCAN'S FORGE reminded me of the early decades of Communism in both the Soviet Union and Russia. The new planet's human culture seems so controlling, so determined to "guide" the species into culturally approved "right thinking" and away from the least taint of  "immorality. " Of course,  there are always going to be free-thinkers and rebels,  too.

Review: TWO LIVES by A Yi

3 Stars

YARC

Seven divergent tales of contemporary Chinese life by a police officer, detailing characters often non-empathetic but others admirable, in the new series from Flame Tree Press.

Review: WHO IS THE DOCTOR 2?

5 Stars

56 years and 37 seasons: the unstoppable Dr. Who, the Time Lord who regenerates, battles monsters, and travels in the Tardis.  From the authors of the original WHO IS THE DOCTOR? (2012), here is the second Guide to all the information,  facts, and genuine good fun you ever wanted to know about the totally unique "Doctor Who."

Review: THE KRAKEN KING PART 1 by Meljean Brook

3 Stars
Steampunk Adventure/Romance presented in serial format (serial form popularized by Charles Dickens,  fell out of favor,  enjoying a renaissance as it lends itself to contemporary shorter attention spans and the cliffhangers bring readers back for subsequent installments). The eponymous "Scribbling Spinster" could be the poster child for Women's Suffrage, were this not Alternate History; she is one strong,  determined,  very adventurous, female. 

KRAKEN'S KEEP by Jean Kilczer

5 Super Stars

Totally engrossing near futuristic science fiction,  rife with marine biology and environmental issues,  exciting, adventurous. heartbreaking, terrifying. heartwarming: in other words,  like real life, dialed up to 11. Loved it and was engrossed from Page One. Of course as well as a fan of Science Fiction, marine life and exploration, environmental retrieval, I am also a Lovecraft aficionado, so I read through an additional lens of Cosmic intervention [Cthulhu, anyone?] The "Kraken" (truly enormous Octopus) inspire considerations of Cthulhu indeed, and of inhuman creatures crossing into our dimension or universe, but also considerations of Darwinism, in evolution gone wild. Particularly appealing for me was the author's continued explication,  via the primary characters,  of the consequences of human pollution and of Nature's rectification,  as seen in fish to jellyfish to Giant Octopus.

Review: THE KRAKEN PROJECT by Douglas Preston

5 Stars

Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's AGENT PENDERGAST series intrigued me from the beginning,  but these two authors are individually prolific and accomplished as well.  I found THE KRAKEN PROJECT  (published 2014) totally engrossing.  Even the necessary emphasis on coding, programming, engineering,  hacking (none of which I usually understand LOL) didn't faze me here. Author Preston provides laypersons as foils who also don't comprehend, so that explanations are provided.  From the first, I was riveted: Space Exploration! Artificial Intelligence! What's not to love? 

I also must point out the delightfully intriguing secondary protagonist,  programmer Melissa. Although not specified, I believe she resides on the Asperger's Syndrome; a genius,  but difficult for others to comprehend and too often, potentially self-destructive (risk-taking and impulsive). I've not read any other of the Wyman Ford Series,  but looking back, I think his character could have been more fully fleshed out. That may be simply my perception.