ramsfan1963's reviews
412 reviews

A Phule And His Money by Peter J. Heck, Robert Lynn Asprin

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Definitely not as good as the first two books in the series, this one suffered from being split into to missions. First  Omega Gang had to finish up their security detail at the Fat Chance casino, where various crises came to a head all at once, then they were shipped off to Landoor to be peace keepers after a civil war. The first part was just a continuation of the 2nd book, but it took up so much time that the mission on Landoor seemed rushed and the conclusion came in a bit pat.

The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Deeply affected by the Vietnam War, the author has created an anti-war military novel classic. While it was probably unrealistic to have one character survive from the start of the war until the end, which due to relativistic physics meant he had lived for hundreds of years, it gave the story a current viewpoint to how the Earth was changed when the soldier returned centuries later. 

Phule's Paradise by Robert Lynn Asprin

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

The 2nd adventure of Phule's company finds them protecting a casino,  on a space station, from an organized crime take over. As usual, Captain Jester has planned ahead and usually outwits his foes. The book isn't laugh out loud funny, but it will being a smile to your face.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunters, Vol. 6: Bedlam on Bestine by Ethan Sacks

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I'd say this is my favorite volume of the Bounty Hunters series so far. The dual storylines converge at Bestine, as Valance arrives with the Imperial forces, while T'Onga and her bounty hunters show up working for the Crimson Dawn. Lots of action, Valance discovers the Empire lied and betrayed him again, and rejoins the other bounty hunters. Also, for once, the artwork is fairly consistent, without any diverse art styles.

Phule's Company by Robert Lynn Asprin

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A History of the World in Twelve Shipwrecks by David Gibbins
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.

I might return to this book, because I'm interested in the subject, but it won't be in audio form. The narrator's speech pattern made it sound like a machine was reading the book. It was monotone and lacked any inflection.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunters, Vol. 5: The Raid on the Vermillion by Ethan Sacks, Natacha Bustos

adventurous dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Of the Marvel Star Wars books, I find the Bounty Hunters to be the one that is constantly involving and entertaining. While the other books are about the good guys (Rebels) or the bad guys (Empire), this title floats in shades of grey, working both sides for profit. Some of them, like T'Onga and Valiance have morals, but scum like Dengar are motivated solely by greed.

The Royal Wulff Murders by Keith McCafferty

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I learned more about fly fishing than I ever cared to know, but otherwise it was a interesting murder mystery. I appreciate the author's descriptions of the Montana scenery, it added a flavor to the story

American Comics: A History by Jeremy Dauber

informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

An informative and detailed look at the origins and continuing evolution of comics, from cheap throw away entertainment to a real artform. I liked that the author didnt just dwell on DC and Marvel, but gave a lot of coverage to independent comics, underground comics, manga and the growing use of online comics.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunters Vol. 4: Crimson Reign by Ethan Sacks

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Better than the last volume, the story is more self contained, not requiring the reader to jump between all the Star Wars titles. The Bounty Hunters assume that Valance is dead, not knowing he's been captured by Vader and forced to work for the Empire. Meanwhile, T'Onga and her crew are searching for 4-LOM so that they can use his splicing abilities to track down the Rebel base
Dual storylines play off each other well, with most of the action going to the Bounty Hunters as they fight 4-LOM, who's been turned into a killing machine, and continue to run from the Crimson Dawn, who wants them all dead.