Thursday, 19 April 2012
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
The Sequelmeter
I read a lot - especially when I should be writing! This means I get through a lot of books, many of which are the first in a series. I've now worked out a very non-scientific, very-subjective, it's-my-system-and-I'll-use-it-if-I-want-to method of working out if I really enjoyed any book in a series: do I really want to read the sequel/next volume. With that in mind and utilising the hard-science method of my system, here's a run down of some of the books that have been passed through the Sequelmeter - with a yes/no/maybe response as the output!
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: No. Very underwhelmed by this one. Cannot see what the fuss is all about. Derivative, predictable and dull. Does have a strong main character though. Absolutely no urge to read any more in this series.
The Fury by Alexander Gordon Smith: Yes. A novel take on the zombie story with exciting set-pieces and some really good ideas. Pity I'll have to wait a while for the next one.
Gone by Michael Grant: Definitely yes. Four volumes in and it shows no sign of flagging. A simple idea developed into a very meaty series.
The Enemy by Charlie Higson: Definitely yes. Another twist on the zombie trope where some of the infected have limited intelligence so present more of a threat than the usual shambling brain-seeking mob.
The Dreaming Void by Peter Hamilton: Maybe. I'm a Hamilton fan but 300 pages in and I'm still not sure where this one is going. I'll read on and see what happens.
The Equivoque Principle by Darren Craske: Yes. A belting old-fashioned thriller set in Victorian England and beyond. Great story-telling, great characters and great fun.
The Afrika Reich by Guy Saville: Definitely yes. Possibly the best thriller I read in 2011. Cannot wait for volume 2.
The Istanbul Code by Laurence O'Bryan: Maybe. Enjoyed the book, just not sure I want to read more.
The Left Hand of God by Paul Hoffman: No. Dull fantasy with a middle section where nothing happened and took ages to do so.
Night of Knives by Ian C Esselmont: No. His first foray into the Malazan world is competent but not a patch on his buddy Steven Erikson.
Off Armageddon Reef by David Weber: No. The first fifty pages promised so much; the next five-hundred failed to deliver.
Son of Heaven by David Wingrove: Yes, although this is a rewrite and expansion of his massive Chung Kuo saga, which I'd read quite a few years back, so I know what to expect.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: No. Very underwhelmed by this one. Cannot see what the fuss is all about. Derivative, predictable and dull. Does have a strong main character though. Absolutely no urge to read any more in this series.
The Fury by Alexander Gordon Smith: Yes. A novel take on the zombie story with exciting set-pieces and some really good ideas. Pity I'll have to wait a while for the next one.
Gone by Michael Grant: Definitely yes. Four volumes in and it shows no sign of flagging. A simple idea developed into a very meaty series.
The Enemy by Charlie Higson: Definitely yes. Another twist on the zombie trope where some of the infected have limited intelligence so present more of a threat than the usual shambling brain-seeking mob.
The Dreaming Void by Peter Hamilton: Maybe. I'm a Hamilton fan but 300 pages in and I'm still not sure where this one is going. I'll read on and see what happens.
The Equivoque Principle by Darren Craske: Yes. A belting old-fashioned thriller set in Victorian England and beyond. Great story-telling, great characters and great fun.
The Afrika Reich by Guy Saville: Definitely yes. Possibly the best thriller I read in 2011. Cannot wait for volume 2.
The Istanbul Code by Laurence O'Bryan: Maybe. Enjoyed the book, just not sure I want to read more.
The Left Hand of God by Paul Hoffman: No. Dull fantasy with a middle section where nothing happened and took ages to do so.
Night of Knives by Ian C Esselmont: No. His first foray into the Malazan world is competent but not a patch on his buddy Steven Erikson.
Off Armageddon Reef by David Weber: No. The first fifty pages promised so much; the next five-hundred failed to deliver.
Son of Heaven by David Wingrove: Yes, although this is a rewrite and expansion of his massive Chung Kuo saga, which I'd read quite a few years back, so I know what to expect.
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