Starter Villain by John Scalzi is a stand-alone novel but uses a high-concept premise like two of the author’s other novels: The Kaiju Preservation Society and When the Moon Hits Your Eye. The concept for this novel is what if a supervillain passes away and leaves his evil empire to his simple drifter relative. The evil genius’s relative is his nephew, Charlie. What will Charlie do with the evil empire his uncle has left him?
Summary
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Recommendation
[Insert Recommendation Here]
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Starter Villain by John Scalzi.
Shattering Peace by John Scalzi is the seventh book in the Old Man’s War series. The Colonial Union, the Earth, and the Conclave are in an uneasy 10-year truce, but something goes wrong with their shared secret Colony of Unity. Gretchen Trujillo, as a Colonial Union ambassador, must find out what happened at the colony. Will Gretchen save the colony, or will the colony perish, leading to the extermination of humanity?
Human Division by John Scalzi is the fifth book in the Old Man’s War series. The book is a series of 15 interrelated stories mainly about Lieutenant Harry Wilson of the Colonial Union’s B Team. Harry was a friend of John Perry, the hero of the previous novels in the series. Can the team avoid a war with the Conclave and save humanity?
Zoe’s Tale by John Scalzi is the fourth book in the Old Man’s War series. This novel tells the events from the previous story, The Last Colony, from the point of view of Zoe Boutin Perry.
Last Colony by John Scalzi is the third book in the Old Man’s War series. John Perry and his family colonized a new planet. Can he protect the colony, or will the colony perish, leading to the extermination of humanity?
Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi is the second book in the Old Man’s War series. Jared Dirac is a clone with another man’s memories. He must save humanity from three allied alien races determined to destroy humanity.
The Female Man by Joanna Russ was released in 1975, fifty years ago. Four identical women, separated by chance, come together for a reason revealed only at the end of the novel. The novel explores how their different upbringing shapes each of these women. It was disturbing and thought-provoking.
Summary
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Recommendation
[Insert Recommendation Here]
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of The Female Man by Joanna Russ.
The Human Division by John Scalzi, Old Man’s War Book #5
Introduction
Human Division by John Scalzi is the fifth book in the Old Man’s War series. The book is a series of 15 interrelated stories mainly about Lieutenant Harry Wilson of the Colonial Union’s B Team. Harry was a friend of John Perry, the hero of the previous novels in the series. Can the team avoid a war with the Conclave and save humanity?
Summary
The book was originally published online as 13 episodes. The episodes were collected with the addition of two more episode included.
[Insert Summary Here]
Recommendation
[Insert Recommendation Here]
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of The Human Division by John Scalzi, Old Man’s War Book #5
Shattering Peace by John Scalzi is the seventh book in the Old Man’s War series. The Colonial Union, the Earth, and the Conclave are in an uneasy 10-year truce, but something goes wrong with their shared secret Colony of Unity. Gretchen Trujillo as a Colonial Union ambassador must find out what happened at the colony. Will Gretchen save the colony, or will the colony perish leading to the extermination of humanity?
Zoe’s Tale by John Scalzi is the fourth book in the Old Man’s War series. This novel tells the events from the previous story, The Last Colony, from the point of view of Zoe Boutin Perry.
Last Colony by John Scalzi is the third book in the Old Man’s War series. John Perry and his family colonized a new planet. Can he protect the colony, or will the colony perish leading to the extermination of humanity?
Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi is the second book in the Old Man’s War series. Jared Dirac is a clone with another man’s memories. He must save humanity from three allied alien races determined to destroy humanity.
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett is a dark fantasy satire about the potential coming of the apocalypse. Aziraphale is an angel posing as a rare book dealer in England and Crowley is a demon living like a rock star in England. They like their lives as they are. Crowley learns about the coming of the Antichrist, so he knows the time is near, and he asks Aziraphale to help him. Can Aziraphale and Crowley avoid Armageddon and keep their comfortable lives intact?
Summary of the Novel
There are several Point of view characters in the novel.
The main characters are the demon Crowley and the angel Aziraphale, who first meet at the Garden of Eden.
Crowley enjoys living in England at the current time. He remembers how bad it was in the 17th century and even worse in the 14th century and is happy now.
The forces of Hell give Crowley the Antichrist to swap with the baby of an American diplomat. The swap is botched unknown to Crowley. Crowley and Aziraphale try to steer the child to avoid Armageddon. But it’s the wrong child, Warlock Dowling.
The Antichrist grows up in England as Adam Young. He and his three friends call themselves The Them. Adam grows in his power as he ages.
Anathema Device is the descendant of the witch Agnes Nutter, who wrote cryptic prophecies. Anathema with the help of Witchfinder Private Newton Pulsifer try to decipher the prophecies and avoid Armageddon.
The four horsemen of the apocalypse arrive, Death War, Famine, and Pollution. All in their human form.
Recommendation
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett is a great novel if you like British humor, which I do. Twisting the premise of The Omen is inspired and turning it into a comedy is gold. Aziraphale and Crowley are perfect together. The first season of the Amazon Prime Good Omens show adapted this novel. Their second proposed but unwritten novel was the basis for season two of the show. A movie is scheduled to release in early 2026 to wrap up the story. I’m looking forward to watching that to see how it ends.
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.
My review of American Gods by Neil Gaiman, book 1 of the American Gods series. The Old Gods have lost power. Shadow Moon is caught up in the war between the Old Gods and the New Gods. Will Shadow survive?
Link to my review of Red Prophet by Orson Scott Card. Alvin Miller is the seventh son of a seventh son which gives him special powers in this alternate history tale of America set in 1811. In American Gods and in Red Prophet, the gods are alive and interact with people.
Use of Weapons by Iain M Banks, Book #3 of The Culture series.
Introduction
In Use of Weapons by Iain M Banks, Cheradinine Zakalwe is an operative of the Culture’s Special Circumstances group. The Culture is a human-dominated alliance that attempts to advance its position in the galaxy. Diziet Sma is Zakalwe’s handler who sends him on dangerous missions. Will Zakalwe accept a final impossible mission from her, or will he quit The Culture forever?
Summary
[Insert Summary Here]
Recommendation
[Insert Recommendation Here]
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Use of Weapons by Iain M Banks.
Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks, Book #1 of The Culture series.
In Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks, Horza is caught in the middle of a war. The Culture is a human-dominated group fighting the Idirans. Horza is from a human-derived group, The Changlings, who are allied with the Idirans. The Culture and the Idirans both want a fugitive advanced computer mind that could tip the balance of the war. Will Horza find the mind before the others and save his people?
A similar novel, A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge, Johanna and Jefri’s parents’ spaceship has crashed on a planet ruled by the Tines. The Tines are a dog-like race that has communal minds. Two rival groups of Tines capture each kid. On the other side of the galaxy, Ravna and her crew race to get to the kids.
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, Book One of the Liveship Traders trilogy.
Introduction
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb is the first book of Liveship Traders trilogy and book four of the Realm of the Elderlings saga. The novel follows six main plot arcs. The groups are the sailors Althea and Brashen; the Vestrit family, owners of the Liveship Vivacia; Wintrow on the Liveship Vivacia; the pirate captain Kennit and his crew; Paragon, a blinded and derelict Liveship; and a group of sea serpents traveling north. These groups interact leading to a confrontation on the Ship of Magic.
Summary – Prologue
The prologue has one point-of-view character.
Maulkin is a sea serpent. Maulkin rallies his group to go to new waters to discover their past.
Summary–Main Plot Arcs
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb has six main plot arcs.
The hot and cold romance of Althea Vestrit and Brashen Trell. They were sailors on the Liveship Vivacia and later The Reaper, a slaughter ship taking cargo from the barrens with a home port of Candletown.
Wintrow Haven (the son of Keffria Vestrit) on the Liveship Vivacia with home port of Bingtown taking on slaves at Jamaillia City. His father is Kyle Haven, the captain of the Liveship Vivacia.
Kennit is a pirate captain who turns slave ships into pirate ships under his control, but he dreams of capturing a Liveship one day. He is supported by his first mate Sorcor and his paramour Etta.
Drama in the Vestrit family in Bingtown; Ronica, daughter Keffria, and granddaughter Malta involving Rain Wild Traders and the running of the family finances. They own the Liveship Vivacia.
The Liveship Paragon, who is a derelict on Bingtown beach. Mingsley wants to cut him up for the wizardwood. Davad wants to sell him to New Traders as a working ship. Amber wants to keep him the same.
The sentient sea serpents.
Summary–Best Chapters
Five Chapters stand out in Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb.
Divvytown is Chapter 4 where Kennit brings his crew to divide their spoils, he pays a visit to a bordelo to visit his favored paramour Etta, and he gets a tattoo to remind him of the sacrifices he has made in his quest to become the Pirate King.
Crimpers is Chapter 20 where Althea and Brashen are almost conscripted to another ship. Brashen tends to Althea’s injuries and things happen from there.
Plots and Perils is Chapter 22 where Etta gives Kennit an idea about how to capture a Liveship, Paragon learns of Mingsley’s plans for him, a sea serpent attacks The Reaper, Wintrow leaves the Liveship Vivacia for good, and Etta misunderstands Kennit’s feelings for her.
Candletown is Chapter 25 where the Reaper’s journey is ended at Candletown. Althea and Brashen must decide what to do next, together or apart.
A Day of Reckoning is Chapter 33 where Wintrow’s actions have gotten him to the point of no return, Malta must make a difficult decision, Kyle is put in a bad position, and Kennit is close to gaining his heart’s desire.
Recommendation
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb is a fabulous start to the Liveship Traders trilogy. It is set in the same universe as the Farseer trilogy and there are a few references to those books, but no direct connections. There are many points of view characters. Each chapter has multiple points of view, though there is no head hopping.
I enjoyed the Althea and Brashen romance, Wintrow’s struggle with his past and future, and the mystery of Paragon. The Malta story wasn’t as compelling, but I see how it might be necessary for the rest of the trilogy. The Kennit story was interesting in his horribleness. Is he a protagonist or a villain? The rest of the story will tell. The sea serpents were difficult to read, but I think I know how they relate to the Liveships, so that will be important later. Overall, I loved it and will soon read The Mad Ship, Book #2 of the Liveship Traders.
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson is the thirteenth book of The Wheel of Time series. The novel follows seven main plot arcs. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Elayne, Egwene, Gawyn, and Aviendha. All seven characters face difficult choices and must grow to get closer to their goals. Will the forces of Light gather before the Last Battle begins?
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson sets up A Memory of Light, the last novel of the series, well. Rand wants everyone to get to the Field of Merrilor to prepare for the Last Battle, Tarmon Gai’don. We will see Rand and Min, Perrin and Galad, Egwene and Gawyn, Elayne and Mat. The climax of the series is here.
Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks, Book #1 of The Culture series.
Introduction
In Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks, Horza is caught in the middle of a war. The Culture is a human dominated group fighting the Idirans. Horza is from a human derived group, The Changlings, who are allied with the Idirans. The Culture and the Idirans both want a fugitive advanced computer mind that could tip the balance of the war. Horza knows where the mind is and has a plan to retrieve it. Will Horza find the mind before the others and save his people?
Summary
[Insert Summary Here]
Recommendation
[Insert Recommendation Here]
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Consider Phlebas by Iain M Banks.
A similar novel, A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge, Johanna and Jefri’s parent’s spaceship has crashed on a planet ruled by the Tines. The Tines are a dog-like race that have communal minds. Two rival groups of Tines capture each kid. On the other side of the galaxy, Ravna and her crew race to get to the kids.
The Shattering Peace by John Scalzi, Old Man’s War Book #7
Introduction
Shattering Peace by John Scalzi is the seventh book in the Old Man’s War series. This novel follows the events ten years after the previous novel. The Colonial Union, the Earth, and the Conclave are in an uneasy truce, but something goes wrong with their shared secret Colony of Unity. Gretchen Trujillo as a Colonial Union ambassador must find out what happened at the colony. Will Gretchen save the colony, or will the colony perish leading to the extermination of humanity?
Summary
Gretchen Trujillo is the point of view of the novel and the best friend of Zoe Boutin Perry. Zoe is favored by the Obin, a race of sentient spider-giraffes. Gretchen was appointed as the Colonial Union ambassador to the Obin due to her connection with Zoe.
Recommendation
[Insert Recommendation Here]
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of The Shattering Peace by John Scalzi, Old Man’s War Book #7
In When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi, the moon turns to cheese, and hijinks ensue. It’s as crazy and interesting as it sounds. The novel is a series of chapters with different points of view in each chapter. The points of view characters are affected by the situation in unique ways. The novel is part satire and part prophetic theory. The final question is, did the moon turn to cheese or didn’t it?
Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi is a reimagining of the novel Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper. Scalzi updates the story to contemporary sensibilities. Jack Holloway discovers a new species he calls Fuzzies. If they are determined to be sentient, then he and Zara Corp lose the right to exploit the planet. Will Jack choose to get filthy rich or protect the new species?
Zoe’s Tale by John Scalzi is the fourth book in the Old Man’s War series. This novel tells the events from the previous story, The Last Colony, from the point of view of Zoe Boutin Perry.
Last Colony by John Scalzi is the third book in the Old Man’s War series. John Perry and his family colonized a new planet. Can he protect the colony, or will the colony perish leading to the extermination of humanity?
Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi is the second book in the Old Man’s War series. Jared Dirac is a clone with another man’s memories. He must save humanity from three allied alien races determined to destroy humanity.
Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson, Secret Project Book #5.
Introduction
Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson is the fifth Secret Project book. I received the eBook through a bonus for the leatherbound copy of The Words of Radiance campaign. It is an expansion of the novella named Sixth of the Dusk. Sixth of the Dusk is a trapper that has magical birds that help him. The people of his country are threatened by beings with more knowledge that want their resources. Dusk must travel to the dangerous Emberdark and discover a necessary secret, or his people would lose their freedom to those who want to take it away.
Summary
Sixth of the Dusk is a trapper in the archipelago on the planet named First of the Sun. Trappers specialize in the dangers of a specific island, in Dusk’s case that is Patji. The islands are deadly, but the trappers face the dangers because they can hatch and bond with magical birds, called Aviar, only found on the islands. The bird’s powers help the trapper’s overcome obstacles.
Dusk’s people live off the land and have limited technology, but in the flashbacks, we see how new technology can tame the deadly islands. He interacts with Vathi, she is a scientist leader, in the flashbacks and they come to an understanding. Dusk doesn’t like the changes to his beloved island. In the current timeline advanced alien beings arrive and want the secrets of the islands. Dusk must go on a journey into the Emberdark to find the secrets of the magical birds, or his culture will die.
Starling is a young dragon who is trapped in her human form because she must learn a lesson. She gets together a crew for her spaceship, Dynamic, to earn her freedom. She goes to the Emberdark. Dusk and Starling meet and can help each other to achieve their goals if they trust each other.
Recommendation
Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson is a great expansion of the novella named Sixth of the Dusk. I thought that putting the entire novella as a flashback in the novel was a perfect strategy. He inserted chapters of the novella into the novel as it goes along. I thought that the addition of Starling, who is not in the novella, was a weaker plotline, but I understand why it was necessary to get the story up to novel length. Very well done.
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson.
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson. They published the original novella named Sixth of the Dusk in this anthology.
Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson. Dalinar Kholin’s forces fight the forces of the god, Odium. The fight ends with a contest of champions. Who will prevail in the contest of champions?
My review of Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson. Wax and Wayne must foil a plot started by the terrorist group called the Set to destroy their home and people.
My review of Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson. In book 3.5 of the Stormlight Archive, Rysn and Lopen must uncover the secrets of the lost island of Akinah, or it will doom Roshar.
My review of Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson, a collection with nine stories that are part of the cosmere universe. An overarching plot, which he calls the cosmere interrelated many of the author’s works. He set six stories on the worlds of his published novels, and three stories are about worlds that have not had a novel-length story treatment. All the stories in this collection are excellent.
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, Book Thirteen of the Wheel of Time series.
Introduction
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson is the thirteenth book of The Wheel of Time series. The novel follows seven main plot arcs. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Elayne, Egwene, Gawyn, and Aviendha. All seven characters face difficult choices and must grow to get closer to their goals. Will the forces of Light gather before the Last Battle begins?
Summary – Prologue
The prologue has six point-of-view characters, and each point of view sets up a plot arc.
Lan rides through Saldaea on his way to the Blight to fight the forces of the dark when he meets a friend on the road.
Perrin has a wolf dream with Hopper present, and he thinks about the past involving his assault on Malden and the aftermath.
Graendal escapes Rand’s balefire in a flashback from the earlier novel.
Galad and his Whitecloaks are betrayed and faces Asunawa and his Whitecloaks.
The Creature is a combination of Padan Fain and Mordeth thinks about killng Rand.
Malenarin Rai is the captain of a tower in Kandor which borders the Blight. A huge force of Trollocs invade Kandor and he is in the middle of it.
Summary–Main Plot Arcs
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson has seven main arcs.
Rand wants his forces to gather at the Field of Merrilor before he plans to break the seals and defeat the Dark One.
Mat takes the Band of the Red Hand to Caemlyn before they head to the Field of Merrilor. First, he plans to rescue someone at the Tower of Gehenjei with the help of Thom and Noal.
Perrin fights Slayer in the Wolf Dream. He also tries to come to an understanding with the Whitecloaks and their new commander, Galad.
Elyane is pregnant with twins. She navigates the politics in Andor and tries to take over Cairhein.
Egwene learns of Rand’s plan and tries to get as many people on her side as possible to dissuade Rand from his dangerous plan. She plans to trap Mesaana in T’A’R. She must decide what to do with Gawyn.
Gawyn investigates the suspicious deaths in the White Tower. He must decide what to do with Egweme.
Aviendha goes to Rhuidean to complete her Wise One Training. She experiences strange visions that she must confront.
Summary–Best Chapters
Eight Chapters stand out in The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson.
The Amyrlin’s Anger is Chapter 3 where Rand tells Egwene his plan to break the seals and fight the Dark One. He tells her to meet at the Field of Merrilor with everyone. Egwene starts a plan to dissuade Rand of his plan to break the seals.
Darkness in the Tower is Chapter 37 where Gawyn comes to a decision about his life, Egwene battles Mesaana, Perrin confronts Slayer, and Gawyn fights assassins out to kill Egwene.
Wounds is Chapter 38 where the conflicts from Chapter 37 are resolved.
A Making is Chapter 40 where Perrin makes a new hammer and becomes the leader he was always destined to be.
Near Avendesora is Chapter 48 where Aviendha has destrubing visions.
Court of the Sun is Chapter 49 where Aviendha has more visions and comes to a plan of action.
The Light of the World is Chapter 54 where Mat, Thom, and Noal attempt to enter the Tower of Gehenjei and rescue someone important. Mat must pay a price.
The One Left Behind is Chapter 55 where Mat and the rest of them try to escape the Tower of Gehenjei with there lives.
Recommendation
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson sets up A Memory of Light, the last novel of the series, well. Rand wants everyone to get to the Field of Merrilor to prepare for the Last Battle, Tarmon Gai’don. We will see Rand and Min, Perrin and Galad, Egwene and Gawyn, Elayne and Mat. The climax of the series is here.
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson.
This is the link to my review of Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan. When Rand forces the hand of one of the Forsaken, will the Forsaken defeat him or will he earn a Crown of Swords?
This is the link to my review of Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan, Book Six of the Wheel of Time. Chaos reigns in the Westlands. They push Rand to the edge of insanity. Will he survive the box?
