Not much writing to update on. Zero writing, in fact, but a load of editing. So, instead, I thought I would share what I have been reading.
The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I read an article about George R.R. Martin and the books he really likes, and this one caught my eye, so I ordered it from the library, and when I started, I couldn’t put it down.
Cornwell does an amazing job of immersing the reader into Saxon Britain, what life was like living with the Danes, and creating a compelling story and hero in Uthred son of Uthred.
I have already ordered the next book in the series, and I can see why Martin, the master of dark fantasy storytelling, would appreciate this story.
Dune: The Butlerian Jihad by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
My rating: ⭐️⭐️
I was disappointed in this story. I love the original trilogy by Brian Herbert’s dad, Frank (I have read them all twice), but this story didn’t pull me.
The story was okay, but it lacked the poetry and mystique of the originals, and I couldn’t find any characters I cared about.
This is a big shame, as the Butlerian Jihad is such an import piece of the Dune lore, but such is life.
Ubik by Phillip K Dick
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have read a lot of Dick’s work, and he never disappoints. One of most impressive facets to Dick’s substantial skills is his ability to create incredible concepts, and Ubik delivers on this front.
It is a complex story that, at its heart, lands an important point: reality is relative (a theme Dick explored in many of his works). This isn’t my favourite Dick story, but it’s good.
The Coming of Conan by Robert E. Howard
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this story! Howard’s writing with his larger-than-life characters, brutal fight scenes, exotic locations, beautiful women, and, of course, Conan is right up my strasse.
For a story written in the 1930s, The Coming of Conan still feels incredibly fresh and exciting. I think I will read more of Howard’s work.