Review of "Shards of Earth: The Final Architects (Book One)" by Adrian Tchaikovsky

 

This is the first book in 'The Final Architects' series by award-winning science fiction writer Adrian Tchaikovsky.

The story takes place in the distant future when humans have colonized space and encountered many kinds of intergalactic species. The most frightening of these is an entity called an Architect, a creature as big as the moon, with crystalline spikes radiating from its surface.



An Architect appears suddenly over an inhabited world, then quickly reshapes it into a gigantic sculpture, killing everything that lives there. Architects seem unaware they're destroying sentient creatures, almost like humans view gnats.



An Architect destroyed Earth, but humanity still exists on planets and moons elsewhere in the universe. All worlds containing intelligent beings are on high alert, ready to evacuate at a moment's notice, in case an Architect appears in the sky.



Nevertheless, 'sculpturing' by an Architect is so rapid that few can escape, and no weapons - even gravitic drives or mass looms - seem able to stop them.

The first being to successfully interact with an Architect was a human girl called Xavienne Torino. Xavienne's brain could 'connect' with an Architect somehow, and on one occasion Xavienne 'persuaded' an Architect to cease an attack and go away.



Xavienne was dubbed an Intermediary, and an Intermediary Program was started to modify human recruits to mimic Xavienne's abilities. The modification - which consists of genetic manipulation, surgery, and intense conditioning - is so extreme that it kills most trainees.





However a few people get through the Intermediary Program, and several Intermediaries - working together - put a pause in the Architect attacks.

The Intermediaries also have another ability. They're able to guide spacecraft through 'unspace', a dangerous region that permits rapid travel across the universe. Unspace drives almost all creatures insane, and - except for Intermediaries - travelers must be sleeping to get through safely.



As the story opens, there hasn't been an Architect attack in decades, and planets across the universe are engaged in all manner of commerce, import, export, mining, trade, etc. that requires space travel. Thus all societies want Intermediaries.



Of the few existing Intermediaries, all but one are 'leashed' (under binding contracts). The lone 'free' Intermediary, named Idris Telemmier, is a navigator aboard a salvage vessel called the Vulture God, whose crew consists of a handful of humans and aliens.



Any number of organizations, gangs, armies, businesses, politicians and so on - both human and alien - are trying to get their hands (or claws or tentacles or whatever) on Idris....and they'll do ANYTHING to accomplish this goal. Thus everyone seems to be on the lookout for the Vulture God, to get access to the Intermediary.

Idris and the other crew members of the Vulture God are at the center of the story, and we follow their adventures as they crisscross the universe.

One group that wants Idris is the Parthenon, whose members are genetically engineered human women. The females, called Partheni, are among the best fighters in the universe, and they'd like Idris to join their ranks. The Parthenon sends one of its own, a woman called Solace, to recruit Idris, and she (temporarily) joins the crew of the Vulture God to try to persuade him.



On one of it's salvage jobs, the Vulture God finds an object that suggests the Architects are back, and this is the underlying theme of the book.

There's plenty of action in the story, with fighting, shooting, stabbing, stealing, killing, destruction, death, and so forth. There's also plenty of prevarication, scheming, conspiring and negotiation. All this makes for an excellent space saga.



Tchaikovsky does a good bit of world-building in the story, and describes all manner of humans; aliens; societies; civilizations; spaceships; weapons; criminals; soldiers; etc....everything you'd expect in a sci-fi novel.







It can get confusing, but Tchaikovsky helpfully includes a glossary as well as lists of worlds; characters, species; and ships. Best of all the author includes a detailed timeline - an outline that depicts the events in the universe that brought it to it's present state.

I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next novel in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley, Adrian Tchaikovsky, and Tor Publishers for a copy of  the book.

4 stars

Review of "Revelation Space: A Science Fiction Novel" by Alastair Reynolds

 

"Revelation Space" takes place in the 26th century, when humans have achieved space travel and can journey vast distances in 'lighthugger' ships that fly at almost the speed of light.



The story opens on the planet Resurgam, which was inhabited by the Amarantin civilization until nine hundred thousand years ago. At that time, just when the Amarantin were about to attain space flight, a catastrophe wiped out the entire race.



Now, small human settlements populate Resurgam, one of which is led by Dan Sylveste - an archaeologist obsessed with studying the Amarantin and what happened to them.





Dan Sylveste is famous for being one of only a few humans who have visited two mysterious alien worlds: the Pattern Jugglers - an obscure oceanic race that can imprint information on the brains of visitors; and the Shrouders - hidden beings who guard the most dangerous devices in the galaxy. In fact, Dan is the only human who ever returned alive from a trip to the Shrouders.



Dan is also well-known for being the son of the brilliant deceased scientist, Calvin Sylveste. The thing is, though Calvin is dead, Dan can still see him and talk to him. Calvin's neural patterns have been saved and Dan can call up his father's image - which usually shows up reclining in a comfortable chair - when he needs to consult with the great man.



While Dan is going about his business (voluntarily and involuntarily) on Resurgam, a decrepit lighthugger called 'Nostalgia for Infinity' - which has lost almost everyone onboard - is trawling the galaxy looking for the archaeologist. The spaceship is infected with the Melding Plague, a nanotech virus that attacks both organic and inorganic substances.



The Plague - which has badly damaged the ship - also infected the Nostalgia's skipper, Captain Brannigan, while he was in reefersleep (suspended animation). The unfortunate Brannigan is now a grotesque being who's expanding, mutating, and merging with the spaceship.



Dan Sylveste once came aboard the Nostalgia to treat the Captain (with dead Calvin's help).....and the crew wants the archaeologist to help Brannigan once again. Meanwhile, the Captain is being kept at a temperature of absolute zero to retard the spread of the virus.

The Nostalgia's leading crew members are a Triumverate consisting of: Volyova - a female munitions expert who controls a ginormous cache of weapons that ranges from guns to star-destroyers; 
 



Sajaki - the defacto captain of the ship; 

 

and Hegazi - Sajaki's yes-man. Sajaki and Hegazi are extreme 'Ultras' - humans who have been exponentially enhanced with technological implants and bionic devices. 

 

The ship also carries a myriad of robotic servitors - including janitor rats - that function as auxiliary help.

The last major character in the story is a woman named Khouri. Khouri is a former soldier who was accidently transported to the planet Yellowstone while she was in reefersleep. On Yellowstone, Khouri became an assassin in a kind of 'Westworld' game. Bored rich people looking for excitement could arrange for an assassin to hunt them down while they tried to evade the killer. But if Khouri is the assigned assassin, the patron is a dead duck because Khouri never fails.



Thus, Khouri attracts the attention of a woman called Mademoiseille, who 'hires' (extorts) Khouri to kill Dan. Mademoiselle alleges that the future of humankind depends on Dan's death.

As the story plays out Khouri eventually gets on board the Nostalgia - which is also searching for Dan. And that's all I can say without spoilers.

Other characters in the story include Resurgam residents who want to thwart Dan's research into the Amarantin; a journalist who's compiling Dan's biography; a Nostalgia gunnery officer who goes completely insane; a wily cyber-being with an agenda; Dan's deceased wife; and more.



The book is almost 600 pages long, and there's plenty of techno-speak that describes planets, stars, spaceships, shuttles, weapons, bionic devices, alien races, alien artifacts, space-time, objective time, subjective time, alpha and beta 'copies' of dead people, sophisticated spacesuits, esoteric discoveries, etc. The book also has a number of sub-plots; some exciting shootouts; plenty of twists, turns, and surprises; and an innovative and compelling climax.







The author tends to be a bit verbose and over-descriptive at times, which slows down the story - and I occasionally had to resist skimming. Overall though, I enjoyed the book, which is imaginative and well-written. Highly recommended to science fiction fans.

Rating: 4 stars

Review of "Starstruck: My Unlikely Road to Hollywood" by Leonard Maltin

Author Leonard Maltin

Leonard Maltin is an American film critic, film historian, and author. He was the movie critic on 'Entertainment Tonight' for 30 years and published Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide from 1969 to 2014.


Leonard Maltin with fellow film critics Gene Siskel (left) and Roger Ebert


Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide

Maltin's love of movies began as a child, when he had a TV Guide route instead of a newspaper route, and studied his father's weekly edition of 'Variety', which covers entertainment news.


Even as a youth, Leonard Maltin devoured Variety

Young Leonard saved his money to buy vintage films with Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy and other silent era stars, and even tried to make his own silent shorts, which usually featured shenanigans with cream pies.


Leonard Maltin is a big fan of Laurel and Hardy

Leonard tells lots of stories about growing up in New York and New Jersey, where he was a devoted viewer of The Mickey Mouse Club, haunted the public library for film-related books and biographies, and saw as many movies as he could.


Young Leonard was a fan of The Mickey Mouse Club

Leonard's description of movie-going as a youngster, where his family 'sat down in the middle of a film, watched it to the end, sat through a cartoon, a travelogue, coming attractions, and a second feature, and then watched the first movie until the part where they came in' is reminiscent of my movie-going as a kid.


Young Leonard Maltin watched a lot of movies

Leonard also liked comic books and watching TV, which took up much of his time in the hours after school.

Leonard and a friend started their own magazine in the fifth grade, and Leonard began writing fan letters to show business people he admired, some of whom sent warm replies. In time Leonard even scored interviews with some 'generous, gracious individuals', and he names names. This doesn't come across as bragging because Maltin clearly reveres the people he's met.


Young Leonard Maltin with radio and television host Joe Franklin


Young Leonard Maltin with Ginger Rogers

At the age of 15, Leonard took over 'Film Fan Monthly', and he and his contributors spotlighted character actors such as Nigel Bruce, Robert Donat, and Miriam Hopkins....the kind of people that fascinate Maltin to this day.


Film Fan Monthly magazine


Leonard Maltin admires character actors like Robert Donat

As Leonard got older, he began to view old and new films in every possible venue, and his extensive knowledge came in handy when he interviewed film stars, directors, and other cast and crew. Leonard's movie expertise even helped him meet his wife Alice, when he gave a lecture about movie history to an adult education class.


Leonard Maltin with his wife Alice

Leonard started publishing books about movies as well, and his early titles include: Movie Comedy Teams; The Disney Films; Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals; and more.


Leonard Maltin was a big fan of The Little Rascals

A lucky break got Leonard hired as the movie critic for Entertainment Tonight, which was a reason to move to California. The job was also an opening to film festivals, award dinners, Oscar shows, television specials, and other media-related events - many of which Maltin was asked to host.


Leonard Maltin Celebrity Tribute

These activities, plus teaching classes about animation, television, and movies gave Maltin almost unlimited access to entertainment folks as well as enthusiastic movie fans.


Leonard Maltin talking about the Oscars with heavyweight boxer “Iron” Mike Tyson


Leonard Maltin with Mitzi Gaynor


Leonard Maltin with Fess Parker


Leonard Maltin with Shirley Temple Black


Leonard Maltin with Johnny Depp and director Scott Cooper


Leonard Maltin interviews Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden about the National Film Registry selections for 2017

Teaching also became one of the joys of Leonard's life. (I'd like to attend Maltin's film class - at the University of Southern California - myself. It features full length movies and interviews with famous people like J.J. Abrams, Guillermo del Toro, Marion Cotillard, Angela Lansbury, Sidney Poitier, and lots more.)


Marion Cotillard was a guest at Leonard Maltin's film class


Sidney Poitier was a guest at Leonard Maltin's film class

A pair of anecdotes that made me laugh feature George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Talking about an Oscar party, Maltin writes, "When George Clooney walked into the green room backstage at the Arlington Theatre in 2006, I witnessed something I'd never seen before. Every woman in that room, regardless of age, simply melted."


Leonard Maltin with George Clooney

Later, when Leonard talks about the Maltin Modern Master Award, he observes, "In 2020 the honoree was Brad Pitt. I have never seen anything quite like the reaction of Santa Barbarans to this mega-movie star. If George Clooney made the women swoon, Brad Pitt knocked them senseless."


Leonard Maltin with Brad Pitt

Maltin's numerous stories about people in the entertainment industry are fascinating and fun. I recognize many of the movies and people Maltin mentions, but not all of them. Dedicated film buffs will probably do better than me. Leonard also sings the praises of Walt Disney; Jerry Lewis; Roy Rogers, cartoons; radio, jazz; film-viewing at the Playboy Mansion; and more - all of which he's passionate about.


Leonard Maltin with Jerry Lewis

Maltin's wife Alice and their daughter Jessie feature in many of Leonard's stories, since Alice was a partner in Leonard's business ventures and young Jessie joined her parents for media events.


Leonard and Alice Maltin with their daughter Jessie

As an adult, Jessie works in the entertainment industry herself, and hosts a podcast with her dad.


Leonard Maltin and his daughter Jessie


Leonard Maltin and his daughter Jessie with Laura Dern

Maltin has a more glamorous lifestyle than most people, but he seems like a congenial guy who'd make a good dinner party guest.

I found the narrative, enhanced by photos, to be informative and fun. Highly recommended to movie fans.

Thanks to Netgalley, Leonard Maltin, and GoodKnight Books for a copy of the book.

Rating: 4 stars

 

\
Author Leonard Maltin

Leonard Maltin is an American film critic, film historian, and author. He was the movie critic on 'Entertainment Tonight' for 30 years and published Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide from 1969 to 2014.


Leonard Maltin with fellow film critics Gene Siskel (left) and Roger Ebert


Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide

Maltin's love of movies began as a child, when he had a TV Guide route instead of a newspaper route, and studied his father's weekly edition of 'Variety', which covers entertainment news.


Even as a youth, Leonard Maltin devoured Variety

Young Leonard saved his money to buy vintage films with Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy and other silent era stars, and even tried to make his own silent shorts, which usually featured shenanigans with cream pies.


Leonard Maltin is a big fan of Laurel and Hardy

Leonard tells lots of stories about growing up in New York and New Jersey, where he was a devoted viewer of The Mickey Mouse Club, haunted the public library for film-related books and biographies, and saw as many movies as he could.


Young Leonard was a fan of The Mickey Mouse Club

Leonard's description of movie-going as a youngster, where his family 'sat down in the middle of a film, watched it to the end, sat through a cartoon, a travelogue, coming attractions, and a second feature, and then watched the first movie until the part where they came in' is reminiscent of my movie-going as a kid.


Young Leonard Maltin watched a lot of movies

Leonard also liked comic books and watching TV, which took up much of his time in the hours after school.

Leonard and a friend started their own magazine in the fifth grade, and Leonard began writing fan letters to show business people he admired, some of whom sent warm replies. In time Leonard even scored interviews with some 'generous, gracious individuals', and he names names. This doesn't come across as bragging because Maltin clearly reveres the people he's met.


Young Leonard Maltin with radio and television host Joe Franklin


Young Leonard Maltin with Ginger Rogers

At the age of 15, Leonard took over 'Film Fan Monthly', and he and his contributors spotlighted character actors such as Nigel Bruce, Robert Donat, and Miriam Hopkins....the kind of people that fascinate Maltin to this day.


Film Fan Monthly magazine


Leonard Maltin admires character actors like Robert Donat

As Leonard got older, he began to view old and new films in every possible venue, and his extensive knowledge came in handy when he interviewed film stars, directors, and other cast and crew. Leonard's movie expertise even helped him meet his wife Alice, when he gave a lecture about movie history to an adult education class.


Leonard Maltin with his wife Alice

Leonard started publishing books about movies as well, and his early titles include: Movie Comedy Teams; The Disney Films; Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals; and more.


Leonard Maltin was a big fan of The Little Rascals

A lucky break got Leonard hired as the movie critic for Entertainment Tonight, which was a reason to move to California. The job was also an opening to film festivals, award dinners, Oscar shows, television specials, and other media-related events - many of which Maltin was asked to host.


Leonard Maltin Celebrity Tribute

These activities, plus teaching classes about animation, television, and movies gave Maltin almost unlimited access to entertainment folks as well as enthusiastic movie fans.


Leonard Maltin talking about the Oscars with heavyweight boxer “Iron” Mike Tyson


Leonard Maltin with Mitzi Gaynor


Leonard Maltin with Fess Parker


Leonard Maltin with Shirley Temple Black


Leonard Maltin with Johnny Depp and director Scott Cooper


Leonard Maltin interviews Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden about the National Film Registry selections for 2017

Teaching also became one of the joys of Leonard's life. (I'd like to attend Maltin's film class - at the University of Southern California - myself. It features full length movies and interviews with famous people like J.J. Abrams, Guillermo del Toro, Marion Cotillard, Angela Lansbury, Sidney Poitier, and lots more.)


Marion Cotillard was a guest at Leonard Maltin's film class


Sidney Poitier was a guest at Leonard Maltin's film class

A pair of anecdotes that made me laugh feature George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Talking about an Oscar party, Maltin writes, "When George Clooney walked into the green room backstage at the Arlington Theatre in 2006, I witnessed something I'd never seen before. Every woman in that room, regardless of age, simply melted."


Leonard Maltin with George Clooney

Later, when Leonard talks about the Maltin Modern Master Award, he observes, "In 2020 the honoree was Brad Pitt. I have never seen anything quite like the reaction of Santa Barbarans to this mega-movie star. If George Clooney made the women swoon, Brad Pitt knocked them senseless."


Leonard Maltin with Brad Pitt

Maltin's numerous stories about people in the entertainment industry are fascinating and fun. I recognize many of the movies and people Maltin mentions, but not all of them. Dedicated film buffs will probably do better than me. Leonard also sings the praises of Walt Disney; Jerry Lewis; Roy Rogers, cartoons; radio, jazz; film-viewing at the Playboy Mansion; and more - all of which he's passionate about.


Leonard Maltin with Jerry Lewis

Maltin's wife Alice and their daughter Jessie feature in many of Leonard's stories, since Alice was a partner in Leonard's business ventures and young Jessie joined her parents for media events.


Leonard and Alice Maltin with their daughter Jessie

As an adult, Jessie works in the entertainment industry herself, and hosts a podcast with her dad.


Leonard Maltin and his daughter Jessie


Leonard Maltin and his daughter Jessie with Laura Dern

Maltin has a more glamorous lifestyle than most people, but he seems like a congenial guy who'd make a good dinner party guest.

I found the narrative, enhanced by photos, to be informative and fun. Highly recommended to movie fans.

Thanks to Netgalley, Leonard Maltin, and GoodKnight Books for a copy of the book.

Rating: 4 stars

Author Leonard Maltin

Leonard Maltin is an American film critic, film historian, and author. He was the movie critic on 'Entertainment Tonight' for 30 years and published Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide from 1969 to 2014.


Leonard Maltin with fellow film critics Gene Siskel (left) and Roger Ebert


Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide

Maltin's love of movies began as a child, when he had a TV Guide route instead of a newspaper route, and studied his father's weekly edition of 'Variety', which covers entertainment news.


Even as a youth, Leonard Maltin devoured Variety

Young Leonard saved his money to buy vintage films with Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy and other silent era stars, and even tried to make his own silent shorts, which usually featured shenanigans with cream pies.


Leonard Maltin is a big fan of Laurel and Hardy

Leonard tells lots of stories about growing up in New York and New Jersey, where he was a devoted viewer of The Mickey Mouse Club, haunted the public library for film-related books and biographies, and saw as many movies as he could.


Young Leonard was a fan of The Mickey Mouse Club

Leonard's description of movie-going as a youngster, where his family 'sat down in the middle of a film, watched it to the end, sat through a cartoon, a travelogue, coming attractions, and a second feature, and then watched the first movie until the part where they came in' is reminiscent of my movie-going as a kid.


Young Leonard Maltin watched a lot of movies

Leonard also liked comic books and watching TV, which took up much of his time in the hours after school.

Leonard and a friend started their own magazine in the fifth grade, and Leonard began writing fan letters to show business people he admired, some of whom sent warm replies. In time Leonard even scored interviews with some 'generous, gracious individuals', and he names names. This doesn't come across as bragging because Maltin clearly reveres the people he's met.


Young Leonard Maltin with radio and television host Joe Franklin


Young Leonard Maltin with Ginger Rogers

At the age of 15, Leonard took over 'Film Fan Monthly', and he and his contributors spotlighted character actors such as Nigel Bruce, Robert Donat, and Miriam Hopkins....the kind of people that fascinate Maltin to this day.


Film Fan Monthly magazine


Leonard Maltin admires character actors like Robert Donat

As Leonard got older, he began to view old and new films in every possible venue, and his extensive knowledge came in handy when he interviewed film stars, directors, and other cast and crew. Leonard's movie expertise even helped him meet his wife Alice, when he gave a lecture about movie history to an adult education class.


Leonard Maltin with his wife Alice

Leonard started publishing books about movies as well, and his early titles include: Movie Comedy Teams; The Disney Films; Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals; and more.


Leonard Maltin was a big fan of The Little Rascals

A lucky break got Leonard hired as the movie critic for Entertainment Tonight, which was a reason to move to California. The job was also an opening to film festivals, award dinners, Oscar shows, television specials, and other media-related events - many of which Maltin was asked to host.


Leonard Maltin Celebrity Tribute

These activities, plus teaching classes about animation, television, and movies gave Maltin almost unlimited access to entertainment folks as well as enthusiastic movie fans.


Leonard Maltin talking about the Oscars with heavyweight boxer “Iron” Mike Tyson


Leonard Maltin with Mitzi Gaynor


Leonard Maltin with Fess Parker


Leonard Maltin with Shirley Temple Black


Leonard Maltin with Johnny Depp and director Scott Cooper


Leonard Maltin interviews Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden about the National Film Registry selections for 2017

Teaching also became one of the joys of Leonard's life. (I'd like to attend Maltin's film class - at the University of Southern California - myself. It features full length movies and interviews with famous people like J.J. Abrams, Guillermo del Toro, Marion Cotillard, Angela Lansbury, Sidney Poitier, and lots more.)


Marion Cotillard was a guest at Leonard Maltin's film class


Sidney Poitier was a guest at Leonard Maltin's film class

A pair of anecdotes that made me laugh feature George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Talking about an Oscar party, Maltin writes, "When George Clooney walked into the green room backstage at the Arlington Theatre in 2006, I witnessed something I'd never seen before. Every woman in that room, regardless of age, simply melted."


Leonard Maltin with George Clooney

Later, when Leonard talks about the Maltin Modern Master Award, he observes, "In 2020 the honoree was Brad Pitt. I have never seen anything quite like the reaction of Santa Barbarans to this mega-movie star. If George Clooney made the women swoon, Brad Pitt knocked them senseless."


Leonard Maltin with Brad Pitt

Maltin's numerous stories about people in the entertainment industry are fascinating and fun. I recognize many of the movies and people Maltin mentions, but not all of them. Dedicated film buffs will probably do better than me. Leonard also sings the praises of Walt Disney; Jerry Lewis; Roy Rogers, cartoons; radio, jazz; film-viewing at the Playboy Mansion; and more - all of which he's passionate about.


Leonard Maltin with Jerry Lewis

Maltin's wife Alice and their daughter Jessie feature in many of Leonard's stories, since Alice was a partner in Leonard's business ventures and young Jessie joined her parents for media events.


Leonard and Alice Maltin with their daughter Jessie

As an adult, Jessie works in the entertainment industry herself, and hosts a podcast with her dad.


Leonard Maltin and his daughter Jessie


Leonard Maltin and his daughter Jessie with Laura Dern

Maltin has a more glamorous lifestyle than most people, but he seems like a congenial guy who'd make a good dinner party guest.

I found the narrative, enhanced by photos, to be informative and fun. Highly recommended to movie fans.

Thanks to Netgalley, Leonard Maltin, and GoodKnight Books for a copy of the book.

Rating: 4 stars