#FitReaders Check-In: June 17, 2016

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Mash Up - Gardner Dozois

Pride and Prejudice meets Macbeth by way of Moby Dick and a dollop of the speculative, in this hugely entertaining anthology where authors such as John Scalzi get inspiration for short stories from the first lines of famous works of literature. Edited by hugely respected anthologist Gardner Dozois, the collection includes stories by John Scalzi, Tad Williams, Elizabeth Bear and many others. 

My thoughts:

A collection of stories inspired by first lines, and I will do it as always do. Talk a bit about every story. So let us begin.

Fireborn (Rootabaga stories) by Robert Charles Wilson

Set in the future where a war tore mankind apart, I guess. It was interesting and good, and I'd read more from this author. Though I have no idea where that first line is from. 

The evening line (Pride and Prejudice) by Mike Resnick

The story is from Resnick's world, and frankly the whole story was meh.

No decent patrimony (Edward II) by Elizabeth Bear

A son talks about his dead father. Set in a world where the rich can live forever. Interesting premise. Would make a good movie when I think about it

The Big whale (Moby Dick) by Allen M Steele

A Moby Dick story about a PI. Good story and was set in the actual world of it so...

Begone (David Copperfield) by Daryl Gregory

A man is usurped by another. Great story, I should try more from this author.

The red menace (The communist manifesto) by Lavie Tidhar

An alternative history where Soviet became Soviet first in the 30s. Maybe they did not kill 50 mil of their own people then, one can always hope. It was a scary world filled with bombs.

Muse of Fire (Henry V) by John Scalzi

A man and his strange girlfriend. I liked the twist of it all.

Writer's block (Paul Clifford) by nancy Kress

A writer with a messy life, that takes a turn for the worst. This one got interesting.

Highland Reel (McBeth) by Jack Campbell

A historical about the Highlands. Awesome story, my fav of them all.

Karen Coxswain (Huckelberry Finn) by Paul Di Filippo

A captain in hell tells her story, and I was bored.

The Lady Astronaut (The wizard of oz) by Mary Robinette Kowal

People settled on Mars and an Astronaut gets another chance. Nice story, I liked how it all tied together.

Every fuzzy beast of the earth, every pink fowl of the air (Bible) by Tad Williams
Amazing story about the creation of the world...ok so this is my second fav of these stories. it was fantastic and funny. Hilarious.

Decleration (the decleration of independence) by James Patrick Kelly

Kids wants to live in virtual reality. I did not really get it

Some good, some funny, some kind of meh,  some, well you get the point. They were all different genres.  I also liked how it was a  fast read

Conclusion:
A good anthology 

Paperback, 432 pages
Published June 7th 2016 by Titan Books
Anthology
For review

The Blood Curse - Emily Gee

Those who drink the water shall thirst for blood. They shall be as wild beasts. 

A blood curse is ravaging the Seven Kingdoms. Fugitive Osgaardan prince, Harkeld, is the one person who can destroy it. Guarded by Sentinel mages, pursued by Fithian assassins, he begins the final—and most dangerous—stage of his quest: entering the cursed kingdom of Sault, where drinking even one drop of water means madness and death. 

But the mages aren’t the only travellers heading east. Princess Brigitta, abducted by Fithian assassins, is also bound for Sault—unless she can escape. And in close pursuit is her loyal armsman, Karel. 

Young orphan, Jaumé, is also headed for Sault—where he will be forced to make decisions that will change the fate of the Seven Kingdoms forever. 

My thoughts:

This is old school fantasy, it's light and they are on a journey.

First we have Harkeld and the witches. Sometimes I just wanted to hit him. The witches are good! They are trying to help! Do not be an ass about it. It's the whole, oh you lied to me, Innis is not a man! Get over it Harky boy. But then again I can understand his anger, I'd be totally embarrassed too. 

Also, the witches have been dying like flies so far, they do not seem that powerful.

Another POV is Britta who has been taken by assassins. She had courage. She truly has grown.

And then there is the little POV of Jaume and Brennick. They are hunting Hark.

This world is so messed up. There is a curse who turns people into sorts of zombies who kill and kill. It's really bad and the whole continent is going under. They are also bigots who hate witches, and that had me so mad DO not kill those who are helping. But then everyone always has to hate someone.

Conclusion:
It was light, it was a fast read and then in was over. I do like a good trilogy

Cover
pretty

Paperback, 575 pages
Published June 23rd 2015 by Solaris
The Cursed Kingdoms #3
Fantasy
Own

Ancillary Sword - Ann Leckie

What if you once had thousands of bodies and near god-like technology at your disposal? 

And what if all of it were ripped away? 

The Lord of the Radch has given Breq command of the ship Mercy of Kalr and sent her to the only place she would have agreed to go -- to Athoek Station, where Lieutenant Awn's sister works in Horticulture.

Athoek was annexed some six hundred years ago, and by now everyone is fully civilized -- or should be. But everything is not as tranquil as it appears. Old divisions are still troublesome, Athoek Station's AI is unhappy with the situation, and it looks like the alien Presger might have taken an interest in what's going on. With no guarantees that interest is benevolent.

My thoughts:

This series is so hard to put down in words. But do I understand it all..eh, actually no. I really can not get my head around ancillaries. Ok so they are dead/or not dead people who had stuff put in their brains and they they all are 1 and belong to the ship. But if you take the stuff out they are dead...well they were already dead most of then. And they should not have feelings. ..right?

Ok so that was my thoughts about them, but hey it does not matter. Maybe it's just me.

I also find it interesting how everything is SHE, no men or women. But...yes I wonder, who is male and female? Fine it should not matter, but hey I still wonder.

In this book Breq is given the command of a ship. The empire is falling apart as their leader is fighting herself (well yes I told you it is weird.) Breq is sent to a tea planet (oh they LOVE their tea) and investigates.

Breq is such a great main character, she is just so so, oh just read it and see.

Conclusion:

This is good sci.fi, and yes I want more.

Cover

Meh

Paperback, 356 pages
Published October 7th 2014 by Orbit
Imperial Radch #2
Sci-fi
Library