Wonder - Robert J. Sawyer

A superb near-future SF trilogy of an awakened Internet.

The Internet has become sentient. The world's governments are terrified, it seems the evolution of a new intelligence might have left mankind behind. It is up to one blind girl, a maths genius, to convince mankind that this new digital life is not its enemy.

Perfect for fans of Charles Stross and Vernor Vinge this is a rich imagining of a future that may be just around the corner.

Series: WWW #3, Genre: Sci-fi even if there is not much sci-fi there, and it feels very YA too, Pages: 352, Published: 2012 (2011) by Gollancz, Source: For review

My thoughts:

The good thing about this book is that I could just start reading without having read the previous books (this I of course did not know when I started.) Sure things are mentioned that happened before, yes I would like to read about these things as the book was interesting. But as it is now, it worked and I never felt a bit lost at all.

Did I understand all of the science talk? No, not really, but this did not matter either cos he made it real easy for you. I also linked how he sprinkled a bit of pop culture here and there, like Big Bang and the Skynet clause (look it up). There was also a certain presidential candidate that I saw clearly who he based it on. He made it very now and it felt like it could happen any day.

But to the story then. It's about a blind girl who can see again thanks to modern science. Caitlin is living her life, having a boyfriend and communication with the presence known as Webmind. This is the thing then. The Internet was awakened, an AI was formed and now the news about this is everywhere. The US government is scared and wants to shut it down, the Chinese wants to shut down the outside internet in general. All while webmind tries to tell everyone that he so to say come in peace. He cures cancer, because he can. But like all things that are just too big to understand he is feared and this book is all about trying to kill him, while others tries to understand him. And Caitlin tries to save him.

Conclusion:
The book was interesting, it made you think a bit and of course I understood the fear some had. I would fear him, then again the things he could do...Of course I already feel that google has a mind of its own ;)

Tall, Dark & Fangsome - Michelle Rowen

Sarah Dearly's positive attitude is waning. Perky and bubbly no longer describe her and frankly being a vampire is the least of her worries. Gideon Chase, leader of all vampire hunters, is being consumed by Hellfire and his only hope is that Sarah will bite him during a ritual under the full moon and turn him into a vampire. To ensure her help he has threatened to kill all the people she loves, inc. Thierry, her master vampire boyfriend and she has no doubt that he can and will do it. He has also demanded she break things off with Thierry and never see him again, which she pretends to do but it isn't easy to protect someone when you're forced to keep your relationship a secret. However Sarah isn't the pushover she used to be - in fact, she was recently cursed to be a nightwalker and when she removes the magical necklace that keeps her hungers in check, she's as dangerous as any blood-thirsty, horror-movie vampire and not just a girl-next-door with fangs. However, her nightwalker self is becoming dangerously attracted to Gideon. Can she cure herself of the curse in time to destroy Gideon and save her true love, so they can live happily together forever?

Series: Immortality Bites #5,
Genre: Paranormal romance,
Pages: 352,
Published: April 2012 (2009) by Gollanz,
Source: For review

My thoughts:

I found that this was the last one, oh that is what I get for starting a series at book 4 ;) and then reading book 5. But at least I can go back and read the first one.

Where to start then. Our dear heroine Sarah is in trouble. In this book she has a dark side and a light side. The dark side is clearly an idiot so that is not the side to root for. As she has been cursed to be a bloodthirsty monster by a witch. I actually liked the bad side in a way too, it was a good bad side. And her true self is sad cos the evil guy made her break up with Thierry. Brooding ancient Thierry who is all hot..and well brooding.

As for the evil guy he is around quite a lot, Gideon, vampire hunter, ass and plagued by hell fire (he deserves it). But he is a charming snake and that makes it hard to hate him.

The action in this is all about Sarah being blackmailed by Gideon. Trying to survive with her curse, missing Thierry and happy banter with friends. Because the book is light and that is why I like it. Light paranormal works so well for me. I read them fast and they are relaxing for my brain.

Conclusion:

Light with a happy ending. All is well that ends well. Candy for the brain.

Lady Maggie's Secret Scandal - Grace Burrowes

Maggie Windham, oldest of the Windham sisters and a by-blow from His Grace’s pre-marital wild oats, finds herself in desperate needs of an investigator to help her retrieve a missing reticule. Benjamin Hazlit knows the Windham family secrets, and can be trusted to keep them to himself, so Maggie turns to Benjamin, though it means ignoring his too-broad shoulders, his too-knowing smile… and his too-skilled kisses. 

As Benjamin starts the search for Maggie’s missing purse, he realizes two things: First, whatever was in that purse, its loss has Maggie not just rattled, but terrified. Second, Benjamin will go to any lengths to see Maggie’s peace of mind restored, even if it means he must keep himself in very close proximity to the shy, secretive lady who says she wants nothing to do with him.

Series: Windham #5, The Duke's daughter's #2, Genre: Historical romance, Pages: 384, Published: May 1st 2012 by Sourcebooks Casablanca, Source: For review

My thoughts:

Burrowes books are always so easy to read, they just flows, even when you get annoyed at the characters ;) But then again it would not be that easy to get me to marry you either if I just met you.

Maggie is the bastard daughter, still she is adopted and loved. Oh and she is 30, oh yes 30, I loved that. She is firmly in the shelf and she does not care cos she wants her independence. And with a mother who was a courtesan *coughs whore* I do get why she wants her freedom. I like an author that takes a chance with an older heroine.

Benjamin is someone we have seen around in previous books, he finds missing things, he digs up dirt on people. Not your usual kind of hero and of course I like him, because he is nice. So very nice and kind. He wants to protect Maggie and as in previous books he is the one who tries to make her see that  they would be good together. I always love a hero who fights for that which he believes in.

Sure, one thing was silly but I got it, it was there to bring the drama forwards. Maggie is kind and loving and scared. That is why the big scandal is a secret. But with a talk she could have saved herself from much grief. Even I knew that something we found out could not be. And I did not really see what the scandal was about either. She is a walking scandal herself. Still was the whole deal does it brings the drama and the fear that everything will go downhill from now. That is exactly what kept me reading. I wanted to know if everything would work out and if they would live happily ever after (which they always do but a good authors makes me fear it none the less. )

Conclusion:

I can't say what made it so, but this was my favorite Grace Burrowes book to date. Light, exciting and with a happy ending that will make you smile.

Cover:

Ok

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