Sunday, January 22, 2012

Review: The Omen Machine

Title: The Omen Machine
Author: Terry Goodkind
Pages: 525
ISBN: 9780007396757
Series: The Sword of Truth #12
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2011
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Review copy from publisher


Buy it from:
The Book Depository
Amazon.com / Amazon.co.uk
Exclus1ves.co.za

Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth novels set a new standard for epic storytelling in a fully-realized created world. Now Goodkind returns to that world for a new cycle of tales, focusing on Richard Cypher and Kahlan Amnell.

Hidden deep underground for millennia, discovered by change, the mysterious machine has awakened, to begin issuing a series of ominous and alarmingly accurate omens. As the wizard Zeddicus attempts to destroy the sinister device, it issues a cataclysmic omen involving Richard and Kahlan, foretelling an impending event beyond anyone's ability to prevent it.

With catastrophe imminent, the machine then reveals that it is within its power to withdraw the omen... on fulfillment of an impossible demand.
[Synopsis taken from cover]
I have fond (and some not so fond) memories of the Sword of Truth series. Some books were amazing and others didn’t quite satisfy. I grew attached to the characters and with the turn of that last page of Confessor I was left wondering what would happen next. Richard and Kahlan triumphed, but how will they handle their “happily ever after” life? What happens to the rest of the characters?

The Omen Machine is Terry Goodkind’s attempt at answering at least some of these questions. Billed as “A Richard and Kahlan Novel” it takes place directly after the events of Confessor, and in this case ‘directly’ means a single day. Representatives from across the D’Haran Empire are attending Cara’s wedding celebrations. While Richard and Kahlan are mingling with the people they stop to attend to an ill boy who gives them a dire warning before running off. From that point onwards it seems that prophecy and omens are popping up all over the place and none of them predict anything good…

Reading The Omen Machine was like running into some old friends after not seeing them for ages. They seem familiar, but after some time you realize that they aren’t quite the same as you remembered them. The supporting cast of Zedd, Cara, Nicci and Nathan feel like shadows of their former selves and even Kahlan and Richard are diminished in some way that’s hard to articulate sufficiently without doing a complete re-read of the series.

The plot is pretty simplistic and relies far too much on coincidence to move events along. There are also quite a few inconsistencies and things that are left unexplained. For some reason the entire populace suddenly becomes fixated with following prophecy, something that didn’t even feature in the previous novels and the reason for this sudden fixation is never explained. On top of that people, both gifted and non-gifted, also start to have prophetic visions of their own leading them to kill their families in horrific ways in order to protect them from a horrible fate. These visions are apparently caused by the Omen Machine which is discovered later in the novel, but how and why this happens is left completely unexplored aside from Zedd suddenly and unaccountably stating that the machine is the cause.

The novel also suffers from quite a few instances of bad copy-editing where misplaced or repeated words bring your imagination to a screeching halt in order to decipher the sentences - “There were a good two dozen of the elite of the elite standing guard inside the Garden of Life” (p 299). Goodkind also seems to have developed a nasty habit of repeating the same descriptions or statements every couple of pages. There’s only so many times you need to be told that people are obsessed with prophecy; that the Mord-Sith were wearing red leather or how the Omen Machine inscribes metal strips before it gets annoying. At some places it’s almost the exact same phrase barring a change or two:
“… what had to be thousands of strips of cloth, string and thin vines all hanging from the ceiling, all holding objects tied to their ends, everything from coins to shells to rotting lizards” (p 342).
“Kahlan passed through rooms with hundreds of strips of cloth hanging from the ceiling, each holding an object of some sort, everything from coins to the remains of small animals” (p 491).
This repetition got on my nerves and at times I wished that he would just get on with the story already.

There is a shining light though in the form of the truly creepy antagonist Jit, a Hedge Maid with occult powers, a penchant for drinking human blood and a weird sense of interior decorating (weaving people into walls!). The other villain (who shall remain unnamed to prevent a possible spoiler) is far less scary and his appearance feels like a clichéd caricature of what an evil character should look like.
“The whites of the man’s eyes were not white. Not at all. They had been tattooed a bright blood red” (p 348).
“Every bit [of his flesh] was covered with tattooed symbols. Not simply covered, but layered over countless times so that the skin looked something other than human” (p 349).
The ending relies on one of those moments where Richard manages to pull a solution out of thin air to save the day. I still can’t figure out how he managed to decipher the last prophecy the machine gave him without having access to information that’s only revealed long after the fact. If you can look past this discrepancy the ending is satisfying in a way, but it leaves much unresolved. I’m sure we’ll be seeing another “Richard and Kahlan” novel sometime in the future. [Some Internet sleuthing seems to indicate that The Omen Machine is the first book in a new trilogy, but I can’t seem to find any definite confirmation of that fact].

Another major discrepancy I have to mention is that the synopsis used on the cover and in the promotional material doesn’t fit with the actual events of the story. The last paragraph, “With catastrophe imminent, the machine then reveals that it is within its power to withdraw the omen… on fulfillment of an impossible demand” just never happens. Since this is a serious hook to draw readers to the book I don’t know why it was included. Perhaps it was part of the story that got cut during editing and the synopsis never got corrected? One thing is certain, it’s seriously misleading and left me feeling cheated.

The Verdict:
It was great to see all the familiar characters back in action, but The Omen Machine doesn’t feel quite up to the standards of Terry Goodkind’s other Sword of Truth novels, especially not the early works. The plot hinges on far too many coincidences and fantastical leaps in logic which are never quite explained to satisfaction. Though flawed The Omen Machine is still an enjoyable read for the most part, but I expected so much more from it based on what proved to be a misleading synopsis.

The Rating: 5.5/10 (Average)

The Third Kingdom, the sequel to the Omen Machine, is scheduled to be released in August 2013.

Thanks to Claire and Andrea from Jonathan Ball Publishers for providing the review copy.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

On My Radar: January Releases

This is a new monthly feature where I'll highlight new or upcoming book releases which have caught my eye. Books might be included in the list based on their brilliant writing, a captivating premise, the continuation of an addictive series or something as simple as the magical lure of their cover art.

This is by no means an exhaustive list and release dates are, as always, subject to change.

Science Fiction:



Halo: Primordium by Greg Bear - 3 Jan 2012
Shadow's in Flight by Orson Scott Card - 17 Jan 2012 (US) / 13 Feb (UK)
In The Lion's Mouth by Michael Flynn - 17 Jan 2012
Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds - 19 Jan 2012 (UK) / 5 June 2012 (US)
In the Mouth of the Whale by Paul McAuely - 19 Jan 2012

Fantasy:



The Heir of Night by Helen Lowe - 19 Jan 2012

***

Which books are you looking forward to this month?

Monday, January 9, 2012

Review: Halo: Cryptum

Title: Halo: Cryptum
Author: Greg Bear
Pages: 342
ISBN: 9780330545624
Series: The Forerunner Saga #1
Publisher: Tor
Published: 2011
Genre: Science Fiction
Source: Review copy from publisher


Buy it from:
The Book Depository
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Takealot.com

100,000 years ago, the galaxy was populated by a great variety of beings. But one species - eons beyond all others in both technology and knowledge - achieved dominance. They ruled in peace but met opposition with quick and brutal effectiveness. They were the Forerunners - the keepers of the Mantle, the next stage of life in the Universe’s Living Time. And then they vanished. This is their story.

On a Lifeworker's experimental planet a young Forerunner's rebellious course crosses the paths of two humans, and the long lifeline of a great military leader, forever changing his destiny... and the fate of the entire galaxy.

This is a tale of life, death, intergalactic horror, exile, and maturity. It is a story of overwhelming change - and of human origins. For the mantle of shepherds and caretakers of all life many not lie upon the shoulders of Forerunners forever.
I’m always weary when it comes to tie-in novels especially when I’m not too familiar with the franchise. Aside from a vague memory of playing (and enjoying) the first Halo game when it was ported to the PC in 2003 I’m a complete neophyte when it comes to the Halo universe. I didn’t quite know what to expect from Halo: Cryptum the first book in the Forerunner Saga which is set approximately 100,000 years before the events in the game.

Halo: Cryptum tells the story of the Forerunners and reveals the origins of the Halo structures as well as a surprising connection between the human race and the Forerunners. The story is told from the perspective of a young Forerunner named Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting (Born for short) and revolves around his journey into adulthood while he gets entangled in the events that will eventually lead to the disappearance of the entire Forerunner race.

Halo: Cryptum is a character-driven story that relies more on narrative than action to explore life in Forerunner society as their race reaches a turning point while having to face their greatest peril. I enjoyed the coming of age story of Bornstellar as he is forced to grow up. His journey is not an easy one, but he still faces it with courage and a distinctive determination. There is one very poignant moment when he finally comprehends the impact of what the Forerunners had done to ensure their dominance in the galaxy. At that moment he realizes that his life is forever altered and that he can never return to his childhood innocence no matter how strongly he yearns for it. Bornstellar’s two human companions, Chakas and Riser, also undergo tremendous personal changes especially when they are faced with the reality of what has been done to them and what their race has lost at the hands of the Forerunners.

Since this is the first novel in the Forerunner saga it’s largely used to lay the groundwork for the rest of the novels. Things started off quite slowly, but the pace picks up nicely as the story progresses. There are lots of startling revelations along the way and the twist at the end caught me entirely by surprise. I can’t wait to get my hands on Halo: Primordium to see what happens next.

The Verdict:
I enjoyed Halo: Cryptum far more than I expected. The writing is well done and the Halo universe makes for a vibrant and captivating setting. This would be a great starting point for newcomers since it’s essentially the story of how it all began. Long-time Halo fans won’t be disappointed either and will finally get some answers to lots of burning questions. Definitely recommended!

The Rating: 7.5/10 (Very Good)

Thanks to Kelly from Pan Macmillan S.A. for providing the review copy.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

New Book Arrivals and a Sony T1

This week I received some books I ordered from Awesomebooks.com in mid December. I was surprised that they got here in just a little over 17 business days. I was expecting a much longer wait since international post tends to take so much longer over the Christmas period due to all those public holidays and increased package volumes.



Fantasy:
The War of the Dwarves by Markus Heitz. I need to catch up to the rest of this series in order to be able to review the latest release Revenge of the Dwarves which I received for review last year. These are tomes, so don't expect a review anytime soon.
Dragonfly Falling and The Scarab Path by Adrian Tchaikovsky. These are also books I ordered so I can catch up with the series. I still need to find copies of books 3, 4 and 5 before I can start on these.
The Steel Remains by Richard Morgan. This book has an absolutely gorgeous cover which the photo doesn't do any justice at all. The sword shimmers in mesmerizing colors and is stunning to look at.

Science Fiction:
Gardens of the Sun by Paul McAuley.
Resplendent by Stephen Baxter

The Sony PRS-T1 eReader


As a Christmas present to myself I ordered a new ebook reader as a companion to my aging Cybook Opus. After countless feature comparisons and deep contemplation I settled on the Sony PRS-T1 a.k.a. the Sony Reader Wi-Fi. Sony doesn't view South Africa as a viable market for their eReaders so I was forced to order this from the US via an import service. Luckily Sony had a special on the T1s during December so in the end everything worked out for the best and I got mine for less than the Kindle Touch would have cost.

I've only had it for a day, but so far I'm very happy with it. Initially I expected a much better improvement in screen quality over my Opus, but all the extra features and ease of use made up for that slight disappointment. I prefer the general looks of the T1 over the Kindle and it sits very comfortably in my hands. The user interface is very easy to use and I like the fact that they've included physical buttons in addition to the touch capability.

I noticed that The Book Depository is also selling the Sony PRS-T1 eReaders. If, like me, you live in country where the PRS-T1 isn't available locally they might be a good option since their free international shipping applies to the eReaders as well.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

2011 - The Year That Was

I can't believe that we are already well into 2012. Time really flies when you are having fun (or immersed in fictional worlds!). 2011 was a great year for me. I read some stunning books, met some amazing people and managed to get far more reviews done than I would ever have expected.

My goal for 2011 was to read more than 100 books and reach a total of 50,000 pages read. My final count for the year was 122 books, but my page total only came to 49,571 pages. The problem with counting pages is that there really isn't a standard to adhere to. The different formats all have different page counts and font sizes. I think if I convert the hardcover and trade paperback page counts to their mass market equivalents I'd be well above the 50,000 mark so I'm chalking this one up as a success.

For 2012 I'm going to take a more leisurely approach to my reading. My only goal for 2012 will be to see how many books I can read. I'm hoping for 125 books, but I'll have to see how it goes.

Here's to a great 2012 filled with loads of books and, more importantly, the time to read them!

Books read in 2011
  1. Old Man's War - John Scalzi
  2. A Fire Upon the Deep - Vernor Vinge
  3. Djinn Rummy - Tom Holt
  4. Stranger in a Strange Land - Robert A. Heinlein
  5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J.K. Rowling
  6. Ashes to Ashes - Tami Hoag
  7. Carved in Bone - Jefferson Bass
  8. Feast of Souls - C.S. Firedman
  9. I am Number Four - Pittacus Lore
  10. Shadowdale - Richard Awlinson
  11. Troy: Fall of Kings - David Gemmell
  12. Indelible - Karin Slaughter
  13. Faithless - Karin Slaughter
  14. Fractured - Karin Slaughter
  15. Tantras - Richard Awlinson
  16. Waterdeep - Richard Awlinson
  17. Animal Farm - George Orwell
  18. Aftershock - Quintin Jardine
  19. Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton
  20. Burn - Nick Brownlee
  21. Hide and Seek - James Patterson
  22. The Precipice - Ben Bova
  23. The Rock Rats - Ben Bova
  24. The Silent War - Ben Bova
  25. Aftermath - Ben Bova
  26. The War of the Flowers - Tad Williams
  27. The Mirror of Her Dreams - Stephen R. Donaldson
  28. Point - Thomas Blackthorne
  29. Pawn of Prophecy - David Eddings
  30. Paint Your Dragon - Tom HOld
  31. Sister Alice - Robert Reed
  32. Airframe - Michael Crichton
  33. Exit Wound - Andy McNab
  34. Pirate Latitudes - Michael Crichton
  35. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - Philip K. Dick
  36. Gerald's Game - Stephen King
  37. Wake - Robert J. Sawyer
  38. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Vol 2 - Various
  39. Legends of Blood - Wayne Bartlett
  40. The Terror - Dan Simmons
  41. Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction - Sue Townsend
  42. Absolution - Caro Ramsay
  43. Polar Shift - Clive Cussler
  44. Dauntless - Jack Campbell
  45. Fearless - Jack Campbell
  46. The Wind in the WIllows - Kenneth Grahame
  47. World War Z - Max Brooks
  48. Triplanetary - E.E. "Doc" Smith
  49. Dracula - Bram Stoker
  50. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
  51. Gridlinked - Neal Asher
  52. A Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin
  53. Salem's Lot - Stephen King
  54. Courageous - Jack Campbell
  55. Valiant - Jack Campbell
  56. Relentless - Jack Campbell
  57. Victorious - Jack Campbell
  58. Guards! Guards! - Terry Pratchett
  59. Death from the SKies - Philip C. Plait
  60. White Rage - Campbell Armstrong
  61. Sourcery - Terry Pratchett
  62. Blue Man Falling - Frank Barnard
  63. The Line of Polity - Neal Asher
  64. Blackwater Sound - James W. Hall
  65. Brass Man - Neal Asher
  66. Bad Blood - Amanda Coetzee
  67. Polity Agent - Neal Asher
  68. Line War - Neal Asher
  69. Embassytown - China Miéville
  70. The Departure - Neal Asher
  71. The Metalmark Contract - David Batchelor
  72. Deadlands - Lily Herne
  73. The Left Hand of God - Paul Hoffman
  74. The Last Four Things - Paul Hoffman
  75. Dreamsongs - George R.R. Martin
  76. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
  77. Leviathan Wakes - James S.A Corey
  78. Robopocalypse - Daniel H. Wilson
  79. Prince of Thorns - Mark Lawrence
  80. The Engineer Reconditioned - Neal Asher
  81. Den of Thieves - David Chandler
  82. Graceling - Kristin Cashore
  83. The End Specialist - Drew Magary
  84. The A-Men - John Trevillian
  85. Manhattan in Reverse - Peter F. Hamilton
  86. The Power of Six - Pittacus Lore
  87. Hell Ship - Philip Palmer
  88. Rebel - Bernard Cornwell
  89. The Warded Man - Peter V. Brett
  90. Feniks - Deon Meyer
  91. The Darkness Inside - John Rickards
  92. The Eye of the World - Robert Jordan
  93. Cold Service - Robert B. Parker
  94. Spoor - Deon Meyer
  95. Interesting Times - Terry Pratchett
  96. Thud! - Terry Pratchett
  97. Making Money - Terry Pratchett
  98. Eric - Terry Pratchett
  99. Reaper Man - Terry Pratchett
  100. Moving Pictures - Terry Pratchett
  101. Small Gods - Terry Pratchett
  102. Saucer: The Conquest - Stephen Coonts
  103. Lords and Ladies - Terry Pratchett
  104. Men at Arms - Terry Pratchett
  105. The Last Hero - Terry Pratchett
  106. Equal Rites - Terry Pratchett
  107. Mort - Terry Pratchett
  108. Feet of Clay - Terry Pratchett
  109. The Amazing Maurice & His Educated Rodents - Terry Pratchett
  110. Jingo - Terry Pratchett
  111. Snuff - Terry Pratchett
  112. The Fifth Elephant - Terry Pratchett
  113. The Last Continent - Terry Pratchett
  114. Wintersmith - Terry Pratchett
  115. Thief of Time - Terry Pratchett
  116. Soul Music - Terry Pratchett
  117. Running Black - Patrick Todoroff
  118. Halo: Cryptum - Greg Bear
  119. The Great Hunt - Robert Jordan
  120. The Solitude of Prime Numbers - Paolo Giordano
  121. Scaredy Cat - Mark Billingham
  122. The Last Wish - Andrzej Sapkowski

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Comet Lovejoy 28 to 31 December 2011

Comet Lovejoy is fading fast and is becoming much more difficult to see with the naked eye. Aside from the 30th December when windy conditions (and exhaustion) prevented me from going out I was lucky enough to be able to image Lovejoy for most of the weekend.

31 December 2011:


(This is a heavily processed image to bring out the comet)

29 December 2011:

28 December 2011:

If conditions allow I'm hoping to get at least another couple of sessions in, especially when Lovejoy nears the South Celestial Pole which will allow for longer untracked exposures.