Biggs' Zone

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Category: Book Review Page 12 of 13

Book Review: A Feast for Crows

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On May 27, 2013

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A Feast For CrowsA Feast For Crows by George R.R. Martin

My [rating: 4]
Click here to see this review on Goodreads.

Martin took an unexpected approach to most of the chapters in this book. I didn’t think I was going to like it but as I progressed further into the book it started to make more sense. There are also chapters focused on characters that hadn’t been the focus of chapters in previous books. It feels kind of awkward at first because you are so use to specific characters, but its interesting to see events unfolding from a different perspective.

Depending on who you are rooting for, you may be cheering by the end of the book as some characters are finally getting what they deserve for their treachery. There are several cliffhangers left for the reader by the end but the biggest cliffhanger is the final chapter as Martin pulls a little slight-of-hand on us but its important to read that last chapter as it sets up the context for the next book.

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Book Review: A Storm of Swords

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On March 28, 2013

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A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, #3)A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin

My [rating: 5]
Click here to see this review on Goodreads.

The best book of the series (so far). Obviously I have two more to go (for now) but of the three I have read thus far, this is my favorite. It seems like the 1k+ pages moved quickly as new twists and surprises were unveiled.

The epilogue of this book has me reaching for book 4 almost immediately. It leaves you with so many things to wonder, none of which I want to mention specifically because I don’t want this review to contain any spoilers. I know these books are long but if you are still reading your way through the first two, I encourage you to keep going because book three changes the story quite a bit!

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Book Review: A Clash of Kings

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On February 12, 2013

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A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #2)A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin

My [rating: 4]
(Click here to read my review on Goodreads.)

This is the second book in the Song of Fire and Ice series. I think the second was just as good as the first and I’d say it had a completely different tone. Yes, death is still the theme; you never know who will be the next to die. This book also gets a little darker in many facets. Darker will come in the form of “creepy” and in the form of destruction.

When I told friends and co-workers that I was going to start reading these books they all told me the same thing – “Don’t get too attached to characters in the book” because Martin has no qualms about killing off a character if it suits the story and the situation. I think, because of that advice, I read these books with a different approach. I’m always thinking, is this the last chapter I will read of this character.

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Book Review: Michael Vey #1

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On January 24, 2013

In Book Review

The Prisoner of Cell 25 (Michael Vey, #1)Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

My [rating: 4]
(Click here to read this review on Goodreads.)

As strange as this may sound, this book was a recommendation from my parents, who are already reading the second book. I decided since I take recommendations from complete strangers (i.e. A Confederacy of Dunces) I should consider reading a recommendation from my parents 🙂

I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed this book. It kind of has an Avengers, comic book feel to the story. It’s entertaining. I enjoyed how most of the book is actually told from the first person, which is the book’s hero, Michael Vey. I also like that the main characters of the story are young adults, in their teens, who have to struggle not only with high school, social issues, but resisting the temptation of using their powers publicly.

If you need a pretty cool story, I would recommend this book. It’s a pretty quick read. I do plan on reading the second book, which is already available.

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Book Review: Keres’ Eyes

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On December 19, 2012

In Book Review

Keres' EyesKeres’ Eyes by Michael Curtis

My [rating: 4]
Click here to see my review on Goodreads.

I won this book as part of the First Reads program from Goodreads and it was the first book I won from First Reads so I was anxious to get started.

I really enjoyed this book. In fact I found it very difficult to put it down. Michael Curtis does a great job pulling the reader in and quickly identifying with the characters. You are ready to cheer when the villain gets it in the end.

If you’re really into crime dramas, this is a great read.

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Book Review: The Elegant Universe

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On December 12, 2012

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The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate TheoryThe Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory by Brian Greene

My [rating: 5]
Click here to see my review on Goodreads.

Whenever I told someone I was reading a book about string theory I would get looks of confusion and bewilderment. What would compel me to read about such a complicated and theoretical concept? I am not a physicist or a mathematician, just a programmer. I have a pretty good understanding of fundamental physics but Brian Greene does an excellent job explaining string theory concepts even for those with just a fundamental understanding.

After reading this book will I be able to explain string/M-theory to someone else. No. It’s still a complex topic. To quote the book “Ernest Rutherford once said, in essence, that if you can’t explain a result in simple, nontechnical terms, then you don’t really understand it” (p. 203). This is how I felt after reading this book. Yes, I feel confident that I could comprehend 85% of the book but I know that I still lack full understanding.

I did enjoy the book enough to give it a 5-star rating because I do believe it was amazing. In fact I intend to read the book again in hopes that having read the entire book, going back over the concepts a second time will help make additional connections.

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