I’ve been terribly remiss in posting reviews of what I’ve been reading. So, since I’ve no illusions about me actually writing full reviews of all of these, I’m just going to give capsule reviews.

The Golden Transcendence and Phoenix Exultant by John C. Wright

I didn’t read these in sequence, in fact they mark the chronological beginning and end of 5 books in this post, as well as the latter two thirds of Wright’s Golden Age trilogy.

I felt that in general the quality went down in both these novels. The exploration of identity is largely ends in volume 2 as the series becomes more politically philosophical. The fundamental tension between liberty and security is no great mystery – the trade offs are fairly obvious – so that definitely removed what had been a compelling theme for me.

The other thing I didn’t like was that it definitely seemed like he was stretching things lengthwise. I found myself just reading to get to the end, not reading because I was wrapped up in it. In particular the 90 page denouement at the end of volume 3 was all but interminable.

On the upside, when there was action it was very good. The technology he explores was very cool and thought provoking.

If you enjoyed the first novel in the series, I think it’s still worth reading these two – though I think most will be a little disappointed at the quality.

The Mystery of the Aleph by Amir D. Aczel

I actually got this out because it seemed to have a great chapter giving an introduction to the Kabbalah, which I was looking for as part of some research for an RPG I’m working on.

The book itself is mainly a popular mathematics book that looks at infinity, God, and the of ::transfinite:: numbers. It’s very well written and I would heartily recommend it to anyone with an interest in math and/or religion.

(buy)

Marvel 1602 by Neil Gaiman

Something is wrong with time and the normally contemporary Marvel Universe comes into being for hundred years in the past. Many of your favorites show up as 17th century versions of themselves in this graphic novel.

Of course time knows somethings wrong and things must be set to rights – and only the Fantastic Four and X-men of 1602 can do it.

Gaiman’s take on this Marvel Universe gone Elizabethan is great, as I think anyone familiar with his other graphic novels would expect.

Amnesia Moon by Jonatham Lethem

I really like Lethem’s stuff. He’s got a wonderful trippy take on things and his stories always delight. This off beat noir version of The Wizard of Oz (which is pretty trippy in and of itself) is no exception. However, ultimately I found the story a bit disappointing. It was too weak and meandering – and I can normally tolerate a fair bit of this. Also, the main character was so blasé most of the time that I just found myself not caring about him.

All in all not up to the standards I expected after reading Girl In Landscape and Gun, With Occasional Music.

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