5. Cauldron

By: Jack McDevitt

What will probably be the last of the Academy novels, Pricilla Hutchins finally confronts the mystery at the center of the universe that has been the source of the mysterious Omega clouds. With the invention of the Locarno Drive, the Academy is reborn form the ashes and the center of the universe is finally within reach. Unfortunately, Pricilla and the Academy have the bad luck of having their resurgence in an even numbered book, which means that the story is banal and little is advanced in the plot or character development. The final few pages are mildly interesting, although as many other reviewers note, McDevitt seems to have ripped off his series dramatic conclusion from a not-so-fantastic sci-fi film. Sort of a mediocre end to what was a mediocre series- more unfortunate because it all started out with one of my favorite sci fi books.

Its not just the hurried, weak, and familiar ending that ruins the book. Not much happens for the first half- its all about getting funding and support for the renewed space program. And another character, whose life was at stake for over 100 pages of Chindi, is killed off between books and mentioned only in passing. Amazing how if he's stuck on an alien spacecraft and running out of air, its drama- if its a slow death from cancer, its 2 sentences and forgotten.

Grade: C-
Recommendation: All in all, "The Engines of God" should be read alone, perhaps with "Chindi" as an interesting follow up for those who want to read something else in the series.

4. Here We Remain

The Walking Dead
Vol. 9
Written by: Robert Kirkman
Illustrator: Charlie Adlard

The next chapter of the Walking Dead presents a bit of a lull in action from the last few chapters, which together built towards a brutal and long awaited climax. In the wake of the devastation of volume 8, Rick and what is left of his family and friends (being intentionally vague here so as not to ruin anything) look for a new safe haven.

This lull is necessary though, as the series marks the end of one massive story arc and begins another. The first 8 books describe in detail how people change and react to their horrific circumstances. By book 9, we know what the 'zombie apocalypse' has done to both the dead and the living. Now its finally time to turn back to the 'why' and 'how' - as in, how to get things back to normal. The potential solution comes as a bit of a deux-ex-machina, but in this case, it seems necessary to keep the series going, by at once continuing the themes from the last volumes, and starting new ones.

What is also pretty interesting in this 'long form' zombie narrative - is the long term effects of dealing with the horrific day-to-day exisitence of violence and survival. People adapt pretty quickly and often go off the deep end, but those who have been able to maintain their sanity begin to show cracks as well. Really a great psychological study in many ways.

Again, highly recommended, although this one was not as exciting as the last few, it whets the appetite for the next one.
Grade: A-

3. The White Mountains

The Tripods 1

By: John Christopher

After reading the good reviews of this on Olman's & Lantz's blogs, I had to pick it up when I found it here in Shanghai. They both did great reviews of it, so I'll keep mine short. Overall, it was a fun book and I'll pick up the next two when I find them. That being said, I had some mixed feelings about it, which boil down to the following:

I both like and dislike the unmentioned connection with War of the Worlds. Its pretty undeniable that this is written as an 'alternate reality' of the HG Wells version in which the Tripods win and then take over (albeit later in human history). Its almost like a remix or a mash-up - or a sequel to a book that wasn't quite written. However, it seems that there is something also odd about not acknowledging the original in some way.

Likewise I have mixed feelings about the writing style. Its not flowery or clever, its just there. Something happens, the characters react to it, and something else happens. The writing advances the plot and that's basically it. I can appreciate the clean and straightforwardness of that, but at the same time, I also wish it was a little meatier.

Grade: A- / C+ - it somehow manages to be both at once.

Recommendation: Its a fast read and you'll enjoy it if you're a sci fi geek.