Desert Moon by Mark Walker
This book was my first foray into a kindle book, and also the first SF novel I've read in ages after a friend of mine recommended it to me. First up, the author isn't a 'professional' artsy author - he is ex-Naval Officer and war gamer who also writes the a bit of fiction. Mark may to know to some of you through his Lock 'n Load games*, which you can see here: http://www.locknloadgame.com
http://www.flyingpiggames.com
So onto the book. Initially, I found it a bit difficult to get into actually. After all the professional reading I've been doing, all that 'critical thinking' really ruins the necessary 'willing suspension of disbelief' necessary for some novels. I don't like to give spoilers, but there is an essential plot element at the start which I found a little tough to swallow at first. However, once you do the plot is very enjoyable.
What follows then is a quickly paced story which incorporates some interesting elements including human genetic improvements, international relations played out on a modest but interstellar framework, an insurrection and some major military battles.
Overall, I'm glad I persevered through the first 50 pages (or however that kindle device measures it) to get to the meat of the book.
I give it a solid 3 and a half stars, tending to 4 out of 5 near the end. Well worth your time. I quite enjoyed Mark's writing style and will be checking out some of his other titles.
* Many years ago Comrade James wrote the supplement ANZAC Attack for Mark's Lock 'N Load: Forgotten Heroes – Vietnam game, and I helped him play test the scenarios. As a nice thank you Mark made us Leader counters in the game! A small world indeed.
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| In action against the Viet Cong! |
I'm just impressed you had time to read this after seeing the stack of class work you have.
ReplyDeleteActually, this was due entirely to having it on Kindle. I also put the Kindle app for my phone you see, and found that I was able to sneak in 10 mins here and there throughout the day which is usually 'dead time', because I always had my 'book' with me. Still getting used to the format but from that perspective it was great.
Deleteinteresting review. I love my kindle for its portability waiting for customers or sitting around waiting for tests to run on laptops etc has never been so interesting :D
ReplyDeleteDon't think I'll ever go away from reading a real book, but the convenience for casual reading is brilliant
DeleteI would give it a 4 out 5 for entrainment but yes, you need to suspend logic on some of the storyline. But it IS a story and a good read. I didn't find the first few pages that hard to stick with but maybe that's because I came at it after drought of reading :-)
ReplyDeleteNow how long before you start investigating gaming possibilities????
In fact it was you who got me onto this mate!
DeleteYou assume I haven't already made lists for four different companies and acquired two new sets of rules....