Books finished in January and February 2016

1. Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie
2. The Arrival by Shaun Tan
3. Get in Trouble by Kelly Link
4. The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle
5. Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina
6. Ringworld by Larry Niven
7. Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia Butler

REVIEWS:

1. Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie

An absolutely fantastic conclusion to an absolutely fantastic trilogy. Keeping this review short because it’s the third book and spoiler. That said, the universe, the culture, the characters make put three books on my list of all-time favorites.

2. The Arrival by Shaun Tan

Discussed elsewhere. 

3. Get in Trouble by Kelly Link

Discussed elsewhere. 

4. The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle

Discussed elsewhere.

5. Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina

Discussed elsewhere. 

6. Ringworld by Larry Niven

Not my cuppa tea, this one. Two aliens and two humans make an epic journey to a world outside the known system to explore and discover a strange alien built contraption, an entire world constructed as a ring around a star. The concept is interesting enough, but the characters felt like they were just wandering about for most of the story. The reasons for each of the characters making such a journey felt entirely too vague without a strong enough sense of investment in the outcome. Although I liked how alienness of the aliens, I wasn’t fond of how the female characters were handled in the story — both of whom felt quite one dimensional compared to the male characters.

7. Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia Butler

Discussed elsewhere.Â