Monday, February 14, 2011

Book Reveiw: The Accidental Time Machine

I'm a nut for time travel fiction.

Yes, I do watch Dr. Who and Torchwood.

When The Accidental Time Machine by Joe Haldeman came in, I was excited and apprehensive. I had selected it for my library (I am trying to boost the sci-fi collection), so I knew it would have received a good review. At my other blog, I am always updating and reviewing Disney-related books (thanks to my lovely wife for scoring so many of them for me!), so there isn't much time for fiction. I have about 25 Disney books I need to get through.

One of my few reading times is during my lunch break. I usually have a bowl of soup or a sandwich of some sort. I always round out my lunch with a good book. I knew that I could use my lunch hour for reading a Disney book, but this one was way too tempting. So I picked it up and was hooked right from the begining.

A bored M.I.T. doctoral student accidentally creates a time machine while working on another project for a Professor. The catch is that the time machine can only move forward. It moves forward based on a certain mathematical formula; each time going further and further into the future. The story plays out very well, with some very unexpected situations.

Joe Haldeman crafts a very believable story and he writes hi-tech science for the lay-person. I would plant Haldeman squarely between Orson Scott Card and Michael Crichton. He magaes to write a technological page-turner like Crichton, but he also writes very believable and likeable characters like Card.

It isn't your traditional time travel narrative, but it is a lot of fun


Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Book Review: Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman

Cover of "Soon I Will Be Invincible: A No...Cover of Soon I Will Be Invincible: A NovelSoon I Will be Invincible by Austin Grossman.

I loved this book. If you've ever spent time reading comic books, pretending you were Superman (or Lex Luthor) or watching the Justice League and The Incredibles--you will love this book.

You follow the adventures of Dr. Impossible and Fatale: a maniacal evil genius and a female cyborg superhero. Both of the characters tell their stories (and their origins) through alternating chapters. Grossman takes you behind the mask and you get to experience what it might be like to be a misunderstood megalomaniac and a rookie superhero.

It is a riveting tale with a secret island base, a world renowned super team and, ultimately, love lost. You also get to see that being a super or a villain may not be all it is cracked up to be.

Soon I Will Be Invincible is a great weekend/beach read. It is a quick and fun read to occupy your time.
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