Did this one on audio and the narrator was great. The characters were all very colorful and the different voices helped bring them to life. I liked the science/fantasy world building a lot, but it seemed that often things got kind of surreal and I didn't really understand what was happening. I definitely want to check out the next book, but I'm hoping that it will make more sense. Also, there was too much telling brought on by a complex back story, so hoping that changes too.

2025: Book #44
3.5 out of 5 Stars

Review in pic and alt-text.

#scifi #fantasy #bookskyscifi #bookskyfantasy

Since I'm a substitute teacher and so was the main character, let me just say that I was disappointed that the book didn't work in more detail about being a substitute teacher. Also after seeing the cover, I was disappointed that the main character was not a cat. That said, there was little else to be disappointed about. There's probably not another book out with a plot even close to this one, the cats and other creatures were awesome, everything was pretty hilarious. It did get a little dark and violent, but I'm okay with that too. I did the audiobook, and I love Wil Wheaton and his voice is great, but I didn't like that he gave many of the characters the same voice, it confused things sometimes for me. Also during some of the accented voices you could hear his normal voice slipping through occasionally. Still fun to listen to.

2025: Book #43
3.5 out of 5 Stars

Review in pic and alt text.

#sci-fi #bookskyscifi #sci-fibooksky #johnscalzi #startervillain

Paul Mcauley, Ancients of Days

More of the same with this one as our hero gains more and more information about what he actually is, but nothing really about what he's supposed to do. There's lots of action, but so much description that it slows the pace a bit.

#bookskyscifi #paulmcauley #ancientsofdays #sciencefantasy #scifi

I feel like this might be "cozy" sci-fi? I've never read a book that people called "cozy" but I know it's a thing, but I thought it was a fantasy thing. Anyway, I do like all the hacking of systems stuff and the relationship between it and the spaceship was adorable and sometimes funny. At 3.5 hours I'm good with this, but I feel like if it was longer I would get bored. I'll probably try a couple more, but not sure I'll finish the series (if it has ended?). I did enjoy the first 2 episodes of the show. Looks like season 1 is probably just the first book (from the preview pictures on the episode list).

2025: Book #38
Artificial Condition
The Murderbot Diaries #2
by Martha Wells
3 out of 5 Stars

Review in pic and alt-text

#sciencefiction #scifibooksky #bookskyscifi #marthawells #murderbot

2025: Book #37
Blackout by Connie Willis
4 out of 5 Stars

Review in pic and Alt Text.

#blackout #conniewillis #bookskyscifi #scifibooksky #sciencefiction #ww2 #timetravel

Normal by Warren Ellis
I've enjoyed a bunch of Warren Ellis' stuff over the years (comics & prose) so this was just as crazy and smart as I expected it to be. It ended rather abruptly, but had great characters, and the writing was dark, witty and original.

#warrenellis #bookskyscifi #scifibooksky

4 books by Octavia Butler and one by Douglas Adams

My latest book haul 😍

Bonus 😍😍 for independent bookstores. Y’all make me feel centered in the world.

#booksky
#scifibooks
#bookskyscifi