March 2021 – Ryan’s Book Blog

Xenocide

March 29, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in 1992, it is book 3 of the Ender’s Game series and was originally a larger story. However, the second half of Xenocide was split into another book published in 1996. This book brings in the story of another world called “Path” that was originally populated by people from China. However, they become pivotal to the fate of Lustitania and the 100 colonies.

My Thoughts

I’m confused about the cover-art as the ship on the cover and the setting it is in doesn’t really come up in the book. Oh well, it was the same with the last book. This was an interesting book. I liked the narration between the hive queen and Rooter. That was a fun literary device to push us to another perspective.

Recommendation

I was an enjoyable read but left me wanting.

A Very Punchable Face

March 25, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in July of 2020, A Very Punchable Face is the biography of Colin Jost who has been a “head writer” and cast member of Saturday Night Live for several years.

My Thoughts

Seeing the how the “sausage is made” can be unpleasant at times. This was one of those times for me. In short, I didn’t enjoy the book. For me, it was a reminder of how different some people’s lives are and how little hope and reason they see in their own existence. Still, I was pleasantly surprised with the archetypal story of a “regular guy” making it to the top. That was a fun story arc but most of the antidotes along the way just didn’t need to be told.

Recommendation

Skip this one.

Speaker for the Dead

March 23, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Speaker for the Dead is the book following Ender’s Game and, according to the author, the real story he wanted to tell by writing Ender’s Game. Published in 1986, it is the story of another world where there are sentient beings nick named “piggies” who the humans have been studying. Over 3000 years after the events of Ender’s Game, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin is still alive due to the time dilation of light speed travel. Traveling with him is the hive queen who is the last of her kind and wants to establish a new colony. Will this world be the right one for both of them?

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the book but not as much as Ender’s Game. After thinking about it, there just isn’t much hope put into the future of humanity. I’d guess I like the optimism of the Star Trek universe over the possible future of ever-increasing factions and biases. Still, it was a good story and I will read the next book.

Recommendation

I’m on the fence with this one. If you are a more casual reader, I would say, skip it. Reading it has committed me to the next book and it may lead me to disappointment.

The Crystal City

March 18, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2003, The Crystal City is the sixth and final installment of the “Alvin Maker” series. Alvin finds his people and begins the city. He also teams up with Abraham Lincoln who is down on his luck in this version of history.

My Thoughts

While I’m happy it is over, it wasn’t an enjoyable end. We finally see what the plow is for and that was pretty anti-climatic. Calvin is still a pain in the rear and there isn’t any resolution there. Alvin is still overpowered… Again, I’m glad the story is wrapped up but it left me wanting.

Recommendation

Not the best.

Heartfire

March 17, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in August of 1998, Heartfire is the fifth book in the “Alvin Maker” series. This story tells how Alvin is treated by the New Englanders while his wife is working on the slave issue down South.

My Thoughts

I wasn’t very impressed with this one. Alvin is getting too powerful and we are losing track of why we might like him. It’s kind of like Superman. At some point he is given all kinds of powers and is all but perfect in every way. It’s too much.

Recommendation

It had potential but is going off the rails.

Alvin Journeyman

March 14, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Alvin Journeyman is the 4th book in the “Alvin Maker” series by Orson Scott Card. Published in 1995, it is the story of the events of Alvin after his time as an apprentice blacksmith. His previous master was upset with him, due to his jealousy, and accused him of stealing a large sum of gold. Much of the book deals with Alvin’s arrest, trial, and the numerous people who are plotting against him. First and foremost is his younger brother Calvin who has powers similar to Alvin but is never quite good enough…

My Thoughts

This book moved a little slower than the others but a lot of important events happened. Alvin is still the main character but the story allowed for more development of the people around him.

What didn’t work for me was the plow. I really hope this turns into something that makes sense later on but I feel like there was so much potential story there that wasn’t realized. Maybe we will see it in the next book.

Recommendation

The series slowed down a bit with this one but it is still exciting

Prentice Alvin

March 13, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Prentice Alvin is the 3rd book in the “Alvin Maker” series by Orson Scott Card. Published in 1989, it tells of Alvin finally able to apprentice as a blacksmith in the town where he was born. He finds friendship in a young boy named Arthur Stewart who was the son of a runaway slave. Alvin continues his formal education from the local school teacher and he catches a glimpse of what it means to be a “maker.”

My Thoughts

Fun book. Alvin had learned a lot about how to be a man in the previous book but this story gives him the chance to live it. He learns the lesson early on about how destructive it is to hold hate in your heart and let it fuel your actions. Alvin does his best to be a truly good person which is all any of us can do.

Recommendation

If you’ve read this far, you are likely hooked.

Red Prophet

March 12, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in 1988, Red Prophet is the 2nd book in the “Alvin Maker” series. Alvin is still a child but he ends up accompanying “Lolla-Wossiky” who later becomes Tenskwa-Tawa and meets his brother Ta-Kumsaw.

This book gives an fictionalized version of the Battle of Tippecanoe and talks about the people who made it come to pass. Including the then Governor William Henry Harrison who later becomes the ninth President of the United States. In this version, the name the Natives call him is “White Murderer Harrsion.”

My Thoughts

This book is an interesting look at Native American religion and beliefs. I’m certain it would not stand up to the standards of today where everyone is offended on behalf of someone else. I wonder what a Native American would think of this story…

Recommendation

I enjoyed it

Seventh Son

March 11, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Seventh Son is the first book of the “Alvin Maker” series by Orson Scott Card dealing with a slightly different version of the early 17th century America. One where George Washington was beheaded, the South is ruled by England, and the United States is a much smaller place.

Originally published in 1987, Seventh Son is the story of Alvin Miller who was the seventh son of a seventh son. As such, he has a “knack” with things or more specifically he has powers others do not.

Alvin is swept up in much of the Native American wars in what we would know as Indiana in the early 1800s.

My Thoughts

I read this book back when I was a teenager, as it was one of the books we had around the house. I was immediately drawn in as I am the seventh son and it was fun to think I might have some hidden powers…

This time around, I was more conscientious as to the background of the book. I could see how the America in the series was slightly different than the American history I knew. Far from being an irritation, it made the story that much more fun.

Recommendation

Great read

Left of Bang

March 10, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2014, Left of Bang is the book outlining the ideas of the Combat Hunter program in the Marine Corps.

My Thoughts

A very interesting book but I believe the author is correct when he mentions how most people have already learned how to do this. I’ve had many conversations over the years with people who understand and who do not. When you’ve really been to a dangerous place, you tend to continue to be on alert. You continue to watch and observe. The Marines call this “situational awareness” and if they want extra attention put on it they say, “Put your head on a swivel!”

It is a hard concept to teach but a harder one two learn. To quote my old Sensai, “pain makes believers.” It has been interesting to see this program come and go in the Marine Corps.

Recommendation

I’m glad I read it but I’m not sure how much I got out of it. The biggest benefit was the jargon they used for the concepts they were illustrating.