Oh that’s quite a conclusion.

“You’re creating hell. And you’re putting yourself inside it.”

NEMESIS-1’s tone was serene. “Hell is the optimal solution.”

In The Outside, humanity found something Outside of the Gods’ influence and managed to tear apart a large part of the world of Jai. In The Fallen, they learned to live with it.

And now in The Infinite, it’s time to learn more about the Gods themselves–what they really are and how they came to be… and perhaps it’s time for the Gods’ reigns to end.

It’s a fascinating story and, in my opinion, perhaps the best of the trilogy. At once, we get answers for just what lead to the world that the characters live in now–while at the same time opening so many more questions. What happened in the 700 years between the earliest and latest points of view in the book? What’s going on in the rest of the universe? And what happens next?!

But so far as this single story, it’s finished and well done. I always do applaud authors able to do that.

Onward!

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Why yes. It is an odd time of year to be reading a Christmas Treasury. But i has been insisting on stories out of this book over and over again, so I figured I might as well write it down. It’s a whole collection of the cute Christmas (or at least Winter) themed stories with the absolutely delightful illustrations that are Jan Brett’s trademark.

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Things have been rough for the X-Men, what with the whole Magneto thing (again) and anti-Mutant feelings running high. So of course what do we need? More mutants!

Angel. Emma Frost. Dazzler. Alex Summers.

It’s cool to see so many new (old) faces and shake up the status quo.

We’ll just have to see what’s next.

Nothing particularly special about this volume but also not terrible.

Onward!

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The way to a man’s heart is through his chest!

Another day, another Culture novel.

After how much I liked The Player of Games, it’s interesting how much less I got into Use of Weapons. Perhaps it’s the setting and main character–Zakalwe is closer to Horza than Gurgeh. Perhaps it’s the structure–with one set of chapters going forward in time, one going backward, and a prologue and epilogue after either of them, it’s complicated.

Now don’t get me wrong, it’s certainly not a bad book. The Culture is a fascinating setting and getting into the darker corners is exactly where you learn the most about it.

Zakalwe, in all human societies we have ever reviewed, in every age and every state, there has seldom if ever been a shortage of eager young males prepared to kill and die to preserve the security, comfort and prejudices of their elders, and what you call heroism is just an expression of this simple fact; there is never a scarcity of idiots.

Worth reading as a continuation of the Culture, but probably not one I’ll revisit. Such is life.

Onward!

Oh my. That’s when we are. This has potential.

Oh yes. That is Toney McGwire and (this real) Spider-Man.

The idea that Octavius is on the run again and that the film crews got it all—and made to use that as footage in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man film? Oh that’s hilarious.

Plus a few more reveals and a bit more with Peter’s classmates. Always good to have.

A good one.

Onward.

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Reed, Sue, Johnny. Ben back at school. The gangs all here!

I have to admit, but a branch of the Marvel Universe I’m that familiar with. Looking forward to finding out!

Of course the first thing that has to happen is the accident…

It’s a bit quick we don’t really get time to even know Reed Richards, let alone the rest of them. I expect they’ll get some time to breathe as the series goes on.

Otherwise, it’s a weird mix of science and pseudo history. Pretty weird.

So far, I like the X-Men and Spider-Man better. But we’ll see.

Onward!

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Huh.

I expected some version of the Sinister Six, but to have it be an Ultimates/Spider-Man crossover? Pretty cool.

There are some serious mental issues at play here and only mostly on the villains side. Likewise questionable choices.

But the good guys all get to go home in the end, right?

Right?

Onward!

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Well, that’s pretty much more of Succulents and Spells. It’s quick, doesn’t really go anywhere (huge), and is a fun little read.

On the plus side, I like seeing more of Marigold as the primary point of view. It’s a bit weird to swap, but I think I like her more than Laurel. Perhaps it’s because she’s just coming into the magical world?

On the downside… the (a?) big bad is maginanotech bugs. And there’s really no justification for nanotech just existing in this world. I generally only like one real ‘give’ to a story and this is a bit much. Especially when it could totally just be magical and that would be fine. Even magical bioengineering would be better.

Such is life.

It’s cute and if you liked the first, you’ll probably like this. I’m curious what in the world is next…

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So… Hawk-Owl. Right. Big time Batman parody, no?

That’s an introduction.

And… that’s a backstory.

He’s rich and fights crime in a winged outfit. And has an adopted boy sidekick.

It’s cute. The big bad is so weird. The characters are one dimensional and not great people. I’m not really sure why it’s a thing other than a weird Ultimates cameo that doesn’t go anywhere.

So it goes.

Onward.

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