Review:: The Martian, by Andy Weir

Title: The Martian

Author: Andy Weir

Format: Trade Paperback

Rating: ★★★☆☆

There were things I really liked about The Martian and things that started to really annoy me. Over all, it was a decent book; I can see why it was turned into a movie, and I can see why people enjoyed it so much.

Review:: Ancillary Mercy, by Ann Leckie

Title: Ancillary Mercy

Author: Ann Leckie

Series: Imperial Radch, #3

Format: Trade Paperback

Rating: ★★★★☆

The first thing I thought when I started Ancillary Mercy was, "Wow, I need to re-read this entire series." As I continued through, I began to remember more, but the urge to do a complete re-read continued. I'm just constantly amazed at Leckie's ability to balance action and politics, tea time and cuddle time. Oh, and the ending gave me everything that I ever wanted, so yeah. SPOILERS.

Review:: Mort, by Terry Pratchett

Title: Mort

Author: Terry Pratchett

Series: Discworld, #4

Format: Paperback

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Previously:

The Colour of Magic

The Light Fantastic

Equal Rites

Once again, I was failed to be "wowed," but the book itself was enjoyable. I actually enjoyed the other three more than this one, which was surprising, as I'd heard Mort is one of the better early books. Maybe I just need to start going in without any expectations.

Review:: The Tombs of Atuan, by Ursula K. LeGuin

Title: The Tombs of Atuan

Author: Ursula K. LeGuin

Series: Earthsea Cycle, #2

Format: Hardcover

Rating: ★★★★☆

Previously:

A Wizard of Earthsea

While in many ways The Tombs of Atuan deals with some of the issues I have with A Wizard of Earthsea, I've never liked it quite as much. I think the themes it deals with just don't speak to me as clearly. However, it's a wonderful book, deserving of many a read-through.

Review:: Stainless Steel Visions, by Harry Harrison

Title: Stainless Steel Visions

Author: Harry Harrison

Format: Hardcover

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

I picked this up because it contains a Stainless Steel Rat short story. What I ended up with was a mixed bag. I was definitely underimpressed with many of the stories, while a few were enjoyable. The Stainless Steel Rat story itself was nice, but couldn't make up for the volume.

Review:: Equal Rites, by Terry Pratchett

Title: Equal Rites

Author: Terry Pratchett

Series: Discworld, #3

Format: Paperback

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Previously:

The Colour of Magic

The Light Fantastic

I wasn't fully impressed by this book. There were parts of it I rather enjoyed, but I didn't feel like I could relate to the protagonist, Esk, and it felt like plenty of others were just obliviously sticking their heads in holes. It's a quick read, and that's great, but if something is going to seriously try and have an agenda of sorts, maybe it shouldn't be so quick.

Nostalgia Review:: The Stainless Steel Rat Gets Drafted, by Harry Harrison

Title: The Stainless Steel Rat Gets Drafted

Author: Harry Harrison

Series: Stainless Steel Rat, #7 (Publication Order)

Format: Paperback

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Still good?

I hardly remembered this one. But yes!

Previously:

The Stainless Steel Rat

The Stainless Steel Rat's Revenge

The Stainless Steel Rat Saves the World

The Stainless Steel Rat Wants You!

The Stainless Steel Rat for President

A Stainless Steel Rat is Born

This time, I actually felt like I got some of the charm of The Stainless Steel Rat, rather than being left with a book that only somewhat approximated the character. Maybe the problem is that these are prequels, and he's just not "himself" yet. Regardless, this time I actually enjoyed the book.

Nostalgia Review:: A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula K. LeGuin

Title: A Wizard of Earthsea

Author: Ursula K. LeGuin

Series: Earthsea Cycle, #1

Format: Kindle

Rating: ★★★★★

Still good?

OMG YES.

It's honestly hard to believe this was a book published in the 60s. I was afraid to re-read it because I didn't believe it could possibly live up to my recollections. But it did. This book is simply beautiful.