'Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy' by Timothy Zahn

Star Wars: The Thrawn Trilogy, Vol. 1, 2 and 3, Timothy Zahn (3.5)

It took some prodding to get me to read this series. I fondly remember the first Star Wars movie as the only movie I saw in the theatre multiple times.  I did not want to tarnish the franchise in my mind’s eye with a lesser follow-on story, written by a ‘wanna be’. S convinced me that this three book series was the best-reviewed version of what may have happened post Empire.  I will admit that the three books are compelling and worthy of a Star Wars fan to read.  Luckily, Mr. Zahn did not elaborate on the goofy (Ja-Ja-Binks type) characters. There are new interesting species, credible threats and some worthy new characters.  A master strategist Grand Admiral from the Empire returns, along with a semi-insane cloned Jedi Master who both give plenty of challenges for Luke, Han and a pregnant Leia; all very entertaining.  My only complaint is how all knowing the non-Jedi Grand Admiral Thrawn appears – a bit too accurate in his strategic assessments, but I guess you can’t make it too easy for the good side of the Force J. My review score of this series is based on an average: 4 points if you are a Star Wars fan, 3 points if you are not.

'The Orphanmaster' by Jean Zimmerman

The Orphanmaster, Jean Zimmerman (4.0)

I don’t remember ever reading a novel set in the late 1600’s in the Dutch settlement in what is now Manhattan.  This historical novel uses that time and place as a backdrop on a frightful story of missing orphans, who appear to be killed and partially eaten by an evil Indian spirit. What makes this more than a simple horror story is the interesting diverse society Ms. Zimmerman brings into it, from an English spy, a young female tradesperson, African immigrants, Indian tribes people and the relatively complacent Dutch on the island.  The different social and ethnic groups interact with each other and the various areas of the city in really interesting ways.  That coupled with a relatively modern love story, makes you question if the Dutch were really that advanced (in the 1600’s) with regards to women’s’ and immigrants’ rights.  Given the research the author did and the current equality observed in the Netherlands, it’s probably true. 

'The Giver' by Lois Lowry

The Giver, Lois Lowry (4.0)

I have to say I’m amazed with the number of good young adult dystopian novels I’ve read in the last few years. Of course ‘The Hunger Games’ tops the list and I think it opened the doorway for me to gain access to other young adult novels.  ‘The Giver’ was published in 1993 and won the Newbery Medal, a literary award for children’s books.  It is a thought provoking story that reminded me of ‘1984’ and ‘The Lottery’. The future community described has controlled many aspects of its inhabitant’s lives, so that dramatic bad things don’t happen.  Of course the high end of the sine wave also won’t happen (i.e. dramatic happiness).  The underlying question is: is it worth it?  There are some really unique and almost poetic concepts and I found the storytelling to be very thoughtful.  I recommend this to both young and older readers. There are some simplistic, obvious lessons, but I think it is worth the read.

'A Hologram for the King' by Dave Eggers

A Hologram for the King, Dave Eggers (2.5)

Alan, the main character in this novel is generally unlikable.  He’s an anti-hero who, unfortunately, never really becomes someone you care about.  The modern day premise is that Alan is leading a team to Saudi Arabia to sell an IT contract to the King to support the King’s dream city (which is currently just a tent and a few buildings in a desert).  The rest of the story highlights the issues found in doing business in Saudi Arabia as Alan bumbles through the process.  He makes so many ridiculous choices that any even semi-successful businessperson would avoid, that it was painful to watch/read.  I did like the type of differences that were highlighted.  You expect the basics in an Arabic country, but some were relatively subtle business tricks.  

'The Age of Miracles' by Karen Thompson Walker

The Age of Miracles, Karen Thompson Walker (3.0)

Based on its basic premise this book could easily be categorized as a Science Fiction story, but I found it to be more of an anthropological study: how would society react if the earth started to spin more slowly?  The various effects this plays on flora, fauna, and people remain unexplained, while the effect on psyche of the characters is followed closely.  One of the simplest conundrums is do you stay on the 24 hr clock, or do you follow the sun, staying up longer and longer during the stretched daylight hours and sleeping equally long during the seemingly endless nights?  Does your choice change when days start lasting 72 hrs? A week?  The story follows a teenage and how this all affects her and her family, on top of the usual issues a teenage would have. This book got very good reviews, but I felt there could have been more to it.  Maybe it’s my scientific bent, but I wanted some more meat to the technical explanation (any!) so that I could possibly make sense of any anthropological decisions made by this distressed society.  It is a very good and unique premise; I just felt a little something was missing.  

'Cleopatra's Daughter' by Michelle Moran

Cleopatra’s Daughter, Michelle Moran (3.5)

Cleopatra’s history is well known and well documented in books, movies, and she even makes a good Halloween costume! But far less is known about her 3 children: the twins Alexander and Kleopatra-Selene, and the toddler, Ptolemy.  This is an interesting historical novel that takes the basic story from Octavian’s (later known as Augustus Caesar’s) conquest of Egypt and subsequent removal of the children to Rome. It is written from the eyes of Selene, in the years before she and Alexander become adults, and simultaneously become the larger threat to Rome.  Ms. Moran has taken dramatic license with at least one part of the story line, but holds true to the basics of their lives and the times.  I appreciated that she highlighted the deviations clearly in the Afterword, which is always helpful when reading historical fiction.  I also found Selene’s story so compelling (she follows in the mold of her powerful, independent mother and is an original women’s rights model) that I plan to read the non-fiction account of her life recommended by the author.