Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

In an alternate world, chalk is the first line of defense against evil

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

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So, I read this a couple months ago, but somehow forgot to review it (I thought I did, but I can’t find it anywhere). I remember it fairly well, but some of my more detailed impressions have probably disappeared. Somewhat surprisingly, from Brandon Sanderson, this is a young adult alternate history book. When colonists first arrived in the Americas, they found a vast archipelago uninhabited by humanity. Instead, they found dangerous “wild chalklings” everywhere. King Gregory III (again, alternate history) discovered the magic used in […]

Never doubt Brandon Sanderson

The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson

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(This is a review for the second part of a series. There will be spoilers for prior installments.) I enjoyed the first book in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series, but I walked away from it feeling that I had missed the boat on fully enjoying the series. If I had read it during my peak epic fantasy years (late teens), I think I would’ve gotten more out of it. narfna didn’t think that age, generally, was an impediment to the enjoyment of this series. After reading […]

That one could time travel within his own lifetime…..

Big Papa and the Time Machine by Daniel Bernstrom

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Big Papa and the Time Machine had an odd journey to my reading stack. Daniel Bernstrom’s story was not in play (yet) it was that cover by Shane W. Evans. It looked surreal, awkward, ironically a combination of extremely young and a lot of text. It actually did no look “fun” or that I would “like” it. Then, the other night, it found its way back on the stack. I still was unsure but decided to give it a shot. And as the old say […]

Rare character development and expert storytelling

Exile of the Seas by Jeffe Kennedy

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This series is shaping up to be one of the best character studies I’ve encountered in a very long time. I remember being excited about watching the Godfather because people said it was an amazing character study and I don’t understand people at all, so I love character study stories. So I watch the movie (and the second and the third), only to have the character make critical decisions off screen with no explanation. First, the guy hates his dad’s business, and suddenly he’s working […]

‘Cause you got to have friends, la la la la la la la la la!

Baptism of Fire: A Novel of the Witcher by Andrzej Sapkowski

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Sapkowski is managing to keep my interest very high with this the fifth Witcher book (3rd novel). The stories of Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer continue to develop along very interesting lines, with plenty of fighting, intrigue and double crosses. The truth about Ciri’s power is slowing being unraveled while Yennefer’s role in the problems at hand is only hinted at, and Geralt finds himself part of an unlikely band of people who decide, against reason and any thought of personal safety, to help Geralt find […]

She ain’t no Buffy

Poesy the Monster Slayer by Cory Doctorow

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Poesy the Monster Slayer was not my cup of tea. Poesy seems to be a bratty child. I understand her need to “fight the monsters” due to her fears (though she says she is not afraid, but her father who is actually afraid) but why did she have to be nasty about it? A quiet “fight” would be fine and a great lesson to children. Maybe say Monsters hate whispering so she whispers to them. Or point to a nightlight because they dislike light (her […]



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