Books
Voices of the Fall, Ed. John Ringo, Gary Poole
This is the second anthology in the Black Tide Rising universe - collecting short stories based on radio transmissions from the Fall (aka, the zombie apocalypse) - and I'm happy to report that the story quality here is consistently solid and in keeping with the thrust of the series as a whole. What is that thrust, you may ask? I'll explain it in two words: competence porn. From the straggling NASA scientists trying to rescue their astronauts on the ISS to the nukes trying to avoid sinking in their damaged submarine, the heroes here are neither nihilistic nor incapable of getting stuff done.
The Green Ember & The Black Star of Kingston, S.D. Smith
Youtuber #1 Marmaduke Fan pointed me to this series, and oh boy, am I so glad he did! S.D. Smith is a magnificent storyteller; indeed, I don't think it's overblown to say that he gets everything right.
World building? His rabbit civilization has a lore so thoughtfully conceived that it feels real. Obviously, Smith has studied the mythological archetypes -- or he simply has a natural understanding of their primary features.
Main characters? All sympathetic -- including Picket, who starts off a brat but at least has the self-awareness to feel guilty about it.
Plot? The action scenes - like, for example, the several-chapters-long flight from Nick Hollow in The Green Ember - are exciting as hell. And when the story in said novel quiets down, Smith still expertly maintains our interest by emphasizing the questions surrounding Heather and Picket's true heritage.
Themes? The Black Star of Kingston - a novella that recounts one of the legends of Natalia - features a positively Petersonian hero who decides he must leave the safety of his coastal settlement to confront the darkness of the mountains beyond. The principal story, meanwhile, explores the reality of a fallen world in which evil lurks and life is not always fair -- and counsels us all to cope with the tragedy of being by fixing our sights on a goal beyond ourselves. What a beautiful, universal message!
Oh, and one last thing: Smith knows how to nest smaller stories inside a larger cycle! The Green Ember - despite being the first of a trilogy - feels complete on its own.
Am I going to read the rest of this series and discuss it further in the coming weeks? You betcha! This is probably the best middle grade/YA series I've come across since The Wingfeather Saga. I wish I'd read it sooner.
Now Playing
I went to see Shazam early this week and liked it. While I wouldn't call it the film of the century, I enjoyed its sly lampooning of selfie culture and its emphasis on the importance of family. Also notable? The fact that the main character has to grow into his role. Unlike, say, a certain overrated female Marvel hero, Billy is initially overwhelmed - and tempted - by his new powers, and he ends up doing a lot of stupid and/or reckless things before he learns to be mature and take responsibility. That is a focused, decently-crafted story with a healthy moral core.
Comics
Daredevil: To Know Fear, Chip Zdarsky
Issues 1-3 of this story are out as of this week, and they are good. The mystery is compelling - did Matt actually kill somebody by accident, or is someone framing him? - the action scenes are excellent, and the Catholic elements are respectfully handled. I stand with Our Boi Zack in crowning Zdarsky the once and future "kweeng" of Marvel.
Weeb Stuff
World Trigger, (Vol. 1), Daisuke Ashihara
This straightforward sci-fi adventure story doesn't seem particularly groundbreaking so far, but it presents a few intriguing questions that have convinced me to read the next few volumes (at least). First of all, why is Yuma in Japan? Secondly, why are the monstrous "Neighbors" attempting to invade, and why are they appearing outside the emergence area? Are they following Yuma? And lastly, just what sort of world lies beyond the interdimensional portals? I suppose I'll have to see!
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