My two cents on books, film, television, theatre, and anything thing else that might deserve my criticism. Length adjusted for inflation.
 Star Surgeonbooksreviews |
Four Star SurgeonOct. 15, 2014 | Comments Turns out doctors are just as complex, imaginative, and just plain fun to sail the stars with as any other hero, with the boldest mission yet: not only to seek out new life, but to save it as well. |
 supernaturalmysterybooksreviews |
The Rising reviewOct. 07, 2014 | Comments The rote storytelling saps the emotional intensity that should have made for compelling character study, and the lack of any real suspense made the detective plot more distracting than compelling. |
 theatrereviews |
Meredith's Measure for MeasureOct. 01, 2014 | Comments The first of two local productions opened last night at Meredith College: a competent, well-performed introduction to the work. |
 booksreviews |
The Guest Cat reviewSep. 23, 2014 | Comments Reading prose written by a poet is itself a work of translation. Adding an actual language translation on top of that shift in writing can make for a challenging read. |
 supernaturalbooksreviews |
Dark Halo SoarsSep. 16, 2014 | Comments This trilogy's conclusion not only proved a worthy and enjoyable sequel, it lifted the series as a whole to make it one I would recommend to all readers. |
 science fictionbooksreviews |
Luminary Strains to Tell Its Own TaleSep. 09, 2014 | Comments This sequel to Krista McGee's award-winning novel Anomaly feels at war with itself. There's a genuinely good story here; unfortunately, it's hampered by the structural needs of a trilogy's second act. |
 supernaturalbooksreviews |
Memory's Door reviewAug. 26, 2014 | Comments This sequel attempts to raise the stakes, in story and character. There are a few moments that hint at a deeper sense of adventure and mystery. But the meandering plot didn't feel nearly as tight this go round. |
 fantasybooksreviews |
The Hero's Lot reviewAug. 19, 2014 | Comments This sequel exceeds its predecessor on many counts. Yet overall structural weaknesses rob it from inspiring the tight dramatic tension the author so clearly wants to communicate. |
 supernaturalbooksreviews |
Beautiful Broken WingsAug. 12, 2014 | Comments After the pleasant surprise I enjoyed reading Angel Eyes, I hoped the sequel would at least be as good. Author Shannon Dittemore met my higher expectations in spades. |
 science fictionbooksreviews |
A Canticle For Leibowitz: a Transcendent DistopiaAug. 05, 2014 | Comments This book inhabits the intersection of science fiction and Christianity, and it certainly hugs that line with an unflinching dedication to the best of both traditions. |