The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog TP4: Not Very Fourth-Coming

[Quatermass]

*DISCLAIMER*

GLaDOS: Hello, and welcome, again, to one of Quatermass' asinine review threads. He has asked me to take time from my busy testing schedule to read this disclaimer. *sigh* Why do I bother? Anyway, the opinionated opinions expressed in this thread are either solely those of Quatermass, or else based on banal rubbish he has found on the internet. They are not the opinions of the Terry Pratchett Forum, its members, the late Terry Pratchett, Transworld Publishers, me, and thus are only true, for a given value of true as coloured by a warped and twisted mind. If you don't like it, then you are free to sign up to Aperture Science's test subject roster. Thank you.

So, with all that out of the way, let's get the ball rolling.

It's that time again, for me to start a new book-review blog.

The rules, as mentioned before, are simple:

*I must read, and/or finish, at least one new book that I haven't read each week. A week is defined as being the same named day after the last day I read and reviewed a book, regardless of the time (as long as it is the same day at my time, AEST). That is, if my last book reviewed and read was on a Saturday, my next book must be finished and reviewed by the end of the next Saturday.

*If I have started, but not finished, a book prior to starting this thread, then I may include it, as long as I have not read it all the way through at any stage.

*I must write a review.

*The book has to be relatively substantial. That is, I will not read an individual issue of a comic or manga (though an individual collected volume is fine), or a screenplay, unless said screenplay is accompanied by a making-of book, or a children's picture book. In addition, I will not be reviewing webcomics (unless available in printed form) or fanfiction.

Now, some caveats...

*I will NOT take reading suggestions. Anyone who does so will find themselves being given a very rude answer. However, comments and dissenting opinions (NOT reviews: this is MY review thread) are welcome, as long as they are decent and well-thought out.

*One of the unofficial rules, albeit one I might break (as it is an unofficial rule) is that I don't review two things of the same sort back to back. That is, I don't read two graphic novels back to back, two Doctor Who books back to back...you get the idea. I may break it on rare occasion, depending on circumstances...

*I used to have a very skewed scoring system. A few of you may remember said system when I started a similar thread going back over the Discworld novels, as well as the dispute that followed. After some consideration, I have adopted a new, still skewed but far less so, scoring system based on five stars. The scores are still my business. Dispute with the scoring system at your peril. In this thread, I am Stephen Fry on QI, and you really don't want to be klaxoned.

 

[Quatermass]

Re: The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog TP4: Not Very Fourth-Co

BOOK 1

Red Dwarf Log No. 1996, by Paul Alexander.

It is rather fitting that my first book review in a very long time is a Red Dwarf tie-in. After all, Red Dwarf was one of Terry Pratchett’s favourite series. But with the exception of the novels, most tie-in books have been somewhat disappointing. Would the 1996 Log prove to be any different?

For a year on the Red Dwarf, its diminished crew keep a log. Lister, Rimmer, the Cat, Kryten, and Holly mark days of disaster, boredom, and a few days of joy and happiness. Not to mention a lot of weirdness…

Okay, I have to confess, this book is okay, but it’s frankly very thin on the ground, especially to the average Red Dwarf fan. Seriously, at least half if not more of the book recycles jokes and plot points from the TV series itself, and in a manner that isn’t very well done either. There’s some nice moments here and there of originality, but you have to sift through a lot of re-used jokes.

It buggers up continuity (albeit something that was already loose enough in the TV series), it has few things of note, and it’s just a minor chore to get through. And it shouldn’t be, really. It was clear this book was written merely to milk the teats of the cash cow that was this series.

Overall, while enjoyable enough in places, this Red Dwarf book was not really worth it. Which is a shame.


**


FIRST WORDS: All crew members are entitled to append this log.


LAST WORDS: Here’s my crew love interest chart.

 

[Quatermass]

Re: The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog TP4: Not Very Fourth-Co

BOOK 2

Naruto volume 6: Predator, by Masashi Kishimoto.

I found the Naruto manga mildly entertaining, but more in the way of takeaway food fiction. Enjoyable enough, but not really deep and meaningful. So, par for the course, really, for shounen manga in many regards. I halted five volumes in due to lack of interest, but decided to pick it up again, as apparently the sixth volume was where things started to get interesting. But is that true?

The second part of the Chunin Exams has begun, a five-day survival exercise within the Forest of Death. Each team has one of two scrolls, and they have to take the other scroll of the pair from their opponents. But for Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke, things aren’t going to be easy. It’s bad enough when they’re ambushed the first time, but the second time is a whole other ball game: for the shinobi attacking them is none other than Orochimaru, the most infamous rogue ninja of their home village, and he has Sasuke in his sights. What does Orochimaru want with Sasuke? What does the Oto team intend to do to Team 7? And can Sakura find the strength within herself to fight, when Naruto and Sasuke can’t?

As usual, this is fairly straightforward and simple fare. But the story is certainly livened up with the first appearance of one of the most iconic villains of the series, Orochimaru, and there are many enjoyable battle scenes. And we also get some development of many key characters.

Perhaps the character who gets the most development is Sakura, when we not only get some insights into her former friendship with Ino, but also have her defending the incapacitated Naruto and Sasuke against the Oto team. Orochimaru is also a fairly interesting villain, with his history, power, and abilities released in just the right amount, enough to satisfy for the time being, but small enough to leave readers wanting more. We also get some insight into the character of the eccentric Rock Lee.

Overall, while not brilliant, this was nonetheless a good way for me to re-enter the world of Naruto.


***½


FIRST WORDS: The Tower’s where everyone’s ultimately going...

LAST WORDS: …I’d never let you show me up!

 

[Quatermass]

Re: The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog TP4: Not Very Fourth-Co

BOOK 3

Smaug: Unleashing the Dragon, by Daniel Falconer.


One of my favourite books is Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic. Written by Andy Serkis, the actor who portrayed the decrepit and wretched creature from Peter Jackson’s adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, it was a fascinating insight into both how Serkis prepared and performed the role, but also how the special effects of Gollum developed and evolved. So I was understandably curious to find out whether a similar book about the development of Smaug from the recent adaptation of The Hobbit would compare…

In this book, Weta Digital and Weta Workshop, along with Benedict Cumberbatch, discuss the convoluted and lengthy process that led to Smaug appearing on the big screen. From design of the dragon himself, to the voice acting, all the way to the climactic battle in The Desolation of Smaug, all these and more are put under the microscope…

After the detail and perhaps more personal element of Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic, this book was somewhat disappointing. Don’t get me wrong, it goes quite a bit in-depth into the conception of Smaug and the climactic sequences of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. The book is glossy and very well-presented, and there’s some very good anecdotes here and there.

But I guess Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic set the bar too high. This book is much shorter, and actually doesn’t go as in-depth into how Benedict Cumberbatch approached the role, which was pretty disappointing. And the book itself is too short, despite the lavish production values.

Overall, while not truly bad, this book ended up somewhat average. It could have been superlative with a bit more substance. As it was, I got more from the documentaries on the DVD set.


***½


FIRST WORDS: Smaug was a rich part of the tapestry of my upbringing.

LAST WORDS: Eric Saindon, Weta Digital Visual Effects Supervisor.

 

[Quatermass]

Re: The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog TP4: Not Very Fourth-Co

BOOK 4

Naruto volume 7: Orochimaru’s Curse, by Masashi Kishimoto.

Given my beginning to read the Naruto series again, it’s about time that I got onto the next volume. Already, much has happened to hook me back in. The question is, could this volume sustain that?

The cavalry has arrived. Team 10 has come to the aid of Team 7 as Orochimaru’s minions attack using sonic attacks. Soon, Sasuke revives, the cursed mark implanted by Orochimaru giving him frightening strength...at the expense of his empathy. Meanwhile, Anko Mitarashi and Team 8 soon learn that there is another threat to the Chunin Exams: the mysterious Gaara of the Desert, who is not only extremely powerful, but extremely bloodthirsty…

After the intriguing story developments of the prior volume, this one is less so. True, there are quite a few startling revelations, particularly about Gaara, and the apparently minor character of Kabuto. And there’s some pretty good fight scenes.

But after a certain point, after the scenes involving Gaara, the volume goes downhill slightly. Not to abysmal levels, but the last legs of the Forest of Death are rather tiresome, almost padding, and seem a little unnecessary. And as often with Naruto, this volume doesn’t really have a meaty story as much.

Overall, this volume of Naruto was okay, if a bit below average. I’m more looking forward to future volumes, though.


***


FIRST WORDS: Who are you?

LAST WORDS: Well…what are we waiting for?!

 

[Quatermass]

Re: The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog TP4: Not Very Fourth-Co

BOOK 5

Ziggyology: A Brief History of Ziggy Stardust, by Simon Goddard.


I have to confess, my interest in David Bowie is relatively minimal. I’ve heard more than a few of his songs, I saw him as Jareth the Goblin King in Labyrinth, and, well, that’s it. Even so, you see his influence in pop-culture everywhere, as recent as astronaut Chris Hadfield singing Space Oddity on the International Space Station, LittleKuriboh’s parody of Under Pressure (Bowie’s collaboration with Queen) in a Bowie-centric episode of Naruto: The Abridged Comedy Fandub Spoof Series Show, and (amongst other references) Big Boss’s mercenaries being called the Diamond Dogs in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. So for some reason, a book on David Bowie, and his alter ego of Ziggy Stardust in particular, called to me as something fresh, unusual, and potentially interesting. Given how disappointing some of the last books I have read and reviewed had been, well, I had little to lose…

Ziggyology: A Brief History of Ziggy Stardust is part biography, part story, showing how, throughout history, the apparently disparate threads that came together to form David Bowie and his alter ego of Ziigy Stardust popped up. From kabuki theatre, to Professor Bernard Quatermass, from Beethoven, to rock and roll, from HG Wells to A Clockwork Orange, all these things and more. It shows the rise and fall of an icon of the glam rock age, from Ziggy’s birth, to his ‘death’.

I have to say, despite my relative lack of interest in Bowie’s music, I actually enjoyed reading this book immensely. It laid out the influences on Bowie in interesting ways, as well as the rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust. And it does so in a very story-like way, making it very entertaining.

However, it is this means of presenting it as a story that proves to be a slight mistake. It makes it feel a bit more like a work of fiction than a serious ‘biography’, and it does gloss over Bowie’s post-Ziggy career. And the actual section on Ziggy’s ‘life’ is actually shorter than the leadup.

However, these are relatively minor quibbles on a pretty damn good book. I’d certainly recommend it to any Bowie fans, or anyone remotely interested in Bowie.


****½


FIRST WORDS: To any eyes of any creatures on any worlds that might be peering across the gulf of space to the planet Earth, it is a Tuesday just like any other.

LAST WORDS: We are all Ziggy Stardust.

 

[Quatermass]

Re: The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog TP4: Not Very Fourth-Co

BOOK 6

Naruto volume 8: Life-and-Death Battles, by Masashi Kishimoto.

Well, I’ve run out of pithy remarks to say about Naruto. So, let’s get on with the 8th volume, the start of the preliminaries in the Chunin Exams Arc…

Having reached the Tower, Team 7 finally open the scrolls, and learn their secrets. But because so many teams have passed the second phase of the Chunin Exams, a series of preliminary bouts are held to winnow down the contenders. Sasuke refuses to bow out, despite the effects his Cursed Seal is having on him, but that may be his downfall against the chakra-draining Yoroi Akado. Then, the insect-controlling Shino Aburame must go up against the violent Sound genin Zaku, and Suna genin Kankuro must face the brutal Misumi Tsurugi. But former friends and rivals for the affections of Sasuke must face each other: Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno are about to battle…

Overall, there’s the beginning of some real progression in the plot. Of course, that means going onto the shounen manga staple of a series of battles, though. Most of the actual drama revolves around Sasuke’s struggles with the Cursed Seal of Heaven Orochimaru put onto him, as well as Ino and Sakura’s fallen friendship.

But like the other volumes, this is more about action than actual plot. And while what action there is is quite good and exciting, it’s still somewhat insubstantial.

Overall, though, I still want to continue with the Naruto manga for the time being. I just hope it starts really going somewhere now…


***


FIRST WORDS: …

LAST WORDS: Oh--!

 

[Quatermass]

Re: The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog TP4: Not Very Fourth-Co

BOOK 7

Ask a Ninja Presents: The Ninja Handbook, by Douglas Sarine and Kent Nichols.

Internet humour has been evolving and growing at a rapid pace, with some fads and memes lingering, and others dissipating into the ether. One comedy series that has lingered is Ask a Ninja, a comedy series about…well, take a wild guess. I’ve never really watched them, though I have heard of them, but when I saw a book based on Ask a Ninja, I wondered whether it was worth reading. Well, let’s find out…

The Ninja Handbook. The ultimate guide for any non-ninja who wishes to embark on the Ninja Path. Included within its hallowed pages are the true history of the world, training regimens, fighting techniques, and how to identify monsters from the shoggoth to the Lung-eating Witch of Vileville.

Okay, I’ll be frank. This book is crap. Not total crap, as it has more than a few genuinely funny moments, and it is certainly vaguely original. There’s even some genuinely great bits, such as a biography of Medusa as a historical pop-star, or the ninja profiles, or the surreal ‘true history’ of the world.

But most of the book is a surreal mess of humour that is often puerile at best, and far too often non-existent at worst. With black comedy of the sort that this book frequently attempts, it can be risky, but if done well, it can be great. Unfortunately, most of the black comedy falls short. And many of the mythical creatures are so childishly conceived, it’s just stupid (not even reaching the level of ‘immature’) rather than funny.

Unfortunately, for a book with the word ‘ninja’ in the title, this book was very much a disappointment. Which goes to show, adding ninja to something doesn’t guarantee awesomeness.



**


FIRST WORDS: The writers and publishers of The Ninja Handbook are dead serious about the fact that this book will kill you.

LAST WORDS: Once you break free from them, the true enterprise begins.

 

[Quatermass]

Re: The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog TP4: Not Very Fourth-Co

BOOK 8

Naruto volume 9: Neji vs Hinata, by Masashi Kishimoto.

Again, no pithy remarks. So, on with the motley…

Ino Yamanaka may have taken over Sakura’s mind, but her attempt to have the fiery kunoichi forfeit leads to an unexpected outcome. Meanwhile, Suna shinobi Temari brutally and swiftly defeats Konoha weapons specialist Tenten. Then, it’s the lazy but brilliant Shikamaru versus Oto genin Kin and her unknown abilities. But pride of place comes to two showdowns. It’s the clash of the brash and impulsive when Naruto faces up to Kiba Inuzaka and his canine partner Akamaru, while a family feud colours the fight between the gentle and timid Hinata Hyuga and her aloof and heartless cousin Neji…

Once more, we get a series of quite good battles, including a good conclusion to the Sakura/Ino fight, Naruto facing down Kiba Inuzaka, and a rather painful to watch but poignant fight between Hinata and Neji. Neji Hyuga is shaping up to be an antagonist you really want to see beaten down by another character.

But as usual, there is less plot than I would like, though there is a discussion of the Hyuga family’s division. The action here is better than the last volume, though, with some good fight scenes, particularly that between Naruto and Kiba, and the one between Hinata and Neji.

Overall, this volume of Naruto did entertain me a little. I just hope it picks up once this stage of the story is over…



***


FIRST WORDS: What?

LAST WORDS: Hmph!

 

[Quatermass]

Re: The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog TP4: Not Very Fourth-Co

BOOK 9

Doctor Who: City of Death by James Goss, based on the script by Douglas Adams and David Fisher.

One of the best things about the classic series of Doctor Who is a number of novelisations done of all but a handful of the stories. Only four transmitted stories, and a fifth partially-made but not actually completed story, have not gained this privilege. Until recently, that is. Shada, the never completed story penned by Douglas Adams, got a superlative novelisation by Gareth Roberts that was far superior than what the finished product on TV may ever have been. And now, one of Douglas Adams’ televised stories (albeit under the pseudonym of David Agnew, and based on a story by David Fisher) gets the same treatment, courtesy of James Goss. It was the best story of that season (though to be fair, the competition wasn’t much). But would the novelisation work out even better?

The Doctor and Romana are trying to have a holiday in Paris, 1979. The debonair Count Scarlioni, in order to fund experiments in temporal manipulation, is trying to steal the Mona Lisa. And the rather belligerent detective Duggan is trying to stop the theft. Disturbed by bizarre jumps in time, the Doctor and Romana end up joining forces with Duggan, only to find there is more to Scarlioni than meets the eye. What links Scarlioni to Scaroth, an ancient alien who apparently perished in a spaceship explosion on Earth millions of years ago? What links the Mona Lisa to his plans? And can the Doctor, Romana, and Duggan stop the Count before he erases not only human history, but all life on Earth?

While a very familiar story to me, Goss manages to take City of Death and make it fresh. He actually fills in more than a few plot holes that are barely noticeable in the televised story (like how aware Scarlioni is of who and what he truly is, why the Countess never noticed, Kerensky’s thoughts as he suffers from his fate, etc), and generally all around enhances the story. The prose isn’t quite on the same level as Gareth Roberts’ for Shada, or for Douglas Adams’ in general, but it still works out a hell of a lot better than many other works, even Doctor Who-related ones.

We also get more development of the characters in general, from the smallest (like the art critics played by John Cleese and Eleanor Bron in the show, given the names of Harrison Mandel and Elena, respectively) all the way up to the Doctor and Romana. We get far more insight into Scarlioni and Scaroth, making the latter seem more like a person, and better bridging the gap between the alien and his human guise. In short, we get an expansion which, while not actually needed, is nonetheless welcomed all the same for adding piquancy to the story.

Overall, this book is another demonstration of the highest standard a Doctor Who novelisation, and indeed, novelisations in general, should aspire to. If you’re a Whovian, or a Douglas Adams fan, you owe it to yourself to get this book…


*****


FIRST WORDS: It was Tuesday and life didn’t happen.

LAST WORDS: (Not recorded due to spoilers)

 

[Quatermass]

Re: The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog TP4: Not Very Fourth-Co

BOOK 10

Naruto volume 10: A Splendid Ninja, by Masashi Kishimoto.

At last, with volume 10, I reach the end of the preliminaries in Naruto. But it seems that it will end with a bang. After all, we have the fight between Rock Lee and Gaara. But will that work out?

The penultimate round of the Preliminaries is about to begin. Rock Lee, the enthusiastic taijutsu specialist, is facing off against the stoic and sociopathic Gaara. But how can Rock Lee get through Gaara’s defences of a barrier of sand? Meanwhile, Orochimaru’s plotting leads to a confrontation between Kabuto and Kakashi, and soon, Naruto will learn who he will face in the third part of the Chunin Exams…

The fight between Gaara and Rock Lee is perhaps the best out of all of those so far in the preliminaries. Not only is it an immensely enjoyable action sequence, but it also showcases Rock Lee’s sheer determination, as well as giving rather frightening hints of Gaara’s true nature. And we finally get some variety back into the story, with Kakashi’s confrontation with Kabuto, and the beginnings of Naruto’s training, with the return of one character from early in the series, and the arrival of a new one in the form of Jiraiya.

But like all shounen manga, this series still has the tendency to prioritise action over plot. Indeed, it was only the in-depth examination of Rock Lee’s training and character that truly saved this volume from dipping below the average mean of entertainment. That, and the promise of more to come in later volumes.

Overall, this volume of Naruto has just edged back up a notch. Here’s hoping that future volumes get a bit better.


***½


FIRST WORDS: …

LAST WORDS: Who the heck is this blatant perv?!

 

[Quatermass]

Re: The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog TP4: Not Very Fourth-Co

BOOK 11

Imagination Illustrated: The Jim Henson Journal by Karen Falk.


While I don’t have much interest in them now, I can’t deny that the Muppets, through Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, along with the film Labyrinth, played a formative part of my childhood. So it was purely on a whim that I picked up this book from the library. But would it tickle my fancy? Let’s find out…

Imagination Illustrated takes the rather laconic entries of Jim Henson’s personal journals, and elaborate on them with both discussions of what he did, along with behind-the-scenes material. From Kermit’s introduction (he wasn’t even a frog at the time!) on Sam and Friends, all the way up to Dinosaurs, a project he started, but completed posthumously, we see projects familiar and not.

It’s actually quite interesting to see where some of the characters came from, including old favourites like Kermit and the Cookie Monster, both of whom started in fairly different roles than they would eventually end up in. We also have insights into some of Henson’s creations for advertisements, or a design for a nightclub, or experimental films and TV shows that have since sunk into the aether. All of which is quite interesting.

There are faults to this book, though. While there is a veritable wealth of information on Henson’s projects, it’s nothing truly meaty by any means. And like many books of its type, it is a triumph of style over substance.

Overall, however, it was an immensely enjoyable read. An unusual subject for me turned out to be highly enjoyable…


****


FIRST WORDS: Everyone knows that Jim Henson created the Muppets, and that he performed the most famous Muppet of all, Kermit the Frog.

LAST WORDS: Today, the Jim Henson Company continues to be a home for innovation and creativity.

 

[Quatermass]

Re: The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog TP4: Not Very Fourth-Co

BOOK 12

Naruto volume 11: Impassioned Efforts, by Masashi Kishimoto.


With the previous volume of Naruto, we had the briefest glimpse of a new character, Jiraiya, as well as the beginning of Naruto training for the finals of the Chunin Exams. But what next for this series? What new developments are taking place?

Naruto has encountered the perverted Toad Sage, Jiraiya, a man who knows far more than he is letting on about Naruto’s burden: the demonic fox sealed within him. As he tries to train Naruto in using the chakra of the fox, there are further developments within Konoha: their erstwhile allies in Suna are allying with Oto, the hidden village headed by the evil Orochimaru. And Naruto will soon discover that the psychopathic Suna shinobi Gaara is more like him than he would care to imagine…

Finally, the story is beginning to heat up a bit more, and with more than action. We have the first hint that Naruto is related to the Fourth Hokage, we have Suna and Oto plotting against Konoha, and we have an in-depth examination of Gaara’s character, and the confirmation that he is very much like a darker Naruto, as well as a heartwarming scene between Hinata and Naruto. Not to mention the often-hilarious character of Jiraiya. In short, the quality of this volume has surpassed that of previous volumes for the first time in a while.

Of course, being a shounen manga, the story is still a little thin on the ground. Not as much as it had been lately in prior volumes, but even so, it’s only now that things are really starting to heat up, and all of one volume. Plus, Naruto isn’t that likeable a protagonist much of the time, despite his past and his loyalty to his friends.

Overall, though, this instalment of Naruto was better than the norm, I do have to say. Here’s hoping it keeps it up…


****


FIRST WORDS: He’s totally out cold…

LAST WORDS: Yes…Father.

 

[Quatermass]

Re: The Quatermass Book-Reading Blog TP4: Not Very Fourth-Co

BOOK 13

No Matter How I Look At It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular volume 1, by Nico Tanigawa.

Sometimes, I pick up books on a whim. And one of these was the first volume of the cumbersomely-titled No Matter How I Look At It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular, often abbreviated to WataMote, a short version of its Japanese title. But would a whim deliver the goods?

Meet Tomoko Kuroki, a fifteen year old girl just starting high school after middle school. Believing that this is the time when her life will make a change for the better, and that years of playing dating sims have prepared her for greater popularity, she soon finds herself greatly disillusioned when her extreme social awkwardness and antipathy towards her peers hinders her. Becoming popular doesn’t happen overnight, and for Tomoko, it may never happen…

This manga isn’t for everyone. There’s a fairly good reason for it: a lot of it relies on fairly cringe-worthy comedy, and the protagonist’s thoughts are pretty dark and weird. And many of the references may not be understandable to those not familiar with Japanese culture.

But for what it’s worth, I feel sorry for Tomoko, really wanting to give her a hug, and wanting her to actually catch a break in life. Not only that, but more than a few parts of the series are actually quite funny, and some of the dark comedy really appeals to me. It’s not a meaty series by any means, but it appeals to my own experiences with social awkwardness.

Overall, while not brilliant, and certainly not for everyone, I did enjoy this first volume. I hope it won’t be too cringey in future, though…



***½


FIRST WORDS: [mojyo]

LAST WORDS: Very, very special friends…