It has been a slow start to the year in terms of reading. I’m still struggling through The Mammoth Book of Steampunk Stories and that was after reading a particular story that bored me so bad I couldn’t read more haha. However, I have read a number of interesting novels so far and here they are:
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
A murder mystery, family saga, love story, and a tale of financial intrigue wrapped into one satisfyingly complex and entertainingly atmospheric novel.Harriet Vanger, scion of one of Sweden’s wealthiest families, disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.
This was a fascinating read from beginning to end. I think I’ll do a proper book review this Wednesday but wow I didn’t see that ending coming. It wasn’t who I though it was after all haha. Also, never watched the movie so there weren’t any spoilers.
LifeGames Corporation
Da Vinci Code—meets Paranormal Activity—meets The Matrix.
Ad-agency boss Catherine Kaplan is a danger junkie. Bold and brave, she’s cornered the juiciest prize in the global arena, a LifeGames Corporation contract. But now it’s time to pay the price—a dare to cross the forbidden line. There’s a deal sweetener of course—give a little… and enjoy some intriguing secrets.
The first… Artificial Intelligence runs the LifeGames operation. Key to the success is an automated hypnosis sequence that suppresses each subject’s mind, convincing them that the immersive Virtual Reality crisis they’re about to experience is reality. The training technique has been fabulously profitable, allowing company founder Kenneth Torrington to indulge his every perverse fantasy.
Governments, militaries and business are so reliant on LifeGames that it is said to control mankind’s future. Yet, nobody has realized—a door has opened and a character of unfathomable capacity and unknown motives is looking back, pondering the next move.
I read this for the Mystery Thriller Week that’s running on Facebook and other places. I happen to know Michael Smorenburg on an almost personal basis and it’s great to see a fellow South African becoming a successful published author.
Proof of Concept
On a desperately overcrowded future Earth, crippled by climate change, the most unlikely hope is better than none. Governments turn to Big Science to provide them with the dreams that will keep the masses compliant. The Needle is one such dream, an installation where the most abstruse theoretical science is being tested: science that might make human travel to a habitable exoplanet distantly feasible.
When the Needle’s director offers her underground compound as a training base, Kir is thrilled to be invited to join the team, even though she knows it’s only because her brain is host to a quantum artificial intelligence called Altair.
But Altair knows something he can’t tell.
Kir, like all humans, is programmed to ignore future dangers. Between the artificial blocks in his mind, and the blocks evolution has built into his host, how is he going to convince her the sky is falling?
This Sci-Fi novella was not my cup of tea although it was enjoyable. I think the story was well told in the end. I’ll put up a proper review for next Wednesday.
The year is 1850 and Great Britain is flourishing, thanks to the Royal Society of the Esoteric Arts. When a new mage is discovered, Royal Society elites descend like buzzards to snatch up a new apprentice. Talented mages are bought from their families at a tremendous price, while weak mages are snapped up for a pittance. For a lower middle class family like the Gunns, the loss of a son can be disastrous, so when seemingly magical incidents begin cropping up at home, they fear for their Archie’s life and their own livelihoods.
But Archie Gunn isn’t a talented mage. His sister Charlotte is, and to prevent her brother from being imprisoned for false reporting she combines her powers with his to make him seem a better prospect. However, maintaining the charade will mean masquerading as Archie’s assistant, and delaying or destroying her own plans for marriage.
When she discovers a nefarious plot by the sinister Doctor Ledbetter, Charlotte must use all her cunning and guile to protect her family, her secret and her city.
Totally enjoyed this novella and can’t wait to read the rest of the Industrial Magic series as they come out. I reviewed this for Gamecca’s February issue so it will definitely get a full review here too.
What books have you read so far and were they worth reading? Let me know 🙂
A-Scribe To Describe 
Our (old ladies) book club read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Let’s just say the discussion was “interesting.” I am looking forward to your full review.
Feel free to chat to me about it too haha
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is something I want to try. It’s been on my list for a long time.
It was on mine too. I think Jen (FictionalJenn formerly Combustible Reviews) or Vicki (BooksAndStrips) suggested it to me then I bought it and never read it for months haha.
It was worth the read in the end though.
That’s usually what I do, lol.
It wasn’t me, think it was Vicky! I attempted it, but couldn’t get into it. I watched the swedish version of the movie. Wow, super brutal.
It is quite brutal and the Swedes don’t hold back. I’ve watched a few of their movies and wow they are very good but also very… liberal?
I agree with you about the surprise ending. It was soooo unexpected!
Yep it was. I actually enjoyed the book, thanks for recommending it haha. (Or was it Jen?)
Both of us. Haha