Minds of Sand and Light - The Council of AIs #1

 

Minds of Sand and Light is a beautifully written and compelling SF/futuristic fiction series opener by Kylie Chan. Released 1st Sept 2023, it's 410 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.  It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. 

This is a genre hybrid cozy/SF/near future/techy romance(ish) with a fair sprinkling of sarcastic humor and heart. The plotting is well paced, but it's the characterization which really shines (including the non-human elements). It's a relatively hefty book, and often somewhat blackly funny (the machines have decided more or less to wipe humans out for the good of the planet, and honestly, same), but overall the reading goes quickly and the author makes a lot of very good points.

Definitely one that will stick with readers for a long time.  It's not derivative (at all) but there were moments that reminded me of Martha Wells' excellent Murderbot diaries, and fans of Wells will find a lot to like here.

Four stars.  

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Winning Chess Exercises for Kids: Practice Moves, Tactics, and Strategies to Outsmart Your Opponent

Winning Chess Exercises for Kids is an appealing and accessible chess primer for all ages by Viktoria Ni. Released 19th March 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Zeitgeist imprint, it's 173 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

This is a well rounded basic guide with introduction, rules, and good overviews over strategy for openings, midgame, developments, attacking, and endgame strategy. It's apparently aimed at youngsters circa 6-11 years, but honestly there are takeaways here for all ages. 

The book is graphically appealing, with fun anthropomorphic chess pieces throughout (see cover art). The theory she presents is sound and it would work for solo study, tutoring, or more formal chess instruction in a class/group setting.

Five stars. It would be an excellent choice for public or school library acquisition, home use, and gift giving.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Honorable Schoolboy - George Smiley #6

The Honorable Schoolboy is the 6th novel to feature spymaster George Smiley by John Le Carré. Originally released in 1977, this reformat and re-release in audiobook format from Dreamscape is due out 9th July 2024.

This is one of a handful of truly iconic spy thrillers from an author who literally shaped the entire genre. Smiley has taken over after removing the mole from the last book, and is building up the agency again. He's on a mission to root out all external influences. The trail soon leads to Hong Kong and points beyond.

Released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the original publications, this unabridged audiobook has a run time of 20 hours 31 minutes and is beautifully read by Simon Vance. He has a classically trained voice with well modulated RP accent and delineates the various characters and a range of ages very well. He's easy to listen to and does credit to the read. Sound and production quality are high throughout.

Four and a half stars. Classic literature, very well done. The actual book does show its age somewhat with social attitudes of the time period, but that doesn't change the fact that this is a remarkably well crafted story with compelling characters. Additionally, the narration on this audiobook edition is outstanding.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

Camp NetGalley Welcome Packet

Camp NetGalley Welcome Packet is a fun coordinating set of publicity materials, activities, prompts, and usable media for book reviewers, librarians, book professionals and allies written and provided by NetGalley's sister media company WeAreBookish. Released 1st July for book advocates, it's 9 pages and is available for free download via NetGalley. 

I've been saying for years on all my social media posts and groups (I'm a *huge* book nerd) that I really wish NetGalley would bring back some limited edition badges and updated goals and "fun stuff" for folks active in book advocacy. They've heard us and this is a really nice addition. 

This new activity set coordinates very well with 2022's book advocate toolkit materials, both aesthetically and with coordinating electronic stickers and a similar format. 

Thoughtful little extras are always really well received by the book/reader communities and this is certainly no exception. Camp is set to run the entire month of July, and camp "attendees" will receive a special limited edition badge to show off on their profiles.

Three weeks of vacation from work, lots of cool drinks stocked, and a TBR pile to get through. Bring it on!

Five stars. Niche, but definitely nice.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Mystery Guest - Molly the Maid #2

The Mystery Guest is the second Maid novel by Nita Prose. Released 28th Nov 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

This is a very well written and engagingly intelligent cozy mystery with an appealing and proper protagonist. This book delves more deeply into head maid Molly's past with her grandmother, and sees her helping the local official constabulary on yet another murder (this time with much less friction). 

The descriptions and settings; the hotel, the characters and their interactions are again well rendered and believable. There were some instances of overly intrusive internal dialogue from Molly's back-story with her grandmother, but they were relatively fleeting. 

This book follows heavily on the setup and protagonist from book one, and as such, it doesn't work as well as a standalone; the books should be read in order. 

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, or for fans of other cerebral classic mysteries such as Richard Osman and Anthony Horowitz. With two volumes extant and a third (novella) due out in 4th quarter 2024, it would also make an excellent mini-binge or buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.