Review: The First Rule

The First Rule by Robert Crais
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well-plotted and kept you on your toes. I love how Crais explores Pike's personality and character by bringing him into the foreground. I like Cole and the early novels a lot, but through Pike, Crais seems to be finding more of his own voice in the genre.

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Review: Ahsoka

Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I first started watching Clone Wars, Ahsoka was whiny and annoying. Now she is easily one of my favorite Star Wars characters. Her arcs in Clone Wars ( especially in the final season) are some of the best in Star Wars. So it is a tall order to follow, but Johnston's book does not disappoint. It adds to and reinforces the character we know, while showing her growth and adaption to life in the new Empire. It also provides a great bridge from Clone Wars to Rebels.

That it is a YA novel doesn't really show except in a few places where more 'adult' elements might have been explored. It's not at all juvenile or simplistic.

There are a few minor differences between the last few episodes of the Clone Wars and this, but nothing serious. Plus, if abide by Obi-Wan's maxim regarding Star Wars: it is always 'from a certain point of view'.


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Review: Why Not Socialism?

Why Not Socialism? by G.A. Cohen
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

It's shocking that any thinker takes this famous book at all seriously. While I didn't expect to agree with Cohen or find his arguments ultimately persuasive, I did expect at least to find an argument. But this is how I would summarize the book: "Let’s assume markets produce unjust results. Let’s assume socialist equality is ideal. Therefore, socialism--even though I admit it is not feasible. " The camping trip thought experiment is utterly unconvincing and not realistic. It baldy confuses cooperation with collectively. His extension of this to his claims about socialism is a spectacular non-sequitur.

Cohen may deserve his philosophical reputation for his other work, but this book is just embarrassing.

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Review: Talking God

Talking God by Tony Hillerman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chee and Leaphorn are each working on their own mystery that ultimately ties together into one. It takes a while for these two threads to become one, but it's worth it. I like the way Chee and Leaphorn work together. It plays against expectations a bit: Chee is younger, but he's not a protege or sidekick to Leaphorn. They are characters different, with different ways of going about solving their cases. But they respect each other and work well together.

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