Holly Black

Hello My Imaginary Friends,

Reading my blog you might have the idea that I am a huge fan of Urban Fantasy, and a big fan of Fantasy. You’d also be right it assuming with a few small exceptions, that I’m more of a fantasy writer.

You’d also assume that from the serial story choices for this year, 2 fantasies and 1 science fiction. (The poll is still open by the way. Please go vote! The poll closes next Tuesday). You’d be right. Out of my five written novels, they are all arguably types of fantasy.

As much as I love Fantasy, I love Science Fiction more. Especially space based science fiction. From Asimov to Flash Gordon, I love it all.

One thing I remember trying to figure out in the bath (Back when I fit in one) was how many people were needed to make a viable colony (Yeah, I was a weird kid). I’d always assumed it was around 1000. Turns out I was off by a lot. According to Understanding Genetics, the amount is roughly 160 breeding adults. That depends on how many genetic problems the colonists have. The studies apparently say that the Family unit is the best vehicle for a good colony, so that a colony is more like an isolated village than a group of people thrown together. There’s even a study that says that North America was settled by only 70 people.

I’ve always wanted to write a generation spanning science fiction novel about a colonist ship and looking into this has made me want to write it a lot more. Maybe it’ll be my next novel.

Mission Update

I discovered around Christmas that I’d been collecting Urban-Fantasy/Fantasy series at an alarming rate. At last count, I have over 50 of them and more than 20 that I hadn’t read. No seriously, I have one series where I own the first 8 books and I’ve never read the author before.

In order to pare down my library and make sure I like the books, I’m on a quest to read the first in each series. I’ll be posting short reviews of each of the books unless I really love them or hate them.

Tithe by Holly Black

The prose is beautiful and the faerie myths are deftly woven into the story.

It is however a bland story. The characters are boring and the story was better suited to a middle grade novel.

The alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, and sexual elements feel forced and serve no other purpose but to try and make the story “gritty”. It feels like the author’s only experience with adolescents is pulled from after school specials.

Again I do have to say the the author’s writing style and structure are great but they don’t make up for the predictable and bland story.

Rating 45%

Gardens of the Moon by Stephen Erikson

This is a masterful fantasy that despite its 600+ pages felt quick paced. I greatly recommend it.

The author is, however, unforgiving in his world building. Be prepared to be confused and pay close attention for the first 200 pages. Well worth the effort though for such an amazing world and compelling characters.

Rating: 85%

 

Would you sign up to be part of a Colony ship going to a new planet?

Éric