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Martin-Ingham

Martin-Ingham

I've been writing science fiction and fantasy for over a decade. The desire and skill to write is both a blessing and a curse. It is all consuming, and can be like a virus, percolating through your veins, while at the same time a calming storm, bringing life to the soul. Bah, what a bunch of sentimental drivel! Seriously, though, writing is... more »
  • Robbinston, ME, United States
  • member since August 7 2007

Reviews

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Displaying 1-10 of 16 reviews
  • The Ultimax Man (Baen, Sci-Fi)
    • Rated 2 stars

    “Here's a book that starts out great, but waivers halfway through. As you get closer to the end, the story falls apart, and half the time it's hard to keep track of what's happening. The ultimate ending is pretty weak, as well, and that's a real shame. This book had the chance to be one of Laumer's greatest, but he didn't seem to care after a while.”

    Martin-Ingham wrote this review Thursday, November 26 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • End As a Hero

    End As a Hero

    by Keith Laumer
    • Rated 2 stars

    “It's the worst Keith Laumer book I've ever read. I usually like Laumer, and believe he was a great writer, but this novel is not indicative of his usual work.

    The book is broken into 3 separate parts. The first two are poorly written, and often disjointed. Things move so quickly in places that you can't keep track of them. Much of the 2nd part may have been written in this manner to express the chaotic nature of events, but it wasn't effectual.

    The third part redeems the book significantly. We finally see the good old Laumer we're used to reading, with fast but coherent pacing. I finally started to like the story for the last 40 pages, but the first parts of the book keep its rating low.

    Overall, it seems like it could have been a good book, if a little more time and attention had been given to revising it.”

    Martin-Ingham wrote this review Wednesday, July 8 2009. ( reply | permalink )
  • For Us, The Living: A Comedy of Customs
    • Rated 2 stars

    “If someone other than Heinlein had written this book, I would have given it 1-star. It was pretty dreadful at times, and I can understand why RAH didn't have it published in his lifetime. While this had elements from his future works, they were all in the rough, and the story suffered from far too much politicking.

    This is fascinating for fans of Heinlein because it shows us where he started, but it is purely a curiosity, not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination. I think most writers have a novel or two like this in their closet, a "rough draft" of sorts that gets canibalized for future works.

    I would advise that you not read this until you've absorbed most of Heinlein's other works, for perspective.”

    Martin-Ingham wrote this review Wednesday, December 3 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Van Gogh in Space: Infinity City - Book 1 (Infinity City)
    • Rated 2 stars

    “I'm sorry to give this book such a low rating, because it is really a good story. It's just written like a text book, bland and devoid of life. It reads more like an extremely detailed synopsis. The author spends too much time telling you what is happening, rather than painting a picture with words, and that really puts you to sleep.”

    Martin-Ingham wrote this review Wednesday, November 26 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Stars Must Wait
    • Rated 4 stars

    “I really enjoyed this book, though I must give it a "weak" 4-star rating. On a scale of ten, it would be a seven. It could have been a lot better, but there were a few things that knocked it down a bit. There are quite a few continuity errors, and some contradictions, that can confuse you now and then.

    There are also a few unbelievable aspects in the book concerning the devolution of humanity. The kind of society that arises in this book just isn't logical, and would only come about if every last rural American was wiped out, leaving only the uneducated children of city people alive to fend for themselves. The book revealed in several places that that wasn't the case, so many aspects of the future society just didn't add up.

    Despite the flaws, this is a fun book to read for a light romp. Just don't expect it to be more than an escapist fantasy.”

    Martin-Ingham wrote this review Wednesday, November 19 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Freedom's Rangers: Raiders of the Revolution (Freedom's Rangers, No 2)Freedom's Rangers: Raiders of the Revolution (Freedom's Rangers, No 2)Keith W. Andrews
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Talk about an undiscovered gem! Raiders of the Revolution has everything a Patriotic American Sci-Fi fan could want. Exciting battle scenes, historical basis, evil commies; it all comes together as a super hit! I'll have to keep my eyes open for more from this series.”

    Martin-Ingham wrote this review Friday, November 7 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • The crossroads of time (The space adventure novels of Andre Norton)
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Norton delivers a fast-paced, action-packed adventure in this tale of alternate realities. This was just my kind of story, a true gem from the late golden age of Sci-Fi.

    Mind you, there isn't a lot of character development, or any earth-shattering revelations that come from this book, but the settings and actions are perfectly vivid. It is short and sweet, and for anyone who wants a quick read. "Fun for kids from eight to eighty!"”

    Martin-Ingham wrote this review Monday, November 3 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • JemJemFrederik Pohl

    Jem

    by Frederik Pohl
    • Rated 2 stars

    “Personally, I didn't like this one so much. As I went along, I ended up hating almost every character for one reason or another. Don't get me wrong, the book was well written, and the alien races were excellent creations, but the overall theme of the book was simply not my cup of tea.

    It is dated and depressing, and in the end I would have rather been on Alpha Centauri.”

    Martin-Ingham wrote this review Saturday, November 1 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • GRUMBLES FROM THE GRAVE
    • Rated 5 stars

    “I acquired a copy of this fine book at a Seattle book store in November 2000, and it was well worth the money. It gives Heinlein fans a special glimpse into his mindset, into the true man behind the typewriter. The wealth of personal commentary and corresponence that lies within this book is a must for anyone who wants to understand who Heinlein was and how he came up with his ideas.

    Some people might just consider it to be a bunch of boring old letters, but I for one consider this to be an entertaining look into a legendary mind.”

    Martin-Ingham wrote this review Sunday, September 28 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Ringworld Throne
    • Rated 2 stars

    “Truly, it was a great disappointment to read this after "Ringworld Engineers." This 3rd novel in the Ringworld series is dull as dirt, and spends too much time focusing on "vampires" and orgies. It seems that Niven was able to cash-in on the success of his previous Ringwrold novels, because as a stand-alone story this one would be a total bomb.

    I really wanted to like this story, but I couldn't. It's not the worst book I've ever read, but that's the most positive thing I can say about it.”

    Martin-Ingham wrote this review Monday, July 14 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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