Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Review and International Giveaway: “Virga” series ~ by Karl Schroeder

 

9780765326706

We have a review by John for the first book in the “Virga” series ~ “Sun of Suns” and an international  giveaway for two copies of  Pirate Sun ~ the third in this series.

Now for John’s Review ~ of the first book “Sun of Suns”: From Virga: Cities of the Air ~ by Karl Schroeder  (this is an omnibus of two books, “Sun of Suns” and “Queen of Candesce”, originally issued in 2006 and 2007)


Highly original – a space-based steampunk thriller set in a weird and wonderful future world.

About:  Virga is a world three thousand kilometers in diameter that is floating in space; the twist is that Virga is in effect a balloon and that people live on the inside, totally sealed off from whatever lies beyond the surface. Also inside are many artificial suns, air, water, and floating towns and cities that need to be spun to create gravity. The world of Virga contains many mini empires based around the larger cities; they live in a state of uneasy peace that often turns into conflict.

Outside of this self-contained world, the rest of the universe is very different. You get some glimpses into it and the people that created Virga, but we’re not yet sure why Virga was set up and what its purpose is. This is he first in a series of novels so I’m sure all becomes clear later.

For now, the first story in the series centers around Hayden Griffin, a boy whose home nation of Aerie is destroyed by the larger migratory empire of Slipstream. On a lifelong quest to take revenge on the leaders of Slipstream, he eventually finds himself sucked into a wild mission led by the admiral of Slipstream, who is trying to defend his own world against plotting neighbors by undertaking a daring pre-emptive raid. As Griffin becomes ever more embroiled with the leaders of the mission and things build to a dangerous climax, he starts to question some of his loyalties and motivation.

John’s Thoughts:  So why is it steampunk? The towns are made mostly out of wood and rope, the ships of Virga are also made out of wood, and most of the weapons seem like they’re out of the Victorian era. Indeed, while this is set in space, the story often seemed like an episode straight out of Horatio Hornblower.

Schroeder has a fabulous imagination and has created a unique world for these stories. He creates some interesting characters and fills in the story with lots of details that give the book a solid and believable foundation – despite its fantastic setting. The story became a little too action-packed for my taste; nonetheless it was an entertaining read and I’d rate the book 3.5 stars. If you’re in the mood for some “space opera” that’s full of action, then this one is for you.

For more information on the series please see Layers of Thought’s preview for the series. Amazon links for the first of the series which includes the story which John reviewed and the book pictured above ~ US|UK|Canada

Since this is a combo review and giveaway post John will be answering comments, which are specifically centered around the review. All give away entries will not be addressed.


9780765326423International Giveaway:

We have two copies of this book for two winners! Since the books will be sent by the publisher - you do not need to be a “reader” for this giveaway. Anyone can enter, copies of these book are available for mailing internationally (please note that international shipping does take some time).

Amazon links for US|UK|Canada for the book to the right.      

Contest Info:

To enter you must:

  • comment
  • include in the post your email so that I can contact you

You do not have to do these options but ~ for optional extra points you can do any, all or none of the below for 1 entry point each: (Please use separate comments for each entry.)

  1. Be a subscriber of Layers of Thought – google or facebook. (I need to be able to see you! – to get updates in facebook feed and add me as a friend otherwise it does not count.)
  2. Blog it - side bars are great - please provide links
  3. Tweet it – provide links please
  4. Friend on Twitter
  5. Friend on Goodreads
  6. Friend on Book Blogs
  7. Friend on Glue  - new to glue? have questions? let me know.

As stated above, this giveaway is for anywhere.

Contest ends Wednesday January 19th, 2011 at 12 pm US Pacific time. Winner will be posted and notified on Tuesday January 25th, 2011. 

If you have a question or concern (like a typo or bad link) please email me via my profile – Shellie.

Thanks for entering and good luck! 

43 comments:

Benni said...

Too much action? I'm sold. This is my first entry (comment only). Thank you! gmail account: nooblingsnest

Benni said...

Second entry as Google Friend Connect follower ("Noobling"). gmail account: nooblingsnest
Thank you!

Benni said...

Third entry--follower on twitter (account: nooblingsnest); gmail account: nooblingsnest. Thank you yet again!

Benni said...

Fourth entry--friend on Goodreads (as Benni--http://www.goodreads.com/dabbycool). Gmail account: nooblingsnest. Thanks

tintmylf said...

Sounds really interesting.

tintmylf said...

Tweeted.

Note: already subscriber as well as friend on Twitter, GoodReads, and Glue

Lori L said...

You had me at "too much action" and "space opera".
shetreadssoftly(at)gmail(dot)com

Lori L said...

And I am a follower
shetreadssoftly(at)gmail(dot)com

Amanda Makepeace said...

I'm not entering the giveaway, just stopping by to say thanks for the great review. You've certainly peaked my interest.

John D said...

Hi Amanda,
Many thanks for stopping by and for the kind words.
John

Kulsuma said...

Comment-

This book sounds great. I'd love to read more steampunk!

k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

Kulsuma said...

GFC follower.

k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

Thanks for the international giveaway!

Kulsuma said...

Friend on Goodreads.

k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

Kulsuma said...

Sidebar: http://kayaloves.blogspot.com/

k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

Unknown said...

Ooo, this one has been on my to-read list since I saw Karl speak at SFContario!

Also following on Twitter (@tessercat), and retweeted contest link.

Unknown said...

Proving that I can read instructions, really:

tweeted

Unknown said...

Following on Twitter also (@tessercat).

Unknown said...

And one more to prove I have an email address: shaydchara[at]gmail[.com].

Thanks!

ediFanoB said...

I read the post again. And Shellie you are right with your facebook comment. It is definitely a book for me.

So there is no way out to take part!

I follow your blog and I'm a friend on facebook (Michael)

ediFanoB said...

I tweeted about the giveaway:

http://twitter.com/#!/ediFanoB/statuses/20454457720438784

ediFanoB said...

I'm a friend on Twitter

ediFanoB said...

I'm a friend on Goodreads.

Vivien said...

Fabulous sounds great!

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Vivien said...

GFC follower

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Vivien said...

Goodreads as Vivien

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Randy said...

Following you on Twitter as Voorlooper. Gmail is thrashmyinbox. Thanks.

Andrea said...

love it!
count me!
andiiblogs(at)hotmail(dot)com
thanks!

Suzanne Yester said...

What a great review! And the artwork on the covers is gorgeous! Please count me in on the giveaway!

Suzanne
quzy(at)mac(dot)com

Unknown said...

Sounds like an awesome read Thanks for the chance to win
tanyainjville at yahoo dot com

Misdirections said...

Count me in
wowsmisdirection (at)yahoo(dot)com

Jasmine1485 said...

I've never read a steampunk novel before but I'd love to! :) I'm always willing to read new things and this book sounds like a great place to start.

Kate1485 at hotmail.com

Jasmine1485 said...

I'm following on Twitter (@NTFancy)

Kate1485 at hotmail.com

Jasmine1485 said...

I added you on Goodreads (Kate Ryan)

Kate1485 at hotmail.com

Meredith said...

Too much action? Never heard of such a thing! :) Thanks for the giveaway!

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

I'm a GFC follower.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

Twitter friend
@tessaa99

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Meredith said...

Friend on Goodreads.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Laura H. said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I have never read any "steampunk" before but have heard a lot of interesting things about it. Comparing it to a "space opera" intrigues me. Count me in!

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Old GFC follower (Bornajhawk).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Tweeted giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/MamaHendo3/status/27808013033152512

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Goodreads friend (Laura Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Book Blogs friend (Laura Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

Laura H. said...

Glue friend (Laura Henderson).

BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

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