Book Review: The Martian by Andy Weir

I don't do many book reviews on this blog, but The Martian by Andy Weir was good enough that it warrants one.

The Grand Masquerade is Released as an ebook!

The Grand Masquerade is now available on Amazon as an ebook!

The pirate city of Alnari burns, a victim of its own success. In the aftermath, the pirates thirst for revenge, the rival nations Isalus and Vaskuen grow ever more antagonistic, and the downtrodden nation of Hesborea is eager to play all sides against the middle.

The two young nobles Arycke and Martyn, survivors of the punitive raid on Alnari, attempt to settle in the city of Vinyalas, quietly attending the university while enjoying the exotic culture. But the threat of war throws their plans into chaos, as Duke Karleo of Alene conspires with his fellow Hesborean nobles to take advantage of the rising tensions to strengthen Hesborea’s position and exact revenge on his enemies.

Arycke and the noblewoman Starissa are sent on a diplomatic mission to Hesborea only to get more than they bargained for. Back in Vinyalas, Martyn is welcomed into the home of his new mentor, but when danger arrives on their doorstep, he must risk everything to protect his adopted family from the coming storm.

The Grand Masquerade continues the gritty fantasy adventure story begun in The Pirates of Alnari. It is a tale filled with glamorous masquerade balls, deadly political intrigues, brutal sieges, daring escapes, desperate swordfights and fiery naval battles.

The ebook is available from:

Amazon

DW: Olympian Republic 019: 2186-2189

2186.02.14  Ten Devastation-class Planetary Bombardment Ships are completed at Olympia and Elysion spaceports respectively.  The ten ships form 23rd fleet and immediately depart for Ohozruluvo.

DW: Olympian Republic 018: 2185

2185.01.01 As the year opens, it looks like the Ackdarians have lost planets, just like the Enton Coalition.  Either four or five planets are missing from their empire.  This is grave news.  Hopefully they can hold out while the Olympians take the fight to the Shakturi.

DW: Olympian Republic 017: 2180-2184

2180.01.30 2nd Fleet arrives at Gorg, and surrounds the Phaerax fleet.

DW: Olympian Republic 016: 2175-2179

2175.03.20  The Imperial Phaerax Authority puts a blockade on Pi Persei 5.  After so many years of peace, the warmongers in the Olympian Way are itching for a fight.

DW: Olympian Republic 015: 2170-2174

2170.10.25 Seemingly out of nowhere, a Silvermist appears at the colony Zeta Cancri 1, and devours every living thing on the planet.

DW: Olympian Republic 014: 2165-2169

2165.10.16  After 31 years of ruling Olympia through unprecedented prosperity, the Olympian Way’s leader, Dak Undulian, leaves office and a new leader is elected.  Karl Mankara assumes leadership of the Olympian Way.

DW: Olympian Republic 013: 2160-2164

2160.01.01 2160 turns out to be a quiet year, mostly with consolidating new colonies, watching out for pirates, planning, and doing lots of research.  Major breakthroughs are in the wings, and then the fleet will be upgraded.  

DW: Olympian Republic 012: 2155-2159

2155.01.01  2nd Fleet arrives at Keskuaa to find it devoid of life. Scanners also indicate that Omega Serpentis, which was the Keskudon capital, also appears to be barren.  

DW: Olympian Republic 011: 2150-2154

2150.01.01 After years of not paying enough attention, Olympian government look in on EX-01’s recon mission, which is to monitor the “World Annihilator Project.”  Disconcertingly, I looks nearly completed!

DW: Olympian Republic 010: 2145-2149

2145.01.01 The Keskudon War continues.

DW: Olympian Republic 009: 2140-2144

2140.01.01  With the new year, Olympia designs and begins construction of a dedicated anti-pirate fleet.  Consisting of a new cruiser design, a new destroyer design, and a resupply ship, taking advantage of the new fusion reactors, Olympia has high hopes for this fleet.

DW: Olympian Republic 008: 2135-2139

2135.01.25  Olympia’s diplomats decide to ask for peace with the Atuuko (the plan being to renew hostilities as soon as the Elysion Invasion Fleet is ready.  But at the last minute, the Olympian diplomats play hardball and demand Atuuko becomes Olympia’s subjugated dominion.  To their astonishment, the Atuuko agree!

DW: Olympian Republic 007: 2130-2134

2130.01.01 The Galaxy is at war.  After studying the flurry of war declarations, it looks like the Gizurean Consciouness and Paratakis Collective have both annoyed a lot of empires, and drew their wrath.  Olympia hopes it will remain unnoticed in the mess.

DW: Olympian Republic 006: 2125-2129

2125.01.03  There is not enough fuel at Olympia to refuel the entire fleet.  It drops two ships, then sets a course for Atuuko 4.  

To the great shock of all the planners, the Atuuko have had a similar idea (that is, attack the enemy's home planet), and sent a fleet to attack Olympia itself.  They send four frigates...which are no match for Olympia Space Port.

DW: Olympian Republic 005: 2120-2124

2120.01.08 The new year starts off with trouble, as Reunion Space Port comes under a massive pirate attack.  1st Fleet manages to kill one pirate frigate before the Space Port goes down.