Oct

17

Posted by : atcampbell | On : October 17, 2000

A Calculus of Angels by J. Gregory Keyes

The discussion of A Calculus of Angels drew a crowd of eight people. This book continues the story begun in Newton’s Cannon, which we discussed last year. In this alternate historical science fantasy, young Benjamin Franklin has become the apprentice of Sir Isaac Newton. Newton and other scientists have made some powerful scientific discoveries that yielded powerful weapons of war, which are being used to destroy great European cities. Mysterious angels have manifested themselves on Earth as advisors to powerful rulers. And then Peter the Great and some French musketeers get involved in the story.

We found this to be a rousing adventure yarn. Benjamin Franklin makes for a great hero, and we appreciated his romantic adventures and clever escapes from diabolic enemies. When a delegation from America arrives that includes the pirate

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Oct

03

Posted by : atcampbell | On : October 3, 2000

Sky Coyote by Kage Baker

Nine people showed up to discuss Sky Coyote, the sequel to In the Garden of Iden. Sky Coyote is another adventure of The Company, a group of people recruited by visitors from the future to help save precious art before it is lost and natural resources before they are extinct. As compensation for the work, the historical recruits are turned immortal. The mission of this book involves saving the culture of a tribe of Native Americans in California before it is wiped out by the invasion of settlers from Europe.

This book was simply fun to read. Baker’s wonderfully amusing prose style, combined with the fast-paced action and relatively short page count, had us all zipping through the book. Baker did a great job of filling us in on the events of the prior book, so that Sky Coyote can be read as a standalone novel. We learn a lot more about the immortals (eating chocolate gives them a buzz) and for the

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