Review: Black Hole Sun by David Macinnis Gill

Tags: YA, sci-fi, Mars

Summary

Durango is a self-employed ex-Regulator on the scrappy future colony of Mars. He has an AI implanted in his brain and does random odd jobs in his hi-tech “armor” suit. His next job leads him to a group of miners trying to protect themselves from the Draeu, scary human-like creatures with a penchant for violence and distruction. Should be no sweat, right?

But even Durango can’t prepare for what he’s gotten himself into.

Review

Have you heard of Firefly, the sci-fi/western Joss Whedon-directed TV show that’s arguably one of the best shows ever produced? BLACK HOLE SUN is very much like Firefly, which is both good and challenging: the book has a similar sense of humor, characterization, and setting, but is hard-pressed to live up to its fantastic inspiration.

The best thing about BLACK HOLE SUN is hands-down Durango’s voice. He’s a definite Captain Mal Reynolds: once an accomplished academy member turned self-employed rogue, with all the snarkily pragmatic disaffection that such a position nurtures. He and his AI, his cheeky former boss Mimi, provide neverending amounts of conversational back-and-forths, you know, the sort you always wish you could engage in in real life but could never real pull off except with multiple revisions. Durango’s witty dialogue takes center stage and never fails to leave you chuckling, even as the plot plods and the other characters don’t shine as brightly.

Indeed, BLACK HOLE SUN sometimes feels like it relies too much on the appeal of Durango’s voice to pay more attention to other important elements of story. It’s slow-going, the plot: the main conflict doesn’t even arise until almost halfway through the book, and even then it meanders so much that oftentimes I found myself scratching my head and wondering if there was anything, anything at all, going on. The supporting characters are way less developed. With the exception of Vienne, Durango’s right hand and maybe-maybe-not love interest, the other characters don’t really stand out or make much of a lasting impression.

If you read BLACK HOLE SUN, read it for its brilliant voice, one of the most unique ones out there currently in YA lit. It’s no Firefly, but if you’re okay with a slower plot, then you get to focus on the brilliance that is Durango’s character.

Writing: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 3/5

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5


Cover discussion: 3.5 out of 5 - I like how it's simple and straightforward in that block-text sort of way, only without the blocky-ish text. But you have got to check it out in person. It's printed on some sort of black paper that turns streaks of rainbow when you hold it up to a light at the right angle. So ridiculously cool.

HarperCollins / Aug. 24, 2010 / Hardcover / 340pp. / $16.99

Copy bought.

Friday Featured Blogger (27): Jen from Makeshift Bookmark!

One of the most wonderful new voices in blogging in my opinion is Jen of Makeshift Bookmark. I love reading her blog posts and chatting with her because she is just so very enthusiastic about things she's passionate about. I dare you to read her blog and not be convinced to buy a book, even if you think it's totally not your type! Welcome, Jen, to Steph Su Reads!

1. Tell us about yourself in a few short sentences.

I'm Jen. I'm a full-time nursing student and I work full-time, second shift in a call center. I basically get paid to read because from 8pm - 11pm, it's dead slow...score. I live with my husband and two cats, Bella and Bo Schembechler, in rural Kentucky. I make extreme facial expressions, talk with my hands, and shamelessly sing the soundtrack to The Phantom of the Opera when no one is listening. Or even if they are. And I'm seriously long-winded. I apologize in advance.

2. Tell us about your blog. When did you start it and why? Where did the name come from? What interesting things can visitors expect?

I started my blog in mid-September 2010. I'm not gonna lie, I was a blog stalker. I stalked your blog, too, Steph. The concept was fascinating to me, but I never thought I could ever write anything worth reading. I started reviewing on Goodreads. I decided I needed a little corner of the interwebs for myself. The most appealing aspect of blogging was the comraderie amongst bloggers. I wanted to be a part of that. Because I have like, one bookish friend who lives 300 miles away. I needed a community with which I could squee about YA books without feeling like a complete nerd.

The name Makeshift Bookmark came from my uncanny ability of misplace any and all bookmarks. I need SOMETHING, so I grab what's available, be it a fruit snack wrapper, a nail file, dental floss (unused! give me a LITTLE credit) or a Splenda packet. Readers shouldn't expect much other than a whole bunch of excitement. Perhaps a little humor here and there with an unpredictable amount of CAPS LOCK ENTHUSIASM. If I love a book, you'll know about it. Nothing deep or thought-provoking here, guys. 100% fangirlism, at your service.

3. What is your earliest memory of you reading YA lit?

The Babysitters' Club. I guess that's not YA. I did read Forever by Judy Blume in 8th grade. OH! And Fear Street. Seriously, the phrase "long, lingering kiss" was in every single book at least once. (Is it weird that I remember that?) Unfortunately, in high school, I stopped reading for a long, long time. Worst decision ever.

4. Describe to us a memorable encounter/exchange you had with another blogger or author since you started blogging.

You'll probably be familiar with this, Steph, since you were there. Jamie from The Perpetual Page Turner had mentioned on Twitter a few weeks ago that she was going to a Laurie Halse Anderson signing. Apparently this stuck in my subconscious, because I dreamt later that night that I went, too! Only...LHA was a robot. Jamie apparently found this so hilarious that she actually relayed my ridiculous dream to Laurie at the signing! Luckily, my subconscious manifestation was proved to be false when she recorded THIS. I laughed so, so hard and I could've hugged Jamie for what she did. Authors are like celebrities to readers, so I was starstruck for days. Definitely the most memorable exchange thus far. Hopefully the first of many!

5. Name 3 favorite books and why you think everyone should read them.

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, because I've never felt such a vast array of emotions during a reading experience.

The Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray, because it makes me want to believe in magic (and Kartik) and I forgot about EVERYTHING else when I read this series.

Everybody Poops by Taro Gomi, because I think lots of people are still in denial.

6. Have you got any special collections of objects?

Hmmm...BOOKS. I guess lip balm, though that's more hoarding than collecting. Medicated Blistex. I buy them like 10 at a time, because I will lose each and every one of them prior to using all of them. I also have a pretty ridiculous collection of photos of my cats on my iPhone. I don't have children, so I excessively photograph my cats.

7. What are some upcoming YA books that you can't wait to get your hands on?

Darkest Mercy, Darkest Mercy, Darkest Mercy. I am absolutely crazy about Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely series (IRIAL!!) and I get kind of dizzy when I think of the fact that this is the last book in one of my most beloved series. I throw an internal tantrum everytime I think about the fact that it's not February yet.

A close second would be Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready. I love her writing. She makes you feel the pain. I love an author who can do that. I really need to read her adult series.

Other must-haves: Wither by Lauren DeStefano, A Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves, and The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa.

8. What are some places you'd like to visit before you die?

Hawaii! I'd really like to do what Cory Matthews did on Boy Meets World and run a business with my husband on the beach, carving celebrity faces out of coconuts. I think it's a GREAT plan. I'd also love to visit England in hopes of perfecting my accent. It's seriously inadequate and I'd like to change that. And BEA, but that goes without saying.

9. What are some things you just LOVE to receive for presents? :)

I'm going to go with the obligatory "books," because it's true. And also, clothes, because I don't shop for myself. I'm a horrible dresser and honestly, I spend all my money on books, so there's nothing left for things like clothing or hair dye. My roots are looking pretty bad, so if anyone would like to donate to the "Make Jen's Hair More Aesthetically Pleasing" fund, please let me know.

10. And finally, tell us two interesting things about yourself that can spark conversation.

a. I have to shake out my shoes before putting them on. Even if they're just slip-ons. I had an unfortunate experience a couple years ago where I put on a pair of flats (no socks, mind you) and felt a little something in them. I ignored this, thinking it's probably a rock or something. My husband and I walked around the mall and went out to eat, spanning a little over a few hours. When we got back in the car, I said to him "I have to take my shoe off, there's something rolling around in it. I hope it's not a spider! HA! HA! HA!" I kid you not, as soon as I took off that shoe, a medium-sized brown spider came crawling out onto my hand. It had been alive the entire time I had my shoe on. Hyperventilation and blood-curdling screams occured. Surprisngly, it didn't bite me. I didn't take this into consideration when I killed it.

b. I'm a hypochondriac. Every headache equals a brain tumor. Every heart palpitation is an impending heartattack. I've been told on several occasions that I'm completely healthy, but I'm still convinced there's something wrong with me. I don't think nursing school is going to help me get over that. Whoops?

-

Come on. You can't read that interview and NOT want to immediate hop on over to Jen's blog and be her best friend, can you? Thank you so much, Jen! Be sure to stop by Makeshift Bookmark and maybe even put it on your blogroll, because she is one lady whom I think is here to stay. :)

Giveaway Winners

The winner of their choice of a Readable Classic by Wayne Josephson is:

#42 Linda!

The winner of my November giveaway is:

#125 Emily aka WilowRaven!

Congratulations to the winners! Many more giveaways coming your way, don't worry. :)

"Some of What We Know About Happiness"

I attended a wonderful lecture yesterday by one of my school's most well-known professors, the psychologist Dr. Barry Schwartz. His most famous concept is the theory of the "paradox of choice," which basically says that having more choices may not necessarily be the best thing for your mental state, which I'm sure I've mentioned once or twice in blog posts here.

Anyway, this week is Gratitude Week at my school, so Barry Schwartz gave a lecture called "Some of What We Know About Happiness." Sounds like something you'd want to know about, right? I thought it was wonderful, and so I'm sharing with you my notes on the lecture--with my thoughts in parentheses and direct quotes in, well, quotes--so that maybe you can take something away from it as well!

"Some of What We Know About Happiness" by Dr. Barry Schwartz

www.personaldevelopment-courses.com

1. How is happiness measured?

• Ask people!
• Around the world, people are most happy about family, but not on a daily basis; rather, they like the abstract idea of family (This made me laugh, but it is SO TRUE)
• People are least happy about commuting: "So if you had to choose between a mansion an hour away from work, or a hovel right at your work's doorstep... you should choose the hovel."
• People are bad at predicting what makes them happy, thus they make bad choices. They also seem to be impervious to instruction, so they continue making bad choices.
• On a larger scale, can you measure something like gross national happiness, sort of like gross national product? "Well, if governments had to choose between measuring something really important in vague, imperfect terms, and precisely measuring something not so important, they will always choose to thoroughly and precisely measure the unimportant thing." (Again, LOL)

2. What makes people happy?

• Money. Come on, let's be honest. But there is a "threshold of subsistence" beyond which more money does not make a difference on one's happiness. Rich countries are happier than poor countries, and rich people within each country are happier than poor people, but increasing the wealth of a rich country doesn't make the people happier.
• Meaningful, engaging, intelligent, controllable work that contributes to the improvement of others' lives
• Close relationships
• Marriage, not just cohabitation: "Marriage does make people happier. It makes people much happier for a few years, and then it only makes people slightly happier." (LOL)
• Security: physical, emotional, financial
• Democracy
• However, inequality seems to matter surprisingly little
• Having norms of ethical conduct
• If an experience has a good high point (climax) and a good end, people will generally be inclined to think well of it and do it again.

3. What is happiness good for?

• It feels good, of course!
• Health: happy people live longer - "So it's better to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day than be happy than to not smoke and be unhappy."
• Work productivity: happiness broadens cognitive outlook, increases creativity
• The myth of the suffering artist is FALSE: "The French are not that happy. Their happiness is kind of the equivalent of everyone in that country having gone through a divorce. We don't know yet why this is the case. Maybe they really buy into the whole 'suffering artist' myth. Like, if we Americans believe in it, the French believe in it 5 times as much."
• Improves social relations: people would rather be friends with happy people

4. How can you be happier?

• Change your genes--"And by that I don't mean jeans" *points at his pants*--there have been studies that suggest that happiness may be hereditary
• Pay more attention to what's good in experience and less on what's bad
• Gratitude is a habit that should be developed
• Focus on the little things, make it a daily routine to write down things you are grateful for, and eventually this will become habitual
• Writing (not talking or thinking) narratives about bad/tragic experiences decreases its impact on your psyche; write in a way that helps you try to comprehend the experience
• Lower your expectations: learn to be satisfied with less than perfection

"So if you lower your expectations, write about your bad experiences, and make it a habit to be grateful, you'll live forever." The end!

(Most of the direct quotes were said facetiously, of course.)