The Games - Ted Kosmatka

"The boy lay motionless in
the tube as the machine moved
all around him."

Rated 8/10

This stunning first novel from Nebula Award and Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award finalist Ted Kosmatka is a riveting tale of science cut loose from ethics. Set in an amoral future where genetically engineered monstrosities fight each other to the death in an Olympic event, The Games envisions a harrowing world that may arrive sooner than you think.

My Thoughts: The Games was one of the many books that I found difficult to tear away from. I loved the theme of the title; genetic engineering, super computers, vaguely dystopian and very much appealing to the geek in me.

Although Vidonia didn't really appeal to me as a character (she seemed very much the 'token' lady, and her relationship with Silas was forced and unnecessary), most of the others were introduced with skill and I loved the way that Kosmatka gave us their little quirks and charms. Even the very minor characters (such as James Mitchell for example, who appears on just one page) were described without any kind of jarring awkwardness. Fair enough, the characters didn't 'grow' much during the course of events, but they were well rounded enough from the start to be interesting.

The one thing that let this book down was the fact that the first half of the novel was written with such style, suspense and a real building of tension that had me eager to turn pages - and then the last half of the book went obliterating that build-up completely, rip roaring to a speedy (and not entirely tied up) car-crash ending. I wanted more from it; I needed answers. It's as if Kosmatka had a really epic idea in place, but then ran out of space and had to bring it to a speedy close. I loved the scope of the plot that was set out before us, and then was disappointed to see it come to an abrupt ending.

And so, if you're looking for a neatly sculptured novel with developing characters and a steady plot line then you're in the wrong place. The Games is pure entertainment and nothing more.

An Idiot Abroad - Karl Pilkington

My Seven Wonders experience
started today with a trip to get
my injections.

Rated 5.5/10

What happens when a reluctant traveller is forced to visit the seven wonders of the world?

My Thoughts: I like Karl Pilkington. I've watched the tv series and I like to hear him moan and whinge about anything and everything. Some of the things he says, I would have been thinking myself but would not have had the guts to say. I like to see the grittier side of the majestic places often seen on travel programmes.

The book of An Idiot Abroad is okay. I liked it. It's quick and light and easy to read. There is absolutely no need to use your brain whatsoever and it doesn't really shed any light on anything not already included in the programmes. It's not particularly descriptive, not massively funny and definitely not enlightening. There is nothing much else to say about it!!!

There is certainly nothing special about this book, but if you like Karl (or his persona) then it's worth picking up. If you're not a fan or you don't know who he is then you should probably give it a miss.