Adler und Engel von Juli Zeh

Ich habe jetzt einen Bibliotheksausweis beim Verbund der Öffentlichen Bibliotheken Berlins. So kann ich in Libby E-Books und Hörbücher ausleihen. Da digitale Medien so beliebt sind, dauert es auf der Warteliste vier bis sechs Wochen, bis man Bücher ausleihen kann. Ich bin geduldig und meine Liste ist lang. Dieser ältere Roman von Juli Zeh tauchte zuerst auf, also habe ich ihn auf meinem Handy gelesen. Juli Zehs Charaktere sind lebhaft und spannend. Die Geschichte hat ein düsteres, deprimierendes Cyberpunk-Feeling; Der Verlierer Max kämpft mit seiner Degradierung, Kokainabhängigkeit und dem Selbstmord seines Liebhabers in einem kriminellen Thriller, serbischen Gräueltaten in Bosnien und der EU-Erweiterung nach Osteuropa. Dies war Zehs erstes Buch. Es gewann den Deutschen Bücherpreis. 4/5 Sterne.

The Horse, the Wheel, and Language by David W Anthony

The beginning and end of this book are interesting and enjoyable, but the majority of the details in the middle are really boring, 2/5 Stars.  Read the book summary or wikipedia articles on these topics instead.

Break Away (Expeditionary Force #12) by Craig Alanson

THe politics are getting more interesting as the story evolves. This one has a satisfying ending, 4/5 Stars.

Critical Mass by Daniel Suarez

Crypto Bro's in the High Frontier!  The story is fantastic but some of the geopolitical struggles are a little too complicated and difficult to suspend disbelief. Thrilling action and fun plot twists, 4/5 Stars.

Brushfire (Expeditionary Force #11) by Craig Alanson

As the story starts to come to a close, the ridiculous, repetitive existential threat cliffhanger tropes are no longer dominating every chapter of the story.  More and more-interesting political ideas are explored. I look forward to finishing the series. 4/5 Stars.

KTF Part 2 by Jason Anspach & Nick Cole

Fast moving story trying to tie together many separate plot lines and make the rest of the "big reveals" to end this chapter of the story.  Although a fair number of the main characters died, I think the authors should have killed off more of them to end the story.  3/5 Stars.

The Pursuit of Power by William H McNeill (1982))

I normally don't enjoy these dense, phonebook-long history textbooks with too many names, dates.  But this book is fantastic; there is never a dull moment.  It is deeply insightful and posits the author's theories of larger, sociological nation-state behaviors not only of the leaders but the populations.  5/5 Stars.  I am grateful someone at work recommended the book.

Breakaway (Expeditionary Force book 12) by Craig Alanson

Although the same old tropes are repeated ad nauseum, the characters are developing, 3/5 Stars.  I shall finish the series and go back to read the other branch of the story (Mavericks).

Lead The Way by Jason Anspach and Nick Cole

The fantasy story continues with silly over-the-top Army Ranger stuff, 3/5 stars.

Critical Mass (expeditionary force book 10) by Craig Alanson

The series continues with the same tropes and evolving characters. Fun, mindless space opera as technology and politics become more sophisticated. 4/5 Stars.  I plan to finish out the series and go back to the other branch (Mavericks).