Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card (2011)

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Although I usually avoid time-travel stories, Orson Scott Card's Pathfinder (2011), the first book in its series, completely won me over with his masterful storytelling and meticulous attention to detail. Card dedicates much of this opening volume to crafting a fascinating magic system that feels both unique and immersive. The characters, especially the teenage protagonists, are engaging and relatable, with the self-aware hero Rigg reminding me of Card's beloved character Ender Wiggin. The intricate political dynamics and vivid setting make the story lively and enjoyable. I'm excited to have found this series and look forward to continuing it. 5/5 Stars.

The Android's Dream by John Scalzi (2025)

John Scalzi's The Android's Dream is a hilarious, fast-paced, and heartfelt novel that brims with vibrant characters. The relentless, madcap action, delightfully melodramatic villains, cunning antagonists, and clever plot twists create an irresistible page-turner that's difficult to set down. I thoroughly enjoyed this zany, fun-filled story. 5/5 stars.

Promise me by Harlan Coben (2014)

I thoroughly enjoyed Promise Me, a gripping thriller in Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series, despite its somewhat formulaic plot. The characters are richly developed, and the story arcs are engaging and well-crafted. The twist at the end adds a delightful surprise. Familiar characters from the previous seven books remain entertaining and evolve naturally as they age. For fans of Coben, this novel is a fun, satisfying read. 4/5 stars.

The Forgotten Ship by J.N. Chaney & Terry Mixon (2025)

The Forgotten Starship, the opening installment of a new space opera series by prolific authors J.N. Chaney and Terry Mixon, delivers a compelling blend of interstellar adventure and character-driven storytelling. Set in a richly imagined universe, the narrative follows a crew navigating a derelict starship's mysteries, grappling with advanced alien technologies and existential threats. The plot's unpredictable twists, evoking Fritz Leiber's swashbuckling Fafhrd and Gray Mouser tales, balance high-stakes action with introspective character arcs.

The authors' world-building, while occasionally leaning into fantastical elements that may jar readers preferring hard science fiction, excels in evoking awe through speculative technologies and cosmic scale. Themes of resilience, discovery, and moral ambiguity resonate, offering STEM readers intellectual fodder for analyzing human-machine interactions and societal structures in speculative settings. Business professionals may appreciate the crew's strategic problem-solving and leadership dynamics under pressure.

Despite minor tonal inconsistencies from fantasy-infused elements, the vivid characters and intricate universe make this a strong series opener. I anticipate exploring the sequel to see how the narrative evolves. 4/5 Stars.

Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson (2025)

Original Sin delivers a sharp exposé of former President Joe Biden's cognitive decline and the orchestrated cover-up by his inner circle, dubbed "The Politburo" by Tapper. This gripping "living history" reveals how advisors manipulated executive power, undermining constitutional integrity. Tapper, a former CNN journalist, admits partial complicity in downplaying Biden's condition, though his self-criticism lacks depth, given his public reporting at the time.

The book excels in dissecting the Democrats' failure to invoke the 25th Amendment, exposing a lack of integrity driven by loyalty and political expediency. It portrays congressional leaders as complicit, prioritizing party unity over public accountability, while vilifying Biden's family and aides as enablers. However, it neglects the administration's erratic foreign and domestic policies, leaving readers wanting a broader analysis of the power vacuum's consequences.

Compelling yet incomplete, Original Sin is a critical study of political ethics. 4/5 stars.

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant (2023)

This book offers a compelling dive into the sociology and cognitive psychology behind unlocking personal strengths. Grant outlines practical methods for cultivating patience, grit, and perseverance to achieve fulfilling outcomes in life and work. The science is robust, drawing on sociological insights to guide readers toward their potential. However, the book's relentless focus on "rags to riches" stories feels repetitive and overly simplistic, undermining the otherwise strong self-help framework. Compared to Robert Greene's Mastery, which covers similar themes with greater depth and nuance, Hidden Potential falls short. The heavy-handed adversity trope often overshadows the actionable advice, making parts of the read feel tedious. Still, its insights are valuable for those seeking career and personal growth.

3/5 Stars – Worth a read for its science, but the narrow narrative disappoints.

Nobody's Fool by Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris (2023)

This book was lingering on my shelf, repeatedly overshadowed by my preference for space opera, historical fiction, and political reads. When I finally dove into this pop-science gem on cognitive psychology, I found it both enlightening and slightly over-the-top. The science is rock-solid, unpacking phenomena like Truth Bias, Familiarity, Overconfidence, and Confirmation Bias, with a focus on why we fall for scams, frauds, and misinformation. Notably, it debunks "social priming," a concept from Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow that Kahneman later retracted. While the sensational tone and writing style aren't my favorite, the fresh insights into cognitive pitfalls make it a worthwhile read.

4/5 Stars – Recommended for those curious about the psychology of deception.

A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge (1999)

When I pulled A Fire Upon the Deep off my shelf, I was convinced I'd read it 25 years ago, back when it swept the 1993 Hugo, Campbell, and Prometheus Awards, narrowly missing the Nebula and Locus. To my surprise, I hadn't! This novel, penned by the late Vernor Vinge, who passed in 2024, represents the sci-fi master at his peak. The intricate world-building, vibrant characters, and tightly woven subplots showcase why Vinge was a titan of the genre, earning accolades with nearly every release.

The story's inventive magic system—rooted in the unique physics of its galaxy-spanning setting—left me spellbound, while the complex character arcs kept me turning pages late into the night. From interstellar civilizations to alien minds, Vinge's creativity dazzles, blending hard science fiction with gripping human (and nonhuman) drama.

Rediscovering this gem inspired me to hunt down the rest of the Zones of Thought series, eager to see if I missed other treasures. If you love immersive, thought-provoking sci-fi, A Fire Upon the Deep is a must-read.

5/5 Stars – Highly recommended!

The man who saw seconds by Alexander Boldizar (2024)

After slogging through three lackluster books, I was thrilled to dive into The Man Who Saw Seconds by Alexander Boldizar, a standout among the 2025 Locus Awards Top 10 Finalists (announced this month by Locus Magazine). This novel is a gem. Boldizar's prose sparkles with clarity and wit, pulling me into a vividly crafted world. The characters leap off the page—vibrant, complex, and utterly compelling.

The story weaves sharp social commentary, nuanced politics, and thought-provoking philosophy into a tapestry of ideas that linger long after the final page. Its magic system, centered on a five-second prescience ability, is both inventive and gripping, adding a fresh twist to the narrative. The plot surges with unexpected turns, driven by tightly paced editing. The antagonists are chillingly well-motivated, their actions grounded in believable conviction, while the protagonists charm with their humor and larger-than-life personalities.

The ending left me wanting a touch more resolution, but the pulse-pounding action kept me hooked, overshadowing any minor qualms. The Man Who Saw Seconds is a triumph of storytelling and imagination.

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Recommendation: A must-read for fans of smart, character-driven sci-fi with a philosophical edge.

We Dare by Eric Thomson (2019)

As a young teen, I might have been swept up by We Dare's sharply drawn characters and moderately engaging action. The story's pulse, at its best, hints at adventure. But as an older reader, my patience wore thin. The writing often stumbles, plagued by clunky prose and glaring plot holes. The science underpinning the world feels flimsy at best, and the economics of the setting stretch believability to the breaking point.

Worse, the story lacks stakes. The "good guys" wield such overwhelming military and political might that tension and drama evaporate, leaving little to grip the reader. I wanted to be invested, but the narrative's flaws made it impossible. "We Dare" ultimately disappointed me, failing to deliver the depth or thrill I crave in science fiction. 1/5 Stars.