Fantasy/SF Book Reviews

Sir Apropros of Nothing by Peter David

Pocket Books, July, 2001
Hardcover, 503 pages.
ISBN: 0743412338
Ordering information:
Amazon.com


Sir Apropros of Nothing
by Peter David New York Times bestselling author Peter David takes aim at the traditional fantasy hero's quest in Sir Apropos of Nothing. Apropos was the result of his mother's rape by a group of so-called noble knights. As a result, she ended up turning to prostitution to support her and her young son. Lame in one leg, but with a fast wit, Apropos grows up learning to deal with his disability and with a profound hatred for knights and their so-called honor. When his mother is murdered, Apropos sets out to find the killer, find his father to take his revenge upon him, and make his fortune. He ends up at the court of King Runcible, and is taken on as a squire by the oldest and seemingly most incompetent knight of them all: Sir Umbrage of the Flaming Nether Regions. When he and Sir Umbrage are assigned the task of escorting the Crown Princess Entipe back to court from the nunnery where she has been staying, Apropos knows he's in trouble. Soon Apropos and the attractive, yet thoroughly obnoxious, Entipe are on the run from a mad phoenix, furious unicorns and the numerous others who would be only too happy to kill or enslave them. Will Apropos save the day and become what he despises most: an actual hero?

Sir Apropos of Nothing is a picaresque tale which is full of adventure, noble deeds, all told in first person by Apropos himself. The book is darkly funny, as Peter David turns every fantasy convention upside down and inside out. Our hero is cynical and self-interested (yet usually does the right thing -- with one terrible exception), the princess seems to have a bent for arson, and the mythological creatures seem positively homicidal. Readers who are looking for a traditional fantasy should look elsewhere. But readers who enjoy great writing, a wicked sense of humor and vivid characters will find this to be one of the most refreshing and interesting books they've read in a long while.


Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Tech Manual by Michael Jan Friedman

Pocket Books, June, 2001
Paperback, 128 pages.
ISBN: 0743423542
Ordering information:
Amazon.com


Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Tech Manual
by Michael Jan Friedman James Bond has "Q" and Lady Lara Croft has Bryce, her one-man high tech engineering department whose sole purpose is to outfit her for her amazing adventures. Tomb raiding is no easy thing; a girl's gotta have all her high tech gadgets and gizmos in order to beat the bad guys and get the treasure. Bryce is a computer and engineering expert who lives in a well-equipped trailer outside Lady Croft's mansion. Lara has some really cool equipment: from her dual holsters for her .45s, her bungee-cord equipped living room, parachutes, high-speed motorcycle and truck and even a backpack with enough tricks to make old "Q" green with envy.

The Tech Manual features an ongoing conversation between Lara and Bryce as they discuss Lara's needs for her next adventure. With stills from the feature film, sketches of Lara's equipment and some snappy repartee, the Tech Manual -- ably imagined by Michael Jan Friedman -- is a must-have for Tomb Raider aficionados who long to know the inner secrets of Lara's high-tech accessories.


Return to Book Reviews Index







More from Writers Write


  • Clarkesworld Magazine Temporarily Closes Submissions After Surge in ChatGPT Generated Stories


  • Prince Harry Easily Tops Bestseller Lists With Spare


  • Stephen King Compares Elon Musk to Tom Sawyer


  • U.S. Postal Service Honors Shel Silverstein With Forever Stamp


  • Twitter Reveals Edit Button Under Development


  • Writing Contests
    upcoming contests
    Write Jobs
    find a job
    Writing Memes
    funny writing-related memes
    Stephen King Quotes
    quotes from the master
    Grammar Tips
    improve your writing
    Writing Prompts
    spark your creativity