Superpowers not inherited it seems, as a young girl is taken in by her famous grandmother after the death of her parents.
4 out of 5
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Repent Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman - Harlan Ellison
http://www.archive.org/download/MindWebs-SciFi/Mindwebs-770617_RepentHarlequinSaidTheTickTockMan.mp3
Joker fan not keen on digital watches, but does quite like a jelly bean.
3.5 out of 5
Joker fan not keen on digital watches, but does quite like a jelly bean.
3.5 out of 5
Repent Harlequin! Said the Ticktockman - Harlan Ellison
http://www.archive.org/download/MindWebs-SciFi/Mindwebs-770617_RepentHarlequinSaidTheTickTockMan.mp3
Joker fan not keen on digital watches, but does quite like a jelly bean.
3.5 out of 5
Joker fan not keen on digital watches, but does quite like a jelly bean.
3.5 out of 5
Jeffty Is Five - Harlan Ellison
Parents eventual terminal lack of patience with kid with the brilliant new old stuff.
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Jeffty Is Five - Harlan Ellison
Parents eventual terminal lack of patience with kid with the brilliant new old stuff.
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Jeffty Is Five - Harlan Ellison
Parents eventual terminal lack of patience with kid with the brilliant new old stuff.
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Jeffty Is Five - Harlan Ellison
Parents eventual terminal lack of patience with kid with the brilliant new old stuff.
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
TAP - Greg Egan
http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/stories/tap.htm
An investigator is hired to look into the death of a top poet, her new Total Affect Protocol implant may have been used to kill her with a word. The implant changes how language works for people.
3.5 out of 5
An investigator is hired to look into the death of a top poet, her new Total Affect Protocol implant may have been used to kill her with a word. The implant changes how language works for people.
3.5 out of 5
Singleton - Greg Egan
http://gregegan.customer.netspace.net.au/MISC/SINGLETON/Singleton.html
A scientist couple decide to have an artificial child, some years after a natural pregnancy miscarries.
"Carlos said breezily, “Why not? There are so many others now. Sophie. Linus. Theo. Probably a hundred we don't even know about. It's not as if Ben's child won't have playmates.” Adai — Autonomously Developing Artificial Intelligences — had been appearing in a blaze of controversy every few months for the last four years. A Swiss researcher, Isabelle Schib, had taken the old models of morphogenesis that had led to software like Zelda, refined the technique by several orders of magnitude, and applied it to human genetic data. Wedded to sophisticated prosthetic bodies, Isabelle's creations inhabited the physical world and learnt from their experience, just like any other child."
There is plenty of discrimination, but their daughter has plans for all the other quantum branches in the long run, given the technology she has already.
4 out of 5
A scientist couple decide to have an artificial child, some years after a natural pregnancy miscarries.
"Carlos said breezily, “Why not? There are so many others now. Sophie. Linus. Theo. Probably a hundred we don't even know about. It's not as if Ben's child won't have playmates.” Adai — Autonomously Developing Artificial Intelligences — had been appearing in a blaze of controversy every few months for the last four years. A Swiss researcher, Isabelle Schib, had taken the old models of morphogenesis that had led to software like Zelda, refined the technique by several orders of magnitude, and applied it to human genetic data. Wedded to sophisticated prosthetic bodies, Isabelle's creations inhabited the physical world and learnt from their experience, just like any other child."
There is plenty of discrimination, but their daughter has plans for all the other quantum branches in the long run, given the technology she has already.
4 out of 5
Scatter My Ashes - Greg Egan
http://gregegan.customer.netspace.net.au/HORROR/SCATTER/Scatter.html
A photojournalist and a serial killer.
3 out of 5
A photojournalist and a serial killer.
3 out of 5
The Planck Dive - Greg Egan
http://gregegan.customer.netspace.net.au/PLANCK/Complete/Planck.html
Some polis residents, Diaspora style, perform a highly complex experiment regarding quantum physics and existence.
4 out of 5
Some polis residents, Diaspora style, perform a highly complex experiment regarding quantum physics and existence.
4 out of 5
The Planck Dive - Greg Egan
http://gregegan.customer.netspace.net.au/PLANCK/Complete/Planck.html
Some polis residents, Diaspora style, perform a highly complex experiment regarding quantum physics and existence.
4 out of 5
Some polis residents, Diaspora style, perform a highly complex experiment regarding quantum physics and existence.
4 out of 5
Oracle - Greg Egan
http://gregegan.customer.netspace.net.au/MISC/ORACLE/Oracle.html
In a reality where a man, similar to Alan Turing is working for the government in rather more unpleasant circumstances is visited by a reality hopping android woman things change rapidly. A man somewhat similar to C. S. Lewis has problems coping and believing.
4 out of 5
In a reality where a man, similar to Alan Turing is working for the government in rather more unpleasant circumstances is visited by a reality hopping android woman things change rapidly. A man somewhat similar to C. S. Lewis has problems coping and believing.
4 out of 5
Oceanic - Greg Egan
http://gregegan.customer.netspace.net.au/OCEANIC/Complete/Oceanic.html
A boy growing up in a backward fundamentalist community on another planet begins to understand how much the local biology has altered the people that live there, and why a religion surrounds this.
3.5 out of 5
A boy growing up in a backward fundamentalist community on another planet begins to understand how much the local biology has altered the people that live there, and why a religion surrounds this.
3.5 out of 5
Neighbourhood Watch - Greg Egan
http://www.gregegan.net/HORROR/NEIGHBOUR/Neighbour.html
A group of local residents make a deal with a monster to keep the local area crime free. Crime not done by them, anyway. You know what those deals with the devil are like.
4 out of 5
A group of local residents make a deal with a monster to keep the local area crime free. Crime not done by them, anyway. You know what those deals with the devil are like.
4 out of 5
Luminous - Greg Egan
A pair of researchers have found a defect in mathematics, where something can be true and false at the same time. This leads to them going on the run to keep the power of changing reality out of corporate hands, and leads them to a startling discovery.
"Alison gave me a strange look. "You still don't get it, do you, Bruno? You're still thinking like a Platonist. The universe has only been around for fifteen billion years. It hasn't had time to create infinities. The far side can't go on forever-because somewhere beyond the defect, there are theorems that don't belong to any system. Theorems that have never been touched, never been tested, never been rendered true or false.
"And if we have to reach beyond the existing mathematics of the universe in order to surround the far side . . . then that's what we'll do. There's no reason why it shouldn't be possible-just so long as we get there first.""
5 out of 5
"Alison gave me a strange look. "You still don't get it, do you, Bruno? You're still thinking like a Platonist. The universe has only been around for fifteen billion years. It hasn't had time to create infinities. The far side can't go on forever-because somewhere beyond the defect, there are theorems that don't belong to any system. Theorems that have never been touched, never been tested, never been rendered true or false.
"And if we have to reach beyond the existing mathematics of the universe in order to surround the far side . . . then that's what we'll do. There's no reason why it shouldn't be possible-just so long as we get there first.""
5 out of 5
Cocoon - Greg Egan
A private policeman investigates a bombing of a biological research centre looking into natal protection of babies, when he stumbles across the fact of the company moving anyone not died in the wool hetero away from the project, and realises they are also experimenting with preventing non-hetero births by controlling maternal stress factors.
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
Cocoon - Greg Egan
A private policeman investigates a bombing of a biological research centre looking into natal protection of babies, when he stumbles across the fact of the company moving anyone not died in the wool hetero away from the project, and realises they are also experimenting with preventing non-hetero births by controlling maternal stress factors.
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
Border Guards - Greg Egan
http://gregegan.customer.netspace.net.au/BORDER/Complete/Border.html
It is about human immortals, and how they deal with people and society when living so long. One man joins back into life, and meets the best quantum soccer player going around, and loses a friend.
The discovery is made is that she is one of the earliest immortals, instrumental in posthuman travel to other planets, and knows what death is actually like, and has to work out how to relate to the new people.
Now, I can't get this story out of my head, like happens with songs sometimes, so, I am upgrading this, 5 stars, given I reread it recently and hadn't read it for quite a while.
And, as far as Australian goes, as far as pixel-stained technopeasant wretches, well, I'd hate to be caught paraphasing the Devil Went Down to Georgia, but, he's the best there's even been.
5 out of 5
It is about human immortals, and how they deal with people and society when living so long. One man joins back into life, and meets the best quantum soccer player going around, and loses a friend.
The discovery is made is that she is one of the earliest immortals, instrumental in posthuman travel to other planets, and knows what death is actually like, and has to work out how to relate to the new people.
Now, I can't get this story out of my head, like happens with songs sometimes, so, I am upgrading this, 5 stars, given I reread it recently and hadn't read it for quite a while.
And, as far as Australian goes, as far as pixel-stained technopeasant wretches, well, I'd hate to be caught paraphasing the Devil Went Down to Georgia, but, he's the best there's even been.
5 out of 5
When Gravity Fails - George Alec Effinger
A really pleasant change of milieu, the setting for this excellent cyberpunk novel. Well worth a try. The characters in this novel are living in a Middle Eastern type setting, which is definitely different, so the chancer dodgy main character and the crime boss he is in trouble with, and others, are not what you are used to in this sort of book, by any stretch.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
When Gravity Fails - George Alec Effinger
A really pleasant change of milieu, the setting for this excellent cyberpunk novel. Well worth a try. The characters in this novel are living in a Middle Eastern type setting, which is definitely different, so the chancer dodgy main character and the crime boss he is in trouble with, and others, are not what you are used to in this sort of book, by any stretch.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
A Fire In the Sun - George Alec Effinger
Broke, independent and criminal maybe better than ok, cop and beholden.
Marid is now basically working for the local crimelord, and doing what he is told, even if reluctantly.
This leads him to becoming a cop, and, of course, investigating people that his de facto boss would like investigated.
So, a dodgy cop story with a protagonist that doesn't want to be one.
3 out of 5
Marid is now basically working for the local crimelord, and doing what he is told, even if reluctantly.
This leads him to becoming a cop, and, of course, investigating people that his de facto boss would like investigated.
So, a dodgy cop story with a protagonist that doesn't want to be one.
3 out of 5
Un-Man - Poul Anderson
"The world was too chaotic and violent--it still is--for anything less than a brotherhood of supermen."
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Strangers - Gardner Dozois
Humans have peaceful, if ineffectual trade relations with the alien humanoid race on Lisle. They know next to nothing about their biology, a closely guarded secret.
This all changes when a human falls in love with one of their women, and finds out that their evolution and reproduction has a great cost.
A reasonable, short, and dark toned book.
3 out of 5
This all changes when a human falls in love with one of their women, and finds out that their evolution and reproduction has a great cost.
A reasonable, short, and dark toned book.
3 out of 5
A Dream At Noonday - Gardner Dozois
http://www.archive.org/download/MindWebs-SciFi/Mindwebs-771216_ADreamAtNoonDay.mp3
Childhood memory death.
3.5 out of 5
Childhood memory death.
3.5 out of 5
One Thing About the Night - Terry Dowling
Some friends investigate a dead man's strange hexagonal mirrored room, with candles, for psychic investigation.
'The what? Oh, the mancy words. Right.'
'I never realized people took it so seriously. Lithomancy: scrying by the reflection of candlelight off precious stones. Macharomancy, for heaven's sake: reading swords, daggers, and knives. Imagine specializing in that. Clouds: nephelomancy. Things accidentally heard: transataumancy.' She pronounced the word so carefully, as if relishing it. 'It's like people ade them up for the fun of it. Came up with wacky names like those collective nouns you get: a murder of crows, a parliament of owls.'
'A loony of researchers!' I said. I wanted to see her laugh.
...
'So the room is a psychomantium, and all he was trying to do was reach his family. Maybe voices told him to do it; maybe he went quietly nuts.'
4 out of 5
'The what? Oh, the mancy words. Right.'
'I never realized people took it so seriously. Lithomancy: scrying by the reflection of candlelight off precious stones. Macharomancy, for heaven's sake: reading swords, daggers, and knives. Imagine specializing in that. Clouds: nephelomancy. Things accidentally heard: transataumancy.' She pronounced the word so carefully, as if relishing it. 'It's like people ade them up for the fun of it. Came up with wacky names like those collective nouns you get: a murder of crows, a parliament of owls.'
'A loony of researchers!' I said. I wanted to see her laugh.
...
'So the room is a psychomantium, and all he was trying to do was reach his family. Maybe voices told him to do it; maybe he went quietly nuts.'
4 out of 5
Jenny Come To Play - Terry Dowling
Show runner provides perfidious paedophiliac terrible teratologists access to schizo siamese for their entertainment. Diabolic deathtrap awaits.
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Clownette - Terry Dowling
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/originals/originals_archive/dowling2/
Creepy image on wall of low rent room.
4 out of 5
Creepy image on wall of low rent room.
4 out of 5
The Evil Within - Sara Douglass
Gargoyle evil slayers a bit stringent for priest's liking.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
I Robot - Cory Doctorow
http://craphound.com/overclocked/Cory_Doctorow_-_Overclocked_-_I_Robot.html
Baby arrival brings brainy Big Brother bot researcher's defection and later reunion desires in multiple.
4.5 out of 5
Baby arrival brings brainy Big Brother bot researcher's defection and later reunion desires in multiple.
4.5 out of 5
Down And Out In the Magic Kingdom - Cory Doctorow
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/8086
I will admit to being biased, I can't stand Disneyland, so that left me predisposed to dislike this book. As it turned out, that bit wasn't too horrible, but plenty of fetishising of a place you have to pay me to go to.
The society parts are interesting, where reputation is everything, and there is no need to work for subsistence as such, and you can check people's reputation on a network as it ebbs and flows.
Personality backup is also available, and there is the odd slaying in this book.
It also seems a bit like ghosts of ex girlfriends are haunting Doctorow here.
3 out of 5
I will admit to being biased, I can't stand Disneyland, so that left me predisposed to dislike this book. As it turned out, that bit wasn't too horrible, but plenty of fetishising of a place you have to pay me to go to.
The society parts are interesting, where reputation is everything, and there is no need to work for subsistence as such, and you can check people's reputation on a network as it ebbs and flows.
Personality backup is also available, and there is the odd slaying in this book.
It also seems a bit like ghosts of ex girlfriends are haunting Doctorow here.
3 out of 5
Craphound - Cory Doctorow
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/17026
A human and alien have a rivalry over trash and treasure and other market collecting.
4 out of 5
A human and alien have a rivalry over trash and treasure and other market collecting.
4 out of 5
0wnz0red - Cory Doctorow
http://dir.salon.com/story/tech/feature/2002/08/28/0wnz0red/index1.html
Coding hell to military co-option.
4.5 out of 5
Coding hell to military co-option.
4.5 out of 5
Lost Dorsai - Gordon R. Dickson
A couple of professional soldiers and clients try and work out how best to resolve a situation they are not interested in being in.
This ends up involving some pretty hard choices about what and what not to sacrifice, and who can best be used in what role, depending on experience and honour.
3.5 out of 5
This ends up involving some pretty hard choices about what and what not to sacrifice, and who can best be used in what role, depending on experience and honour.
3.5 out of 5
Lost Dorsai - Gordon R. Dickson
A couple of professional soldiers and clients try and work out how best to resolve a situation they are not interested in being in.
This ends up involving some pretty hard choices about what and what not to sacrifice, and who can best be used in what role, depending on experience and honour.
3.5 out of 5
This ends up involving some pretty hard choices about what and what not to sacrifice, and who can best be used in what role, depending on experience and honour.
3.5 out of 5
Computers Don't Argue - Gordon R. Dickson
http://www.archive.org/download/MindWebs-SciFi/Mindwebs-780224_ComputorsDontArgue.mp3
Bureaucratic escalation.
4 out of 5
Bureaucratic escalation.
4 out of 5
The Man In the High Castle - Philip K. Dick
Split states spoils of war.
This novel is an alternate history, and one of the favorite subjects of such books - World War 2.
Here the Allies lose, and the USA is occupied territory, split, naturally enough to be half owned by Japan, and half by Germany (west versus east).
Needless to say, this is now not a very nice place, and tensions also exist between the two occupying forces.
An author here is working on a book that would result in a severe punishment - an alternate history of his own where the Allies did not lose the war.
3.5 out of 5
This novel is an alternate history, and one of the favorite subjects of such books - World War 2.
Here the Allies lose, and the USA is occupied territory, split, naturally enough to be half owned by Japan, and half by Germany (west versus east).
Needless to say, this is now not a very nice place, and tensions also exist between the two occupying forces.
An author here is working on a book that would result in a severe punishment - an alternate history of his own where the Allies did not lose the war.
3.5 out of 5
Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? - Philip K. Dick
Second class synthetics.
In a dystopian future androids are used by humans, and look so similar sophisticated tests have to be used to be able to tell them apart, based on functions that they are not able to perform - having children, etc.
Humans don't allow them rights, and some of the robot people variety rebel at this - which gives people like Deckard a job, tracking down these rogues.
An investigation of racism, of course, as well as a squalid, trashed planet.
In a dystopian future androids are used by humans, and look so similar sophisticated tests have to be used to be able to tell them apart, based on functions that they are not able to perform - having children, etc.
Humans don't allow them rights, and some of the robot people variety rebel at this - which gives people like Deckard a job, tracking down these rogues.
An investigation of racism, of course, as well as a squalid, trashed planet.
Time Considered As A Helix Of Semi-Precious Stones - Samuel R. Delany
Singing shiny password.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Babel-17 - Samuel R. Delany
Linguistic heroine saves the day.
One of those books where the author comes up with something a bit strange and different, especially as far as the crewing of Rydar's ship goes.
A brilliant young woman's help is needed to deal with communicate with aliens, otherwise much bloodshed.
Along with this she has to deal with military politics into the bargain.
A very cool book.
4.5 out of 5
One of those books where the author comes up with something a bit strange and different, especially as far as the crewing of Rydar's ship goes.
A brilliant young woman's help is needed to deal with communicate with aliens, otherwise much bloodshed.
Along with this she has to deal with military politics into the bargain.
A very cool book.
4.5 out of 5
Babel-17 - Samuel R. Delany
Linguistic heroine saves the day.
One of those books where the author comes up with something a bit strange and different, especially as far as the crewing of Rydar's ship goes.
A brilliant young woman's help is needed to deal with communicate with aliens, otherwise much bloodshed.
Along with this she has to deal with military politics into the bargain.
A very cool book.
4.5 out of 5
One of those books where the author comes up with something a bit strange and different, especially as far as the crewing of Rydar's ship goes.
A brilliant young woman's help is needed to deal with communicate with aliens, otherwise much bloodshed.
Along with this she has to deal with military politics into the bargain.
A very cool book.
4.5 out of 5
Aye and Gomorrah - Samuel R. Delany
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/classics/classics_archive/delany3/
Gender altered space workers provide exotic rough trade on shore leave.
3 out of 5
Gender altered space workers provide exotic rough trade on shore leave.
3 out of 5
Aye and Gomorrah - Samuel R. Delany
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/classics/classics_archive/delany3/
Gender altered space workers provide exotic rough trade on shore leave.
3 out of 5
Gender altered space workers provide exotic rough trade on shore leave.
3 out of 5
Never Seen By Waking Eyes - Stephen Dedman
Lawyer's fellow parasite little girl lamia finds hemoglobin more expeditious than head.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
A Quiet Revolution For Death - Jack Dann
Even if you lose some family members in a cemetery, there are still some left.
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Marilyn - Jack Dann
http://eidolon.net/?story=marilyn
A story I didn't care for at all, just wanted it to finish. I suppose it would help if you did have some interest in Marilyn Monroe.
2 out of 5
A story I didn't care for at all, just wanted it to finish. I suppose it would help if you did have some interest in Marilyn Monroe.
2 out of 5
The Man Who Melted - Jack Dann
In a country that is falling apart through economic stratification, the pressures build into outbreaks of telepathic ability and rioting mobs converge after this happens. Retaliation is military.
Amidst all this, those with money do as they have usually done, and a man is obsessed with finding a woman that he had a past relationship with. This gives him problems relating to those currently around him.
The book incorporates variations of 'Blind Shemmy' and 'Going Under', in one of his former menage-a-trois lovers going organ gambling, and then trying to duck those after him by disappearing on a Titanic voyage.
3.5 out of 5
Amidst all this, those with money do as they have usually done, and a man is obsessed with finding a woman that he had a past relationship with. This gives him problems relating to those currently around him.
The book incorporates variations of 'Blind Shemmy' and 'Going Under', in one of his former menage-a-trois lovers going organ gambling, and then trying to duck those after him by disappearing on a Titanic voyage.
3.5 out of 5
Going Under - Jack Dann
The voyage of the Titanic, as adventure tourism and suicide mechanism.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Da Vinci Rising - Jack Dann
http://eidolon.net/homesite.html?section_name=jack_dann&page=/jack_dann/davinci.html
Leonardo Da Vinci works on flight and flying machines, with some assistance from Niccolo Machiavelli.
4 out of 5
Leonardo Da Vinci works on flight and flying machines, with some assistance from Niccolo Machiavelli.
4 out of 5
Blind Shemmy - Jack Dann
Casino gambling for organs, with players linked telepathically. Very hard-edged.
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
Little Big - John Crowley
I started this, but absolutely not my thing. The writing would seem to be ok, but at several hundred pages of what was going on here, no thanks. This particular Fantasy Masterworks edition had the incredibly annoying and twee indentations of different scenes time after time. That destroys any reading flow, at all.
1.5 out of 5
1.5 out of 5
The Star - Arthur C. Clarke
http://www.archive.org/download/MindWebs-SciFi/Mindwebs-770211_ThisIsTheStar_TheGift.mp3
Jesuit crewing for amusement finds supernova technology treasure cache is Star of Bethlehem reference point.
3.5 out of 5
Jesuit crewing for amusement finds supernova technology treasure cache is Star of Bethlehem reference point.
3.5 out of 5
The Nine Billion Names Of God - Arthur C. Clarke
http://www.archive.org/download/MindWebs-SciFi/Mindwebs-780909_Test_TheNineBillionNamesOfGod.mp3
Ubergeek monks finish a cataloguing project, and with it comes some serious consequences.
5 out of 5
Ubergeek monks finish a cataloguing project, and with it comes some serious consequences.
5 out of 5
Hell Is the Absence Of God - Ted Chiang
Angels are uninsurable, and the Underworld lacks all the really cool torments.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Hell Is the Absence Of God - Ted Chiang
Angels are uninsurable, and the Underworld lacks all the really cool torments.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Hell Is the Absence Of God - Ted Chiang
Angels are uninsurable, and the Underworld lacks all the really cool torments.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Hell Is the Absence Of God - Ted Chiang
Angels are uninsurable, and the Underworld lacks all the really cool torments.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Hell Is the Absence Of God - Ted Chiang
Angels are uninsurable, and the Underworld lacks all the really cool torments.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
The Stairs In the Crypt - Clark Ashton Smith and Lin Carter
http://www.eldritchdark.com/writings/short-stories/199/the-stairs-in-the-crypt
Necromancer doesn't let death hold him back.
4 out of 5
Necromancer doesn't let death hold him back.
4 out of 5
The Gem In the Tower - L. Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter
Following Drums in Tombalku, Conan ends up serving under another Captain. One night, he dreams of a bat-man, only to awaken and find he is real, the product of a dead sorcerer
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Xenocide - Orson Scott Card
The other Orson Scott Card.
There are two Orson Scott Cards it seems, there is the writer that writes interesting ethical and political explorations, and can be brilliant.
Then there is the other, that lets religious pontification get in the way just to a ridiculous level, and as such is horribly tedious and tired. This book is unfortunately and example of the latter to throw in with the Alvin Maker stuff.
2 out of 5
There are two Orson Scott Cards it seems, there is the writer that writes interesting ethical and political explorations, and can be brilliant.
Then there is the other, that lets religious pontification get in the way just to a ridiculous level, and as such is horribly tedious and tired. This book is unfortunately and example of the latter to throw in with the Alvin Maker stuff.
2 out of 5
Red Prophet - Orson Scott Card
Dull, mormon wish fulfillment just fantasy. Card may have come up with some clever and complex science fiction, but he has also accomplished some terribly turgid fantasy. A suggestion and loaned from a friend, the stinking rotter. :)
1.5 out of 5
1.5 out of 5
Red Prophet - Orson Scott Card
Dull, mormon wish fulfillment just fantasy. Card may have come up with some clever and complex science fiction, but he has also accomplished some terribly turgid fantasy. A suggestion and loaned from a friend, the stinking rotter. :)
1.5 out of 5
1.5 out of 5
Prentice Alvin - Orson Scott Card
Yet more boring mormon wish-fulfillment fantasy. In this arena, David Gemmell he is not. If that is what you are after, then by all means get it, otherwise something like The Jerusalem Man will be much more appealing. You could, however, use them as a cure for insomnia, or sever lack of schmaltz.
1.5 out of 5
1.5 out of 5
Prentice Alvin - Orson Scott Card
Yet more boring mormon wish-fulfillment fantasy. In this arena, David Gemmell he is not. If that is what you are after, then by all means get it, otherwise something like The Jerusalem Man will be much more appealing. You could, however, use them as a cure for insomnia, or sever lack of schmaltz.
1.5 out of 5
1.5 out of 5
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
Desperate war psychology strategy classic.
This is Card's masterpiece. Taking an earlier novella, extending it and actually making it considerably better is a very impressive feat.
The basic idea is that the Earth military is in a war with aliens and need something to help them fairly soon. Enter the Battle School and a program to find genius children than can be turned into masters of space war by intensive early training.
Ender Wiggin is one of these children, and becomes their natural leader, with some support.
The novel grippingly looks at using children for war, and the problems of training those whose intellects exceed yours, as well as the ethics of the situation, while keeping the reader and the young characters in the dark as to what is going on.
A book that works well for all ages without simplification, and an outstanding writing achievement.
5 out of 5
This is Card's masterpiece. Taking an earlier novella, extending it and actually making it considerably better is a very impressive feat.
The basic idea is that the Earth military is in a war with aliens and need something to help them fairly soon. Enter the Battle School and a program to find genius children than can be turned into masters of space war by intensive early training.
Ender Wiggin is one of these children, and becomes their natural leader, with some support.
The novel grippingly looks at using children for war, and the problems of training those whose intellects exceed yours, as well as the ethics of the situation, while keeping the reader and the young characters in the dark as to what is going on.
A book that works well for all ages without simplification, and an outstanding writing achievement.
5 out of 5
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
Desperate war psychology strategy classic.
This is Card's masterpiece. Taking an earlier novella, extending it and actually making it considerably better is a very impressive feat.
The basic idea is that the Earth military is in a war with aliens and need something to help them fairly soon. Enter the Battle School and a program to find genius children than can be turned into masters of space war by intensive early training.
Ender Wiggin is one of these children, and becomes their natural leader, with some support.
The novel grippingly looks at using children for war, and the problems of training those whose intellects exceed yours, as well as the ethics of the situation, while keeping the reader and the young characters in the dark as to what is going on.
A book that works well for all ages without simplification, and an outstanding writing achievement.
5 out of 5
This is Card's masterpiece. Taking an earlier novella, extending it and actually making it considerably better is a very impressive feat.
The basic idea is that the Earth military is in a war with aliens and need something to help them fairly soon. Enter the Battle School and a program to find genius children than can be turned into masters of space war by intensive early training.
Ender Wiggin is one of these children, and becomes their natural leader, with some support.
The novel grippingly looks at using children for war, and the problems of training those whose intellects exceed yours, as well as the ethics of the situation, while keeping the reader and the young characters in the dark as to what is going on.
A book that works well for all ages without simplification, and an outstanding writing achievement.
5 out of 5
Super-Villains - Michael Canfield
http://archive.sonandfoe.com/issue1/super-villains
An aging hero has run out of enemies to fight, and he has always used his crusade to prevent him coming to close to the woman he desires.
An old foe of his is released from prison and said woman decides to do something about it, accompanying the villain to an exhibition where the Venus diamond is on display, a stone with reputedly magical properties.
When Ginny gets the diamond, a new super villain is born, Fevre, and the Wing again has an opponent to chase.
3.5 out of 5
An aging hero has run out of enemies to fight, and he has always used his crusade to prevent him coming to close to the woman he desires.
An old foe of his is released from prison and said woman decides to do something about it, accompanying the villain to an exhibition where the Venus diamond is on display, a stone with reputedly magical properties.
When Ginny gets the diamond, a new super villain is born, Fevre, and the Wing again has an opponent to chase.
3.5 out of 5
The Changer of Names - Ramsey Campbell
Ryre runs into a man giving people serious delusions of heroism that is not their own.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Seventy-Five Years - Michael A. Burstein
http://escapepod.org/2006/05/11/ep053-seventy-five-years/
Political longevity revelation.
3.5 out of 5
Political longevity revelation.
3.5 out of 5
The Vor Game - Lois McMaster Bujold
Graduation is a cold experience.
Just out of the academy, and not the most popular preson with the conservative types, Miles get a crappy job in a remote polar location. He very soon gets into trouble via a murder, which he is accused of. Also, the young emperor has bailed in space. Miles has to get himself out of trouble and also do something about the missing royalty, with the odd dangerous woman and space war thrown in just to keep him on his toes.
3.5 out of 5
Just out of the academy, and not the most popular preson with the conservative types, Miles get a crappy job in a remote polar location. He very soon gets into trouble via a murder, which he is accused of. Also, the young emperor has bailed in space. Miles has to get himself out of trouble and also do something about the missing royalty, with the odd dangerous woman and space war thrown in just to keep him on his toes.
3.5 out of 5
The Mountains Of Mourning - Lois McMaster Bujold
http://www.webscription.net/10.1125/Baen/1011250002/1011250002.htm
Infanticide investigation experience.
3 out of 5
Infanticide investigation experience.
3 out of 5
The Mountains Of Mourning - Lois McMaster Bujold
http://www.webscription.net/10.1125/Baen/1011250002/1011250002.htm
Infanticide investigation experience.
3 out of 5
Infanticide investigation experience.
3 out of 5
Mirror Dance - Lois McMaster Bujold
One deadsicle, one schizo.
Mark impersonates his brother to take the Free Mercs off on a liberation mission. A bit of an understatement to say this doesn't go well. The original version is killed and frozen, and Mark is tortured until his not so stable personality fragments into many.
The M & M show has to someone get out of this and wreak some havoc on bad Barons.
3.5 out of 5
Mark impersonates his brother to take the Free Mercs off on a liberation mission. A bit of an understatement to say this doesn't go well. The original version is killed and frozen, and Mark is tortured until his not so stable personality fragments into many.
The M & M show has to someone get out of this and wreak some havoc on bad Barons.
3.5 out of 5
Memory - Lois McMaster Bujold
Having been dead is bad, it can seriously crimp your spy stylin's.
Especially when the boss finds out. The head of Imperial Security finds out Miles is really not a well bloke, and gives him the arse from his current assignment.
This is seen as an opportunity for some that don't like the current boss to try and get rid of him.
The first bit backfires on those that have targeted the head of Security as Miles finds an old law that lets the Emperor appoint a troubleshooter who can basically order whoever th ehell he likes around. He gets a surprise when said Emperor makes it him. This sort of troublemaking shitekicking certainly suits him as he does the business.
3.5 out of 5
Especially when the boss finds out. The head of Imperial Security finds out Miles is really not a well bloke, and gives him the arse from his current assignment.
This is seen as an opportunity for some that don't like the current boss to try and get rid of him.
The first bit backfires on those that have targeted the head of Security as Miles finds an old law that lets the Emperor appoint a troubleshooter who can basically order whoever th ehell he likes around. He gets a surprise when said Emperor makes it him. This sort of troublemaking shitekicking certainly suits him as he does the business.
3.5 out of 5
Memory - Lois McMaster Bujold
Having been dead is bad, it can seriously crimp your spy stylin's.
Especially when the boss finds out. The head of Imperial Security finds out Miles is really not a well bloke, and gives him the arse from his current assignment.
This is seen as an opportunity for some that don't like the current boss to try and get rid of him.
The first bit backfires on those that have targeted the head of Security as Miles finds an old law that lets the Emperor appoint a troubleshooter who can basically order whoever th ehell he likes around. He gets a surprise when said Emperor makes it him. This sort of troublemaking shitekicking certainly suits him as he does the business.
3.5 out of 5
Especially when the boss finds out. The head of Imperial Security finds out Miles is really not a well bloke, and gives him the arse from his current assignment.
This is seen as an opportunity for some that don't like the current boss to try and get rid of him.
The first bit backfires on those that have targeted the head of Security as Miles finds an old law that lets the Emperor appoint a troubleshooter who can basically order whoever th ehell he likes around. He gets a surprise when said Emperor makes it him. This sort of troublemaking shitekicking certainly suits him as he does the business.
3.5 out of 5
A Civil Campaign - Lois McMaster Bujold
If you like a chick, occasionally it is a good idea to tell her.
Especially before you are in the middle of a formal situation and the M word might blurt out. A pretty lightweight part of the series this one, and you could easily skip it, as both of the M brothers try and sort out themselves and the various female acquaintances that they are keen on.
In this situation, they decide to become mummy's boys so she can use some of her wiles against the various potential in-laws standing in the way.
3 out of 5
Especially before you are in the middle of a formal situation and the M word might blurt out. A pretty lightweight part of the series this one, and you could easily skip it, as both of the M brothers try and sort out themselves and the various female acquaintances that they are keen on.
In this situation, they decide to become mummy's boys so she can use some of her wiles against the various potential in-laws standing in the way.
3 out of 5
A Civil Campaign - Lois McMaster Bujold
If you like a chick, occasionally it is a good idea to tell her.
Especially before you are in the middle of a formal situation and the M word might blurt out. A pretty lightweight part of the series this one, and you could easily skip it, as both of the M brothers try and sort out themselves and the various female acquaintances that they are keen on.
In this situation, they decide to become mummy's boys so she can use some of her wiles against the various potential in-laws standing in the way.
3 out of 5
Especially before you are in the middle of a formal situation and the M word might blurt out. A pretty lightweight part of the series this one, and you could easily skip it, as both of the M brothers try and sort out themselves and the various female acquaintances that they are keen on.
In this situation, they decide to become mummy's boys so she can use some of her wiles against the various potential in-laws standing in the way.
3 out of 5
Barrayar - Lois McMaster Bujold
Countering coup.
Aral and Cordelia are married, and when the current bloke in charge carks it, he gets left in charge. All is not well however, as political opposition stages a coup, with leads to their damaged in the womb by poison attack son's environment being taken away, and the pair forced to go on the run and see what they can work out to set things write.
As the regent's wife, the more liberal Cordelia will have a changing effect on the Prince's upbringing compared to the status quo.
3 out of 5
Aral and Cordelia are married, and when the current bloke in charge carks it, he gets left in charge. All is not well however, as political opposition stages a coup, with leads to their damaged in the womb by poison attack son's environment being taken away, and the pair forced to go on the run and see what they can work out to set things write.
As the regent's wife, the more liberal Cordelia will have a changing effect on the Prince's upbringing compared to the status quo.
3 out of 5
Barrayar - Lois McMaster Bujold
Countering coup.
Aral and Cordelia are married, and when the current bloke in charge carks it, he gets left in charge. All is not well however, as political opposition stages a coup, with leads to their damaged in the womb by poison attack son's environment being taken away, and the pair forced to go on the run and see what they can work out to set things write.
As the regent's wife, the more liberal Cordelia will have a changing effect on the Prince's upbringing compared to the status quo.
3 out of 5
Aral and Cordelia are married, and when the current bloke in charge carks it, he gets left in charge. All is not well however, as political opposition stages a coup, with leads to their damaged in the womb by poison attack son's environment being taken away, and the pair forced to go on the run and see what they can work out to set things write.
As the regent's wife, the more liberal Cordelia will have a changing effect on the Prince's upbringing compared to the status quo.
3 out of 5
Rogue Moon - Algis Budrys
A strange alien artifact is found on the moon. It is fascinating, and very, very lethal. It has been going through men's lives at a frightening rate, so a new technology to use facsimiles of people has been created, so they can go in, explore a little, die, and do it again.
One problem with this is those doing the exploring are very likely to go crazy.
A search is on for a man who can deal with the psychological stress of the project.
It also looks at their lives off this experiment and how they deal with that in the meantime.
4 out of 5
One problem with this is those doing the exploring are very likely to go crazy.
A search is on for a man who can deal with the psychological stress of the project.
It also looks at their lives off this experiment and how they deal with that in the meantime.
4 out of 5
Particle Theory - Edward Bryant
Pion prostate pounding not a patch on what a sudden supernova or three can do.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Stand On Zanzibar - John Brunner
Black dude and trend spotter delve into politics and power.
Two roommates in a crazy world. Well, basically rather just like this, given it was supposed to be set around now. One's a climber, one's a spook in waiting with a talent for putting things together. When a small country needs some outside help, they get in way deep as far as the sordid secrets go.
4 out of 5
Two roommates in a crazy world. Well, basically rather just like this, given it was supposed to be set around now. One's a climber, one's a spook in waiting with a talent for putting things together. When a small country needs some outside help, they get in way deep as far as the sordid secrets go.
4 out of 5
Stand On Zanzibar - John Brunner
Black dude and trend spotter delve into politics and power.
Two roommates in a crazy world. Well, basically rather just like this, given it was supposed to be set around now. One's a climber, one's a spook in waiting with a talent for putting things together. When a small country needs some outside help, they get in way deep as far as the sordid secrets go.
4 out of 5
Two roommates in a crazy world. Well, basically rather just like this, given it was supposed to be set around now. One's a climber, one's a spook in waiting with a talent for putting things together. When a small country needs some outside help, they get in way deep as far as the sordid secrets go.
4 out of 5
Leviathan - Simon Brown
http://eidolon.net/?story=Leviathan
Out of the exploding aeroplane into the big biblical beastie.
3 out of 5
Out of the exploding aeroplane into the big biblical beastie.
3 out of 5
Thor Meets Captain America - David Brin
http://www.davidbrin.com/thor1.html
The Allies are winning the war, when it all suddenly starts to go bad. The nazis and their mystic crazies have come up with something.
"They... made... the Aesir. That's what Loki meant by thinking that, maybe, his own memories were false. When he suspected he was actually no older than..."
Not that Loki, working with the Allies, can be completely trusted, as the surviving commander finds out about the necromancy.
"Who would we conjure? Chris wondered. If we ever used those spells? Superman? Captain Marvel? Oh, they'd be more than a match for the Aesir! Our myths were boundless."
At the end of the failed mission, Chris realises Loki has left him with a little superhuman gift, hence Captain America.
4 out of 5
The Allies are winning the war, when it all suddenly starts to go bad. The nazis and their mystic crazies have come up with something.
"They... made... the Aesir. That's what Loki meant by thinking that, maybe, his own memories were false. When he suspected he was actually no older than..."
Not that Loki, working with the Allies, can be completely trusted, as the surviving commander finds out about the necromancy.
"Who would we conjure? Chris wondered. If we ever used those spells? Superman? Captain Marvel? Oh, they'd be more than a match for the Aesir! Our myths were boundless."
At the end of the failed mission, Chris realises Loki has left him with a little superhuman gift, hence Captain America.
4 out of 5
Startide Rising - David Brin
Dolphin starship captains are the coolest.
An interspecies earth spaceship, humans, dolphins, and a chimp, make a pretty important discovery that your secretive alien types don't want the young upstart race to know about. Particularly when they flout the established traditions of indentured racial servitude the rest of the Galaxy indulges in during their struggles. So, the chase is on as the crew of the ship tries to survive.
4.5 out of 5
An interspecies earth spaceship, humans, dolphins, and a chimp, make a pretty important discovery that your secretive alien types don't want the young upstart race to know about. Particularly when they flout the established traditions of indentured racial servitude the rest of the Galaxy indulges in during their struggles. So, the chase is on as the crew of the ship tries to survive.
4.5 out of 5
Startide Rising - David Brin
Dolphin starship captains are the coolest.
An interspecies earth spaceship, humans, dolphins, and a chimp, make a pretty important discovery that your secretive alien types don't want the young upstart race to know about. Particularly when they flout the established traditions of indentured racial servitude the rest of the Galaxy indulges in during their struggles. So, the chase is on as the crew of the ship tries to survive.
4.5 out of 5
An interspecies earth spaceship, humans, dolphins, and a chimp, make a pretty important discovery that your secretive alien types don't want the young upstart race to know about. Particularly when they flout the established traditions of indentured racial servitude the rest of the Galaxy indulges in during their struggles. So, the chase is on as the crew of the ship tries to survive.
4.5 out of 5
Earth - David Brin
Don't drop the black hole, dorkbrains.
Set in a mid-21st century Earth, teetering on collapse because of serious overpopulation and ecological problems something more dire and more urgent happens. A small group of scientists make a black hole, and screw up, badly, as it gets away and heads for the Earth's core. This leads to a desperate race and struggle to prevent the planet and people going bye-bye.
4 out of 5
Set in a mid-21st century Earth, teetering on collapse because of serious overpopulation and ecological problems something more dire and more urgent happens. A small group of scientists make a black hole, and screw up, badly, as it gets away and heads for the Earth's core. This leads to a desperate race and struggle to prevent the planet and people going bye-bye.
4 out of 5
Brightness Reef - David Brin
Jijo mojo nogo.
A second Uplift trilogy starts here, and unfortunately it is a big old mess. Nowhere near as entertaining or well done as the other three books. The book is set on an alien world that has been settled by a whole bunch of different alien races, and apparently it has all been done on the shonk, in general.
Add in a mystery person and perhaps some ties to the other books, but this one needed some serious plot work to make it readable or make you want to go on with the rest.
2 out of 5
A second Uplift trilogy starts here, and unfortunately it is a big old mess. Nowhere near as entertaining or well done as the other three books. The book is set on an alien world that has been settled by a whole bunch of different alien races, and apparently it has all been done on the shonk, in general.
Add in a mystery person and perhaps some ties to the other books, but this one needed some serious plot work to make it readable or make you want to go on with the rest.
2 out of 5
It's A Good Life - Jerome Bixby
http://timetravelershow.com/2006/08/21/show-notes-for-episode5/
When Anthony is born, he uses his abilities to transport his whole town to somewhere else. After that, everyone is extremely careful around him, as when he comes across something he doesn't like his extreme powers of transmutation and transfiguration can do bad things, and he is also somewhat telepathic and has degrees of animal control. Basically a young, sociopathic supervillain.
3 out of 5
When Anthony is born, he uses his abilities to transport his whole town to somewhere else. After that, everyone is extremely careful around him, as when he comes across something he doesn't like his extreme powers of transmutation and transfiguration can do bad things, and he is also somewhat telepathic and has degrees of animal control. Basically a young, sociopathic supervillain.
3 out of 5
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