Solar flare spaceship time lost in space, plague earth now has paucity of separatist clone chick population.
4.5 out of 5
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Houston Houston Do You Read - James Tiptree Jr
Solar flare spaceship time lost in space, plague earth now has paucity of separatist clone chick population.
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
The Coventry Boy - Graham Joyce
Bomb prediction girl stuck in one song groove until cured of the horn.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
The Coventry Boy - Graham Joyce
Bomb prediction girl stuck in one song groove until cured of the horn.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
October In the Chair - Neil Gaiman
Monthly avatar stories that most of them don't even like.
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Dune - Frank Herbert
One of the all time great sf novels. The story of a boy who becomes a man, while both the women around him try to manipulate him, and the political and economic powers try to do away with him.
Cleverly manipulating religion on Arrakis, and using his own gifts from being the end of a long breeding program to produce a superhuman, Paul Atreides refuses to be cowed, and takes the fight to his enemies, changing the galaxy forever.
5 out of 5
Cleverly manipulating religion on Arrakis, and using his own gifts from being the end of a long breeding program to produce a superhuman, Paul Atreides refuses to be cowed, and takes the fight to his enemies, changing the galaxy forever.
5 out of 5
Dune - Frank Herbert
One of the all time great sf novels. The story of a boy who becomes a man, while both the women around him try to manipulate him, and the political and economic powers try to do away with him.
Cleverly manipulating religion on Arrakis, and using his own gifts from being the end of a long breeding program to produce a superhuman, Paul Atreides refuses to be cowed, and takes the fight to his enemies, changing the galaxy forever.
5 out of 5
Cleverly manipulating religion on Arrakis, and using his own gifts from being the end of a long breeding program to produce a superhuman, Paul Atreides refuses to be cowed, and takes the fight to his enemies, changing the galaxy forever.
5 out of 5
Children of Dune - Frank Herbert
As Paul's children grow, they also display some superhuman talents. The problems with their Aunt Alia increase.
The leadership of Arrakis realise that their Jihad is basically out of control, and the ecological changes they are bringing to the planet with basically bring spice production to an end.
Paul's son Leto, later on, has a plan. His aunt is controlled by her memory of Baron Harkonnen, and this must be dealt with, and he must get Stilgar onside for his plan of the 'Golden Path'.
After consulting Paul and others, Leto has enabled a sandtrout skin to cover his body, giving him superhuman strength, speed and resistance to go along with his mental abilities.
He brings things to a head with his aunt, and enables her to gain enough control to kill herself, ending the Harkonnen threat within her.
With Leto's new powers and demonstrations of such, he proclaims himself Emperor, and brings the Fremen under his control again.
4.5 out of 5
The leadership of Arrakis realise that their Jihad is basically out of control, and the ecological changes they are bringing to the planet with basically bring spice production to an end.
Paul's son Leto, later on, has a plan. His aunt is controlled by her memory of Baron Harkonnen, and this must be dealt with, and he must get Stilgar onside for his plan of the 'Golden Path'.
After consulting Paul and others, Leto has enabled a sandtrout skin to cover his body, giving him superhuman strength, speed and resistance to go along with his mental abilities.
He brings things to a head with his aunt, and enables her to gain enough control to kill herself, ending the Harkonnen threat within her.
With Leto's new powers and demonstrations of such, he proclaims himself Emperor, and brings the Fremen under his control again.
4.5 out of 5
Time Enough For Love - Robert A. Heinlein
Lazarus Long is one of the Howards, a group of people that have extremely long life, basically due to genetics and being mutants, etc.
Lazarus Long is well into this third millenium, and is looking back on his life to that some of the information and insights he has can be used. Long himself is most definitely a dodgy bloke, and a 'villain' in the pommie sense.
2.5 out of 5
Lazarus Long is well into this third millenium, and is looking back on his life to that some of the information and insights he has can be used. Long himself is most definitely a dodgy bloke, and a 'villain' in the pommie sense.
2.5 out of 5
Time Enough For Love - Robert A. Heinlein
Lazarus Long is one of the Howards, a group of people that have extremely long life, basically due to genetics and being mutants, etc.
Lazarus Long is well into this third millenium, and is looking back on his life to that some of the information and insights he has can be used. Long himself is most definitely a dodgy bloke, and a 'villain' in the pommie sense.
2.5 out of 5
Lazarus Long is well into this third millenium, and is looking back on his life to that some of the information and insights he has can be used. Long himself is most definitely a dodgy bloke, and a 'villain' in the pommie sense.
2.5 out of 5
Starship Troopers - Robert A. Heinlein
Fight for your rights.
Or that is what it boils down to. A political exploration of a society where to have any say in what goes on requires you to enroll in the armed services, even if you are actually not capable of being a space marine, you will be placed in a support role that can make use of your more limited physical abilities.
The story follows a young man who decides to join up and does get sent out on a bug hunt, and his growing intellectual maturity to go along with it.
A bit on the dull side, really.
2.5 out of 5
Or that is what it boils down to. A political exploration of a society where to have any say in what goes on requires you to enroll in the armed services, even if you are actually not capable of being a space marine, you will be placed in a support role that can make use of your more limited physical abilities.
The story follows a young man who decides to join up and does get sent out on a bug hunt, and his growing intellectual maturity to go along with it.
A bit on the dull side, really.
2.5 out of 5
Stranger In A Strange Land - Robert A. Heinlein
Michael Smith is a child born in space, because of a manned mission to Mars from Earth. The Martians raise him on their planet, and he gains unique psionic abilities because of this upbringing.
When he returns to Earth he looks at things very differently to the locals, and basically straights preaching a new religion. When that happens, lots of people will get upset, particularly when it is of the love and shag all you like variety.
2 out of 5
When he returns to Earth he looks at things very differently to the locals, and basically straights preaching a new religion. When that happens, lots of people will get upset, particularly when it is of the love and shag all you like variety.
2 out of 5
Job A Comedy Of Justice - Robert A. Heinlein
More Heinlein drek from the era of his that you Just Should Not Read. This book, however, does have one or two amusing bits in there, but not enough overall to save it, or make it worthwhile, I think. Travelling around, bits about god, all that sort of thing. Not sure if it is supposed to be Twainish, or what.
1.5 out of 5
1.5 out of 5
Job A Comedy Of Justice - Robert A. Heinlein
More Heinlein drek from the era of his that you Just Should Not Read. This book, however, does have one or two amusing bits in there, but not enough overall to save it, or make it worthwhile, I think. Travelling around, bits about god, all that sort of thing. Not sure if it is supposed to be Twainish, or what.
1.5 out of 5
1.5 out of 5
Have Space Suit Will Travel - Robert A. Heinlein
Contest win adventures.
A boy keen on the space travel thing enters a contest for just such a trip, complete with the right gear.
This leads to adventures, a kid sidekick, an alien mentor, gangsters, and getting to represent the human race and explain all their badness.
A pretty entertaining kid's romp.
3.5 out of 5
A boy keen on the space travel thing enters a contest for just such a trip, complete with the right gear.
This leads to adventures, a kid sidekick, an alien mentor, gangsters, and getting to represent the human race and explain all their badness.
A pretty entertaining kid's romp.
3.5 out of 5
Friday - Robert A. Heinlein
This book is bad in just so many ways. By far the worst thing he ever came up with. Just horrible. 'What if I had a super girl android servant I could send on missions, and she loved sex whenever and
however, and I could get lots of the details afterwards.'
If you want something that is similar, but actually decent, try Joel Shepherd's Cassandra Kresnov series, Crossover, Breakaway, Killswitch.
1 out of 5
however, and I could get lots of the details afterwards.'
If you want something that is similar, but actually decent, try Joel Shepherd's Cassandra Kresnov series, Crossover, Breakaway, Killswitch.
1 out of 5
Friday - Robert A. Heinlein
This book is bad in just so many ways. By far the worst thing he ever came up with. Just horrible. 'What if I had a super girl android servant I could send on missions, and she loved sex whenever and
however, and I could get lots of the details afterwards.'
If you want something that is similar, but actually decent, try Joel Shepherd's Cassandra Kresnov series, Crossover, Breakaway, Killswitch.
1 out of 5
however, and I could get lots of the details afterwards.'
If you want something that is similar, but actually decent, try Joel Shepherd's Cassandra Kresnov series, Crossover, Breakaway, Killswitch.
1 out of 5
The Rose - Charles L. Harness
This is a book about science and art, and how people view such things might have an impact on human evolution and the development of a new species, homo superior. Also sarcastic commentary on authorities that want to hamper or censor such things.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Echo - Elizabeth Hand
http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/fiction/eh01.htm
Post-Fall solar powered vigil. With cool dogs.
3.5 out of 5
Post-Fall solar powered vigil. With cool dogs.
3.5 out of 5
Chip Crockett's Christmas Carol - Elizabeth Hand
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/originals/originals_archive/hand/hand1.html
Kid's show retro Scrooge turn.
3 out of 5
Kid's show retro Scrooge turn.
3 out of 5
Mindbridge - Joe Haldeman
Important new technologies not fully understood.
There are a couple in this book, one method actually allows physical transportation over huge distances, the other allows mental communication in a similar fashion.
The book takes a look at some of the scientific process that went into these discoveries - some accidental, and the upshot of what happens when you don't actually completely understand what is going on, or why you actually have this.
3 out of 5
There are a couple in this book, one method actually allows physical transportation over huge distances, the other allows mental communication in a similar fashion.
The book takes a look at some of the scientific process that went into these discoveries - some accidental, and the upshot of what happens when you don't actually completely understand what is going on, or why you actually have this.
3 out of 5
The Forever War - Joe Haldeman
War is bad, and takes way too long.
An obvious anti-war criticism piece, as we follow the two protagonists through a war between humans and aliens. The smartest, strongest and fastest young are recruited to be soldiers in this fight, and some of them don't even make it through training, and everyone knows only a small percentage will survive, perhaps.
Because of time dilation effects coming back from missions survived will mean much time has passed on Earth and the combatants will feel out of place and inclined to sign up with the military again as people that understand them.
An outstanding example of its type.
5 out of 5
An obvious anti-war criticism piece, as we follow the two protagonists through a war between humans and aliens. The smartest, strongest and fastest young are recruited to be soldiers in this fight, and some of them don't even make it through training, and everyone knows only a small percentage will survive, perhaps.
Because of time dilation effects coming back from missions survived will mean much time has passed on Earth and the combatants will feel out of place and inclined to sign up with the military again as people that understand them.
An outstanding example of its type.
5 out of 5
The Forever War - Joe Haldeman
War is bad, and takes way too long.
An obvious anti-war criticism piece, as we follow the two protagonists through a war between humans and aliens. The smartest, strongest and fastest young are recruited to be soldiers in this fight, and some of them don't even make it through training, and everyone knows only a small percentage will survive, perhaps.
Because of time dilation effects coming back from missions survived will mean much time has passed on Earth and the combatants will feel out of place and inclined to sign up with the military again as people that understand them.
An outstanding example of its type.
5 out of 5
An obvious anti-war criticism piece, as we follow the two protagonists through a war between humans and aliens. The smartest, strongest and fastest young are recruited to be soldiers in this fight, and some of them don't even make it through training, and everyone knows only a small percentage will survive, perhaps.
Because of time dilation effects coming back from missions survived will mean much time has passed on Earth and the combatants will feel out of place and inclined to sign up with the military again as people that understand them.
An outstanding example of its type.
5 out of 5
The Giftie - James Gunn
Anti-matter space plans mean vested disinvolvement preferred. Internet upload fixes them.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Virtual Light - William Gibson
Your future may not be bright if you are wearing these shades.
Gibson's technological level regresses from that of the Sprawl books. No cybernetic implants here, but old fashioned gear like googles and gloves for connections.
A lowly courier gets into trouble when lifting the wrong pair of glasses - a super advanced gear prototype with some startling abilities.
Through in a down on his luck investigator and another shady, seedy tale follows.
3 out of 5
Gibson's technological level regresses from that of the Sprawl books. No cybernetic implants here, but old fashioned gear like googles and gloves for connections.
A lowly courier gets into trouble when lifting the wrong pair of glasses - a super advanced gear prototype with some startling abilities.
Through in a down on his luck investigator and another shady, seedy tale follows.
3 out of 5
Mona Lisa Overdrive - William Gibson
Second girl cyberpunk mystery.
Count Zero, or Bobby Newmark appears in this book, as does Molly, the Street Samurai, and the odd other bit player, as the Neuromancer 'trilogy' continues.
A young girl that doesn't seem to quite belong in this society is of interest to many people, and Molly is a protector. She also happens to look somewhat like a famous actress, who becomes another important character, and has connections to the strange online voodoo world
Some more of the same from Gibson, but another good novel.
4 out of 5
Count Zero, or Bobby Newmark appears in this book, as does Molly, the Street Samurai, and the odd other bit player, as the Neuromancer 'trilogy' continues.
A young girl that doesn't seem to quite belong in this society is of interest to many people, and Molly is a protector. She also happens to look somewhat like a famous actress, who becomes another important character, and has connections to the strange online voodoo world
Some more of the same from Gibson, but another good novel.
4 out of 5
Mona Lisa Overdrive - William Gibson
Second girl cyberpunk mystery.
Count Zero, or Bobby Newmark appears in this book, as does Molly, the Street Samurai, and the odd other bit player, as the Neuromancer 'trilogy' continues.
A young girl that doesn't seem to quite belong in this society is of interest to many people, and Molly is a protector. She also happens to look somewhat like a famous actress, who becomes another important character, and has connections to the strange online voodoo world
Some more of the same from Gibson, but another good novel.
4 out of 5
Count Zero, or Bobby Newmark appears in this book, as does Molly, the Street Samurai, and the odd other bit player, as the Neuromancer 'trilogy' continues.
A young girl that doesn't seem to quite belong in this society is of interest to many people, and Molly is a protector. She also happens to look somewhat like a famous actress, who becomes another important character, and has connections to the strange online voodoo world
Some more of the same from Gibson, but another good novel.
4 out of 5
Count Zero - William Gibson
Retrieval, via mercenary and loser.
Another good cyberpunk novel by Gibson, throwing another whole pile of stuff at you that you see other authors echo later, like Walter Jon Williams, or Richard Morgan, for the voodoo elements in virtuality.
The corporations here are nasty, and if they decide to deal with you, they hire guys like one of the protagonist warriors in this book, preferably without them knowing what is going on given they have woken up in a new body.
If you like Neuromancer and want to follow on from there, you will probably like this.
4 out of 5
Another good cyberpunk novel by Gibson, throwing another whole pile of stuff at you that you see other authors echo later, like Walter Jon Williams, or Richard Morgan, for the voodoo elements in virtuality.
The corporations here are nasty, and if they decide to deal with you, they hire guys like one of the protagonist warriors in this book, preferably without them knowing what is going on given they have woken up in a new body.
If you like Neuromancer and want to follow on from there, you will probably like this.
4 out of 5
Count Zero - William Gibson
Retrieval, via mercenary and loser.
Another good cyberpunk novel by Gibson, throwing another whole pile of stuff at you that you see other authors echo later, like Walter Jon Williams, or Richard Morgan, for the voodoo elements in virtuality.
The corporations here are nasty, and if they decide to deal with you, they hire guys like one of the protagonist warriors in this book, preferably without them knowing what is going on given they have woken up in a new body.
If you like Neuromancer and want to follow on from there, you will probably like this.
4 out of 5
Another good cyberpunk novel by Gibson, throwing another whole pile of stuff at you that you see other authors echo later, like Walter Jon Williams, or Richard Morgan, for the voodoo elements in virtuality.
The corporations here are nasty, and if they decide to deal with you, they hire guys like one of the protagonist warriors in this book, preferably without them knowing what is going on given they have woken up in a new body.
If you like Neuromancer and want to follow on from there, you will probably like this.
4 out of 5
Too Many Magicians - Randall Garrett
A magic detective, a nice premise and style. Definitely enjoyable. Smart duchess, polish agents, master sorcerer duels, and more.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Three Hearings On the Existence Of Snakes In the Human Bloodstream - James Alan Gardner
Bloodwork shows religious interbreeding problematic.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Three Hearings On the Existence Of Snakes In the Human Bloodstream - James Alan Gardner
Bloodwork shows religious interbreeding problematic.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
A Study In Emerald - Neil Gaiman
http://www.neilgaiman.com/exclusive/shortstories/emerald.pdf
Old One vaudeville and some monstrous advertising.
4 out of 5
Old One vaudeville and some monstrous advertising.
4 out of 5
A Study In Emerald - Neil Gaiman
http://www.neilgaiman.com/exclusive/shortstories/emerald.pdf
Old One vaudeville and some monstrous advertising.
4 out of 5
Old One vaudeville and some monstrous advertising.
4 out of 5
How To Talk To Girls At Parties - Neil Gaiman
http://www.neilgaiman.com/exclusive/shortstories/partiesstorytext
Ordinary party and alien chicks = run away.
3.5 out of 5
Ordinary party and alien chicks = run away.
3.5 out of 5
Helen Rememers the Stork Club - Esther M. Friesner
Jaded old Greek demi-goddess bag indulges in flights of revenge.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
What I Didn't See - Karen Joy Fowler
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/originals/originals_archive/fowler/fowler1.html
Gorilla hunt horror.
4 out of 5
Gorilla hunt horror.
4 out of 5
The Empire Of Ice Cream - Jeffrey Ford
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/originals/originals_archive/ford4/
Synesthesia vision desserted.
3.5 out of 5
Synesthesia vision desserted.
3.5 out of 5
The Empire Of Ice Cream - Jeffrey Ford
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/originals/originals_archive/ford4/
Synesthesia vision desserted.
3.5 out of 5
Synesthesia vision desserted.
3.5 out of 5
The Empire Of Ice Cream - Jeffrey Ford
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/originals/originals_archive/ford4/
Synesthesia vision desserted.
3.5 out of 5
Synesthesia vision desserted.
3.5 out of 5
The Empire Of Ice Cream - Jeffrey Ford
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/originals/originals_archive/ford4/
Synesthesia vision desserted.
3.5 out of 5
Synesthesia vision desserted.
3.5 out of 5
Craters - Kristine Kathryn Rusch
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1416521127/1416521127___2.htm
Mandatory babychipping has horrendously explosive terrorist consequences, reporter finds.
4.5 out of 5
Mandatory babychipping has horrendously explosive terrorist consequences, reporter finds.
4.5 out of 5
Steve Fever - Greg Egan
http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/19534/
Resurrection nanobuild permutation recreation.
4.5 out of 5
Resurrection nanobuild permutation recreation.
4.5 out of 5
Sanjeev and Robotwallah - Ian McDonald
Battletech comes and goes, but pizza always popular.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate - Ted Chiang
Wormhole time tender's raconteur replay.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Glory - Greg Egan
Antimatter lightspeed starblast instantiation means mathematical archaeology discovery decision.
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
The Sky Is Large and the Earth Is Small - Chris Roberson
http://www.chrisroberson.net/2008/01/free-fiction-friday-sky-is-large-and.html
Chinese Mexican astronomical intelligence.
3.5 out of 5
Chinese Mexican astronomical intelligence.
3.5 out of 5
Saving Tiamaat - Gwyneth Jones
Diaspora warpdrive fine young cannibal political assassination.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
A Year In The Linear City - Paul Di Filippo
Any transport is slow, in this city. Or, what happens when it takes years to travel around the city you live in? Quite interesting, but short. The main character is actually a SF writer. The other odd thing thrown in, is that there is an actual avatar of Death, so something you don't want to see. With a city that is millions and millions of blocks long, achieving political nogoodnikness is quite problematic.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
A Year In The Linear City - Paul Di Filippo
Any transport is slow, in this city. Or, what happens when it takes years to travel around the city you live in? Quite interesting, but short. The main character is actually a SF writer. The other odd thing thrown in, is that there is an actual avatar of Death, so something you don't want to see. With a city that is millions and millions of blocks long, achieving political nogoodnikness is quite problematic.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
A Year In The Linear City - Paul Di Filippo
Any transport is slow, in this city. Or, what happens when it takes years to travel around the city you live in? Quite interesting, but short. The main character is actually a SF writer. The other odd thing thrown in, is that there is an actual avatar of Death, so something you don't want to see. With a city that is millions and millions of blocks long, achieving political nogoodnikness is quite problematic.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Karuna Inc - Paul Di Filippo
http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/stories/karuna.htm
Zombie attack cult bulldogged into voodoo demise.
4 out of 5
Zombie attack cult bulldogged into voodoo demise.
4 out of 5
To Your Scattered Bodies Go - Philip Jose Farmer
Not your dad's science fiction.
Farmer shows his love of throwing strange casts of characters together in this novel, where those who die wake up on the Riverworld - which as you might guess, has a really long river. This is not just dead people, or dead famous people, it includes an alien, as well. Nazis, famous adventures and more, in a strange quest to work out what is going on.
4 out of 5
Farmer shows his love of throwing strange casts of characters together in this novel, where those who die wake up on the Riverworld - which as you might guess, has a really long river. This is not just dead people, or dead famous people, it includes an alien, as well. Nazis, famous adventures and more, in a strange quest to work out what is going on.
4 out of 5
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