Question time.
3.5 out of 5
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
The Miracle Workers - Jack Vance
Mental telepathy and associated talents not efficient for group killing.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
The Boy Behind the Gate - James Van Pelt
Good boy, bad boy, whichever, chuck 'em in an old mine.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Tales From the City Of Seams - Greg Van Eekhout
Balloon-man make more interesting creatures than mythology.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Robots and Falling Hearts - Tim Pratt and Greg Van Eekhout
http://escapepod.org/2005/12/08/ep031-robots-and-falling-hearts/
Reality altering with replicating rodent robots. With a bit of mechanical criticism of the critical literary abilities of people.
3.5 out of 5
Reality altering with replicating rodent robots. With a bit of mechanical criticism of the critical literary abilities of people.
3.5 out of 5
The Drowning Towers - George Turner
A really interesting look at our current society falling apart due to the weather, etc. For a pleasant change, not set in 'ho-hum, not New York again, who the hell cares about there for the nth time', but in Melbourne. The characters seem real.
After a woman loses her job, and her husband, she tries to get by. One honorable man tries to organise people to help each other out.
4 out of 5
After a woman loses her job, and her husband, she tries to get by. One honorable man tries to organise people to help each other out.
4 out of 5
City Of Pearl - Karen Traviss
Alien parasite problem.
The protagonist here is a cop. She is sent to a world to try and keep the lid on a situation between humans, the local inhabitants, and a powerful alien race. This is definitely harder than it seems. When she meets an alien with some very unusual characteristics she gets a lot deeper in than she ever wanted to, and ends up in a position a little similar to F. Paul Wilson's healer.
3 out of 5
The protagonist here is a cop. She is sent to a world to try and keep the lid on a situation between humans, the local inhabitants, and a powerful alien race. This is definitely harder than it seems. When she meets an alien with some very unusual characteristics she gets a lot deeper in than she ever wanted to, and ends up in a position a little similar to F. Paul Wilson's healer.
3 out of 5
City Of Pearl - Karen Traviss
Alien parasite problem.
The protagonist here is a cop. She is sent to a world to try and keep the lid on a situation between humans, the local inhabitants, and a powerful alien race. This is definitely harder than it seems. When she meets an alien with some very unusual characteristics she gets a lot deeper in than she ever wanted to, and ends up in a position a little similar to F. Paul Wilson's healer.
3 out of 5
The protagonist here is a cop. She is sent to a world to try and keep the lid on a situation between humans, the local inhabitants, and a powerful alien race. This is definitely harder than it seems. When she meets an alien with some very unusual characteristics she gets a lot deeper in than she ever wanted to, and ends up in a position a little similar to F. Paul Wilson's healer.
3 out of 5
Painwise - James Tiptree Jr
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/classics/classics_archive/tiptree4/
Nociception not for pod people.
3.5 out of 5
Nociception not for pod people.
3.5 out of 5
The Only Neat Thing To Do - James Tiptree Jr
Far Traveller broken by bitty brainbiter, makes combo decision to go out in early Pink Floyd style.
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Scherzo With Tyrannosaur - Michael Swanwick
T. Rex man dinner inspires time message to self.
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
Scherzo With Tyrannosaur - Michael Swanwick
T. Rex man dinner inspires time message to self.
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
Lord Weary's Empire - Michael Swanwick
http://www.asimovs.com/_issue_0704/lordweary.shtml
Kill elf, join gang, blow shit up, get girlie for horses.
4 out of 5
Kill elf, join gang, blow shit up, get girlie for horses.
4 out of 5
Legions In Time - Michael Swanwick
http://www.asimovs.com/_issue_0406/legionsintime.shtml
Slave escape chronowar torpedo overrun takedown homage revolution.
4.5 out of 5
Slave escape chronowar torpedo overrun takedown homage revolution.
4.5 out of 5
Niels Bohr and the Sleeping Dane - Jonathon Sullivan
http://www.strangehorizons.com/2005/20050725/sullivan-f.shtml
Statue sword-slinger saves scientist.
4 out of 5
Statue sword-slinger saves scientist.
4 out of 5
Ginungagap - Michael Swanwick
Black hole alien visiting lady bomb is decapitated. Sense of self maintained, now becomes filthy rich spider liaision.
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
The Edge Of the World - Michael Swanwick
Unwise excursion can get a bloke absolutely lost.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
The Edge Of the World - Michael Swanwick
Unwise excursion can get a bloke absolutely lost.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
The Edge Of the World - Michael Swanwick
Unwise excursion can get a bloke absolutely lost.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
The Edge Of the World - Michael Swanwick
Unwise excursion can get a bloke absolutely lost.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Venus Plus X - Theodore Sturgeon
An interesting look at society and how gender influences it. The protagonist, Charlie Johns, in this story winds up in the society of Ledom. In Ledom shumans only have one gender, and manage to function quite happily in that fashion.
While there, Charlie is given a decent background briefing on their culture and technology.
Charlie is confused, and begins to suspect something might be rotten in the state of Denmark.
3 out of 5
While there, Charlie is given a decent background briefing on their culture and technology.
Charlie is confused, and begins to suspect something might be rotten in the state of Denmark.
3 out of 5
Nightfall - Charles Stross
http://www.asimovs.com/_issue_0406/nightfall.shtml
Amber, the Field Circus, galactic routers, and a cat that is a definite worry.
4 out of 5
Amber, the Field Circus, galactic routers, and a cat that is a definite worry.
4 out of 5
Lobsters - Charles Stross
http://www.asimovs.com/Nebulas03/Lobsters.shtml
A way ahead of the curve ideas man helps out some intelligent sea types.
5 out of 5
A way ahead of the curve ideas man helps out some intelligent sea types.
5 out of 5
Lobsters - Charles Stross
http://www.asimovs.com/Nebulas03/Lobsters.shtml
A way ahead of the curve ideas man helps out some intelligent sea types.
5 out of 5
A way ahead of the curve ideas man helps out some intelligent sea types.
5 out of 5
Lobsters - Charles Stross
http://www.asimovs.com/Nebulas03/Lobsters.shtml
A way ahead of the curve ideas man helps out some intelligent sea types.
5 out of 5
A way ahead of the curve ideas man helps out some intelligent sea types.
5 out of 5
Lobsters - Charles Stross
http://www.asimovs.com/Nebulas03/Lobsters.shtml
A way ahead of the curve ideas man helps out some intelligent sea types.
5 out of 5
A way ahead of the curve ideas man helps out some intelligent sea types.
5 out of 5
Halo - Charles Stross
http://www.asimovs.com/Hugos/Halo.shtml
Life aboard the Field Circus for Amber, with some occasional advice from dad.
5 out of 5
Life aboard the Field Circus for Amber, with some occasional advice from dad.
5 out of 5
Halo - Charles Stross
http://www.asimovs.com/Hugos/Halo.shtml
Life aboard the Field Circus for Amber, with some occasional advice from dad.
5 out of 5
Life aboard the Field Circus for Amber, with some occasional advice from dad.
5 out of 5
Glasshouse - Charles Stross
Starting with a backhanded commentary on the nuttiness of data format changes for the sake of cash, you get some insight into the ability of this society to change their minds and their bodies.
Also the fact that this is lower-tech and less able place to live than what went before, because of a conflict.
This all ties into a supposedly sociological simulation experiment of a 20th century 'Dark Age' that they do not know much about.
The people in there realise it is a fair bit more than that, and groups at work tie back in to the war situation. You are given flashbacks and insight into this during the rest of the novel, through their experiences in the past.
Certainly not as brilliant as Accelerando or as amusing as Singularity Sky, I'd probably give it a 3.75 so far, but a writer like this certainly deserves some rounding up!
4 out of 5
Also the fact that this is lower-tech and less able place to live than what went before, because of a conflict.
This all ties into a supposedly sociological simulation experiment of a 20th century 'Dark Age' that they do not know much about.
The people in there realise it is a fair bit more than that, and groups at work tie back in to the war situation. You are given flashbacks and insight into this during the rest of the novel, through their experiences in the past.
Certainly not as brilliant as Accelerando or as amusing as Singularity Sky, I'd probably give it a 3.75 so far, but a writer like this certainly deserves some rounding up!
4 out of 5
Elector - Charles Stross
http://www.asimovs.com/_issue_0506/elector.shtml
Manfred and Amber deal with resurrection, resimulation, and the ever changing and rapidly evolving galactic situation.
4.5 out of 5
Manfred and Amber deal with resurrection, resimulation, and the ever changing and rapidly evolving galactic situation.
4.5 out of 5
The Concrete Jungle - Charles Stross
http://www.goldengryphon.com/Stross-Concrete.html
Bob gets called out on account of a monster program called SATAN STARE, that ties back into some past work for the Laundry and others.
He has to recruit, quickly, a pretty with it cop, and she helps him combat the beast, and the odd zombie.
4 out of 5
Bob gets called out on account of a monster program called SATAN STARE, that ties back into some past work for the Laundry and others.
He has to recruit, quickly, a pretty with it cop, and she helps him combat the beast, and the odd zombie.
4 out of 5
Taklakaman - Bruce Sterling
Sneaky Spider seekers suss out secret spaceships and other splendiferous scary and snazzy stuff.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Taklakaman - Bruce Sterling
Sneaky Spider seekers suss out secret spaceships and other splendiferous scary and snazzy stuff.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Schismatrix - Bruce Sterling
There are two main political factions in the masses of humanity that have spread to the stars. The Shapers, and the Mechanists. These factions have two different schools of thought on posthuman alteration of the body, the former organic, the latter taking the cyborg route.
They are not the only organisations that exist, but are the most influential.
4 out of 5
They are not the only organisations that exist, but are the most influential.
4 out of 5
Holy Fire - Bruce Sterling
A realised version of the old people are boring meme. Rejuvenation treatments are available to those that can afford them, and these lead to, of course, those very elderly being in control through wealth and
influence. They tend to lead static, safe, placid lives to protect their investment in themselves.
So, any change can only come through the young who avoid any of the existing technology. Here, one of the former group crosses to the latter, slumming to some degree.
3 out of 5
influence. They tend to lead static, safe, placid lives to protect their investment in themselves.
So, any change can only come through the young who avoid any of the existing technology. Here, one of the former group crosses to the latter, slumming to some degree.
3 out of 5
Stealing Alabama - Allen M. Steele
Stealing Alabama - Allen Steele
The brave leaving Liberty as Liberty no longer leading the brave.
4.5 out of 5
The brave leaving Liberty as Liberty no longer leading the brave.
4.5 out of 5
Bicycle Repairman - Bruce Sterling
Celibate cycle geek bags black bag babe burglar thanks to baton boo-boo.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
The Death Of Captain Future - Allen M. Steele
A poignant satire, if you will. A story of the hard graft of a spacer's life, and a deluded rich man that wants to be a hero, and just about believe he is Captain Future. Everyone thinks he is pretty much crazy, and won't work for him, so a man stuck for a job agrees to what he thinks is a one way trip.
It becomes more than that when they are the closest to an accident with a mass driver, and unless they do something about the distressed ship, something really big will hit Mars, wiping out most of the colony there.
Enter Captain Future. No dropoff for his new crewman/Futureman.
Finding the ship, the second mate realises :
“...There’s no such thing.” I bent over the keypad and went to work accessing the main computer, my fingers thick and clumsy within the suit gloves. “No Planet Police, no asteroid pirates. Just a ship whose air ducts are crawling with the Plague. You’re . . .”
“I’m Captain Future!” declaims his captain.
They manage to stop it, but Captain Future gets infected with the plague due to his lack of caution, but they eulogise him when they get back.
And as the end, in a story that really turns out to be quite moving, and well worth reading:
"Last night, some nervous kid-a cargo grunt off some LEO freighter, his union card probably still uncreased-sidled up to me at the bar and asked for my autograph. While I was signing the inside cover of his logbook, he told me a strange rumor he had recently heard: Captain Future managed to escape from the Fool’s Gold just before it blew. According to him, prospectors in the inner belt report spotting a gig on their screens, one whose pilot answers their calls as Curt Newton before transmissions are lost.
I bought the youngster a drink and told him the truth. Naturally, he refused to believe me, nor can I blame him.
Heroes are hard to find. We need to welcome them whenever they appear in our midst. You’ve just got to be careful to pick the right guy, because it’s easy for someone to pretend to be what they’re not.
Captain Future is dead.
Long live Captain Future."
5 out of 5
It becomes more than that when they are the closest to an accident with a mass driver, and unless they do something about the distressed ship, something really big will hit Mars, wiping out most of the colony there.
Enter Captain Future. No dropoff for his new crewman/Futureman.
Finding the ship, the second mate realises :
“...There’s no such thing.” I bent over the keypad and went to work accessing the main computer, my fingers thick and clumsy within the suit gloves. “No Planet Police, no asteroid pirates. Just a ship whose air ducts are crawling with the Plague. You’re . . .”
“I’m Captain Future!” declaims his captain.
They manage to stop it, but Captain Future gets infected with the plague due to his lack of caution, but they eulogise him when they get back.
And as the end, in a story that really turns out to be quite moving, and well worth reading:
"Last night, some nervous kid-a cargo grunt off some LEO freighter, his union card probably still uncreased-sidled up to me at the bar and asked for my autograph. While I was signing the inside cover of his logbook, he told me a strange rumor he had recently heard: Captain Future managed to escape from the Fool’s Gold just before it blew. According to him, prospectors in the inner belt report spotting a gig on their screens, one whose pilot answers their calls as Curt Newton before transmissions are lost.
I bought the youngster a drink and told him the truth. Naturally, he refused to believe me, nor can I blame him.
Heroes are hard to find. We need to welcome them whenever they appear in our midst. You’ve just got to be careful to pick the right guy, because it’s easy for someone to pretend to be what they’re not.
Captain Future is dead.
Long live Captain Future."
5 out of 5
The Death Of Captain Future - Allen M. Steele
A poignant satire, if you will. A story of the hard graft of a spacer's life, and a deluded rich man that wants to be a hero, and just about believe he is Captain Future. Everyone thinks he is pretty much crazy, and won't work for him, so a man stuck for a job agrees to what he thinks is a one way trip.
It becomes more than that when they are the closest to an accident with a mass driver, and unless they do something about the distressed ship, something really big will hit Mars, wiping out most of the colony there.
Enter Captain Future. No dropoff for his new crewman/Futureman.
Finding the ship, the second mate realises :
“...There’s no such thing.” I bent over the keypad and went to work accessing the main computer, my fingers thick and clumsy within the suit gloves. “No Planet Police, no asteroid pirates. Just a ship whose air ducts are crawling with the Plague. You’re . . .”
“I’m Captain Future!” declaims his captain.
They manage to stop it, but Captain Future gets infected with the plague due to his lack of caution, but they eulogise him when they get back.
And as the end, in a story that really turns out to be quite moving, and well worth reading:
"Last night, some nervous kid-a cargo grunt off some LEO freighter, his union card probably still uncreased-sidled up to me at the bar and asked for my autograph. While I was signing the inside cover of his logbook, he told me a strange rumor he had recently heard: Captain Future managed to escape from the Fool’s Gold just before it blew. According to him, prospectors in the inner belt report spotting a gig on their screens, one whose pilot answers their calls as Curt Newton before transmissions are lost.
I bought the youngster a drink and told him the truth. Naturally, he refused to believe me, nor can I blame him.
Heroes are hard to find. We need to welcome them whenever they appear in our midst. You’ve just got to be careful to pick the right guy, because it’s easy for someone to pretend to be what they’re not.
Captain Future is dead.
Long live Captain Future."
5 out of 5
It becomes more than that when they are the closest to an accident with a mass driver, and unless they do something about the distressed ship, something really big will hit Mars, wiping out most of the colony there.
Enter Captain Future. No dropoff for his new crewman/Futureman.
Finding the ship, the second mate realises :
“...There’s no such thing.” I bent over the keypad and went to work accessing the main computer, my fingers thick and clumsy within the suit gloves. “No Planet Police, no asteroid pirates. Just a ship whose air ducts are crawling with the Plague. You’re . . .”
“I’m Captain Future!” declaims his captain.
They manage to stop it, but Captain Future gets infected with the plague due to his lack of caution, but they eulogise him when they get back.
And as the end, in a story that really turns out to be quite moving, and well worth reading:
"Last night, some nervous kid-a cargo grunt off some LEO freighter, his union card probably still uncreased-sidled up to me at the bar and asked for my autograph. While I was signing the inside cover of his logbook, he told me a strange rumor he had recently heard: Captain Future managed to escape from the Fool’s Gold just before it blew. According to him, prospectors in the inner belt report spotting a gig on their screens, one whose pilot answers their calls as Curt Newton before transmissions are lost.
I bought the youngster a drink and told him the truth. Naturally, he refused to believe me, nor can I blame him.
Heroes are hard to find. We need to welcome them whenever they appear in our midst. You’ve just got to be careful to pick the right guy, because it’s easy for someone to pretend to be what they’re not.
Captain Future is dead.
Long live Captain Future."
5 out of 5
Mortimer Gray's History Of Death - Brian Stableford
Immortal's morbid mortality research.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Mortimer Gray's History Of Death - Brian Stableford
Immortal's morbid mortality research.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
The Void Captain's Tale - Norman Spinrad
A tragedy, told via the device of a captain's log. Interstellar travel is possible with the assistance of special women trained to provide the human element to make it possible. Any problems they are having can throw up with one these jumps of huge distance, getting people hopelessly lost.
When one such pilot meets our Void Captain, a relationship that is never supposed to happen for professional reasons has extreme consequences.
3 out of 5
When one such pilot meets our Void Captain, a relationship that is never supposed to happen for professional reasons has extreme consequences.
3 out of 5
Bug Jack Barron - Norman Spinrad
In a near future setting, a controversial media commentator is our protagonist. When he takes on a particular topic he gets in over his head, as he starts playing with the billonaires.
A dirty conspiracy is going on, and they bring Jack in. He realises that longevity treatments are possible, but only by illegal organlegging of children.
Jack must make the difficult choice of whether to throw in with them, or expose them.
4 out of 5
A dirty conspiracy is going on, and they bring Jack in. He realises that longevity treatments are possible, but only by illegal organlegging of children.
Jack must make the difficult choice of whether to throw in with them, or expose them.
4 out of 5
Bug Jack Barron - Norman Spinrad
In a near future setting, a controversial media commentator is our protagonist. When he takes on a particular topic he gets in over his head, as he starts playing with the billonaires.
A dirty conspiracy is going on, and they bring Jack in. He realises that longevity treatments are possible, but only by illegal organlegging of children.
Jack must make the difficult choice of whether to throw in with them, or expose them.
4 out of 5
A dirty conspiracy is going on, and they bring Jack in. He realises that longevity treatments are possible, but only by illegal organlegging of children.
Jack must make the difficult choice of whether to throw in with them, or expose them.
4 out of 5
Scanners Live In Vain - Cordwainer Smith
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1416521461/1416521461___5.htm
Monopoly is bad, and worth doing something about.
5 out of 5
Monopoly is bad, and worth doing something about.
5 out of 5
On the Storm Planet - Cordwainer Smith
Turtle girl's longevity vigil requires warrior assistant.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Strange Shadows - Clark Ashton Smith
http://www.eldritchdark.com/writings/short-stories/202/strange-shadows-|-i-am-your-shadow
Drunk dude bedevilled by dark stuff.
2.5 out of 5
Drunk dude bedevilled by dark stuff.
2.5 out of 5
Prince Alcouz and the Magician - Clark Ashton Smith
http://www.eldritchdark.com/writings/short-stories/173/prince-alcouz-and-the-magician
A ruler instructs his magician that he doesn't want his useless son inheriting his rule.
3 out of 5
A ruler instructs his magician that he doesn't want his useless son inheriting his rule.
3 out of 5
The Rise Of Endymion - Dan Simmons
Aenea, along with her protector Raoul Endymion, must try and avoid the fate of almost all messiahs to stop the Catholic Church's genocidal military operation to wipe out all resistance to its plans, and really, the plans of the TechnoCore.
With the help of the Others, a rebel faction of the Core, and a visit to Old Earth, Aenea has to come to understand the nature of the universe, to enable humanity with the power to escape AI domination, and have the ability to face the Church's Pax fleet.
4 out of 5
With the help of the Others, a rebel faction of the Core, and a visit to Old Earth, Aenea has to come to understand the nature of the universe, to enable humanity with the power to escape AI domination, and have the ability to face the Church's Pax fleet.
4 out of 5
The Fall Of Hyperion - Dan Simmons
A more convetional story structure is to be found here, as the pilgrims try and deal with an invasion, a Hegemony political leader, and an android avatar reincarnation of Keats.
They discover that the TechnoCore itself is fighting its own battles, and the spillover affects them in a very serious way.
Oh, and throw in some highly entertaining Catholic satire, to boot.
5 out of 5
They discover that the TechnoCore itself is fighting its own battles, and the spillover affects them in a very serious way.
Oh, and throw in some highly entertaining Catholic satire, to boot.
5 out of 5
The Fall Of Hyperion - Dan Simmons
A more convetional story structure is to be found here, as the pilgrims try and deal with an invasion, a Hegemony political leader, and an android avatar reincarnation of Keats.
They discover that the TechnoCore itself is fighting its own battles, and the spillover affects them in a very serious way.
Oh, and throw in some highly entertaining Catholic satire, to boot.
5 out of 5
They discover that the TechnoCore itself is fighting its own battles, and the spillover affects them in a very serious way.
Oh, and throw in some highly entertaining Catholic satire, to boot.
5 out of 5
Grotto Of the Dancing Deer - Clifford D. Simak
Only fair to have an immortal Cro-Magnon given the odd immortal neanderthal.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Grotto Of the Dancing Deer - Clifford D. Simak
Only fair to have an immortal Cro-Magnon given the odd immortal neanderthal.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Up the Line - Robert Silverberg
What do you do if you can travel through time on tours? Have lots of sex, it appears, and fun. Of course, this sort of monkey business needs overseeing to stop all sorts of paradoxical happenings.
There are agents that do this sort of work, but they are not all immune to temptation. This is what happens here.
3 out of 5
There are agents that do this sort of work, but they are not all immune to temptation. This is what happens here.
3 out of 5
Up the Line - Robert Silverberg
What do you do if you can travel through time on tours? Have lots of sex, it appears, and fun. Of course, this sort of monkey business needs overseeing to stop all sorts of paradoxical happenings.
There are agents that do this sort of work, but they are not all immune to temptation. This is what happens here.
3 out of 5
There are agents that do this sort of work, but they are not all immune to temptation. This is what happens here.
3 out of 5
Sailing To Byzantium - Robert Silverberg
Tedious travelogue and artificial lifetime constraints.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Sailing To Byzantium - Robert Silverberg
Tedious travelogue and artificial lifetime constraints.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
The Pope of the Chimps - Robert Silverberg
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/classics/classics_archive/silverberg/
Talking ape theology just as mistakenly murderous as the human variety.
4 out of 5
Talking ape theology just as mistakenly murderous as the human variety.
4 out of 5
Lord Valentine's Castle - Robert Silverberg
On the planet Majipoor several races coexist with humans. The plot has to do with political manipulation and skullduggery, and alien plots. The main character is an amnesiac man named Valentine, who joins a troupe of wandering jugglers and learns their trade.
He realises something is wrong with the government, and the mythological ruling figure, and sets out to do something about it.
4 out of 5
He realises something is wrong with the government, and the mythological ruling figure, and sets out to do something about it.
4 out of 5
Legends 2 - Robert Silverberg
The second Legends anthology isn't as good as the first, and doesn't have the one outstanding piece like Martin's Hedge Knight in the first book, but there is still a handful of good stories.
Another look at Orlando Gardiner from Otherworld was appreciated, and Gabaldon and Haydon were new - one ok, one bad, it seems.
Legends II : Homecoming [Elderlings] - Robin Hobb
Legends II : The Sworn Sword [Song of Ice and Fire] - George R. R. Martin
Legends II : The Yazoo Queen [Alvin Maker] - Orson Scott Card
Legends II : Lord John and the Succubus [Outworlder] - Diana Gabaldon
Legends II : The Book of Changes [Majipoor] - Robert Silverberg
Legends II : The Happiest Dead Boy in the World [Otherland] - Tad Williams
Legends II : Beyond Between [Pern] - Anne McCaffrey
Legends II : The Messenger [Riftwar] - Raymond E. Feist
Legends II : Threshold [Symphony] - Elizabeth Haydon
Legends II : The Monarch of the Glen [American Gods] - Neil Gaiman
Legends II : Indomitable [Shannara] - Terry Brooks
Rain Wild changes.
3 out of 5
Short people got no reason to slap me just for being a hick knight.
3.5 out of 5
Bowie knifeless.
2.5 out of 5
Opium seduction strategy.
3.5 out of 5
Historical poetry captive inspiration.
4 out of 5
Network reproduction strategy.
4 out of 5
Transporter accident haunting.
4 out of 5
Freezing cold, both ways, and people trying to kill you still gets little respect.
4 out of 5
Rescue ship.
2 out of 5
Huldersave.
3 out of 5
Missing page problem.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Another look at Orlando Gardiner from Otherworld was appreciated, and Gabaldon and Haydon were new - one ok, one bad, it seems.
Legends II : Homecoming [Elderlings] - Robin Hobb
Legends II : The Sworn Sword [Song of Ice and Fire] - George R. R. Martin
Legends II : The Yazoo Queen [Alvin Maker] - Orson Scott Card
Legends II : Lord John and the Succubus [Outworlder] - Diana Gabaldon
Legends II : The Book of Changes [Majipoor] - Robert Silverberg
Legends II : The Happiest Dead Boy in the World [Otherland] - Tad Williams
Legends II : Beyond Between [Pern] - Anne McCaffrey
Legends II : The Messenger [Riftwar] - Raymond E. Feist
Legends II : Threshold [Symphony] - Elizabeth Haydon
Legends II : The Monarch of the Glen [American Gods] - Neil Gaiman
Legends II : Indomitable [Shannara] - Terry Brooks
Rain Wild changes.
3 out of 5
Short people got no reason to slap me just for being a hick knight.
3.5 out of 5
Bowie knifeless.
2.5 out of 5
Opium seduction strategy.
3.5 out of 5
Historical poetry captive inspiration.
4 out of 5
Network reproduction strategy.
4 out of 5
Transporter accident haunting.
4 out of 5
Freezing cold, both ways, and people trying to kill you still gets little respect.
4 out of 5
Rescue ship.
2 out of 5
Huldersave.
3 out of 5
Missing page problem.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Hawksbill Station - Robert Silverberg
The authorities have come up with an unconventional but effective way of controlling dissidents. Send them back a billion or so years into the past. A bit hard to escape from there, really.
When a new prisoner is sent back, the current top dog, an aging main with a recent serious injury has to try and hang onto his life, and work out what is up with the new guy.
3 out of 5
When a new prisoner is sent back, the current top dog, an aging main with a recent serious injury has to try and hang onto his life, and work out what is up with the new guy.
3 out of 5
Hawksbill Station - Robert Silverberg
The authorities have come up with an unconventional but effective way of controlling dissidents. Send them back a billion or so years into the past. A bit hard to escape from there, really.
When a new prisoner is sent back, the current top dog, an aging main with a recent serious injury has to try and hang onto his life, and work out what is up with the new guy.
3 out of 5
When a new prisoner is sent back, the current top dog, an aging main with a recent serious injury has to try and hang onto his life, and work out what is up with the new guy.
3 out of 5
Twilight Time - Lewis Shiner
http://www.lewisshiner.com/liberation/twilight.html
Retrograde probability wave past proctoring.
4 out of 5
Retrograde probability wave past proctoring.
4 out of 5
Love In Vain - Lewis Shiner
http://www.lewisshiner.com/liberation/vain.html
Supernatural serial killers and the high school horn.
4 out of 5
Supernatural serial killers and the high school horn.
4 out of 5
A Traveler's Tale - Lucius Shepard
Island marooned alien derelict bodysnatcher decides on a shooting swansong.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
The Scalehunter's Beautiful Daughter - Lucius Shepard
Rape escapee dragon prisoner junkie.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
The Scalehunter's Beautiful Daughter - Lucius Shepard
Rape escapee dragon prisoner junkie.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
The Scalehunter's Beautiful Daughter - Lucius Shepard
Rape escapee dragon prisoner junkie.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Radiant Green Star - Lucius Shepard
http://www.asimovs.com/_issue_0202/radiantgreen.html
Mutant circus major's minder seeks permanent paternal punishment.
4.5 out of 5
Mutant circus major's minder seeks permanent paternal punishment.
4.5 out of 5
Radiant Green Star - Lucius Shepard
http://www.asimovs.com/_issue_0202/radiantgreen.html
Mutant circus major's minder seeks permanent paternal punishment.
4.5 out of 5
Mutant circus major's minder seeks permanent paternal punishment.
4.5 out of 5
Radiant Green Star - Lucius Shepard
http://www.asimovs.com/_issue_0202/radiantgreen.html
Mutant circus major's minder seeks permanent paternal punishment.
4.5 out of 5
Mutant circus major's minder seeks permanent paternal punishment.
4.5 out of 5
Over Yonder - Theodore Sturgeon
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/originals/originals_archive/shepard2/
Otherworldy hobo hangout welcomes mutts, but here be monsters.
3.5 out of 5
Otherworldy hobo hangout welcomes mutts, but here be monsters.
3.5 out of 5
The Jaguar Hunter - Lucius Shepard
http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/stories/jaguarhunter.htm
Man decides sexy werejaguar is better than crappy American cop show.
4 out of 5
Man decides sexy werejaguar is better than crappy American cop show.
4 out of 5
Delta Sly Honey - Lucius Shepard
Ghost patrol's gunnin' for body baggin' boy broadcaster.
4.5 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
Crocodile Rock - Lucius Shepard
Yank bloke in Africa meets magic man, dreams of eating people. As a werecrocodile. Perhaps has evidence to be slightly worried about this when awake. As a consequence, decides on the intercontinental manoeuvre.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Crocodile Rock - Lucius Shepard
Yank bloke in Africa meets magic man, dreams of eating people. As a werecrocodile. Perhaps has evidence to be slightly worried about this when awake. As a consequence, decides on the intercontinental manoeuvre.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Barnacle Bill the Spacer - Lucius Shepard
Brainless boy blows up because space station sucker beasts despise coming crazed cult conflict in C.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Barnacle Bill the Spacer - Lucius Shepard
Brainless boy blows up because space station sucker beasts despise coming crazed cult conflict in C.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Light Of Other Days - Bob Shaw
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/classics/classics_archive/shaw/shaw1.html
A sad story of a use for 'slow glass' technology that traps light for an extended period of time.
3 out of 5
A sad story of a use for 'slow glass' technology that traps light for an extended period of time.
3 out of 5
Light Of Other Days - Bob Shaw
http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/classics/classics_archive/shaw/shaw1.html
A sad story of a use for 'slow glass' technology that traps light for an extended period of time.
3 out of 5
A sad story of a use for 'slow glass' technology that traps light for an extended period of time.
3 out of 5
The Absolute Last of the Ultra-Spooky Super-Scary Hallowe'en Horror Nights - David J. Schow
Theme park hoodlum slasher cleanup.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
The Witches Of Karres - James H. Schmitz
I suppose this is a fun romp, it gets freakier and more entertaining towards the end. A down on his luck spacer type, ends up in trouble and on the run, and gets involved with three girls. They turn out to be aliens with super powered psionic abilities, and because of these they, and their whole planet, is reviled by most others. Hijinks ensue, he comes around to their side, etc.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Goblin Night - James H. Schmitz
http://www.webscription.net/10.1125/Baen/0671578510/0671578510___4.htm
Telzey is camping with some classmates when someone makes contact with her, psi fashion. She soon finds out that this man is not what he seems. It is a good thing that she is looking after a friend's large, powerful and very capable pooch when the 'Goblin' appears.
3.5 out of 5
Telzey is camping with some classmates when someone makes contact with her, psi fashion. She soon finds out that this man is not what he seems. It is a good thing that she is looking after a friend's large, powerful and very capable pooch when the 'Goblin' appears.
3.5 out of 5
Old Man's War - John Scalzi
A widower is faced with a decision in his declining years. Live out the rest of his life on earth, or take a shot at joining the military, where you get to protect get, get a new young body and a chance to settle the stars.
The only catch is that you life expectancy once you join up is about 2 years, so the odds are very, very bad that you will make it out of the war alive.
4 out of 5
The only catch is that you life expectancy once you join up is about 2 years, so the odds are very, very bad that you will make it out of the war alive.
4 out of 5
Artifice and Intelligence - Tim Pratt
http://www.strangehorizons.com/2007/20070806/artifice-f.shtml
Bad ghosts, bad machine, bad game.
4 out of 5
Bad ghosts, bad machine, bad game.
4 out of 5
Wikiworld - Paul Di Filippo
http://www.pyrsf.com/chapters/Wikiworld/WikiWorld.htm
Dickieworld, with groups the Coodabeens could definitely love. Trade cybernetwarstylin'.
4.5 out of 5
Dickieworld, with groups the Coodabeens could definitely love. Trade cybernetwarstylin'.
4.5 out of 5
An Ocean Is A Snowflake Four Billion Miles Away - John Barnes
Energetic documentary avalanche accident.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
A Plain Tale From Our Hills - Bruce Sterling
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/spring2007/fiction-a-plain-tale-from-our-hills-by-bruce-sterling/
A bleak, baroque tale of life after the fall of civilisation. One woman still has abnormal technology, biology and longevity.
2.5 out of 5
A bleak, baroque tale of life after the fall of civilisation. One woman still has abnormal technology, biology and longevity.
2.5 out of 5
The Clear Blue Seas Of Luna - Gregory Benford
Seleneoforming metamorphosis takeover takedown
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz Go To War Again - Garth Nix
Lizard lancer mercenary godbothering, no dummy.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
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