Two telepaths investigate the newly discovered world of Shkea, where every native inhabitant, and an increasing number of human colonists, worships...
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reviews
Aug 24, 2011
Lauren
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Mar 30, 2011
Don
rated it: 
I've never read anything by Martin. His more recent Fantasy novels come highly recommended. I thought I would test the waters by reading this book, which contains earlier (1970's) science fiction short stories,including the Hugo Award-winning title novella. I read most, although not all, of the stories, and I have to say that I am unimpressed. The shorter stories are well-written, but ultimately kind of ordinary in concept and narrative. The Novella is better, with an intriguing concept,
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May 23, 2010
Lyn
rated it: 
This was a short story by George R.R. Martin.
Its about a distant planet that is inhabited by a race of people called Shkeen. Humans, from Old Earth, have established a thriving city nearby, and the leader of the human city, Dino Valcarenghi is very disturbed and concerned about the religion of the Shkeen that has come among the human colony. Valcarenghi has hired a pair of vampires from the planet Baldur, Robb and Lyanna. Their task is to uncover why the humans are converting to this my More...
Its about a distant planet that is inhabited by a race of people called Shkeen. Humans, from Old Earth, have established a thriving city nearby, and the leader of the human city, Dino Valcarenghi is very disturbed and concerned about the religion of the Shkeen that has come among the human colony. Valcarenghi has hired a pair of vampires from the planet Baldur, Robb and Lyanna. Their task is to uncover why the humans are converting to this my More...
Aug 05, 2011
Really good. Most of the stories are a bit on the dark side, which is fine, but I'm glad that ASOIAF (at least in my mind) shows an outlook that's a little more positive - not that it doesn't have its share of darkness! Anyway, the story that gives the collection its title is a must-read. I'd give that one five stars right away. It poses some uncomfortable questions and I love that they aren't answered. You'll have to make up your mind on your own ... The other stories are less impressive but st
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Jul 25, 2011
Jennifer
rated it: 
I actually only read "A Song for Lya" and none of the other stories. It was interesting, but very strange and a little creepy. It's quite a change from GRRM's ASOIF as this is much more in the realm of sci-fi instead of fantasy. It was a nice diversion.
Jul 18, 2010
Louise
rated it:
I wanted to try out George R. R. Martin's other genre of books, so this novella set in a futuristic, sci fi world seemed like a good place to start. The beginning was strong and I was sucked in right away into the dynamics of the alien world which seemed similar to ours, but with some important differences. The middle was a little creepy and cultish, but the ending kind of fizzled out with no satisfying explanation or revelation.
Sep 01, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
Rating is based on the title novella only, which owes a huge debt to several different James Tiptree, Jr. plots. Tiptree did it better, more than once.
Feb 04, 2010
Melanti
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Jul 12, 2008
Carol
rated it:
A collection of short stories and one novella. This falls more squarely in the science fiction genre then the other books of Martin's that I've read. Science Fiction is not my favorite genre of literature...
Jun 01, 2009
Andrew
rated it:
There are some cool ideas here. However, I didn't find anything about the actual writing that stood out... there's better stuff out there.
May 01, 2007
Tamawi
rated it:
Sci-fi. I think it's a good starter book for somebody who has never tried reading this genre.
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