This book tries to be a realistic look at likely advances in the future, but it was a bit dull from my perspective, since everything it describes has ...moreThis book tries to be a realistic look at likely advances in the future, but it was a bit dull from my perspective, since everything it describes has been done many times in science fiction. (I can also pick up most of what he mentions by reading the list of current research projects at Lockheed Martin).(less)
Brilliant. An 11-year-old heroine who LOVES chemistry (especially poison!), Flavia Deluce is witty, clever, and fearless, keeping one step ahead of t...moreBrilliant. An 11-year-old heroine who LOVES chemistry (especially poison!), Flavia Deluce is witty, clever, and fearless, keeping one step ahead of the police until she finds the killer... and the rare stamp stolen from the king of England. I'm looking forward to the next.(less)
This is a chilling history of Nazi Germany before the war, but I couldn't finish it. It tells the story of growing brutality and despotism from the p...moreThis is a chilling history of Nazi Germany before the war, but I couldn't finish it. It tells the story of growing brutality and despotism from the perspective of the American ambassador and his family, who knew many of the top Nazi leaders on a first-name, social basis. Things just get worse and worse, however, and despite the interest of seeing how it happened, I couldn't stomach reading to the end.(less)
An intriguing set of essays, but like all such, some were much better than others. I expected more of a history of science, but instead I got each wr...moreAn intriguing set of essays, but like all such, some were much better than others. I expected more of a history of science, but instead I got each writer ruminating on his favorite subject. I particularly enjoyed Neal Stephenson's thoughts on Leibnitz's metaphysics, as well as the essay on X-ray crystallography.(less)
Just as good as the first one, if not better. Full of surprises, puzzles, and suspense, and driven by sympathetic characters. I love Katniss's chara...moreJust as good as the first one, if not better. Full of surprises, puzzles, and suspense, and driven by sympathetic characters. I love Katniss's character, though I must say, for a clever girl, sometimes she is just cataclysmically dumb. I'm very much looking forward to Mockingjay, though.(less)
Outstanding. An intensely sympathetic heroine thrust into the most horrific situation, by her own choice, in order to save her sister's life. Clever...moreOutstanding. An intensely sympathetic heroine thrust into the most horrific situation, by her own choice, in order to save her sister's life. Clever plotting, edge-of-your-seat danger, twists and turns, and a very satisfying resolution. There are many villains, but none of them wholly bad; all are sympathetic in some way, and yet together they are participating in ruthless murder with smiles on their faces. The author demonstrates a keen sense of how individual people, however nice, can be swept up in the values of their society, no matter how horrible. This story rings true on a number of levels. I'm rushing right out to get the sequel.
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This is what Wilson does best: the impossible happens, some stunning scientific mystery that no one understands, which dramatically affects the lives ...moreThis is what Wilson does best: the impossible happens, some stunning scientific mystery that no one understands, which dramatically affects the lives of his characters. In Darwinia and Spin, the mystery affected the whole world (Europe, Africa, and Asia are replaced; the stars disappear). In Blind Lake, the effects are more local, when a scientific community is suddenly quarantined, their outside communications cut off, and their facility guarded by military drones who kill anyone who tries to leave. And they have no idea why.
The tensions caused by this mysterious quarantine erode the normal controls of polite society and reveal the characters as they really are: selfish or selfless, compassionate or borderline psychotic. The book started a bit slow, as the characters were introduced and the situation was set up, but once they were quarantined, the suspense really increased right through to the end. Wilson gradually reveals his secrets in generous handfuls along the way, until the final reveal, when everything is explained in typically weird and beautiful Wilson style.
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Excellent military SF from the point of view of an enlisted soldier. Due to a computer glitch (typical of Fleet screw ups), he keeps dropping again a...moreExcellent military SF from the point of view of an enlisted soldier. Due to a computer glitch (typical of Fleet screw ups), he keeps dropping again and again, yet somehow never manages to die (unlike everyone else). A look at the gap between the grunts on the ground and the distant bureaucratic command that rings true. A very satisfying read.(less)
Superb. I picked this up for my 10-year-old based on an "if you liked The Mysterious Benedict Society" recommendation, and it did not disap...moreSuperb. I picked this up for my 10-year-old based on an "if you liked The Mysterious Benedict Society" recommendation, and it did not disappoint. Like an X-Men for kids, this follows a group of kids with special abilities in a modern setting where most people are normal. Most of the story, however, takes place in an underground secret government lab where they use psychological manipulation to convince the kids to reject their abilities and become "normal". (Their special powers fade with lack of use.) The villain is creepily kind and beautiful and compassionate, with convincing logic and subtle lies, driven by griefs in her own past into thinking she's doing the right thing. The kids must prevail in their own minds before they can prevail physically, which is remarkably easy once they all join forces. The theme, which is pervasive but not heavy-handed, is about finding the courage to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you just like everyone else. Highly recommended for both children and adults.(less)
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