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Escape Velocity: The Anthology

Geoff Nelder (Goodreads Author) (Editor),

Robert Blevins (Editor),

Gareth D. Jones (Goodreads Author),

Bec Zugor,

Barbara Krasnoff (Goodreads Author),

Richard J. Goldstein,

Magdalena Ball (Goodreads Author),

Kaolin Fire,

more…

3.65 · Rating details · 20 ratings · 5 reviews

Escape Velocity, the science fiction magazine from Adventure Books of Seattle, was host to some of the most talented writers in the genre. Presented here are many of the best short stories from the magazine, as well as others specially submitted for this collection by authors from around the world. This very unique book contains forty-eight sci-fi stories, such as 'Scream ...more

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Kindle Edition, 360 pages

Published May 1st 2011 by Adventure Books of Seattle (first published April 8th 2011)

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Aug 26, 2011 Dellani Oakes rated it it was amazing

"Escape Velocity" is a diverse selection of modern science fiction stories. The stories are as unique and varied as the authors, each reflecting a different aspect of society.

As it is an anthology, it's very difficult to give an in depth review of characterization and style as I usually do. Instead, I'll discuss several stories I felt were most outstanding. This is in no way a reflection on the others. All are well written with interesting premises that warrant exploration. I have been an avid s "Escape Velocity" is a diverse selection of modern science fiction stories. The stories are as unique and varied as the authors, each reflecting a different aspect of society.

As it is an anthology, it's very difficult to give an in depth review of characterization and style as I usually do. Instead, I'll discuss several stories I felt were most outstanding. This is in no way a reflection on the others. All are well written with interesting premises that warrant exploration. I have been an avid sci-fi reader since I was a child. Therefore, the stories I've chosen reflect my personal tastes.

"Birthright" by Ian Smith is the first that really caught my eye. It's about a teenage girl cast in a difficult role as a protector. She does her duty and moves on to her next assignment. I was impressed with the story's unique perspective and straightforward readability.

"Auditory Crescendo" by Geoff Nelder explores the use (or abuse) of a young man injured in an explosion. Experimental surgery leaves him with the ability to hear from a great distance. How like the government to exploit that. The story leaves the reader wondering just what he will do with his ability. Will he use it for good or ill?

"Caveat Emptor!" (Buyer Beware) by Bec Zugor presents a compelling ethical and moral issue. In this world, talent transplants are made by taking cells from a highly talented artist or musician, a patch is cloned and put into the subject. What the company doesn't say is that certain personality aberrations can also be transplanted—with disturbing results. The climax adds new dimensions to the words, "Buyer Beware".

"First Class" by Barbara Krasnoff is a lighthearted story of a young woman stranded on an alien world when the star cruiser she's on meets with an accident. At first terrified by her surroundings, she learns to cope and even makes friends with the natives. It's a charming story about finding ways to get along.

"Heaven as Iron, Earth as Brass" by Richard J. Goldstein is an amazingly powerful tale. It shows the reader that some people would rather die for their hate than learn to live without it. This story is a deeply moving social commentary.

"Galactic Collision" by Magdalena Bell is a wonderfully expressive poem about outer space. I enjoyed the images she created with her words. It is the only poem in the anthology and well worth being included.

"Scream Quietly" by Sheila Crosby was one of my favorite stories. Told by way of letters from the perspective of a young woman in 1849 England. This story depicts the intricacies of alien contact and space/ time travel. It's a wonderfully heartwarming tale with a great twist at the end.

"Hole Card" by Robert Blevins is a somewhat disturbing look at how a witness from the Roswell crash is treated and interrogated. It puts in clear focus attitudes toward aliens, as something to be dissected and experimented upon.

"Chester" by Karl Bunker is a lovely story of a man and his pet alien, Chester. Despite popular opinion to the contrary, Hexapod owners know that their alien companions are loving, faithful and kind. The gift they give their owners on dying could very well save humanity. This is a beautiful depiction not only of trust, but of redemption.

"Borrowed Time" by Gustavo Bondoni leaves the reader wondering if all that transpired was as a result of some sick, ethereal joke. Has Hawthorne undermined humanity because of purposely bad advice? The reader is left to determine this for himself.

"Escape Velocity" is an excellent anthology of sci-fi stories for any science fiction lover. Its amazing variety has something to please every reader. I highly recommend "Escape Velocity". ...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Karl Drinkwater rated it really liked it

This was certainly a good value collection - more than 45 stories, which lasted a good while. As with any anthology there is a mix of styles, moods (some serious, some humorous), quality, viewpoints, themes and so on. As such it is difficult to summarise the overall collection, and easier to give examples of the stories I enjoyed most (in the order in which they appear), along with a quote that I liked from each story.

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Auditory Crescendo (Geoff Nelder)

"If they were much closer, their voices wo ...more

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May 11, 2011 Geoff Nelder rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

I am a co-editor of this collection of SF stories so I am biased. It is wonderful! LOL. Seriously, it is an eclectic mis of many of science fiction's sub-genres from time travel, to alien abduction with many literary works there. A must read collection for any science fiction fan.

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Jun 03, 2011 Dave rated it it was ok

Shelves: anthology

A somewhat disappointing collection. Given it is a best of from a comtemporary magazine, the stories have for the most part a quaintly old-fashioned feel to them.

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Apr 11, 2013 Lindsay rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013, sci-fi, kindle

A good mix of short sci-fi stories, perfect for dipping in and out of.

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May 12, 2011 David Fleming rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author)

Shelves: short-stories

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Feb 22, 2013 Karl Bunker rated it liked it · (Review from the author)

Shelves: books-i-m-in

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About Geoff Nelder

Geoff Nelder

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Geoff Nelder has a wife, two grown-up kids, an increasing number of grandkids, and lives in rural England within an easy cycle ride of the Welsh mountains. He taught Geography and Information Technology for years until writing took over his life. Geoff is a competition short-fiction judge, and a freelance editor.

Publications include several non-fiction books on climate reflecting his other persona ...more