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Cat #1.5
Phoenix in the Ashes
Visions - Visions of love and conflict, anguish and Tomorrow. Of outcasts who must bridge the obsessions of two post Holocaust worlds; and an astronaut who finds her life's quest betrayed by a device from an alien past. A prince who became a beggar, with the power of the dragon; and a feudal serf who met a high tech lord, with the magic of a peddler. A Cat who had lost his mind powers and a Dreamweaver who had lost her mind. A barbarian priestess whose beauty challenged the world and whose child could melt the heart of an alien God-on a crippled Earth that swam beneath a vast Cyclopean eye. The visions of Joan D. Vinge.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
193 people want to read
About the author
Joan D. Vinge
135 books446 followersJoan D. Vinge (born Joan Carol Dennison) is an American science fiction author. She is known for such works as her Hugo Award-winning novel The Snow Queen and its sequels, her series about the telepath named Cat, and her Heaven's Chronicles books.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 20, 2019
I admit, I picked up this book because I heard there was a Cat / Alien Blood story in it that I had not read. Cat is one of my favourite characters, a love from my youth. I first encountered Cat when I read the YA version of Psion as a nominee for the Children's Choice Awards, and I ate it up. Imagine my delight when, as a teenager, I discovered there was another book, Catspaw; then later as a young adult when I discovered there was a third book, Dreamfall! This whole series has been like that for me!
The story is called "Psiren," and it's Cat 1.5, taking place between the events of Psion and Catspaw. And it was awesome. Cat is still my favourite, and it filled in a lot of missing gaps in the storyline that I had wondered at (though I want to assure the reader that it's not like things didn't make sense, it's just that I felt at the time that some character stuff had been left out - and I was right!)
I also really enjoyed the poignant, rare fantasy story called "The Storm King" that Vinge included, with its lovely message of being careful what you wish for. It has all the beauty and mystery of her The Snow Queen series.
The rest of the stories, honestly, were kind of meh.
One was a story about a superstitiously opposed-to-technology community who encounters a helicopter pilot after a nuclear war, which had some promise and passion, and it was basically a Western romance, which I liked, but it wasn't spectacular.
One was a largely pointless story about some random Martian ruin that was mind-controlling two people to blow it up so that humanity wouldn't obtain its secrets, but I don't understand why it did so when the people had already been on Mars for quite some time, and it didn't even work out right.
One was a story about a "magic peddler" who was using high technology no longer available to most of humanity, that was mostly remarkable for the fact that it's a classic fantasy trope told entirely with science fictional explanations, like Anne McCaffrey's Pern series.
And one was a good story (that's the novella at the end, called "Mother and Child") that isn't at all what it seems, and is a bit like a Gene Wolfe story I read combined with Octavia E. Butler's Imago. Good, but not spectacular.
So all in all, I have to give this book a 3 star rating overall. Still worth your time, but maybe not worth running to the store to grab (unless you're a Cat fan, like me.)
The story is called "Psiren," and it's Cat 1.5, taking place between the events of Psion and Catspaw. And it was awesome. Cat is still my favourite, and it filled in a lot of missing gaps in the storyline that I had wondered at (though I want to assure the reader that it's not like things didn't make sense, it's just that I felt at the time that some character stuff had been left out - and I was right!)
I also really enjoyed the poignant, rare fantasy story called "The Storm King" that Vinge included, with its lovely message of being careful what you wish for. It has all the beauty and mystery of her The Snow Queen series.
The rest of the stories, honestly, were kind of meh.
One was a story about a superstitiously opposed-to-technology community who encounters a helicopter pilot after a nuclear war, which had some promise and passion, and it was basically a Western romance, which I liked, but it wasn't spectacular.
One was a largely pointless story about some random Martian ruin that was mind-controlling two people to blow it up so that humanity wouldn't obtain its secrets, but I don't understand why it did so when the people had already been on Mars for quite some time, and it didn't even work out right.
One was a story about a "magic peddler" who was using high technology no longer available to most of humanity, that was mostly remarkable for the fact that it's a classic fantasy trope told entirely with science fictional explanations, like Anne McCaffrey's Pern series.
And one was a good story (that's the novella at the end, called "Mother and Child") that isn't at all what it seems, and is a bit like a Gene Wolfe story I read combined with Octavia E. Butler's Imago. Good, but not spectacular.
So all in all, I have to give this book a 3 star rating overall. Still worth your time, but maybe not worth running to the store to grab (unless you're a Cat fan, like me.)
May 24, 2020
Adequate, but disappointing. The first five stories are nothing special in tone or content; all left me with the feeling I'd read that stuff before. The novella that closes the collection, "Mother and Child," is the star here with its very nice presentation (3 sections, each with a different p.o.v.) and fresh approach to the topic matter. It does end, however, in a way I couldn't really accept as plausible, and that just left me feeling little at all about the collection as a whole. Joan Vinge wrote better stories than these.
And the cover art on this edition? Oi gevalt, the dregs of the '80s.
And the cover art on this edition? Oi gevalt, the dregs of the '80s.
November 3, 2013
***** Phoenix in the Ashes.
In a post-apocalyptic world, the United States has fallen. Brazil sends 'prospectors' north to scavenge for oil. In what was once Southern California, one of these hotshot prospectors crash lands, and is only saved by the rebellious act of a local woman - a semi-outcast member of a strict religious society. Amnesiac and cut off from everything he's ever known, his rescuer and he slowly set about forging a new life.
Beautiful and bittersweet, this story raises questions about what in life really holds meaning.
**** Voices from the Dust.
A geologist and her colleague - with whom she has a stormy relationship - investigating signs of an alien civilization on Mars, are both seized by a weird compulsion to commit an act neither would consciously ever have agreed to.
***** The Storm King.
A classic fantasy with fairytale and feminist undertones. A questing prince seeks power, and magic to defeat a dragon. Although he lacks respect and understanding, he gets what he wants - but the fulfillment of his desires does not necessarily lead to happiness.
**** The Peddler's Apprentice (with Vernor Vinge)
Lord Buckry clearly occupies a prominent place in his feudal society. But he wasn't always a man of power. This story tells of a strange encounter in his youth that set him on an unexpected path.
**** Psiren.
A companion piece to Vinge's 'Cat' novels, this story relates an episode where Cat finds himself in a position to help a drug-addicted woman of his mother's people. It's good, but (as I feel about all the books in this series) not my favorite of Vinge's work.
***** Mother and Child.
A re-read. Beautiful, thought-provoking novella in three parts. Impressively done - the three pov characters are antagonists, each on a different side of a conflict, with very different perspectives. Although many difficult and complex issues are brought up by the narrative, each individual has a compelling viewpoint. Love, war and sacrifice are among the themes which Vinge deftly discusses. There's also a brilliantly original take on 'supernatural' abilities.
This collection of 6 of Vinge's shorter works also includes brief notes from the author on each piece - which makes the book worth picking up, even if you've already read the stories (if you're a Vinge fan, like I am!)
In a post-apocalyptic world, the United States has fallen. Brazil sends 'prospectors' north to scavenge for oil. In what was once Southern California, one of these hotshot prospectors crash lands, and is only saved by the rebellious act of a local woman - a semi-outcast member of a strict religious society. Amnesiac and cut off from everything he's ever known, his rescuer and he slowly set about forging a new life.
Beautiful and bittersweet, this story raises questions about what in life really holds meaning.
**** Voices from the Dust.
A geologist and her colleague - with whom she has a stormy relationship - investigating signs of an alien civilization on Mars, are both seized by a weird compulsion to commit an act neither would consciously ever have agreed to.
***** The Storm King.
A classic fantasy with fairytale and feminist undertones. A questing prince seeks power, and magic to defeat a dragon. Although he lacks respect and understanding, he gets what he wants - but the fulfillment of his desires does not necessarily lead to happiness.
**** The Peddler's Apprentice (with Vernor Vinge)
Lord Buckry clearly occupies a prominent place in his feudal society. But he wasn't always a man of power. This story tells of a strange encounter in his youth that set him on an unexpected path.
**** Psiren.
A companion piece to Vinge's 'Cat' novels, this story relates an episode where Cat finds himself in a position to help a drug-addicted woman of his mother's people. It's good, but (as I feel about all the books in this series) not my favorite of Vinge's work.
***** Mother and Child.
A re-read. Beautiful, thought-provoking novella in three parts. Impressively done - the three pov characters are antagonists, each on a different side of a conflict, with very different perspectives. Although many difficult and complex issues are brought up by the narrative, each individual has a compelling viewpoint. Love, war and sacrifice are among the themes which Vinge deftly discusses. There's also a brilliantly original take on 'supernatural' abilities.
This collection of 6 of Vinge's shorter works also includes brief notes from the author on each piece - which makes the book worth picking up, even if you've already read the stories (if you're a Vinge fan, like I am!)
September 17, 2023
If I had read Mother and Child as a standalone, I would have given it 4 stars but as a collective I can only give 3. However, if I had only read Phoenix in the Ashes and Voices From the Dust, they would have been lucky to receive 2, there was no substance or relevance to them whatsoever.
June 25, 2019
The only experience I have with Joan D. Vinge is the book Psion, and I'm happy to say this book contains stories that really showcases her improvements as a writer, both in grammar and in thematic structure. It's far from perfect, as I got a headache repeatedly while reading this meaning it had a bit much going on at times, but it was still a lot of fun. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come when delving into future works by her.
July 8, 2022
Read Psiren only - real good!
March 5, 2016
A collection of short stories and longer works by Joan D Vinge.
The stories are mainly SF but there is one fantasy story about a son of a king who goes through a lot of suffering and pain after the throne is usurped, in order to try to get back his throne, and has to subjugate a storm dragon to help him do so. It is mainly about the relationship between him and a young woman who is servant to the wise woman/witch who helps him. Another story is a follow up to one of Vinge's novels, Psiron, this story being Psiren. Not my favourite of the book, I found it a bit self pitying with lots of wallowing by the characters.
The title story is probably the best and was featured originally in 'Millennial Women', edited by Virginia Kidd, which I read just before this book.
The stories are mainly SF but there is one fantasy story about a son of a king who goes through a lot of suffering and pain after the throne is usurped, in order to try to get back his throne, and has to subjugate a storm dragon to help him do so. It is mainly about the relationship between him and a young woman who is servant to the wise woman/witch who helps him. Another story is a follow up to one of Vinge's novels, Psiron, this story being Psiren. Not my favourite of the book, I found it a bit self pitying with lots of wallowing by the characters.
The title story is probably the best and was featured originally in 'Millennial Women', edited by Virginia Kidd, which I read just before this book.
June 4, 2009
A colleciton of novellas from Joan D. Vinge: the first is very dated, could be taken as offensive in its portrayal of race/imperialism, but almost all the rest are stellar, including one from the Psion/Catspaw series (taking place between the two). The last in the collection is absolutely amazing.
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October 21, 2014Rekisteröin kirjan BookCrossing.com-sivustolla!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12801621
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12801621
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews