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(group member since Nov 17, 2014)
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from the Spells, Space & Screams: Collections & Anthologies in Fantasy, Science Fiction, & Horror group.
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https://youtu.be/mapzNpcprSw

Their latest offering is a Kickstarter that should go live tomorrow.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Taking from Fantastic Voyage (1966) this story had bones but left out some crucial parts. Why did the 1% get the nanobots? Did they act differently on them? How did they migrate, if that was, in fact, the ending?

Of Dying Heroes and Deathless Deeds by Robin Wasserman ★★★☆☆
The leader of the robot apocalypse is having second thoughts about his future. Central Command sends in a human to help their robot go back to killing humans. That might sound weird if not for the fact that humans excel at killing humans.


Some look back on dark times, others look forward to an apocalyptic future, and still others dwell on a terrible present – but they have one thing in common: they are all dark.
Don’t expect happy endings or pleasant characters here, for there is something dark lurking in the shadows of each tale waiting to get out.



Seasoning by Alan Dean Foster ★★★☆☆
Human beings being conquered, pacified, slowly - it’s a good idea. Hardly an edge of your seat story, but good.

Emotional robots, cloning, human slavery... sigh. The ingredients were there but it had no feels.

Sleepover by Alastair Reynolds ★★★½☆
A SciFi story for today, awaken to a world powered down. Due to a war at the edge of reality, and believability, most of the human race sleeps until a better tomorrow is available. I think I liked it because of reminded me of Millenium (1989).



These gender swaps are shockingly good. Female John Malkovich looks like Holly Hunter!
https://www.boredpanda.com/celebrity-...

Sputnik: https://youtu.be/zNxXuMIyLAQ


Human Intelligence by Jeff Abbott ★★★½☆
Holy cylon Batman! No, this story did not break new ground but I enjoyed it all the same.

Fiona, did you really label everything Red Hot Priority!
Was “PEBKAC. Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair.” a real thing said? Lol.
I was disappointed that the definition of heuristics was educated guess. With the extent he used the word I was expecting more.


Epoch Cory Doctorow ★★★★☆
It’s hard not to anthropomorphize, our empathy could kill us as easily as it could save us. The protein requirements of cats makes them, pound for pound, ridiculously expensive pets. Yet I loved my 15lbs green-eyed grey cat, loved the sweet calm manner masking the sudden predator that could ninja out in a second. He was cute and he was mine. But occasionally, I would stare into those too clever gemstone eyes and acknowledge that he would be substantially less cute at fifty pounds.



It’s Awards August 2020! I know Merfolk May was a shocking wash this year but don’t give up! Challenge yourself to read books this month that have won a Hugo, Stoker, Nebula, Pulitzer, Edgar, Lambda Award, or Staunch!
List Links
Staunch Book Prize
Hugo Award
Bram Stoker Award
Nebula Award
Pulitzer Prize
Edgar Award
Lambda Award


The Omnibot Incident by Ernest Cline ★★★☆☆
“I just met you this morning, and you’re already one of my best friends.”
This was a charming story of little boy whose mother died. He has lost hope and the ability to connect to the people who love him. To reach the boy his father and uncle contrive to build him a friend he will accept until the child can (re)gain the ability to love and trust.

This was just a story fragment and not one that evoked the imagination.