Spider-Ham: Aporkalypse Now, by Zeb Wells, is a goofy little Spider-Ham/Spiderman graphic novel following the lovable comic relief from the newest aniSpider-Ham: Aporkalypse Now, by Zeb Wells, is a goofy little Spider-Ham/Spiderman graphic novel following the lovable comic relief from the newest animated Spiderman film - Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse. It is full of humour and puns, a multi-dimensional plot, and some fun, fourth wall breaking moments. Even so, it is a comic about a comic-relief character, with all the quality that might entail. The character eventually begins the feel like it outstayed its welcome, ironically (or intentionally) a plot point in this comic itself. There were some innovative moments, where Spider-Ham travels through various dimensions and through time, going through a brief history of comic books themselves. Pretty meta comic. Even so, an enjoyable, if mediocre read. Certainly worth a read for fans of Spiderman and superhero comics in general. A good bit of fun to be had, although I am sure it will be a rare favourite. ...more
Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol. 4: End of Games, by Kieron Gillen, is the final installment of the Darth Vader graphic novel series. In this installment,Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol. 4: End of Games, by Kieron Gillen, is the final installment of the Darth Vader graphic novel series. In this installment, Vader faces off against his final rivals in securing his power in the Empire, utilizing both official and unofficial motives. This final showdown shows a breakdown of Imperial control as two factions vie for power against one another, and some epic battles and locales as well. A great fourth installment all in all, and a good conclusion to this series. Worth a read for Star Wars fans for sure. ...more
Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol. 3: The Shu-Torun War, by Kieron Gillen, is the third installment in the Darth Vader graphic novel series. We follow VaderStar Wars: Darth Vader, Vol. 3: The Shu-Torun War, by Kieron Gillen, is the third installment in the Darth Vader graphic novel series. We follow Vader and crew as they move on Shu-Torun, a volcanic mining planet controlled by mining Dukes and their powerful king. Vader intercedes to destroy a Duke rebellion and set up the planet to secure the delivery of rare minerals to the Empire. Vader also seeks out his one time companion Dr. Aphra for betraying him, sending a large group of mercenaries, and deranged droids after her.
A solid third (technically fourth) installment. Much fun to be had following the Dark Side in its galaxy conquering quest. ...more
Star Wars: Vader Down, by Jason Aaron, is a fun continuation of the Darth Vader series. Vader has tracked Luke Skywalker to Vrogas Vas, where he takesStar Wars: Vader Down, by Jason Aaron, is a fun continuation of the Darth Vader series. Vader has tracked Luke Skywalker to Vrogas Vas, where he takes on a whole company of Rebel soldiers and pilots trying to capture the rebellion leader, along with help from his motley crew of mercenaries. This book is basically one large battle between the two Star Wars crews, a kind of mash-up, if you will. A pretty fun read, although with low stakes, as we clearly all know what the outcome would be with these characters. Still, some cool science fiction action in the Star Wars universe is always welcome and enjoyable. ...more
Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol. 1: Vader, by Kieron Gillen, is the first in a series of graphic novels following Darth Vader, after the Death Star incideStar Wars: Darth Vader, Vol. 1: Vader, by Kieron Gillen, is the first in a series of graphic novels following Darth Vader, after the Death Star incident in episode IV. Vader is on thin ice - the Emperor is not confident in his abilities and is looking elsewhere to balance out his deficiencies. Vader looks to offset this by dealing with the criminal underworld to raise a private army to serve his own purposes, behind the Emperors back.
This was a fun intro to the series. The action is packed here - with some solid, if standard, computer generated graphics. A fun little read, and looking forward to continuing this series. ...more
2021 Lost Children Collection, by Stéphane Betbeder, is an interesting science fiction graphic novel about an America where Detroit has separated and 2021 Lost Children Collection, by Stéphane Betbeder, is an interesting science fiction graphic novel about an America where Detroit has separated and is controlled by a psychic warlord, where the US government is seeking to reclaim it with child soldiers with mind powers, and many are caught in the middle. This book was pretty good - the story was interesting, the mind control science fictions stuff was fun, and the look and feel was pretty good. The graphics often looked a bit basic - models made with computers, without any soul or substance. This was the biggest detraction from the book. Otherwise, a good bit of fun, and certainly something to read for those who enjoy science fiction graphic novels. ...more
This Is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, is a time travelling Romeo and Juliet, following two women who fight for diffeThis Is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, is a time travelling Romeo and Juliet, following two women who fight for different sides in a dimension spanning intergalactic battle for domination. One side is lead by the Commandant, a ruthless leader whose side craves order, using technology and robotics to dominate. The other is the Garden, a biological machine that is integrating entire galaxies in a massive biological web. Each side has countless agents that work through time to nudge events this way or that, all in the effort to defeat the other for domination. Two agents in particular, Red and Blue, fight for each side, combating each other over countless dimensions. Eventually, they begin a correspondence that leads to a passionate love, and one that shakes the entire universe to its core.
This book was quite interesting. It is Romeo and Juliet, at a basic level, complete with melodrama and mindless passion. It is also a mind-bending science fiction book that has some really interesting events and ideas in it. This book was a blast to read, and had both a sweet and tender romance, and an excellent science fiction plot and world. The dual author perspective really made each voice seem unique, an interesting and inventive approach to this type of story. Easy recommendation for fans of science fiction. ...more
The Three-Body Problem, by Liu Cixin, is a fascinating piece of science fiction that has made waves both in China and in translation in the West. ThisThe Three-Body Problem, by Liu Cixin, is a fascinating piece of science fiction that has made waves both in China and in translation in the West. This book spans from the Cultural Revolution to about modern time, and has one of the most engrossing hard-sf plots I have experience. I have read one of Liu Cixin's work before (Ball Lightening), and it similarly has a tone and feel that revolve much more on math, engineering and real science than most science fiction, all while creating an engaging and engrossing story. This book follows two characters, one a woman working on an experimental radar station in Inner Mongolia during the Cultural Revolution, and the other, a scientist tasked by global leaders with infiltrating a mysterious organization bent on stopping human scientific progress. This book features some fascinating concepts; the mysteries of the universe, alternate realities, human scientific progress, and deep learning philosophy that is quite mind bending. Liu explores concepts from a truly scientific background, utilizing radio frequency numbers, math problems and theory, light spectrum and more to create a very hard-sf focused on first contact.
I liked this book quite a bit, and am looking forward to continuing this series. I always have some trouble empathizing with Liu's characters - they are much to rational for me to feel like they are real people, although this sometimes adds to his works mystique. What I do love is the mystery and speculative wonder of his works. His plots and outcomes are always quite exhilarating, and feel visceral and real, much having to do with the high quality science that goes into his work. A very interesting read, and in my opinion worth the hype. This book may turn off those looking for gooier science fiction, as this one is ground in logic and fact, blurring the lines between what the reader knows is true, and what the reader finds unbelievable. Sometimes the science fiction is actually fact, and sometimes its the speculative stuff that is really science fiction. All in all, a very good read, and I am looking forward to the next in this series....more
The conclusion to the Snowpiercer trilogy (for now), this volume continues to follow the train, holding the remnants of human civilization in a world The conclusion to the Snowpiercer trilogy (for now), this volume continues to follow the train, holding the remnants of human civilization in a world in deep freeze. Outdoor temperatures reach -121 degrees Celsius, and the population of the train is beginning to collapse under social pressures. In the last volume, the Council decides to investigate music they pick up on a radio. In this one, they discover the source, coming from a City buried deep under the snow, where temperatures are mild. The society that lives there is run by strange people who wear mouse masks at all times. Something nefarious seems to be going on, although no one can quite put there fingers on it.
A good conclusions to a fairly good series. I didn't fully enjoy the first Snowpiercer volume, but the concluding two are much stronger. These books are set in a bleak post-apocalyptic world, and follow the social pressures of a society in collapse, closely mirroring modern issues. I enjoy the world-building here, and the conclusion to the story was satisfying. The science fiction elements are really interesting and creepy. An easy recommendation for those looking to consume post-apocalyptic or science fiction content. ...more
Snowpiercer, Vol. 2: The Explorers, by Benjamin Legrand, is the follow up to the previous Snowpiercer: Volume 1, The Escape. I did not love the first Snowpiercer, Vol. 2: The Explorers, by Benjamin Legrand, is the follow up to the previous Snowpiercer: Volume 1, The Escape. I did not love the first in the series, but this one was of higher quality. This book follows a train that holds the last vestiges of humanity that is plowing through a post-apocalyptic world in a deep ice age. Deep social divisions are rife, and a council of the powerful control the train and its humans fully. Reproduction is banned in the back of the train, food is tightly controlled, and the discourse on the religious discourse on the train is meant for social control. This one was better than the first, the discourse a bit tighter, and the story more interesting. I look forward to the next one. ...more
Little Bird: The Fight for Elder's Hope, by Darcy Van Poelgeest, is an interesting graphic novel, taking place in a futuristic North America where theLittle Bird: The Fight for Elder's Hope, by Darcy Van Poelgeest, is an interesting graphic novel, taking place in a futuristic North America where the United States has become a Christian Empire, and invaded and destroyed Canada. It follows Little Bird, a young girl fighting for freedom in the North, against an Empire that uses biological experimentation to create super soldiers and control the world.
This was a well done graphic novel. The visuals are sometimes stunning and disturbing, with the body-horror involved at times really weird and twisted. This is not a horror book per se - this book is much more a science fiction graphic novel with Canadiana and Indigenous culture built in. It is fun, action packed and interesting, and definitely worth a read if one is looking for a solid graphic novel. ...more
Sisters of the Vast Black, by Lina Rather, is a fantastic science fiction novella about a convent of Catholic Sisters travelling through space. The scSisters of the Vast Black, by Lina Rather, is a fantastic science fiction novella about a convent of Catholic Sisters travelling through space. The science fiction here is brilliant; lab grown, living ships, colonies in space, interplanetary warfare, and so forth. This book has a lot of heart and soul, and was a joy to read, both for its wide-eyed enthusiasm and its excellent world-building. The story follows the Sisters as they help a colony performing religious duties, and eventually have to step up and make difficult choices to save those they care about from a terrible fate. A book that is not quite religious, not quite non-religious, this book settles into an excellent pace and rhythm, and was just a blast to read. An easy recommendation for any science fiction fan, and one I really enjoyed. ...more
Y: The Last Man - Book One, by Brian K. Vaughan, is a story about the mass die off of all the Earth's males, with only two survivors - a man named YorY: The Last Man - Book One, by Brian K. Vaughan, is a story about the mass die off of all the Earth's males, with only two survivors - a man named Yorick and his monkey. This book touches on themes of power, feminism, and the like, while taking place in an early post apocalyptic landscape where much of the world has died off and the remaining women are seeking to build it back up again for one last generation. This book is reminiscent of Children of Men, where a final generation slowly begins to realize the impending doom of humanity. However, the last man gives it some hope that renewal is possible.
From the above, you can guess that this book is not quite as feminist as appears. The last man, although a bit of a fool, is protected and cherished by many of those around him, and it is implied (although I may be pleasantly surprised) that he may save the day. Even so, the strong areas of gray offered by the many different protagonists and antagonists is interesting. Some women, called the Amazons, want to destroy all vestiges of male identity in the world. Some are just trying to get by. Some engage in wars and power struggles. Vaughan is writing a book about the continuation of humanity past the death of a whole sex. The illustrations here are great, the story pretty solid, and the characters relatively nuanced. The themes are a bit weak, but I really enjoyed the recent post apocalyptic setting. A solid graphic novel through and through, and certainly worthy of a read. Looking forward to Book Two. ...more
To Be Taught, If Fortunate, by Becky Chambers is a science fiction novella about four astronauts who are sent on a mission to four potentially habitabTo Be Taught, If Fortunate, by Becky Chambers is a science fiction novella about four astronauts who are sent on a mission to four potentially habitable planets in search of life, and to examine it in person. In this universe, life exists in our solar system, and the worlds political system has banded together (for the most part) to encourage space travel. This book takes place over numerous decades, as the astronauts travel, discover mysteries and solve problems. This book is written as if it is a communication sent back to Earth.
Without spoiling the plot, this book was an excellent and exciting read. Chambers grounds her prose in science, making the fiction part seem incredibly believable (to a lay-person such as I). Their is no politics: this is a human drama and it shows. The characters are well fleshed out for a novella, and I truly got to know them in a satisfactory way. This was an enjoyable read, and I would certainly recommend it to fans of science fiction looking for a high quality novella. ...more
The Man in the High Castle , by Philip K. Dick, is an interesting sort of alternate-history/science fiction book. The book follows multiple charactersThe Man in the High Castle , by Philip K. Dick, is an interesting sort of alternate-history/science fiction book. The book follows multiple characters in a world where Japan and Germany won WWII and carved up the United States into spheres of influence. The book follows a Trade Representative from Japan in San Francisco, an antiques salesman, a German spy, a Jewish tradesman, and his ex-wife. Each character interacts with the world in different ways, although their stories intertwine as fate and events circulate around each other, with many of the characters only interacting briefly. The book is meta-fiction in many ways, as within this story is another alternate history book, where Britain, America and Russia win WWII. Although this book is not too close to what happened in reality, it does pose interesting ideas about stories, characters, science fiction, alternate history and the like. Another huge element here is fate, represented by many of the characters reverence and use of the I-Ching to oracle events. This book is of utmost importance to the story, how characters interact and act on events, and so forth.
This was some excellent science fiction. The meta-narrative is fascinating in itself, as is the fleshed out world, where Japanese stroll through San Fransisco, treating white Americans as lower class citizens. Where the Reich is having a leadership crisis after its chancellor passes away. Where Mars is colonized, Africa is depopulated through genocide, and the US is non-existent. Capitalism is not a force, democracy is frowned upon, and states are made up of police and military forces competing for power. This world is fully realized and interesting to read about. My favourite aspects of the book was its interaction with fate and the I-Ching, and how this played out with the books meta-narrative. The characters are all guided by fate, but does this represent the mind of the author in a meta sense? The story within the story is eerie in some ways. Characters in the story speculate on a world that we, the reader, know well. Events played out as they did, but in the book the speculation is wide and varied, much like a discussion on WWII and what-ifs that many discuss to this day. Events and how they turn out, and the rippling effect of how much a different outcome would effect how things turned out, is an interesting topic for musing.
Suffice to say, a really darn good alternate history and science fiction novel. A spy story within a meta-narrative, this is a really grand and engaging read. Worthy of a look for those who may be interested in alternate history, science fiction, or the works of Philip K. Dick. ...more
Splicing flesh. Madness. Multi-dimensional travel. Hyper intelligent beings. A degrading environment. A City on fire. A factory spewing monsters into Splicing flesh. Madness. Multi-dimensional travel. Hyper intelligent beings. A degrading environment. A City on fire. A factory spewing monsters into a Leviathan's maw. A person made of salamanders. A carpet of Moss. A dead astronaut stumbles through the desert.
Dead Astronauts, by Jeff VanderMeer, is the second title in the Borne series. This series ended with a bang, much like the beginning. It is a very odd experience, with a writing style in the vain of the new weird genre. Made to be unsettling, mind bending, and difficult to conceive, these novels are a great way to communicate a setting that is hard to place in space and time. The novel follows a number of characters, including an interdimensional blue fox, a homeless girl fleeing an increasingly incomprehensible world, a trio of dimension hopping post apocalyptic mutants on a mission, a bat faced boy who splices genes for the company, a duck with a broken wing. All of these stories are connected through points in space and time. All of these stories, in some way, resolve the Borne series, to the point a reader may be able to understand. A message is at last revealed.
Even so, this is chrome tinted, mutated, bio-drone, nanobot madness. I love what Jeff VanderMeer is doing - his books make me feel sick, whether it be the creeping spores of his Southern Read Trilogy, or the madness of gene splicing and existentialism in the Borne series. These books are pure gold - interesting, unique, mind bending. This is science fiction at its most interesting, and with a post apocalyptic flavour to boot. A great series of books through and through, and I continue to look forward to future works by VanderMeer. ...more
The Expert System's Brother, by Adrian Tchaikovsky, is an interesting Science Fiction novella. In this world, villages of humans are run by "ghosts" -The Expert System's Brother, by Adrian Tchaikovsky, is an interesting Science Fiction novella. In this world, villages of humans are run by "ghosts" - machines implanted in humans by host wasp colonies. Humans live in harmony with nature, and these ghosts become doctors, lawgivers, architects etc. - the leading peoples in a society. Our main character, Handry, is accidentally exiled form his village by Severing - this is where a material is poured on the body which forces the worlds systems to reject the person. The person can no longer eat food grown on the planet, animals and plants will not interact with it, and much of the environment becomes poisonous. Handry leaves his village, and finds a group of other outcasts, and begins to learn the secrets to the world, its systems, and how these systems work.
This was a really interesting book about human adaptation, with a message akin to "the road to Hell is paved with the best intentions." This is a very interesting book that examines speculative subjects of human-nature harmony, human dominance of nature, slavery vs. mastery, AI domination, and space colonization. This book was enjoyable, interesting, and speculative in nature. It has an element of plausible mystery, a vivid environment, and is well written and designed. A really fun Science Fiction novella for those looking for a splash of the genre. ...more
An interesting book detailing the concept art from the newest Star Wars video game. I am a fan of science fiction and fantasy art, and always enjoy thAn interesting book detailing the concept art from the newest Star Wars video game. I am a fan of science fiction and fantasy art, and always enjoy the concept art from video games due to its expansive and detailed projection. This book is no exception, and I enjoyed my evening flipping through some of these concept pieces. Will I ever play the game? Not my cup of tea. Even so, this is a fun read for those who enjoy graphic art and speculative concepts....more
Gideon the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir, is a cracking first book in the new Locked Tomb series. It follows Gideon, a mouthy outcast of the Ninth House, guarGideon the Ninth, by Tamsyn Muir, is a cracking first book in the new Locked Tomb series. It follows Gideon, a mouthy outcast of the Ninth House, guardians of the locked tomb. The house exists in a universe run by a God Emperor, and features nine houses, all specializing in particular forms of necromancy or martial and scholarly functions. The houses are each contacted by the Emperor, and tasked with holding a competition to choose new Lyctors - all powerful generals for the Emperor's service. The previous incumbents, over thousands of years, have whittled away and aged until only a few remain. Gideon acts as cavalier - companion to the house necromancer Harrowhark, who hates her, and the hatred is returned. There mutual hatred must be put aside to engage in the house politics that will arise as the competition to become a new Lyctor heats up. The candidates from each house are sent to a planet that once housed a complex of laboratories dear to the Emperor, but now disused and preserved for mysterious reasons. The complex itself is full of strange experiments, laboratories and the like, and as the duo soon find, is haunted by a deadly force. Gideon and Harrowhark must put aside their hatred and fight tooth and nail against an ancient and deadly foe, all while watching their backs - the other houses at times cooperate, and at times betray.
This was a fantastic introduction to the series. LGBT+ necromancers in Space! - says the poll quote, and indeed, this is an accurate description. Past that, it is a well written, wonderfully constructed world full of necromantic magic, swords, space ships and mystery. The science-fantasy here is unique and engaging, and feels like a visceral world. The characters are smart, witty and interesting, and all uniquely built past small tropes and the like. This was a really wonderful debut, and I am eagerly looking forward to the second book in the series, and beyond. Easy recommendation for those looking for a unique and excellent science-fantasy book to cut there teeth on. Well worth a read. ...more
A Memory called Empire, by Arkady Martine, is a fantastic new Science Fiction book in the vein of Ann Leckie. The book revolves around the the AmbassaA Memory called Empire, by Arkady Martine, is a fantastic new Science Fiction book in the vein of Ann Leckie. The book revolves around the the Ambassador of Lsel Station, a small mining collective on the outskirts of the massive, multi-system Texicalaan Empire. The ambassador arrives amid high tension; the Emperor of Texicalaan is ill, and his succession is contested on multiple fronts. The previous ambassador of Lsel died under suspicious circumstances, and Mahit, the new one, needs to navigate some tricky internal politics to protect her system from annexation, and safeguard the secret technology that characterizes Lsel society form falling into the hands of the Empire.
Martine has written a winner, in my opinion. Her background as a Byzantine historian and city planner is evident in this work, which drips with science fiction takes on court intrigue, decorum, diplomacy, and history. The action is centered on diplomatic intrigue, and rarely moves into the realm of tropey science fiction, making this a refreshing read that challenges modern conceptions of politics, sexuality, and language. This was a fantastic read and hopefully the first of a new and exciting series. I look forward to more from this author, and cannot await more books of this universe. ...more
The Strange Bird : A Borne Story, by Jeff VanderMeer, is a novella taking place within the Borne universe - a post apocalyptic setting where bio-enginThe Strange Bird : A Borne Story, by Jeff VanderMeer, is a novella taking place within the Borne universe - a post apocalyptic setting where bio-engineered creatures, human remnants, and strange beings compete for scarce resources. This story follows a strange bird - as the title suggests - as it follows a compulsion to fly to the coast, remembering strange figments of others pasts, and encountering threats, opportunities, and the feeling of freedom.
A wonderful little story, as the first Borne novel was, VanderMeer continues to write excellent new weird science fiction. The post apocalyptic setting is interesting and original. The bio-engineering is bewildering and strange, and the pace of the story is quick and engaging. VanderMeer has written some fantastic fiction in the past, and continues to write books that are mysterious and odd. I have always been a fan of post apocalyptic fiction, and this certainly fits the bill, while also feeling very refreshing. VanderMeer is one of my favourtie authors on the beat write now, and I look forward to the second book in this series, coming soon! Recommended for fans of new weird, science fiction, or post apocalyptic fiction. ...more
A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World, by C.A. Fletcher, is an interesting modern post-apocalyptic novel staring Griz, an intrepid, headstrong indA Boy and His Dog at the End of the World, by C.A. Fletcher, is an interesting modern post-apocalyptic novel staring Griz, an intrepid, headstrong individual looking to get his dog back. This book seems straightforward on paper - and in some ways it is. A young person traverses a post-apocalyptic Scotland to try and recover a dog that was stolen. The book takes us across a land being reclaimed by nature, with rising sea levels, crumbling towns and cities, and a beautiful natural landscape. This hits all the right spots for me in an enjoyable post-apocalyptic book; scavenging, adventure, action, suspense, and a bit of mystery. It is a simple plot and follows a character that is relatable and interesting. Its setting is a bit refreshing for this genre - not a nuclear blown wasteland, but a land being reclaimed by nature and teeming with natural life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It reminded me somewhat of Cormac McCarthy's The Road , with its simple prose. It is also much more upbeat than most in this genre, with some moments of beauty and joy, as well as the thrill and danger of an adventure. A solid read through and through, and worthy of your time if this genre is something that interests you. ...more
Exit Strategy, by Martha Wells, is the fourth and final (so far!) novella in the Murderbot Diaries. This series has been an excellent read, and Exit SExit Strategy, by Martha Wells, is the fourth and final (so far!) novella in the Murderbot Diaries. This series has been an excellent read, and Exit Strategy continues the trend. These are high quality science fiction novellas, with good action, intelligent and interesting science fiction, and compelling stories, that are both grand in scope while being simple and easy to read. They follow Murderbot, a rogue SecUnit who has hacked its own Governor Module and spends its new found freedom shying away from contact and watching adventure shows it has hoarded. However, over the series, Murderbot has developed into an interesting and relatable character. Flawed, suffering from social anxiety, and overly emotional, the character feels real. Its emotional trials are relatable, even as it engages in some fantastic science fiction action in order to protect its friends and clients from harm. This book takes the series to its conclusion, where the battle between Murderbot and rogue corporate entities comes to a head.
Wells has written one of the better science fiction series I have read in the last few years. These books are interesting, fast paced, and completely readable. I have read each of these books in one series, and am slightly sad that the novellas have (so far!) come to an end. Even so, their seems to be a full length Murderbot book in the works -something I am looking forward to eagerly. This is a wonderful and quick series that I could easily recommend to any science fiction fan. It is not overly cerebral (which can sometimes be a good thing) and contains excellent action and a great character. The book is highly engaging, and features excellent world building. The science fiction is tight and well explained without being overly farfetched. Easy recommendation for science fiction readers. ...more
Broken Stars is a collection of contemporary science fiction short stories in translation, edited by Ken Liu. These stories all come from the burgeoniBroken Stars is a collection of contemporary science fiction short stories in translation, edited by Ken Liu. These stories all come from the burgeoning science fiction genre in China. Stories are varied, from fantastical tales akin to Chinese myth and legend, to historical Wu XIa style stories, conventional science fiction, and even copypasta. Topics range from AI and its interaction with depression, to morality tales, to time travel fiction. These stories are generally of high quality, and are oftentimes very interesting. My favourite in this collection is the first story; Goodnight, Melancholy, by Xia Jia. This story follows a young woman grappling with depression and technology in the near future, during a bout of depression and self isolation. Other stand outs include Baoshu's What has Passed Shall in Kinder Light Appear, where people age forward, but global events happen backward. Liu Cixin's Moonlight is also interesting, about a man contacted by future selves trying to solve global crisis. The themes here are varied, but the stories themselves are interesting and certainly worth reading. Fans of Chinese science fiction, or those looking for a good introduction - or just fans of the genre itself will find this interesting. ...more
Network Effect, by Martha Wells, is the fifth book in the Muderbot diaries series, and the first full length novel in this series as well. And the quaNetwork Effect, by Martha Wells, is the fifth book in the Muderbot diaries series, and the first full length novel in this series as well. And the quality is absolutely the same; hard science fiction mixed with a great main character, some interesting and realistic science fiction technology, and some alien mystery, mixed with good action, tense moments, and a good dose of humour. These books are some of my favourite science fiction that I have ever read. They possess all the things I love in the genre; great world-building that feels real, an interesting story, and some memorable characters. The science fiction itself is grounded in computer coding with a hard-sf edge, and the fiction part feels real enough to make you wonder what is science and what is not.
In this novel, we follow SecUnit (self-dubbed Murderbot), a security android that has freed itself from corporate bondage, and set up a home in the Preservation system - which is outside the Corporate Rim - an area run by corporate law. SecUnit is on a mission with there friends and clients when an old friend shows up, infected with strange alien code, and kidnaps them, taking them to a mysterious abandoned colony with traces of alien contamination. SecUnit must figure out whats going on, all while trying to keep its friends safe, and maybe watch a couple of its favourite shows on the side.
This is some of the best science fiction in writing at this point (in my opinion anyway). I constantly recommend this series to friends, colleagues and our library patrons, especially to those looking for a good science fiction read. ...more
Rogue Protocol, by Martha Wells, is the third installment in the Murderbot Diaries series. And it is just as entertaining as the previous two! We onceRogue Protocol, by Martha Wells, is the third installment in the Murderbot Diaries series. And it is just as entertaining as the previous two! We once again follow Murderbot - self named SecUnit gone rogue, who loves science fiction serials, protecting people around it, and is really just trying to figure itself out. This installment followed Murderbot after it tries to determine what GreyCrys, a fairly nasty mining company, has been up to on one of its terraforming facilities, after the issues in the previous two books. Murderbot secretly accompanies a crew as they reach the facility to do a spot check, but finds out something mysterious is going on.
Wells books continue to be fantastic. Murderbot is a likeable character, with interesting quirks. The worldbuilding feels genuine and real. The action is gritty. The story well planned out and simple. These are very enjoyable science fiction novellas, and I continue to look forward to the next installments (and I hope to high heaven that there are many). A great series for any science fiction fans out there to give a try. ...more
Ball Lightening, by Liu Cixin, is a fascinating and fairly original book from the author of the Three Body Problem (which have yet to read as of this Ball Lightening, by Liu Cixin, is a fascinating and fairly original book from the author of the Three Body Problem (which have yet to read as of this writing). The book follows a physicist who, as a child, saw his parents incinerated one stormy night by a ball lightening event. From then on, he becomes obsessed with the phenomena, and bases his whole life around the study of ball lightening, in an attempt to understand it.
Without spoiling, this book covers a variety of topics, from the mysteries of physics and quantum theory, to weapons research, obsession, and romance. This is an excellent science fiction book, and my first by Liu Cixin. And I have to say, this is a real treat for me. I love science fiction as a genre, and the appeal of this genre for me is the mystery of the unknown. Science fiction is about contemplating what could be, or what might be. It is about that feeling of dread and fascination at a compelling mystery. It is about life, its meaning, and many other concepts, from conventional, up to and including the existence of aliens, or the meaning of the universe. It is ultimately human, and reflects our insecurities, as well as our imagination in terms of what is and could be, and might be in the future. Ball Lightening captures this spirit, and it revolves around the topic of ball lightening, a mysterious phenomena little understood. The author himself comments in an afterword on how unlikely his book is at even remotely being true. Even so, he captures the mysterious well, and is able to write a compelling, thoughtful, and deeply interesting story around this topic. He also examines concepts of romance vs. life, and the competing friction between living a life, and pursuing ones obsession. Weapons research comes into play as well, although I will not elaborate in fear of spoiling. In short, a great read for science fiction fans. This felt original, interesting, and in some ways realistic. It captured very well my favourite aspects of science fiction. I look forward to continuing my dive into the work of Liu Cixin, and would recommend this book to any science fiction fan looking for a good novel. ...more
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