Joey V.’s Reviews > The 1976 Annual World's Best SF > Status Update

"The Custodians" Richard Cowper: A 13th century mystic discovers a way to look into the future. A series of monks safeguard his device. There's really not much more to the story than that. Merely an extended question of free-will vs. predestination. (Predestination, is the answer) C+

Like the best McDonald's burger you've ever had, well-prepared, but not much real meat to it.

"The Protocols Of The Elders Of Britain" John Brunner: A computer programmer is called upon to fix the government's cryptography system, and accidentally stumbles on their plans to destabilize other countries and governments. While I don't think his immediate reaction is likely anymore, I live in a time when such things are just accepted as fact. Sad, that. B+

Liked it better when it wasn't so real...

"Helbent 4" Stephen Robinett: A robotic ship returns home from war, but it is not the home he remembers. Technology is 300 years behind, and no one seems to remember who he is. How can he prove who he is, and prepare this Earth for the war that is coming their way? A

Solid story, well told, amusing characters. No complaints on this one.

"Child of All Ages" P.J. Plauger: An immortal 14-year-old must find a safe place to live, until the inevitable day when she must move on to preserve her secret. (She's immortal, is the secret) Not the first "Pros and Cons of Eternal Youth" story I've ever read (Got a Watcher tattoo on my wrist for Dawson's sake) won't be the last, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. Solid A.

There can still be only one, though.

"Allegiances" Michael Bishop: This was...not good. The first(?) in a series of "UrNu" stories, and so may have still been finding its way, but the historical parallels, more distracting than informative, the pace far too slow, and the character development is a bit scattered. Add to that an attempted plot twist ending that would give Shyamalan whiplash, and you get a slow train wreck. F+

Passed, but BARELY!

"The Engineer & The Executioner" by Brian M. Stableford: This really could have been an episode of the old Twilight Zone. The karmic ending was a bit predictable, and some of the action would have required narration, but the style and the basic plot would have been perfect. B+

Edited to add the grade I forgot the first time. Oopsie...

"The Engineer & The Executioner" by Brian M. Stableford: This really could have been an episode of the old Twilight Zone. The karmic ending was a bit predictable, and some of the action would have required narration, but the style and the basic plot would have been perfect.

"The Storms of Windhaven" by George R. R. Martin & Lisa Tuttle: Now THAT is some quality writing. This Martin guy has the makings of a decent writer. The story itself puts me in mind of the Pern books. The spunky young Maris who dreams of flying, would be right at home among Menolly, Nerilka, Lessa, Moreta. Solid A.

Add some dragons, and I upgrade it to A+.

"The Bees of Knowledge" by Barrington J. Bayley: Lone survivor of a space cruiser wreck crash lands on a planet inhabited by GIANT BEES! Mostly typical Robinson Crusoe In Space fare, castaway learning to live in his new environment kinda stuff. The frequent references to religion seemed a bit out of place. Especially the final word. C

That'll do, Bee. That'll do.

"The Peddler's Apprentice" by Joan D. and Vernor Vinge: This one I liked much better. How badly would I love to see an anthology JUST of the old man, sleeping his years away, waking up into a new world every hundred generations. Similar to the way Asimov did the decade jumps in Bicentennial Man, but to a much greater extent. B+

I like it, I love it, I want some more of it.