It took me a while to get used to a protagonist who is a first class jerk. But the futuristic set-up, supporting characters, and numerous plot twists kept me listening and held my interest.
Continue readingFuzzy Nation by John Scalzi
Posts Tagged → Science fiction
Artemis by Andy Weir
All in all, it served its purpose in that it kept me entertained while not requiring much deep thought on my part. But I have to say it didn’t make me want to run out and buy The Martian.
Continue readingThe Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells
This all comes together in a perfect mix of humor, action and suspense. Each book moves the story forward in some way and adds another layer of detail but contains the same great ingredients. Just thoroughly enjoyable novellas.
Continue readingThe Space Between the Stars by Anne Corlett
It was interesting enough that I kept reading but just didn’t quite grab me. Perhaps it is not quite my genre; a little too much romance and family drama for my tastes. Plus. lots of interesting philosophical questions bouncing around but not a lot of answers and at the expense of the plot and character development.
Continue readingReview: The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter
I found it interesting but sort of meandering; a giant thought experiment with some intriguing characters and a good hook but that never quite gets beyond a desultory pace or energy. Despite the “bombshell” at the end, not sure I have the energy to tackle the second book.
Continue readingReview: The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber
I am somewhat torn as to my reaction. I really enjoyed it for about 75% but then it felt like it was dragging a bit.
But no sooner had I begun to feel that, it cranked up the tension and I stayed up late to finish it. I guess I am more on the positive (some nearly gushing) reviews spectrum than I am on the negative. But, perhaps because I am not all that knowledgeable about science fiction or speculative fiction, I can’t quite see the profound and literary masterpiece some have found.
The God Engines by John Scalzi
A creative and thought provoking science fiction/fantasy novella with some well done characters. Have to wonder what it could have been at standard novel length though …
Continue readingPaul Di Filippo on The Human Division
Entertainingly exemplifying the maxim that “All diplomacy is a continuation of war by other means,” The Human Division is the type of intelligently crafted and inventive military-political science fiction that reminds us that though we might be able to pinpoint a genre’s takeoff point, nobody can predict how far it will fly.
Continue readingThe Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate by Ted Chiang
One of the ways I attempt to prevent my book addiction from bankrupting me is by picking up books at library sales and clearance sections. You get the job of buying a book with a lot lower cost. One such pick-up was The Merchant and the Alchemist’s Gate by Ted Chiang. Seemed like a good fit… Continue reading