Blood Of the Mantis is a significantly shorter book thankfully, and more focused in scope, with several threads throughout the book as Stenwold and his agents spread out to try and achieve various ends. Not so much with the horrific carnage of war in this one, but double dealing and knives (and crossbows) in the dark.
Some of these are diplomatic - the Master Maker wants to barter the Sarn into an alliance with the rifled 'snapbows' as a bargaining chip, and has Sperra and the Aristoi general along. With them the likely next target, and the most progressive Ants - others may fall into line if they agree.
Che goes to a Spiderlands or almost Switzerland of sorts with Nero.
Tisamon, Tynisa and Achaeos have to try and track down the impossible to catch or kill as it seems Spider magician Scyla and the magical Shadow Box.
Salma finds himself a guerilla Robin Hood general, as he sees this is where his responsibilities now lie.
All out war to return in the next book most likely, as Totho and his Colonel in charge look like they are progressing in the art of the massacre from rifles to something nastier.
3.5 out of 5
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Dragonfly Falling - Adrian Tchaikovsy
Dragonfly Falling picks up the story after the first book and the successful derailing of the Wasp train plan.
The focus is on the students of Stenwold's who have to grow up fast in all the violence, while he continues to try and make some of the other cities and geographical areas inhabited by other Kinden see the Wasps as a threat.
Totho and Salma get caught in the siege of Tark, where an auxiliary race engineer of significant talent has some unpleasant surprises in store. Not the only city siege of interest, either, as all eyes turn to Collegium eventually.
Che works with Achaeos where she can, and Tynisa and her father Tisamon have formed a very effective partnership of bladed death dealing.
This is again a theme that is driven home significantly - the evolution of technology in war, and via war. The Beetles even have a sort of kinden group motto 'for progress'. The other side of course is the horror of all the slaughtered, maimed, blown up, shot down, crushed etc. victims of the conflicts, as well as the displaced.
Wielders of magic have a little bit more to say throughout this novel, as well, and other small Kinden groups have their existence revealed to readers.
While the newness of the insect people idea is going to have worn off after 1300 pages, the novel is still very engaging.
4 out of 5
The focus is on the students of Stenwold's who have to grow up fast in all the violence, while he continues to try and make some of the other cities and geographical areas inhabited by other Kinden see the Wasps as a threat.
Totho and Salma get caught in the siege of Tark, where an auxiliary race engineer of significant talent has some unpleasant surprises in store. Not the only city siege of interest, either, as all eyes turn to Collegium eventually.
Che works with Achaeos where she can, and Tynisa and her father Tisamon have formed a very effective partnership of bladed death dealing.
This is again a theme that is driven home significantly - the evolution of technology in war, and via war. The Beetles even have a sort of kinden group motto 'for progress'. The other side of course is the horror of all the slaughtered, maimed, blown up, shot down, crushed etc. victims of the conflicts, as well as the displaced.
Wielders of magic have a little bit more to say throughout this novel, as well, and other small Kinden groups have their existence revealed to readers.
While the newness of the insect people idea is going to have worn off after 1300 pages, the novel is still very engaging.
4 out of 5
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Crystal Skull and Other Tales Of the Terrifying and Twisted - Ardath Mayhar
A reasonable type collection of horror and fantasy with a chunk of Texas flavour at 3.32.
Crystal Skull : DOWN IN THE BOTTOMLANDS - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : LONESOME CANEFIELD BLUES - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : COON HUNT WITH DISTRACTIONS - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : THE CRYSTAL SKULL [short story] - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : THE EIGHT WHO HATED - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : FOOTPRINTS - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : GRIMM'S WAY - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : THE ORPHAN - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : YHITAGH - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : BARE BONES, BARE BONES - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : THE CHILDREN BENEATH THE STONES - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : CONCERTO - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : THE LITTLE FINGER ON THE LEFT HAND - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : IN THE GREEN SAND - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : HALLIMORE'S DOG - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : LIKE MOTHER USED TO MAKE - Ardath Mayhar
Borrowed hunter.
3 out of 5
Hog knife to this chase.
3.5 out of 5
Whatchmacallits, big ones, good dog.
4 out of 5
Head pressure.
3 out of 5
Multiple revenge, mind.
3.5 out of 5
Beach house haunted.
3 out of 5
Shape of death.
3 out of 5
Peter is the Wolf.
3.5 out of 5
Hurn death.
3 out of 5
Cat save.
3 out of 5
Finger's not connected.
3.5 out of 5
Engineering Sacrifice.
3.5 out of 5
Music vamp.
3.5 out of 5
The missing bit is the most annoying.
3.5 out of 5
Alien city sin stay.
3.5 out of 5
He's dead, me too.
3 out of 5
Dinner, me. Ouch.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Crystal Skull : DOWN IN THE BOTTOMLANDS - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : LONESOME CANEFIELD BLUES - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : COON HUNT WITH DISTRACTIONS - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : THE CRYSTAL SKULL [short story] - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : THE EIGHT WHO HATED - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : FOOTPRINTS - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : GRIMM'S WAY - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : THE ORPHAN - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : YHITAGH - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : BARE BONES, BARE BONES - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : THE CHILDREN BENEATH THE STONES - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : CONCERTO - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : THE LITTLE FINGER ON THE LEFT HAND - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : IN THE GREEN SAND - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : HALLIMORE'S DOG - Ardath Mayhar
Crystal Skull : LIKE MOTHER USED TO MAKE - Ardath Mayhar
Borrowed hunter.
3 out of 5
Hog knife to this chase.
3.5 out of 5
Whatchmacallits, big ones, good dog.
4 out of 5
Head pressure.
3 out of 5
Multiple revenge, mind.
3.5 out of 5
Beach house haunted.
3 out of 5
Shape of death.
3 out of 5
Peter is the Wolf.
3.5 out of 5
Hurn death.
3 out of 5
Cat save.
3 out of 5
Finger's not connected.
3.5 out of 5
Engineering Sacrifice.
3.5 out of 5
Music vamp.
3.5 out of 5
The missing bit is the most annoying.
3.5 out of 5
Alien city sin stay.
3.5 out of 5
He's dead, me too.
3 out of 5
Dinner, me. Ouch.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Nightshades - Tanith Lee
An ok collection at 3.19. Dark fantasy to horror, generally speaking.
Nightshades : Nightshade - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : The Mermaid - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : After the Guillotine - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : Meow - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : Il Bacio (Il Chiave) - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : A Room with a Vie - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : Paper Boat - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : Blue Vase of Ghosts - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : Pinewood - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : The Janfia Tree - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : The Devil's Rose - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : Huzdra - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : Three Days - Tanith Lee
Finally shot him.
3 out of 5
Naked is fishy.
3 out of 5
Lopped afterlife.
3.5 out of 5
Winged rat girl chomp no shag.
3.5 out of 5
Dice with Death.
3 out of 5
Dead house.
3.5 out of 5
A bit wet.
3 out of 5
Souls, with electrum lion.
3.5 out of 5
He's dead, Pam.
2.5 out of 5
He's dead, Pam.
3 out of 5
Syphilitic variety.
3.5 out of 5
Dress alike demon story.
3.5 out of 5
Hanging extension coverup.
3.5 out of 5
3 out of 5
Nightshades : Nightshade - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : The Mermaid - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : After the Guillotine - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : Meow - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : Il Bacio (Il Chiave) - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : A Room with a Vie - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : Paper Boat - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : Blue Vase of Ghosts - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : Pinewood - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : The Janfia Tree - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : The Devil's Rose - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : Huzdra - Tanith Lee
Nightshades : Three Days - Tanith Lee
Finally shot him.
3 out of 5
Naked is fishy.
3 out of 5
Lopped afterlife.
3.5 out of 5
Winged rat girl chomp no shag.
3.5 out of 5
Dice with Death.
3 out of 5
Dead house.
3.5 out of 5
A bit wet.
3 out of 5
Souls, with electrum lion.
3.5 out of 5
He's dead, Pam.
2.5 out of 5
He's dead, Pam.
3 out of 5
Syphilitic variety.
3.5 out of 5
Dress alike demon story.
3.5 out of 5
Hanging extension coverup.
3.5 out of 5
3 out of 5
Red As Blood - Tanith Lee
An ok collection of fractured (or more like broken, in Lee's case) fairy tales, at 3.22.
Red As Blood : Paid Piper - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : Red As Blood [short story] - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : Thorns - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : When The Clock Strikes - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : The Golden Rope - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : The Princess And Her Future - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : Wolfland - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : Black As Ink - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : Beauty - Tanith Lee
Rat god worship.
3 out of 5
Witch Queen reflection.
3 out of 5
Too sleepy for me.
3 out of 5
Witchy revenge.
3.5 out of 5
Scarlet bloke serving.
3.5 out of 5
Ruler lights out.
3 out of 5
A bit beastly here, Grandma.
3.5 out of 5
No bright swan.
3 out of 5
Alien Lyra.
3.5 out of 5
3 out of 5
Red As Blood : Paid Piper - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : Red As Blood [short story] - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : Thorns - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : When The Clock Strikes - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : The Golden Rope - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : The Princess And Her Future - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : Wolfland - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : Black As Ink - Tanith Lee
Red As Blood : Beauty - Tanith Lee
Rat god worship.
3 out of 5
Witch Queen reflection.
3 out of 5
Too sleepy for me.
3 out of 5
Witchy revenge.
3.5 out of 5
Scarlet bloke serving.
3.5 out of 5
Ruler lights out.
3 out of 5
A bit beastly here, Grandma.
3.5 out of 5
No bright swan.
3 out of 5
Alien Lyra.
3.5 out of 5
3 out of 5
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Fantasy and Science Fiction 686 - Gordon Van Gelder
Fairly similar in quality to the last issue, at 3.18. A lot of book reviews, as well.
Matthew Hughes oddball throwback fantasy with a twist is easily the best.
FSF686 : DRAGON'S TEETH - Alex Irvine
FSF686 : HELL OF A FIX - Matthew Hughes
FSF686 : INSIDE TIME - Tim Sullivan
FSF686 : I NEEDS MUST PART THE POLICEMAN SAID - Richard Bowes
FSF686 : BAD MATTER - Alexandra Duncan
FSF686 : FAREWELL ATLANTIS - Terry Bisson
FSF686 : ILLUSIONS OF TRANQUILITY - Brendan DuBois
FSF686 : THE BLIGHT FAMILY SINGERS - Kit Reed
FSF686 : THE ECONOMY OF VACUUM - Sarah Thomas
FSF686 : IRIS - Nancy Springer
FSF686 : THE MAN WHO DID SOMETHING ABOUT *IT* - Harvey Jacobs
Paulus, rather fishy.
3.5 out of 5
Infernal double Hourman.
4 out of 5
Prison extension.
3.5 out of 5
Hospital rebuilding.
3 out of 5
Footnote crewe.
3.5 out of 5
Twosome tale Destiny.
3 out of 5
Moon, no thanks.
3 out of 5
Show Them.
2 out of 5
Moon war exile madness.
3.5 out of 5
Rainbow tree capoff.
3 out of 5
Need and earth space bypass.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Matthew Hughes oddball throwback fantasy with a twist is easily the best.
FSF686 : DRAGON'S TEETH - Alex Irvine
FSF686 : HELL OF A FIX - Matthew Hughes
FSF686 : INSIDE TIME - Tim Sullivan
FSF686 : I NEEDS MUST PART THE POLICEMAN SAID - Richard Bowes
FSF686 : BAD MATTER - Alexandra Duncan
FSF686 : FAREWELL ATLANTIS - Terry Bisson
FSF686 : ILLUSIONS OF TRANQUILITY - Brendan DuBois
FSF686 : THE BLIGHT FAMILY SINGERS - Kit Reed
FSF686 : THE ECONOMY OF VACUUM - Sarah Thomas
FSF686 : IRIS - Nancy Springer
FSF686 : THE MAN WHO DID SOMETHING ABOUT *IT* - Harvey Jacobs
Paulus, rather fishy.
3.5 out of 5
Infernal double Hourman.
4 out of 5
Prison extension.
3.5 out of 5
Hospital rebuilding.
3 out of 5
Footnote crewe.
3.5 out of 5
Twosome tale Destiny.
3 out of 5
Moon, no thanks.
3 out of 5
Show Them.
2 out of 5
Moon war exile madness.
3.5 out of 5
Rainbow tree capoff.
3 out of 5
Need and earth space bypass.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Tomorrow Happens - David Brin
A collection that is a balance of fiction and non-fiction, which none of his best stories appearing here, so is only a 3.20.
There's an introduction by Vernor Vinge.
Tomorrow Happens : Aficionado - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : Stones of Significance - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : Reality Check - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : Paris Conquers All - David Brin and Gregory Benford
Tomorrow Happens : Fortitude - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : The Diplomacy Guild - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : News from 2025 - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : A Professor at Harvard - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : An Ever-Reddening Glow - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : The Other Side of the Hill - David Brin
Struggle monitors.
3.5 out of 5
Singularity simulations.
3.5 out of 5
Satire. Fermi paradox and boring immortality, what to do?
3.5 out of 5
Even Martians.
3 out of 5
Galactic genealogy slumming.
3 out of 5
Short time philosophy Frankenstein creation.
3 out of 5
Web no fad.
3 out of 5
Kuiper ET compilation.
3 out of 5
Stardrive cosmic pollution problem.
3.5 out of 5
Off this planet necessary, look at this good stuff here!
3 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
There's an introduction by Vernor Vinge.
Tomorrow Happens : Aficionado - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : Stones of Significance - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : Reality Check - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : Paris Conquers All - David Brin and Gregory Benford
Tomorrow Happens : Fortitude - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : The Diplomacy Guild - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : News from 2025 - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : A Professor at Harvard - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : An Ever-Reddening Glow - David Brin
Tomorrow Happens : The Other Side of the Hill - David Brin
Struggle monitors.
3.5 out of 5
Singularity simulations.
3.5 out of 5
Satire. Fermi paradox and boring immortality, what to do?
3.5 out of 5
Even Martians.
3 out of 5
Galactic genealogy slumming.
3 out of 5
Short time philosophy Frankenstein creation.
3 out of 5
Web no fad.
3 out of 5
Kuiper ET compilation.
3 out of 5
Stardrive cosmic pollution problem.
3.5 out of 5
Off this planet necessary, look at this good stuff here!
3 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
The Other Side Of the Hill - David Brin
Off this planet necessary, look at this good stuff here!
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Otherness - David Brin
An okish collection at 3.31, with 3 strong stories. This and extra non-fiction etc. enough to warrant the 3.5.
Otherness is divided into sections:
Transitions
Contact
Continuity
Cosmos
Otherness
The first of which contain short stories, plus some non-fiction or story notes. The last an essay about writing and making stuff up, sci-fi style.
Otherness : The Giving Plague - David Brin
Otherness : Myth Number 21 - David Brin
Otherness : Dr. Pak's Preschool - David Brin
Otherness : Detritus Affected - David Brin
Otherness : The Dogma of Otherness - David Brin
Otherness : Sshhh - David Brin
Otherness : Those Eyes - David Brin
Otherness : Bonding to Genji - David Brin
Otherness : The Warm Space - David Brin
Otherness : NatuLife - David Brin
Otherness : Piecework - David Brin
Otherness : Bubbles - David Brin
Otherness : Ambiguity - David Brin
Otherness : What Continues What Fails - David Brin
Altruism virus messiah.
4 out of 5
Elvis Road Dog.
2 out of 5
Designing the kid.
3 out of 5
Los Angeles archaeology.
3 out of 5
Ship blowup Talent giveup.
3 out of 5
UFO talkback.
3 out of 5
Japanese expedition arrival, sexual relations of human and aliens, and the odd problem with gravity and such.
3 out of 5
Project Lightprobe robot explorer crazy.
3.5 out of 5
VR Long Stick hunt.
3.5 out of 5
Dropping your bundle and bundle.
4 out of 5
I thought there was nothing outside Galaxies.
3.5 out of 5
Gaia War done? Right, it's back to the normal every day study of black hole manipulation then.
3.5 out of 5
Black hole and baby making.
4 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Otherness is divided into sections:
Transitions
Contact
Continuity
Cosmos
Otherness
The first of which contain short stories, plus some non-fiction or story notes. The last an essay about writing and making stuff up, sci-fi style.
Otherness : The Giving Plague - David Brin
Otherness : Myth Number 21 - David Brin
Otherness : Dr. Pak's Preschool - David Brin
Otherness : Detritus Affected - David Brin
Otherness : The Dogma of Otherness - David Brin
Otherness : Sshhh - David Brin
Otherness : Those Eyes - David Brin
Otherness : Bonding to Genji - David Brin
Otherness : The Warm Space - David Brin
Otherness : NatuLife - David Brin
Otherness : Piecework - David Brin
Otherness : Bubbles - David Brin
Otherness : Ambiguity - David Brin
Otherness : What Continues What Fails - David Brin
Altruism virus messiah.
4 out of 5
Elvis Road Dog.
2 out of 5
Designing the kid.
3 out of 5
Los Angeles archaeology.
3 out of 5
Ship blowup Talent giveup.
3 out of 5
UFO talkback.
3 out of 5
Japanese expedition arrival, sexual relations of human and aliens, and the odd problem with gravity and such.
3 out of 5
Project Lightprobe robot explorer crazy.
3.5 out of 5
VR Long Stick hunt.
3.5 out of 5
Dropping your bundle and bundle.
4 out of 5
I thought there was nothing outside Galaxies.
3.5 out of 5
Gaia War done? Right, it's back to the normal every day study of black hole manipulation then.
3.5 out of 5
Black hole and baby making.
4 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
The River Of Time - David Brin
A collection that is mostly science fiction, with a couple of exceptions - goo dones, though. Thor Meets Captain America being the best of this book apart from The Crystal Sphere.
A reasonable collection at 3.41, with several strong stories.
River Of Time : The Crystal Spheres - David Brin
River Of Time : The Loom of Thessaly - David Brin
River Of Time : The 4th Vocation of George Gustaf - David Brin
River Of Time : Senses Three and Six - David Brin
River Of Time : Toujour Voir - David Brin
River Of Time : A Stage of Memory - David Brin
River Of Time : Just A Hint - David Brin
River Of Time : Tank Farm Dynamo - David Brin
River Of Time : Thor Meets Captain America - David Brin
River Of Time : Lungfish - David Brin
River Of Time : The River of Time - David Brin
Elder Race boredom black hole sleepytime.
4 out of 5
Fateful discovery.
3.5 out of 5
Boring Ritual Club androids.
2.5 out of 5
Alien blockade Canaan Breakout.
3.5 out of 5
Time, space, captain?
3 out of 5
Time-Jizz addiction.
3.5 out of 5
Falling apart separately.
3 out of 5
Sludgy space existence solar power.
3 out of 5
The Allies are winning the war, when it all suddenly starts to go bad. The nazis and their mystic crazies have come up with something.
'They... made... the Aesir. That's what Loki meant by thinking that, maybe, his own memories were false. When he suspected he was actually no older than...'
Not that Loki, working with the Allies, can be completely trusted, as the surviving commander finds out about the necromancy.
'Who would we conjure? Chris wondered. If we ever used those spells? Superman? Captain Marvel? Oh, they'd be more than a match for the Aesir! Our myths were boundless.'
At the end of the failed mission, Chris realises Loki has left him with a little superhuman gift, hence Captain America.
4 out of 5
Earth girls are easy?
4 out of 5
ComaSlow Vanisher communication.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
A reasonable collection at 3.41, with several strong stories.
River Of Time : The Crystal Spheres - David Brin
River Of Time : The Loom of Thessaly - David Brin
River Of Time : The 4th Vocation of George Gustaf - David Brin
River Of Time : Senses Three and Six - David Brin
River Of Time : Toujour Voir - David Brin
River Of Time : A Stage of Memory - David Brin
River Of Time : Just A Hint - David Brin
River Of Time : Tank Farm Dynamo - David Brin
River Of Time : Thor Meets Captain America - David Brin
River Of Time : Lungfish - David Brin
River Of Time : The River of Time - David Brin
Elder Race boredom black hole sleepytime.
4 out of 5
Fateful discovery.
3.5 out of 5
Boring Ritual Club androids.
2.5 out of 5
Alien blockade Canaan Breakout.
3.5 out of 5
Time, space, captain?
3 out of 5
Time-Jizz addiction.
3.5 out of 5
Falling apart separately.
3 out of 5
Sludgy space existence solar power.
3 out of 5
The Allies are winning the war, when it all suddenly starts to go bad. The nazis and their mystic crazies have come up with something.
'They... made... the Aesir. That's what Loki meant by thinking that, maybe, his own memories were false. When he suspected he was actually no older than...'
Not that Loki, working with the Allies, can be completely trusted, as the surviving commander finds out about the necromancy.
'Who would we conjure? Chris wondered. If we ever used those spells? Superman? Captain Marvel? Oh, they'd be more than a match for the Aesir! Our myths were boundless.'
At the end of the failed mission, Chris realises Loki has left him with a little superhuman gift, hence Captain America.
4 out of 5
Earth girls are easy?
4 out of 5
ComaSlow Vanisher communication.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Interzone 224 - Andy Cox
An interview with Robert Holdstock, and reviews of James Barclay's Ravensoul, and Lauren Beukes' Moxyland, among others. Some movie reviews include moon.
Fictionally, a good issue at 3.50, with Sanford leading the pack in both quality and position.
Interzone 224 : SUBLIMATION ANGELS - Jason Sanford
Interzone 224 : NO LONGER YOU - Katherine Sparrow and Rachel Swirsky
Interzone 224 : SHUCKED - Adrian Joyce
Interzone 224 : THE GODFALL'S CHEMSONG - Jeremiah Tolbert
Interzone 224 : THE FESTIVAL OF TETHSELEM - Chris Butler
Low kid AI mom decay alien Handling.
4 out of 5
Jew memory collection.
3.5 out of 5
Network monster.
3 out of 5
Muskblue mating.
3.5 out of 5
Nexus hole could be everywhere.
3.5 out of 5
4 out of 5
Fictionally, a good issue at 3.50, with Sanford leading the pack in both quality and position.
Interzone 224 : SUBLIMATION ANGELS - Jason Sanford
Interzone 224 : NO LONGER YOU - Katherine Sparrow and Rachel Swirsky
Interzone 224 : SHUCKED - Adrian Joyce
Interzone 224 : THE GODFALL'S CHEMSONG - Jeremiah Tolbert
Interzone 224 : THE FESTIVAL OF TETHSELEM - Chris Butler
Low kid AI mom decay alien Handling.
4 out of 5
Jew memory collection.
3.5 out of 5
Network monster.
3 out of 5
Muskblue mating.
3.5 out of 5
Nexus hole could be everywhere.
3.5 out of 5
4 out of 5
Monday, October 26, 2009
Asimov's 407 - Sheila Williams
There's a few book reviews here, incuding Gregory's Pandemonium, along with Pratchett and Gaiman.
A bit below average at 3.36, the stories.
ASIMOVS407 : A LOVELY LITTLE CHRISTMAS FIRE - Jeff Carlson
ASIMOVS407 : AS WOMEN FIGHT - Sara Genge
ASIMOVS407 : ANIMUS RIGHTS - John Shirley
ASIMOVS407 : ANGIE'S ERRAND - Nick Wolven
ASIMOVS407 : LEAVING THE STATION - Jim Aikin
ASIMOVS407 : A LARGE BUCKET AND ACCIDENTAL GODLIKE MASTERY OF SPACETIME - Benjamin Crowell
ASIMOVS407 : THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN - Mike Resnick
ASIMOVS407 : SOME LIKE IT HOT - Brian Stableford
Macho bug naked chase capture.
4 out of 5
Bodyswap beating.
3 out of 5
The Game Of Blood and Dust - now threeway.
3.5 out of 5
Collapse isolation.
3.5 out of 5
Antique ghost.
3 out of 5
Galactic Bus diplomacy domination dealings.
3.5 out of 5
Monster romance.
3 out of 5
Gaia Snow Queen tinkering.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
A bit below average at 3.36, the stories.
ASIMOVS407 : A LOVELY LITTLE CHRISTMAS FIRE - Jeff Carlson
ASIMOVS407 : AS WOMEN FIGHT - Sara Genge
ASIMOVS407 : ANIMUS RIGHTS - John Shirley
ASIMOVS407 : ANGIE'S ERRAND - Nick Wolven
ASIMOVS407 : LEAVING THE STATION - Jim Aikin
ASIMOVS407 : A LARGE BUCKET AND ACCIDENTAL GODLIKE MASTERY OF SPACETIME - Benjamin Crowell
ASIMOVS407 : THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN - Mike Resnick
ASIMOVS407 : SOME LIKE IT HOT - Brian Stableford
Macho bug naked chase capture.
4 out of 5
Bodyswap beating.
3 out of 5
The Game Of Blood and Dust - now threeway.
3.5 out of 5
Collapse isolation.
3.5 out of 5
Antique ghost.
3 out of 5
Galactic Bus diplomacy domination dealings.
3.5 out of 5
Monster romance.
3 out of 5
Gaia Snow Queen tinkering.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Destroyer - James Enge
Problem with running away from monsters is running into bigger ones. Problem for them, too, if it happens to be Morlock the Maker doing the running.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
A Large Bucket And Accidental Godlike Mastery Of Spacetime - Benjamin Crowell
Galactic Bus diplomacy domination dealings.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Analog 945 - Stanley Schmidt
An editorial about changing engineering psychology, a article about what happened to Mars weather over time, and a very interesting one of Dark Matter particle detection experiments.
Fiction only a 3.17, so subpar. Baxter's time gradation planet story the best.
ANALOG945 : FORMIDABLE CARESS - Stephen Baxter
ANALOG945 : A FLASH OF LIGHTNING - Robert Scherrer
ANALOG945 : THE JOLLY OLD BOYFRIEND - Jerry Oltion
ANALOG945 : THE UNIVERSE BENEATH OUR FEET - Carl Frederick
ANALOG945 : WILDERNESS WERE PARADISE ENOW - H. G. Stratmann
ANALOG945 : TO CLIMB A FLAT MOUTAIN 3 - G. David Nordley
Time Pooled.
3.5 out of 5
Dead moth effect time.
2.5 out of 5
Santa project coal transformation makeup.
3 out of 5
Craboid ping.
3 out of 5
Superhuman power experiment failure worlds collide.
3.5 out of 5
Cube World universe Ascendant.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Fiction only a 3.17, so subpar. Baxter's time gradation planet story the best.
ANALOG945 : FORMIDABLE CARESS - Stephen Baxter
ANALOG945 : A FLASH OF LIGHTNING - Robert Scherrer
ANALOG945 : THE JOLLY OLD BOYFRIEND - Jerry Oltion
ANALOG945 : THE UNIVERSE BENEATH OUR FEET - Carl Frederick
ANALOG945 : WILDERNESS WERE PARADISE ENOW - H. G. Stratmann
ANALOG945 : TO CLIMB A FLAT MOUTAIN 3 - G. David Nordley
Time Pooled.
3.5 out of 5
Dead moth effect time.
2.5 out of 5
Santa project coal transformation makeup.
3 out of 5
Craboid ping.
3 out of 5
Superhuman power experiment failure worlds collide.
3.5 out of 5
Cube World universe Ascendant.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Wilderness Were Paradise Enow - H. G. Stratmann
Superhuman power experiment failure worlds collide.
3.5 out of 5
3.5 out of 5
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Empire In Black and Gold - Adrian Tchaikovsky
An interesting fantasy, the first part of what appears that it will be a several thousand pages long epic.
Something that does not often happen in this sort of fantasy, which tends to the conservative and reactionary - there's an actual Revolution. Of the Industrial kind.
Lots of secondary world novels seem to have zero explanation for a static. In fact that still explains it, utter brain rot leaking out their ringholes, at least as far as it goes for creativity and invention. It seems that once you take sight of a pointy eared pretty boy, or a pointy hatted git your progress atrophies.
Not the case for the Shadows Of the Apt, however. Actually, it is part of the point of the story.
The people in this world, vaguely similarly to elves, dwarves etc. are speciated only racial ability lines - although here they are insect based.
The Black and Gold are the Wasps. Other major races of interest are the Beetles, the Ants, the Moths, as far as this book goes. The races can cross breed, and there are many others. There is an important Mantis character, a Dragonfly, a Spider (so I guess arachnids are ok, too, and there is a Woodlouse.). There are Scorpions in the desert, and others are mentioned as being rarer, Butterflies, Bees, Thornbugs, Grasshoppers. Others such as Centipedes and Mosquitoes are mentioned as being mythical.
This particular Industrial Revolution is at the early end of the scale. Travel still has pretty serious limits, and for the people of the Lowland areas where this is based, much of the world is unknown, even as far as rough maps go at their most advanced centre of learning, the university at Collegium, a Beetle City. Airships, planes, trains, cars, factories are all coming into being, as are the beginnings of riflery and other automatic weapons.
The various races have abilities determined by their genetic heritage, called 'Arts', so they are somewhat supernatural. The Ants can use unheard group communication, Moths are silent and can see in the dark. Spiders are good at political manipulation. Scorpions and large and strong with pincers, Spiders can walk up walls, Mantis are deadly killers, etc. Also, some have the ability to fly in general where the particular insect associated can. In the case of Beetles, only some can manage it. Wasps could basically join the Avengers with a dose of Pym particles (and a couple of thousand pairs of shoes), they can fly and shoot energy blast stings.
All of this is a little reminiscent of China Mieville's New Crobuzon, without the dark urban underbelly and the florid hypervocabulary. Although Tchaikovsky seems a bit of a cut above the ordinary as far as wordsmithing goes, when it comes to the fillers out of huge piles of fantasy paper.
This latter is a significant advantage when you are an Empire built on military conquest - and here is the source of the conflict for this book. The various peoples are divided into two broad categories 'The Apt' and 'The Inapt'. The former have the mental plasticity to understand machines and advance, and the latter do not. There's no particular justification for this, but possibly it is the author's illustration of different fantasy mindsets as mentioned before - that it is fairly nonsensical. People may call Dragonflies and Butterflies pretty, certainly - and that is how the 'Apt' lines tend to fall - the communal, uglier worker groups are those that develop technology, become engineers, etc. So there's a rough division by appearance, as defined in the novel - I don't see too many people calling Spiders attractive in our world.
The Wasp sociopolitical situation is such that they have to be aggressively expansionist - all males are in the military. The whole lot, so they need slaves to do much of the actual work. To get more slaves you need to take over people, as you can't use all your own people in this manner. To keep a military busy and stop them getting bored and fighting amongst each other - or overthrowing the boss, you have to point them at something. This also involves a military secret police, with internal and external divisions.
The actual character situation is this:
The first chapter has a group of friends participating in the desperate defense of a city against the invading Wasps, and being betrayed so that the artificer's plan (involving a lot of blowing up of the enemy) is thwarted, and they have to flea for their lives by flying machine, not all of them making it.
The artificer in question is Stenwold Maker - surname denoting career, as it used to do. The rest of the book is set close to two decades in the future, and also features a quarter of friends on the same duelling team, who have been students in Collegium and two of them are Stenwold's daughters.
The Wasps are coming, with diplomatic overtures, so Stenwold, who has been asking as a self-made spymaster knows the time is short, and has no choice but to get his young proteges involved. A Beetle girl with good general knowledge, a just qualified halfbreed artificer, a Dragonfly prince from the defeated by Wasps Commonweal nations, and a Spider woman who has a talent for the sword.
They venture into the heart of commerce of the Lowlands, an industrial city that has been selling a lot to the Wasps, and Stenwold has to try and convince people that they need to act, and act together, or the Wasps will easily pick them off a city at a time. The Maker has a spy network there, but the group has to survive to get to it.
Magic does exist, but isn't common, there are magicians with varying abilities in different races, and even one discovery of something that went badly wrong, but it isn't really a focus. There are no gods, avatars, priestly sacrifices or any of that, either.
Very pleasantly surprised by the thematic differences in this novel, and there are two more out with more to come, his website says, so I will look for those as well. It is very hard to get me interested in runs of 600 or more page books, too.
The author also has several short stories in this setting available for free download at his website, if you decide you'd like more of a taste.
4 out of 5
Something that does not often happen in this sort of fantasy, which tends to the conservative and reactionary - there's an actual Revolution. Of the Industrial kind.
Lots of secondary world novels seem to have zero explanation for a static. In fact that still explains it, utter brain rot leaking out their ringholes, at least as far as it goes for creativity and invention. It seems that once you take sight of a pointy eared pretty boy, or a pointy hatted git your progress atrophies.
Not the case for the Shadows Of the Apt, however. Actually, it is part of the point of the story.
The people in this world, vaguely similarly to elves, dwarves etc. are speciated only racial ability lines - although here they are insect based.
The Black and Gold are the Wasps. Other major races of interest are the Beetles, the Ants, the Moths, as far as this book goes. The races can cross breed, and there are many others. There is an important Mantis character, a Dragonfly, a Spider (so I guess arachnids are ok, too, and there is a Woodlouse.). There are Scorpions in the desert, and others are mentioned as being rarer, Butterflies, Bees, Thornbugs, Grasshoppers. Others such as Centipedes and Mosquitoes are mentioned as being mythical.
This particular Industrial Revolution is at the early end of the scale. Travel still has pretty serious limits, and for the people of the Lowland areas where this is based, much of the world is unknown, even as far as rough maps go at their most advanced centre of learning, the university at Collegium, a Beetle City. Airships, planes, trains, cars, factories are all coming into being, as are the beginnings of riflery and other automatic weapons.
The various races have abilities determined by their genetic heritage, called 'Arts', so they are somewhat supernatural. The Ants can use unheard group communication, Moths are silent and can see in the dark. Spiders are good at political manipulation. Scorpions and large and strong with pincers, Spiders can walk up walls, Mantis are deadly killers, etc. Also, some have the ability to fly in general where the particular insect associated can. In the case of Beetles, only some can manage it. Wasps could basically join the Avengers with a dose of Pym particles (and a couple of thousand pairs of shoes), they can fly and shoot energy blast stings.
All of this is a little reminiscent of China Mieville's New Crobuzon, without the dark urban underbelly and the florid hypervocabulary. Although Tchaikovsky seems a bit of a cut above the ordinary as far as wordsmithing goes, when it comes to the fillers out of huge piles of fantasy paper.
This latter is a significant advantage when you are an Empire built on military conquest - and here is the source of the conflict for this book. The various peoples are divided into two broad categories 'The Apt' and 'The Inapt'. The former have the mental plasticity to understand machines and advance, and the latter do not. There's no particular justification for this, but possibly it is the author's illustration of different fantasy mindsets as mentioned before - that it is fairly nonsensical. People may call Dragonflies and Butterflies pretty, certainly - and that is how the 'Apt' lines tend to fall - the communal, uglier worker groups are those that develop technology, become engineers, etc. So there's a rough division by appearance, as defined in the novel - I don't see too many people calling Spiders attractive in our world.
The Wasp sociopolitical situation is such that they have to be aggressively expansionist - all males are in the military. The whole lot, so they need slaves to do much of the actual work. To get more slaves you need to take over people, as you can't use all your own people in this manner. To keep a military busy and stop them getting bored and fighting amongst each other - or overthrowing the boss, you have to point them at something. This also involves a military secret police, with internal and external divisions.
The actual character situation is this:
The first chapter has a group of friends participating in the desperate defense of a city against the invading Wasps, and being betrayed so that the artificer's plan (involving a lot of blowing up of the enemy) is thwarted, and they have to flea for their lives by flying machine, not all of them making it.
The artificer in question is Stenwold Maker - surname denoting career, as it used to do. The rest of the book is set close to two decades in the future, and also features a quarter of friends on the same duelling team, who have been students in Collegium and two of them are Stenwold's daughters.
The Wasps are coming, with diplomatic overtures, so Stenwold, who has been asking as a self-made spymaster knows the time is short, and has no choice but to get his young proteges involved. A Beetle girl with good general knowledge, a just qualified halfbreed artificer, a Dragonfly prince from the defeated by Wasps Commonweal nations, and a Spider woman who has a talent for the sword.
They venture into the heart of commerce of the Lowlands, an industrial city that has been selling a lot to the Wasps, and Stenwold has to try and convince people that they need to act, and act together, or the Wasps will easily pick them off a city at a time. The Maker has a spy network there, but the group has to survive to get to it.
Magic does exist, but isn't common, there are magicians with varying abilities in different races, and even one discovery of something that went badly wrong, but it isn't really a focus. There are no gods, avatars, priestly sacrifices or any of that, either.
Very pleasantly surprised by the thematic differences in this novel, and there are two more out with more to come, his website says, so I will look for those as well. It is very hard to get me interested in runs of 600 or more page books, too.
The author also has several short stories in this setting available for free download at his website, if you decide you'd like more of a taste.
4 out of 5
Carnies - Martin Livings
A dark stunning thriller, proclaims the cover.
Rather too slow for a thriller for the first third or so.
Dark fantasy I guess I could go with, though.
A down on scoops reporter asks his vaguely photographically skilled brother to help him do an interest story on a long lived carnival at a small town not too far away.
So, basically your creepy circus with monsters - this time the furry werewolf kind. With some family tree issues to be discovered.
3.5 out of 5
Rather too slow for a thriller for the first third or so.
Dark fantasy I guess I could go with, though.
A down on scoops reporter asks his vaguely photographically skilled brother to help him do an interest story on a long lived carnival at a small town not too far away.
So, basically your creepy circus with monsters - this time the furry werewolf kind. With some family tree issues to be discovered.
3.5 out of 5
An Alien Light - Nancy Kress
A race of advanced aliens is surprised by human unpredictability and aggression - especially as it comings to contesting them militarily in space.
As an experiment, on a backward human planet they pit two groups of humans against each other so that they can study what goes on with some of the usual blandishments offered to a primitive society, for those that do what they want.
2.5 out of 5
As an experiment, on a backward human planet they pit two groups of humans against each other so that they can study what goes on with some of the usual blandishments offered to a primitive society, for those that do what they want.
2.5 out of 5
How To Make Friends With Demons - Graham Joyce
Do not meddle in the affairs of crazy veterans, because they might not be.
Or, there are a variety of dodgy blokes to be found here. One that gets involved with more than one bookish scam - and claims he can see demons.
Whether he actually can or not is quite debatable, as this is not populated with a bunch of stable types.
One character, a professional with the skills to do so suggests he may be a functioning schizo - that is, all this demon junk may just be his craziness, too.
Other than that, a lot of meandering from pub to pub with various women.
3 out of 5
Or, there are a variety of dodgy blokes to be found here. One that gets involved with more than one bookish scam - and claims he can see demons.
Whether he actually can or not is quite debatable, as this is not populated with a bunch of stable types.
One character, a professional with the skills to do so suggests he may be a functioning schizo - that is, all this demon junk may just be his craziness, too.
Other than that, a lot of meandering from pub to pub with various women.
3 out of 5
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The Mammoth Book Of Best New Horror 20 - Stephen Jones
A 3.43 average, so not quite as good as some of the others - a bit more average to be found, and no standouts. There are several good stories, however. It is hard to choose the best of the 4 star stories for me, this time. Bishop/Lee/King/Finch, dunno.
The introduction is comprehensive and most excellent, covering horror in all media. Usual long list of real life dead people for the year that I generally never bother reading.
Also, given this is the 20th volume, Jones talks briefly about long running horror series, of which there have been a few make it to 20 plus volumes. In fact, two other Year's Best horror type volumes. Karl Edward Wagner's made it to 22, and Ellen Datlow put her own series down at 21. So if Jones can do three more, he takes Year's Best first place. Talks about how the world was a different place when he started. Although being a publishing type, not surprising his technology tidbits are wrong. No email in 1990? Wrong.
Also some a list of references at the end to publishers, magazines, some websites and other usueful information of that sort.
Best New Horror 20 : FRONT-PAGE McGUFFIN AND THE GREATEST STORY NEVER TOLD - Peter Crowther
Best New Horror 20 : IT RUNS BENEATH THE SURFACE - Simon Strantzas
Best New Horror 20 : THESE THINGS WE HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN - Lynda E Rucker
Best New Horror 20 : FEMININE ENDINGS - Neil Gaiman
Best New Horror 20 : THROUGH THE CRACKS - Gary McMahon
Best New Horror 20 : FALLING OFF THE WORLD - Tim Lebbon
Best New Horror 20 : THE OLD TRADITIONS ARE BEST - Paul Finch
Best New Horror 20 : THE LONG WAY - Ramsey Campbell
Best New Horror 20 : THE PILE - Michael Bishop
Best New Horror 20 : UNDER FOG - Tanith Lee
Best New Horror 20 : ARKANGEL - Christopher Fowler
Best New Horror 20 : THE CAMPING WAINWRIGHTS - Ian R. MacLeod
Best New Horror 20 : A DONKEY AT THE MYSTERIES - Reggie Oliver
Best New Horror 20 : THE ORAM COUNTY WHOOSIT - Steve Duffy
Best New Horror 20 : THE NEW YORK TIMES AT SPECIAL BARGAIN RATES - Stephen King
Best New Horror 20 : OUR MAN IN THE SUDAN - Sarah Pinborough
Best New Horror 20 : DESTINATION NIHIL BY EDMUND BERTRAND - Mark Samuels
Best New Horror 20 : THE OVERSEER - Albert E Cowdrey
Best New Horror 20 : THE BEGINNINGS OF SORROW - Pinckney Benedict
Best New Horror 20 : THE PLACE OF WAITING - Brian Lumley
Best New Horror 20 : 2:00 PM THE REAL ESTATE AGENT ARRIVES - Steve Rasnic Tem
Too superstitious to die properly.
4 out of 5
Very black and greasy.
3 out of 5
Cold Rest.
3 out of 5
Statuesque letter.
3 out of 5
They're coming, djinn ya know?
3.5 out of 5
Throwing yourself at the ground and not missing.
3 out of 5
Back on the home town hobby horse.
4 out of 5
Frugo spin.
3 out of 5
Gorilla macarena curse.
4 out of 5
Golden the Ship Was, Oh, Oh, No!
4 out of 5
Train station Polish punishment.
4 out of 5
Gas bottle bash dad tent flyaway.
3.5 out of 5
Serious classics.
3 out of 5
Old coal One reporting, minus a few h heads.
4 out of 5
Post-crash pre-advice.
4 out of 5
Haboob horseride, maybe.
3.5 out of 5
Tracked circular.
2.5 out of 5
Phantom arm, phantom, phantom maker.
3.5 out of 5
Wereman, dead man.
3 out of 5
Tor ghost re-enactment.
3.5 out of 5
Grave find.
3 out of 5
4 out of 5
The introduction is comprehensive and most excellent, covering horror in all media. Usual long list of real life dead people for the year that I generally never bother reading.
Also, given this is the 20th volume, Jones talks briefly about long running horror series, of which there have been a few make it to 20 plus volumes. In fact, two other Year's Best horror type volumes. Karl Edward Wagner's made it to 22, and Ellen Datlow put her own series down at 21. So if Jones can do three more, he takes Year's Best first place. Talks about how the world was a different place when he started. Although being a publishing type, not surprising his technology tidbits are wrong. No email in 1990? Wrong.
Also some a list of references at the end to publishers, magazines, some websites and other usueful information of that sort.
Best New Horror 20 : FRONT-PAGE McGUFFIN AND THE GREATEST STORY NEVER TOLD - Peter Crowther
Best New Horror 20 : IT RUNS BENEATH THE SURFACE - Simon Strantzas
Best New Horror 20 : THESE THINGS WE HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN - Lynda E Rucker
Best New Horror 20 : FEMININE ENDINGS - Neil Gaiman
Best New Horror 20 : THROUGH THE CRACKS - Gary McMahon
Best New Horror 20 : FALLING OFF THE WORLD - Tim Lebbon
Best New Horror 20 : THE OLD TRADITIONS ARE BEST - Paul Finch
Best New Horror 20 : THE LONG WAY - Ramsey Campbell
Best New Horror 20 : THE PILE - Michael Bishop
Best New Horror 20 : UNDER FOG - Tanith Lee
Best New Horror 20 : ARKANGEL - Christopher Fowler
Best New Horror 20 : THE CAMPING WAINWRIGHTS - Ian R. MacLeod
Best New Horror 20 : A DONKEY AT THE MYSTERIES - Reggie Oliver
Best New Horror 20 : THE ORAM COUNTY WHOOSIT - Steve Duffy
Best New Horror 20 : THE NEW YORK TIMES AT SPECIAL BARGAIN RATES - Stephen King
Best New Horror 20 : OUR MAN IN THE SUDAN - Sarah Pinborough
Best New Horror 20 : DESTINATION NIHIL BY EDMUND BERTRAND - Mark Samuels
Best New Horror 20 : THE OVERSEER - Albert E Cowdrey
Best New Horror 20 : THE BEGINNINGS OF SORROW - Pinckney Benedict
Best New Horror 20 : THE PLACE OF WAITING - Brian Lumley
Best New Horror 20 : 2:00 PM THE REAL ESTATE AGENT ARRIVES - Steve Rasnic Tem
Too superstitious to die properly.
4 out of 5
Very black and greasy.
3 out of 5
Cold Rest.
3 out of 5
Statuesque letter.
3 out of 5
They're coming, djinn ya know?
3.5 out of 5
Throwing yourself at the ground and not missing.
3 out of 5
Back on the home town hobby horse.
4 out of 5
Frugo spin.
3 out of 5
Gorilla macarena curse.
4 out of 5
Golden the Ship Was, Oh, Oh, No!
4 out of 5
Train station Polish punishment.
4 out of 5
Gas bottle bash dad tent flyaway.
3.5 out of 5
Serious classics.
3 out of 5
Old coal One reporting, minus a few h heads.
4 out of 5
Post-crash pre-advice.
4 out of 5
Haboob horseride, maybe.
3.5 out of 5
Tracked circular.
2.5 out of 5
Phantom arm, phantom, phantom maker.
3.5 out of 5
Wereman, dead man.
3 out of 5
Tor ghost re-enactment.
3.5 out of 5
Grave find.
3 out of 5
4 out of 5
By Blood We Live - John Joseph Adams
An almost all reprint vampire anthology. It isn't a best vampire stories of all time, as it pretty much only states with Stephen King's era. Probably not such a bad idea as a ton of anthologies will have the famous Victorian era ghost stories contained therein. I've read quite a lot of vampire anthologies, and a chunk of these tales are new to me, which is always good. King's is from the 70s, but there are 80s, 90s and 00s, and even stories from the last year or two. L. A. Banks excellent immortal meets copy hellbent for revenge on the mob in Atlantic City tale for example.
The new novella by John Langan is actually the best story in the book, so that is very well done, and certainly original. One of the best stories of the year, without a doubt.
At a 3.54 average, a good book. Also great price from Night Shade webscriptions, no DRM, even better! In a timely bundle for Halloween is even better still!
There's a brief introduction, and a short reading list. Also, if you want to indulge in corporate onanist weasel words, in best practice terms Adams has the world leading promotional/informative websites for his anthologies. You'll find sample stories - with no paranoid horrible to use faecal flash interfaces or anything, just html. Interviews, and more.
Something most publishers are absolutely terrible at. If you look up johnjosephadams with the usual suffix you'll find it. Plus links to his several other anthologies, done similarly.
At the end is a suggested reading list of other work of possible interest. Speaking of websites, though, such destinations could still be used for more expansive introductions or lists of interest if the writers in question had more to add.
So for stories etc., a 4.00 - for added extras and cutting edeg anthologising, format, etc. no problem taking this over the mark to round to 4.5.
By Blood We Live : Snow Glass Apples - Neil Gaiman
By Blood We Live : The Master of Rampling Gate - Anne Rice
By Blood We Live : Under St. Peter's - Harry Turtledove
By Blood We Live : Child of an Ancient City - Tad Williams
By Blood We Live : Lifeblood - Michael A. Burstein
By Blood We Live : Endless Night - Barbara Roden
By Blood We Live : Infestation - Garth Nix
By Blood We Live : Life is the Teacher - Carrie Vaughn
By Blood We Live : The Vechi Barbat - Nancy Kilpatrick
By Blood We Live : The Beautiful The Damned - Kristine Kathryn Rusch
By Blood We Live : Pinecones - David Wellington
By Blood We Live : Do Not Hasten to Bid Me Adieu - Norman Partridge
By Blood We Live : Foxtrot at High Noon - Sergei Lukyanenko
By Blood We Live : This is Now - Michael Marshall Smith
By Blood We Live : Blood Gothic - Nancy Holder
By Blood We Live : Mama Gone - Jane Yolen
By Blood We Live : Abraham's Boys - Joe Hill
By Blood We Live : Nunc Dimittis - Tanith Lee
By Blood We Live : Hunger - Gabriela Lee
By Blood We Live : Ode to Edvard Munch - CaitlÃn R. Kiernan
By Blood We Live : Finders Keepers - L. A. Banks
By Blood We Live : After the Stone Age - Brian Stableford
By Blood We Live : Much at Stake - Kevin J. Anderson
By Blood We Live : House of the Rising Sun - Elizabeth Bear
By Blood We Live : A Standup Dame - Lilith Saintcrow
By Blood We Live : Twilight - Kelley Armstrong
By Blood We Live : In Darkness, Angels - Eric Van Lustbader
By Blood We Live : Sunrise on Running Water - Barbara Hambly
By Blood We Live : Hit - Bruce McAllister
By Blood We Live : Undead Again - Ken MacLeod
By Blood We Live : Peking Man - Robert J. Sawyer
By Blood We Live : Necros - Brian Lumley
By Blood We Live : Exsanguinations - Catherynne M. Valente
By Blood We Live : Lucy in Her Splendor - Charles Coleman Finlay
By Blood We Live : The Wide, Carnivorous Sky - John Langan
By Blood We Live : One for the Road - Stephen King
Prefer heartless little girls.
4 out of 5
Burning down the house as dead dad suggested a better move.
2.5 out of 5
Papal Christ feeding.
4 out of 5
Sad stories say so much, says the vamp.
4 out of 5
If a vamp's gonna get you, maybe any religion will do.
2.5 out of 5
Cold and scary.
3.5 out of 5
Vampire$ slayer scenario not alien to Judas.
4 out of 5
New vampire city seduction.
3.5 out of 5
Stuck by old style.
3 out of 5
Fictional disappearance.
2.5 out of 5
First colony suckers.
3 out of 5
Quincey not dead, Drac not dead, Lucy not dead. Blimey.
4 out of 5
Vampire anti-vampire gang.
4 out of 5
Think we'll stay away from the suckers.
3 out of 5
Undeath requires child offering.
3.5 out of 5
Vamp a bye baby.
3 out of 5
Finding some horror in dad's other job, and weapons.
3.5 out of 5
Vampire princess scares Snake.
3 out of 5
Band feeding.
4 out of 5
Old drinker meeting.
3.5 out of 5
Mob revenge good, but temporary.
4.5 out of 5
Ultra vampire Master diet.
3.5 out of 5
Lugosi and Tepes, temporal communication.
3.5 out of 5
Tenacious, Da Tribute.
3.5 out of 5
Private detective undead.
4 out of 5
Birthday lifetaking.
3.5 out of 5
Wing change.
4 out of 5
Titanic vampire hunt sunk.
3.5 out of 5
On a Mission From God. Of the killing vampire kind.
3.5 out of 5
Vampire generation ship.
4 out of 5
Stoneage vampires.
3 out of 5
Summer lovin' cut horribly short.
3.5 out of 5
Death is colourless. But stinky and rather academic.
3.5 out of 5
Voyeuristic adjustments.
3.5 out of 5
The Shadow Out Of Space Vampire.
4.5 out of 5
What sort of people go to 'Salem's Lot? Not smart ones, that is for sure.
4 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
The new novella by John Langan is actually the best story in the book, so that is very well done, and certainly original. One of the best stories of the year, without a doubt.
At a 3.54 average, a good book. Also great price from Night Shade webscriptions, no DRM, even better! In a timely bundle for Halloween is even better still!
There's a brief introduction, and a short reading list. Also, if you want to indulge in corporate onanist weasel words, in best practice terms Adams has the world leading promotional/informative websites for his anthologies. You'll find sample stories - with no paranoid horrible to use faecal flash interfaces or anything, just html. Interviews, and more.
Something most publishers are absolutely terrible at. If you look up johnjosephadams with the usual suffix you'll find it. Plus links to his several other anthologies, done similarly.
At the end is a suggested reading list of other work of possible interest. Speaking of websites, though, such destinations could still be used for more expansive introductions or lists of interest if the writers in question had more to add.
So for stories etc., a 4.00 - for added extras and cutting edeg anthologising, format, etc. no problem taking this over the mark to round to 4.5.
By Blood We Live : Snow Glass Apples - Neil Gaiman
By Blood We Live : The Master of Rampling Gate - Anne Rice
By Blood We Live : Under St. Peter's - Harry Turtledove
By Blood We Live : Child of an Ancient City - Tad Williams
By Blood We Live : Lifeblood - Michael A. Burstein
By Blood We Live : Endless Night - Barbara Roden
By Blood We Live : Infestation - Garth Nix
By Blood We Live : Life is the Teacher - Carrie Vaughn
By Blood We Live : The Vechi Barbat - Nancy Kilpatrick
By Blood We Live : The Beautiful The Damned - Kristine Kathryn Rusch
By Blood We Live : Pinecones - David Wellington
By Blood We Live : Do Not Hasten to Bid Me Adieu - Norman Partridge
By Blood We Live : Foxtrot at High Noon - Sergei Lukyanenko
By Blood We Live : This is Now - Michael Marshall Smith
By Blood We Live : Blood Gothic - Nancy Holder
By Blood We Live : Mama Gone - Jane Yolen
By Blood We Live : Abraham's Boys - Joe Hill
By Blood We Live : Nunc Dimittis - Tanith Lee
By Blood We Live : Hunger - Gabriela Lee
By Blood We Live : Ode to Edvard Munch - CaitlÃn R. Kiernan
By Blood We Live : Finders Keepers - L. A. Banks
By Blood We Live : After the Stone Age - Brian Stableford
By Blood We Live : Much at Stake - Kevin J. Anderson
By Blood We Live : House of the Rising Sun - Elizabeth Bear
By Blood We Live : A Standup Dame - Lilith Saintcrow
By Blood We Live : Twilight - Kelley Armstrong
By Blood We Live : In Darkness, Angels - Eric Van Lustbader
By Blood We Live : Sunrise on Running Water - Barbara Hambly
By Blood We Live : Hit - Bruce McAllister
By Blood We Live : Undead Again - Ken MacLeod
By Blood We Live : Peking Man - Robert J. Sawyer
By Blood We Live : Necros - Brian Lumley
By Blood We Live : Exsanguinations - Catherynne M. Valente
By Blood We Live : Lucy in Her Splendor - Charles Coleman Finlay
By Blood We Live : The Wide, Carnivorous Sky - John Langan
By Blood We Live : One for the Road - Stephen King
Prefer heartless little girls.
4 out of 5
Burning down the house as dead dad suggested a better move.
2.5 out of 5
Papal Christ feeding.
4 out of 5
Sad stories say so much, says the vamp.
4 out of 5
If a vamp's gonna get you, maybe any religion will do.
2.5 out of 5
Cold and scary.
3.5 out of 5
Vampire$ slayer scenario not alien to Judas.
4 out of 5
New vampire city seduction.
3.5 out of 5
Stuck by old style.
3 out of 5
Fictional disappearance.
2.5 out of 5
First colony suckers.
3 out of 5
Quincey not dead, Drac not dead, Lucy not dead. Blimey.
4 out of 5
Vampire anti-vampire gang.
4 out of 5
Think we'll stay away from the suckers.
3 out of 5
Undeath requires child offering.
3.5 out of 5
Vamp a bye baby.
3 out of 5
Finding some horror in dad's other job, and weapons.
3.5 out of 5
Vampire princess scares Snake.
3 out of 5
Band feeding.
4 out of 5
Old drinker meeting.
3.5 out of 5
Mob revenge good, but temporary.
4.5 out of 5
Ultra vampire Master diet.
3.5 out of 5
Lugosi and Tepes, temporal communication.
3.5 out of 5
Tenacious, Da Tribute.
3.5 out of 5
Private detective undead.
4 out of 5
Birthday lifetaking.
3.5 out of 5
Wing change.
4 out of 5
Titanic vampire hunt sunk.
3.5 out of 5
On a Mission From God. Of the killing vampire kind.
3.5 out of 5
Vampire generation ship.
4 out of 5
Stoneage vampires.
3 out of 5
Summer lovin' cut horribly short.
3.5 out of 5
Death is colourless. But stinky and rather academic.
3.5 out of 5
Voyeuristic adjustments.
3.5 out of 5
The Shadow Out Of Space Vampire.
4.5 out of 5
What sort of people go to 'Salem's Lot? Not smart ones, that is for sure.
4 out of 5
4.5 out of 5
Front-page Mcguffin And The Greatest Story Never Told - Peter Crowther
Too superstitious to die properly.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Must Love Hellhounds - Anonymous Anonymous
A dumb title, but actually relevant. Deliberately cheesy, too, I think. A mixed bag this original anthology at only 3.13 The Harris story is a bit like what Leinster or Kuttner might have come up with in the 30s - and funnily enough it has a 30s character in it, so may be deliberate. She just doesn't have their talent or ability to pull it off, though.
The Singh story is cheesy in a bad way, Vampires vs Angels like they are about as different or strange as a litre of milk.
The Brook story is amusing, and a little along the Lara Croft lines without any tombs being raided, as cuh.
The pick of the bunch is the Andrews story, that features one of the minor characters from her Kate Daniels novel, the other Order Knight, Andrea - who is also not human, and a gun nut. You need a big gun, too, for 20 foot tall three headed dogs of Hades. This is very good, pretty much on a par quality-wise with the latest book, and set not too long after it.
So if you know nothing about these authors, I'd start with the second half of the book. Hard to have missed Harris, of course. Also probably the reason the poor editor nobody isn't mentioned, not being able to shift truckloads of books like the former.
Must Love Hellhounds : The Britlingens Go to Hell - Charlaine Harris
Must Love Hellhounds : Angels' Judgment - Nalini Singh
Must Love Hellhounds : Magic Mourns - Ilona Andrews
Must Love Hellhounds : Blind Spot - Meljean Brook
A Crick in Lucifer's Earhartless.
2.5 out of 5
Deacon dog.
2.5 out of 5
Hyena duos' monster dog destruction apple today doesn't keep the hydra away thanatos team-up.
4 out of 5
Good Pup. Eat demon.
3.5 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
The Singh story is cheesy in a bad way, Vampires vs Angels like they are about as different or strange as a litre of milk.
The Brook story is amusing, and a little along the Lara Croft lines without any tombs being raided, as cuh.
The pick of the bunch is the Andrews story, that features one of the minor characters from her Kate Daniels novel, the other Order Knight, Andrea - who is also not human, and a gun nut. You need a big gun, too, for 20 foot tall three headed dogs of Hades. This is very good, pretty much on a par quality-wise with the latest book, and set not too long after it.
So if you know nothing about these authors, I'd start with the second half of the book. Hard to have missed Harris, of course. Also probably the reason the poor editor nobody isn't mentioned, not being able to shift truckloads of books like the former.
Must Love Hellhounds : The Britlingens Go to Hell - Charlaine Harris
Must Love Hellhounds : Angels' Judgment - Nalini Singh
Must Love Hellhounds : Magic Mourns - Ilona Andrews
Must Love Hellhounds : Blind Spot - Meljean Brook
A Crick in Lucifer's Earhartless.
2.5 out of 5
Deacon dog.
2.5 out of 5
Hyena duos' monster dog destruction apple today doesn't keep the hydra away thanatos team-up.
4 out of 5
Good Pup. Eat demon.
3.5 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
Magic Mourns - Ilona Andrews
Hyena duos' monster dog destruction apple today doesn't keep the hydra away thanatos team-up.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Oceanic - Greg Egan
Easily one of the best science fiction collections ever, at 4.29. At least as far as one goes that hits double figures in stories, probably the best ever. No less than three 5 star stories after a reasonably recent outpouring of new work.
Put together with some older gems, and it is unmissable.
Only one story less than very good, the deliberately issue drive Lost Continent. That is still fine, too.
The new story is 'Hot Rock' - set in his Amalgam universe, where two scientist explorers go out to investigate a wandering planet that seems to have a heat source that has kept it alive for aeons.
Oceanic : Lost Continent - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Dark Integers - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Crystal Nights - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Steve Fever - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Induction - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Singleton - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Oracle - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Border Guards - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Riding the Crocodile - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Glory - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Hot Rock - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Oceanic - Greg Egan
Future detention centre.
3.5 out of 5
Mathematical Border Guards detente conflict resolution.
5 out of 5
AI research society universal escape flareup.
5 out of 5
Resurrection nanobuild permutation recreation.
4.5 out of 5
Orchid Flower followup Duty.
4 out of 5
A scientist couple decide to have an artificial child, some years after a natural pregnancy miscarries.
'Carlos said breezily, “Why not? There are so many others now. Sophie. Linus. Theo. Probably a hundred we don't even know about. It's not as if Ben's child won't have playmates.” Adai — Autonomously Developing Artificial Intelligences — had been appearing in a blaze of controversy every few months for the last four years. A Swiss researcher, Isabelle Schib, had taken the old models of morphogenesis that had led to software like Zelda, refined the technique by several orders of magnitude, and applied it to human genetic data. Wedded to sophisticated prosthetic bodies, Isabelle's creations inhabited the physical world and learnt from their experience, just like any other child.'
There is plenty of discrimination, but their daughter has plans for all the other quantum branches in the long run, given the technology she has already.
4 out of 5
In a reality where a man, similar to Alan Turing is working for the government in rather more unpleasant circumstances is visited by a reality hopping android woman things change rapidly. A man somewhat similar to C. S. Lewis has problems coping and believing.
4 out of 5
It is about human immortals, and how they deal with people and society when living so long. One man joins back into life, and meets the best quantum soccer player going around, and loses a friend.
The discovery is made is that she is one of the earliest immortals, instrumental in posthuman travel to other planets, and knows what death is actually like, and has to work out how to relate to the new people.
Now, I can't get this story out of my head, like happens with songs sometimes, so, I am upgrading this, 5 stars, given I reread it recently and hadn't read it for quite a wihle.
And, as far as Australian goes, as far as pixel-stained technopeasant wretches, well, I'd hate to be caught paraphasing the Devil Went Down to Georgia, but, he's the best there's even been.
5 out of 5
A couple of then 10K year old posthumans decide to attempt to contact some aliens known as the Aloof for obvious reasons. This inspires others to some innovation.
4 out of 5
Antimatter lightspeed starblast instantiation means mathematical archaeology discovery decision.
4.5 out of 5
Amalgam wanderer exploration mission femotech discovery invasion hoaxing Spiral Out delegation.
4 out of 5
A boy growing up in a backward fundamentalist community on another planet begins to understand how much the local biology has altered the people that live there, and why a religion surrounds this.
4 out of 5
5 out of 5
Put together with some older gems, and it is unmissable.
Only one story less than very good, the deliberately issue drive Lost Continent. That is still fine, too.
The new story is 'Hot Rock' - set in his Amalgam universe, where two scientist explorers go out to investigate a wandering planet that seems to have a heat source that has kept it alive for aeons.
Oceanic : Lost Continent - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Dark Integers - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Crystal Nights - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Steve Fever - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Induction - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Singleton - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Oracle - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Border Guards - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Riding the Crocodile - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Glory - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Hot Rock - Greg Egan
Oceanic : Oceanic - Greg Egan
Future detention centre.
3.5 out of 5
Mathematical Border Guards detente conflict resolution.
5 out of 5
AI research society universal escape flareup.
5 out of 5
Resurrection nanobuild permutation recreation.
4.5 out of 5
Orchid Flower followup Duty.
4 out of 5
A scientist couple decide to have an artificial child, some years after a natural pregnancy miscarries.
'Carlos said breezily, “Why not? There are so many others now. Sophie. Linus. Theo. Probably a hundred we don't even know about. It's not as if Ben's child won't have playmates.” Adai — Autonomously Developing Artificial Intelligences — had been appearing in a blaze of controversy every few months for the last four years. A Swiss researcher, Isabelle Schib, had taken the old models of morphogenesis that had led to software like Zelda, refined the technique by several orders of magnitude, and applied it to human genetic data. Wedded to sophisticated prosthetic bodies, Isabelle's creations inhabited the physical world and learnt from their experience, just like any other child.'
There is plenty of discrimination, but their daughter has plans for all the other quantum branches in the long run, given the technology she has already.
4 out of 5
In a reality where a man, similar to Alan Turing is working for the government in rather more unpleasant circumstances is visited by a reality hopping android woman things change rapidly. A man somewhat similar to C. S. Lewis has problems coping and believing.
4 out of 5
It is about human immortals, and how they deal with people and society when living so long. One man joins back into life, and meets the best quantum soccer player going around, and loses a friend.
The discovery is made is that she is one of the earliest immortals, instrumental in posthuman travel to other planets, and knows what death is actually like, and has to work out how to relate to the new people.
Now, I can't get this story out of my head, like happens with songs sometimes, so, I am upgrading this, 5 stars, given I reread it recently and hadn't read it for quite a wihle.
And, as far as Australian goes, as far as pixel-stained technopeasant wretches, well, I'd hate to be caught paraphasing the Devil Went Down to Georgia, but, he's the best there's even been.
5 out of 5
A couple of then 10K year old posthumans decide to attempt to contact some aliens known as the Aloof for obvious reasons. This inspires others to some innovation.
4 out of 5
Antimatter lightspeed starblast instantiation means mathematical archaeology discovery decision.
4.5 out of 5
Amalgam wanderer exploration mission femotech discovery invasion hoaxing Spiral Out delegation.
4 out of 5
A boy growing up in a backward fundamentalist community on another planet begins to understand how much the local biology has altered the people that live there, and why a religion surrounds this.
4 out of 5
5 out of 5
Dream Weavers - Paul Collins
An anthology as it turns out, mostly for kids. So lots of the stories are poor from an adult perspective. Whereas Shillitoe, McMullen, Blackford, Routley etc. mostly sidestep that sort of dumbed down restriction. So read those, and skip the rest if you have passed the double figure age marker.
The introduction, however, is worth a look, as Collins traces the (very brief) history of European style secondary world fantasy. A publishing category that did not actually exist in Australian until the 80s - mass market anything, really.
Not sure what Robinson was thinking calling his female heroine Magilla? A double take there, unless this is a famous name for other reasons than being a cartoon gorilla.
Dream Weavers : The Innkeeper - Tony Shillitoe
Dream Weavers : The Scribe of a Hundred Lies - Melinda Ross
Dream Weavers : Lucky Jonglar - Sean McMullen
Dream Weavers : The Empty Quarter - Jane Routley
Dream Weavers : The Weakest Link - Roger Wilcox
Dream Weavers : Sunchosen - Cadmus Evans
Dream Weavers : Walk the Wildwoods - Shannah Jay
Dream Weavers : Dream Weaver - Howard Goldsmith and Paul Collins
Dream Weavers : The Keystone - Isobelle Carmody
Dream Weavers : Princess Melodia and the White Catherine - Beverley Macdonald
Dream Weavers : The Sword of God - Russell Blackford
Dream Weavers : The Crypt of Fleeting Hope - Ian Hayward Robinson
Dream Weavers : At the Edge of the Sea - Keith Taylor
No magic sword mercenary rate. Got a magic ring though.
4 out of 5
Leopard thieving.
3 out of 5
Clown gladiator kill rebound betrayal setup escape.
3.5 out of 5
Demon thief desert pursuit sorceress servitude escape story.
4 out of 5
Metal fighter mail bits.
2.5 out of 5
Give us the god king.
2.5 out of 5
Must do silver.
3 out of 5
Marduk ruins.
2.5 out of 5
Vegas Valoria.
3 out of 5
Mouthy girl's psychic power pact.
3.5 out of 5
The Queen of Palmyra's domain is being slowly strangled by Aurelian, Imperator of Rome and his sun god priests. She hires the blood-fueled mage Simeon Africanus to help her turn the tide.
4 out of 5
Magilla, Ogre's Bane.
3 out of 5
Fishy boy.
2.5 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
The introduction, however, is worth a look, as Collins traces the (very brief) history of European style secondary world fantasy. A publishing category that did not actually exist in Australian until the 80s - mass market anything, really.
Not sure what Robinson was thinking calling his female heroine Magilla? A double take there, unless this is a famous name for other reasons than being a cartoon gorilla.
Dream Weavers : The Innkeeper - Tony Shillitoe
Dream Weavers : The Scribe of a Hundred Lies - Melinda Ross
Dream Weavers : Lucky Jonglar - Sean McMullen
Dream Weavers : The Empty Quarter - Jane Routley
Dream Weavers : The Weakest Link - Roger Wilcox
Dream Weavers : Sunchosen - Cadmus Evans
Dream Weavers : Walk the Wildwoods - Shannah Jay
Dream Weavers : Dream Weaver - Howard Goldsmith and Paul Collins
Dream Weavers : The Keystone - Isobelle Carmody
Dream Weavers : Princess Melodia and the White Catherine - Beverley Macdonald
Dream Weavers : The Sword of God - Russell Blackford
Dream Weavers : The Crypt of Fleeting Hope - Ian Hayward Robinson
Dream Weavers : At the Edge of the Sea - Keith Taylor
No magic sword mercenary rate. Got a magic ring though.
4 out of 5
Leopard thieving.
3 out of 5
Clown gladiator kill rebound betrayal setup escape.
3.5 out of 5
Demon thief desert pursuit sorceress servitude escape story.
4 out of 5
Metal fighter mail bits.
2.5 out of 5
Give us the god king.
2.5 out of 5
Must do silver.
3 out of 5
Marduk ruins.
2.5 out of 5
Vegas Valoria.
3 out of 5
Mouthy girl's psychic power pact.
3.5 out of 5
The Queen of Palmyra's domain is being slowly strangled by Aurelian, Imperator of Rome and his sun god priests. She hires the blood-fueled mage Simeon Africanus to help her turn the tide.
4 out of 5
Magilla, Ogre's Bane.
3 out of 5
Fishy boy.
2.5 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
The Centauri Device - M. John Harrison
Truck you, retrieval.
A powerful artifact, a leftover, is discovered.
It inspires some frantic attempts to retrieve it and gain its power.
You know, the usual.
The LibraryThing rating for this is very poor, and it is not surprising.
It is pretty much dyed-in-the-wool average or mediocre, or whatever other adjective you may care to come up with that describes extremely middle of the road.
A few dodgy characters that don't ring particularly true.
Nothing new here, to be sure.
3 out of 5
A powerful artifact, a leftover, is discovered.
It inspires some frantic attempts to retrieve it and gain its power.
You know, the usual.
The LibraryThing rating for this is very poor, and it is not surprising.
It is pretty much dyed-in-the-wool average or mediocre, or whatever other adjective you may care to come up with that describes extremely middle of the road.
A few dodgy characters that don't ring particularly true.
Nothing new here, to be sure.
3 out of 5
Hot Rock - Greg Egan
Amalgam wanderer exploration mission femotech discovery invasion hoaxing Spiral Out delegation.
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Against A Dark Background - Iain M. Banks
Lazy Gun story.
On a planet that is out of the way, and so prone to historical cycles isolated to its own environs--the story of a soldier.
That is, the place can have collapses, rises and falls, etc.
The veteran in question is after a powerful weapons artifact. Because of the situation on the planet, this is now a unique item, the ability to utilise this technology level disappeared.
3 out of 5
On a planet that is out of the way, and so prone to historical cycles isolated to its own environs--the story of a soldier.
That is, the place can have collapses, rises and falls, etc.
The veteran in question is after a powerful weapons artifact. Because of the situation on the planet, this is now a unique item, the ability to utilise this technology level disappeared.
3 out of 5