2.4⭐ Disappointing middle book in the Last Policeman trilogy. Where the first novel was inventive and engaging this one just parodies itself well out b2.4⭐ Disappointing middle book in the Last Policeman trilogy. Where the first novel was inventive and engaging this one just parodies itself well out beyond the limits of suspension of disbelief. Our last policeman is looking for a missing husband as the clock runs down on the world-ending asteroid crash ( "boomsday").
But I have to call the plotting just lazy, as the unbelievable coincidences pile up culminating in a ridiculous rescue (deus ex helicopter). It's a shame because the concept had promise. The writing is still ok but Winters skimps out on his characters, this time, in favor of increasingly bizarre action scenes. I'll likely check out the last book ( I've come this far) hoping for a third period rebound. -30-...more
Old school sci-fi/fantasy story about a quest to kickstart civilization after an apocalyptic fall.
It's a decent short novel, told in Simak's somewhat Old school sci-fi/fantasy story about a quest to kickstart civilization after an apocalyptic fall.
It's a decent short novel, told in Simak's somewhat talky style. It's reminiscent of A Canticle for Leibowitz, with humanity's rejection of science and technology and with a few remaining outposts of learning, awaiting the renaissance.
There's also a touch of Lord of the Rings, as a band of heros quests for salvation from darkness. A quick, untaxing read....more
3.4⭐ So what is this thing? Apocalyptic Police Procedural? End Times Noir? Both of those but also a pretty decent mystery.
It's the end of the world, cras3.4⭐ So what is this thing? Apocalyptic Police Procedural? End Times Noir? Both of those but also a pretty decent mystery.
It's the end of the world, crashing asteroid variety, with 6 months to go before the big crunch. Things are falling apart, the centre is not holding, but in Concord, New Hampshire, there's an honest policeman left. Newly minted detective Henry Palace, is assigned what looks like a run of the mill suicide ( there's a lot of that going around). But something just feels off, to our man Hank.
Author Ben Winters is a solid journeyman writer. Clean, lean prose to get you where you want to go. Aside from the main murder storyline, Winters throws in a murky government conspiracy sub plot, which looks to me like it's going to be the thread that ties this trilogy together. So now I'm off to read book two, Countdown City. I'd suggest this as a good book for those who like their Noir, extra dark and their heros true blue. -30-...more
This is a story about the making of a yellow pottery bowl, and goes to show there's no limit to imagination. This is Vance at his best when it comes tThis is a story about the making of a yellow pottery bowl, and goes to show there's no limit to imagination. This is Vance at his best when it comes to the creation of strange cultures. -30-...more
3.7⭐ I have no idea how long ago I read this short novel, but it sticks with me, as do many of Biggle's stories. A space traveler is marooned on a lost3.7⭐ I have no idea how long ago I read this short novel, but it sticks with me, as do many of Biggle's stories. A space traveler is marooned on a lost colony world where the humans have forgotten where they came from. The world is a paradise and the people are unsophisticated but at peace with themselves and their planet. Knowing that unscrupulous developers would exploit the colonists, he devises a plan to save them. A nice little story....more
3.8⭐ I can't remember how long ago I read this but I can remember thinking it was a pretty good collection of stories. In particular I recall 'Placet i3.8⭐ I can't remember how long ago I read this but I can remember thinking it was a pretty good collection of stories. In particular I recall 'Placet is a Crazy Place' and 'The Waveries '....more
Read this science fiction classic in college, as part of a course. The basis for TOS StarTrek episode of the same name. I liked if fine but it hasn't Read this science fiction classic in college, as part of a course. The basis for TOS StarTrek episode of the same name. I liked if fine but it hasn't stuck with me the way some stories of that era have, like Cordwainer Smith's " Game of Rat and Dragon" or Clarke's " The Sentinel " to name but two....more
3.3 ⭐ Very decent science fiction mystery short story. I thought I detected a nod to 'Murderbot' wherein our heroine, Ace, is inspired to solve the mu3.3 ⭐ Very decent science fiction mystery short story. I thought I detected a nod to 'Murderbot' wherein our heroine, Ace, is inspired to solve the murder in part through her favourite serial, 'Frontier Justice'...but who knows, really? My second Roth story and she's clearly a journeyman writer. I'll have to try more of her stuff, including longer works. A fine, small diversion. Part of Amazon's, 'Far Reaches' collection, available for free for those enslaved to Prime. -30-...more
3.2⭐ The rip snorting conclusion to Tchaikovsky's far flung space opera trilogy. First, the villains ( slave holding aristocrats; human supremacists; 3.2⭐ The rip snorting conclusion to Tchaikovsky's far flung space opera trilogy. First, the villains ( slave holding aristocrats; human supremacists; man hating Amazons) disrupt our heros' (plucky space crew; cute AI robots/aliens; good Amazons) efforts to save the universe from inscrutable, genocidal, all powerful aliens. The good guys rally and mount a breathless, last minute, do or die mission ( that lasts the final third of the book). Happy endings all around. What's not to like?
Sure the prose is slightly purple; the technobabble is piled high and deep and it's more science fantasy than science fiction. I can live with all that.
Mostly for fans of the genre, I would say. -30-...more
Original review August 7/23 3.0⭐ The first third of this book seemed to me a mash up of a space station plumbing manual and the Book of Genesis ( the flOriginal review August 7/23 3.0⭐ The first third of this book seemed to me a mash up of a space station plumbing manual and the Book of Genesis ( the flood story- "no more water-the fire next time.") The second third is a heavy topping of disaster porn, to keep things moving along briskly. Finally, we get to the space opera! Overall an ok post apocalyptic tale of humanity's survival after a "hard rain " of meteors fries the earth's surface. Stephenson tries to give it a hard science coating with data dumps on basic stuff like delta vee and other rocket science but advancing his plot really depends on quasi-science and out and out techno-magic. Like repopulating the human race from only seven people, by parthenogenesis, invented on the fly, in orbit. Really? So, the required suspension of disbelief is significant, to put it mildly. So what? That's why they call it science *fiction*. It's a well paced thriller with a couple of characters that almost transcend cardboard. Good enough for me! -30- Postscript August 9/23 I should explain my "well paced" comment, because the many, many data dumps really slows it down. But not if you shift into " The Princess Bride's" 'good parts' mode i.e. skim the technobabble until the story kicks up again. Then the the pacing is just fine. -30-...more
3.4⭐ The last guy alive ( as far as anyone knows) is rescued by some triangular aliens and becomes a kind of living fossil ( or "relic"). Two adolescen3.4⭐ The last guy alive ( as far as anyone knows) is rescued by some triangular aliens and becomes a kind of living fossil ( or "relic"). Two adolescent survivors are eventually found, complicating matters immensely. The triangles get into a spat with bendy alien lizards over who owns the humans. Then everybody goes to Earth. Good, clean fun!...more
2.8⭐ Classic later-Clarke, written in short, choppy chapters, each with its own corny title. It's an asteroid-on-collision-path-with-earth tale, by the2.8⭐ Classic later-Clarke, written in short, choppy chapters, each with its own corny title. It's an asteroid-on-collision-path-with-earth tale, by the man who claimed to have more or less invented the genre ( see the odd essay at the end of the book). Once again, Clarke's touching faith in technology to solve all our problems is on full display. There's also some strange sociological predictions, the rise of the new religion Chrislam and the demise of the Catholic Church-caused by its acceptance of modern contraception, for examples.
Obviously a bit dated in the 30 years since it's publication but still a decent enough tale of derring-do in space. The erratic style of the book as it jumps from locale to locale and character to character impeded the smooth flow of story telling, at least to my reading. The data dumps of 30 year old science didn't help much, either. Still, Clarke is Clarke, one of the giants I cut my teeth on, so there's a lot of affection for the author and his works . It's also a short, easy read. -30-...more
3.7 ⭐ Apart from " Firewatch" and "A Letter From The Clearys" I personally wouldn't rate the rest of these stories as Willis' best although they're all3.7 ⭐ Apart from " Firewatch" and "A Letter From The Clearys" I personally wouldn't rate the rest of these stories as Willis' best although they're all good, if not superior, short science fiction. I think " Daisy in the Sun" was a major omission, in my totally subjective opinion, from any collection purporting to be this author's "best." The remaining stories, while as always imaginative and well written, didn't strike me as 'peak' Willis, despite the numerous awards they have racked up. Again, totally subjective.
I'll admit I got a politically incorrect chuckle from " Even the Queen" and Willis' wicked take on 'Liberation' and the 'Cyclists' ( who are not bicycle enthusiasts). I've never been enamored of her Christmas/romance obsession though, represented here by "All Seated on the Ground." I found her take on the horror genre, " Death on the Nile " slightly eerie at best.. but then again I am not a fan.
When this author is on, she can hit it out of the park. Even the merely good stories are two and three base hits. So while maybe not the mythical "best" it is still a collection of above average science fiction. -30-...more
3.0⭐ Original Review July 21, 2023 This book wraps up nicely the latest arc in the endless space opera saga of Black Jack Geary and his not-Lost Fleet.3.0⭐ Original Review July 21, 2023 This book wraps up nicely the latest arc in the endless space opera saga of Black Jack Geary and his not-Lost Fleet. Let's be honest - it's formulaic with shallow characterization, corny jokes and occasionally painful dialogue. Who cares? It's got all the space battles, aliens ( this time it's hippie octopuses with super advanced technology), and cheap heroics you need. I make no apologies for this guilty pleasure. It provided a welcome few hours of distraction from a miserable cold. I must admit the ending was glaringly obvious but so what? Of course I'll read the next inevitable, installment. -30- P.s. I did enjoy the crazy ( literally), monomanical tech billionaire who thinks only he has the map to the future. Elon, much? September 2023 Reread. Just needed a quick reality break, back in Black Jack Gearyland. Also checking to see if I missed any subtle nuances the first time through. Nope. June 2025 lazy-ass re-read. No sign yet of my next 'Black Jack' fix (I.e. a new novel). I'm getting twitchy....more
3.6⭐ Another warm / fuzzy space opera from Becky Chambers, the second in her Wayfarers series. Lovelace, the AI from the first book, is now passing as 3.6⭐ Another warm / fuzzy space opera from Becky Chambers, the second in her Wayfarers series. Lovelace, the AI from the first book, is now passing as human, in an illegal "body kit". AI you see, is the new Black (or Gay or insert oppressed minority here), not recognized as persons despite their sentience and highly restricted as to their role in the galactic civilization Chambers creates. It's a story about finding place and purpose and it's a pretty good one. It alternates with the story of a cloned slave labourer and her flight to freedom. I recognize this is a popular and well regarded book and I like it just fine although I don't consider it brilliant or hugely original. What it is, is well written and well paced and just a pleasant story ( except for Clone-world, but that's not overpowering). I will undoubtedly be looking for the next books in this series as well as bouncing with anticipation for the next installment of Chambers' Monk and Robot books. -30-...more
2.3⭐ A straightforward ( and obvious) short tale of human possession by alien Puppet Masters (see what I did, there?). The ending struck me as mildly 2.3⭐ A straightforward ( and obvious) short tale of human possession by alien Puppet Masters (see what I did, there?). The ending struck me as mildly homophobic. Not Silverberg's best work....more
3.0⭐ A monsterous (1000 page) survey of science fiction, designed for use by students of the genre. I found it an odd compilation of novellas and shor3.0⭐ A monsterous (1000 page) survey of science fiction, designed for use by students of the genre. I found it an odd compilation of novellas and short stories, of varying quality. One the positive side- it allowed me to read a number of classic stories I'd been unable to find previously, including John W. Campbell's "Who Goes There" (the basis for the film "The Thing," in all its iterations); Ward Moore's "Bring the Jubilee," often credited as the original alternative history tale; Phillip Nowland's first Buck Rodgers story "Armageddon 2419 AD." I also reread "The Time Machine" for the first time in 50 years, or so.
While there are some clear classics, such as Arthur C Clarke's "The Sentinel," Heinlein's "Green Hills of Earth " and Cordwainer Smith's "The Game of Rat and Dragon, other writers are represented by minor or mediocre examples of their work. The editor, Leigh Grossman, cites three examples where authors convinced him to abandon his first choice for lesser known stories, a strange process.
The stories are interspersed with essays on different aspects of science fiction written by a variety of academics, most of which I found to be forgetable. While there's an effort to include both stories and essay topics from outside the United States, the focus is still overwhelmingly American. To use a random example, the essay on science fiction and television is simply a quick survey of US shows since the medium began. There's one reference to Dr. Who, which mockingly describes the quality of its special effects. There's no reference at all to other seminal British programs like the Quatermass series, or The Prisoner and not a single mention of Japanese, French or any other non US production.
The book does however, contain a lot of good science fiction, all in one place and it does, by pure bulk, present an overview of the genre's last century. I would contrast it to the last sci-fi survey I read, "The Future is Female", which was very well curated with tightly written commentary. The latter also has something this book does not, a sense of wonder. It's buried under too many mediocre stories and essays and side trips into the commercial aspects of science fiction. A shame, really. -30-...more