What do you think?
Rate this book
Forbidden Planets
A collection of science fiction novellas picked by famed editor Marvin Kaye for the Science Fiction Book Club. They are "Mid-Death" by Alan Dean Foster, "Walking Star" by Allen M. Steele, "JQ211F, and Holding" by Nancy Kress, "Rococo" by Robert Reed, "Kaminsky at War" by Jack McDevitt, and "No Place Like Home" by Julie E. Czerneda.
322 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Marvin Kaye
150 books82 followersMARVIN KAYE is the author of sixteen novels, including his Dickensian pastiche, The Last Christmas of Ebenezer Scrooge, now optioned to be made into a feature film, and his just-completed sequel to Frankenstein, as well as the terrifying Fantastique and Ghosts of Night and Morning; the SF cult classics, The Incredible Umbrella and (coauthored with Parke Godwin) The Masters of Solitude, and the critically-acclaimed mysteries Bullets for Macbeth and My Son the Druggist. His short story “Ms. Lipshutz and the Goblin,” was included in a DAW Books Year’s Best Fantasy anthology, and his horrific “The Possession of Immanuel Wolf” was written with the great macabre comedian, Brother Theodore. His numerous best-selling anthologies include 13 Plays of Ghosts and the Supernatural and other theatre collections; The Game is Afoot and other Sherlock Holmes anthologies, and many fantasy/science fiction books for the Science Fiction Book Club, such as Ghosts, Masterpieces of Terror and the Supernatural, The Vampire Sextette, and The Fair Folk, which won the World Fantasy Award for Best Anthology of 2006. His column, “Marvin Kaye’s Nth Dimension,” appears online at http://spaceandtimemagazine.com. He is the editor of Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine, and both editor and co-publisher of America’s oldest supernatural periodical, Weird Tales magazine.
A native of Philadelphia, PA., he is a graduate of Penn State, with an M. A. in theatre and English literature; he recently headed the tutoring staff of the Manhattan campus of Mercy College; is Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at New York University, has taught mystery writing in England for the Smithsonian Institute, has served as a judge for the Edgar, International Thriller Writers, Nero and World Fantasy Awards, and is Artistic Director for The Open Book, New York’s oldest readers theatre company.
He is listed in both Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in Entertainment.
A native of Philadelphia, PA., he is a graduate of Penn State, with an M. A. in theatre and English literature; he recently headed the tutoring staff of the Manhattan campus of Mercy College; is Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at New York University, has taught mystery writing in England for the Smithsonian Institute, has served as a judge for the Edgar, International Thriller Writers, Nero and World Fantasy Awards, and is Artistic Director for The Open Book, New York’s oldest readers theatre company.
He is listed in both Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in Entertainment.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 17, 2023
Published in 2006, this is a collection of stories by SF authors Alan Dean Foster, Allen Steele, Nancy Kress, Robert Reed, Jack McDevitt, and Jule E. Czerneda. The theme concerns going to planets which are dangerous. My favorite story is the one by Kress: "In JQ211F, And Holding," about a scientist finding a perfectly horrible planet which may prove to be the source of all life in the Universe. Thought-provoking -- and what added to the interest is the involvement of a Christian with her own religion-driven agenda. All the stories are at least good or above average, not a clunker in the bunch, but I give the book *** because I feel if a story is a good one, such as Kress's, it should be developed into a full novel. Perhaps that's not fair.
May 27, 2022
Forbidden Planets is a Science Fiction anthology edited by Marvin Kaye. It is six stories of planets that are extremely dangerous for humans to visit, but they do so anyway. The stories are all good reads but as with any collection like this, some are better than others. The stories are by Alan Dean Foster, Allen Steele, Nancy Kress, Robert Reed, Jack McDevitt, and Julie E. Czerneda.
Note: Forbidden Planets was made especially for the Science Fiction Book Club and as far as I can find it was only available in the SFBC hardback edition.
Note: Forbidden Planets was made especially for the Science Fiction Book Club and as far as I can find it was only available in the SFBC hardback edition.
October 24, 2020
Excellent anthology of weird planet SF.
August 28, 2023
Very nicely written collection of six short stories, all copyright 2006, collected in a Science Fiction Book Club anthology by editor Marvin Kaye. To varying degrees, all explore the theme of a forbidden planet, whether people are banned from the planet (or part of a planet) or if not banned, shouldn’t visit it for whatever reason.
The first one is “Mid-Death” by Alan Dean Foster. Set on the planet known as Mid-World, it is a planet covered in dense and very dangerous jungle, comprised of kilometers-high trees and extremely dangerous fauna and flora. Technically forbidden to everyone, the planet being Under Edict, there is an illegal corporation outpost in a relative safe spot on the world. One of the lead researchers, a man named Thom Olin, has gone missing in the alien forest and a team of four mercenaries are sent to look for the researcher. The team, full of bravado, is incredulous at the cowardly company employees who don’t go hiking through the forest towards Thom’s signal, but they soon find to their horror how unbelievably sinister and dangerous the place is; basically, it is a survival horror story set on an alien world. I think this one will stick with me.
Then we Get “Walking Star” by Allen Steele, set on Coyote, the world of Steele’s Coyote saga (though it appears to be a stand-alone story). Far, far less dangerous world than Mid-World, it has a distinct Old West feel with terrain, climate, how people earn a living, attitudes, etc. Basically, a guide named Lee is hired by the richest man on Coyote, Morgan Goldstein, to look for his friend and employee named Joseph Walking Star Cassidy. Walking Star, a Native American, went to a super remote area of what is already a frontier planet, probably seeking a local hallucinogenic drug from the source, and Morgan wants him back. The forbidden part it turns out is not so much from Walking Star being in remote wilderness, but it being better for everyone that he wasn’t found. Good story, I would love to see a follow up and I am going to have to read some of the Coyote saga.
“JQ211F, and Holding” by Nancy Kress is a very inventive story, basically about a military-scientific expedition to what may prove to the ultimate source of all life in the galaxy, as a team of researchers has determined that not only did panspermia explain life throughout the galaxy, but that surveys point to all that life originating from one hypothetical planet. However, the planet turns out to be a hell-world, apparently lifeless and maybe never had life. What is the explanation? Lots of personal drama among the crew, touches upon Christian beliefs, very memorable ending.
Robert Reed’s “Rococo” is one of those science fiction stories I love, deep space, far future, deep in the galaxy very far from Earth, decades and centuries pass during the course of the story, giving a real feel of the unimaginable distances and times needed to cross to explore the galaxy. Love the epic scope, some interesting family drama, and we get some very alien aliens, the Scypha, with the forbidden nature of the worlds having to do with alien psychology and politics.
Next, “Kaminsky at War” by Jack McDevitt, about anthropologist Arthur Kaminsky, who uses stealth light bending technology to move amongst the war-like Noks, a sort of insect-like race that is very war-like, constantly fighting among themselves. Obviously capable of beauty, tenderness, hope, and joy, nevertheless the average people are continually suffering from the dozens of dictators who rule the world’s major nations, often with militaries primarily ordered to commit war crimes. Supposed to stay the neutral and undetected observer, Kaminsky snaps after he witnesses a wedding party slaughtered by soldiers sent to destroy a small, peaceful town, he goes on a one man (or one man and one AI, coercing his reluctant lander AI named George) campaign to attack the military and try to stop the killing. Does it prove futile? Will Kaminsky succeed before his own people or the dangers of what he is doing catch up with him? Though the alien technology is little better than early 20th century, Kaminsky can still be killed and his invisibility is not 100% full proof. Enjoyable.
The last story is “No Place Like Home” by Julie E. Czerneda. A little harder to get into at first with the point of view characters (and indeed all the characters) some rather alien aliens, it is a space-faring species known as the Umlari, truly space aliens for centuries, never living on planets. One ship is sent on a decades long mission to find resources for the Umlari and if possible find the original homeworld, completely lost to the species. One of the main features of the story is that a group on board known as walkers use specially grown biological avatars to traverse the worlds they explore, partially because the avatars are adapted to these worlds, partially because the Umlari can barely handle the concept of being on an alien planet under open skies. Some vivid imagery, interesting ideas, and a couple of real twists towards the end.
The first one is “Mid-Death” by Alan Dean Foster. Set on the planet known as Mid-World, it is a planet covered in dense and very dangerous jungle, comprised of kilometers-high trees and extremely dangerous fauna and flora. Technically forbidden to everyone, the planet being Under Edict, there is an illegal corporation outpost in a relative safe spot on the world. One of the lead researchers, a man named Thom Olin, has gone missing in the alien forest and a team of four mercenaries are sent to look for the researcher. The team, full of bravado, is incredulous at the cowardly company employees who don’t go hiking through the forest towards Thom’s signal, but they soon find to their horror how unbelievably sinister and dangerous the place is; basically, it is a survival horror story set on an alien world. I think this one will stick with me.
Then we Get “Walking Star” by Allen Steele, set on Coyote, the world of Steele’s Coyote saga (though it appears to be a stand-alone story). Far, far less dangerous world than Mid-World, it has a distinct Old West feel with terrain, climate, how people earn a living, attitudes, etc. Basically, a guide named Lee is hired by the richest man on Coyote, Morgan Goldstein, to look for his friend and employee named Joseph Walking Star Cassidy. Walking Star, a Native American, went to a super remote area of what is already a frontier planet, probably seeking a local hallucinogenic drug from the source, and Morgan wants him back. The forbidden part it turns out is not so much from Walking Star being in remote wilderness, but it being better for everyone that he wasn’t found. Good story, I would love to see a follow up and I am going to have to read some of the Coyote saga.
“JQ211F, and Holding” by Nancy Kress is a very inventive story, basically about a military-scientific expedition to what may prove to the ultimate source of all life in the galaxy, as a team of researchers has determined that not only did panspermia explain life throughout the galaxy, but that surveys point to all that life originating from one hypothetical planet. However, the planet turns out to be a hell-world, apparently lifeless and maybe never had life. What is the explanation? Lots of personal drama among the crew, touches upon Christian beliefs, very memorable ending.
Robert Reed’s “Rococo” is one of those science fiction stories I love, deep space, far future, deep in the galaxy very far from Earth, decades and centuries pass during the course of the story, giving a real feel of the unimaginable distances and times needed to cross to explore the galaxy. Love the epic scope, some interesting family drama, and we get some very alien aliens, the Scypha, with the forbidden nature of the worlds having to do with alien psychology and politics.
Next, “Kaminsky at War” by Jack McDevitt, about anthropologist Arthur Kaminsky, who uses stealth light bending technology to move amongst the war-like Noks, a sort of insect-like race that is very war-like, constantly fighting among themselves. Obviously capable of beauty, tenderness, hope, and joy, nevertheless the average people are continually suffering from the dozens of dictators who rule the world’s major nations, often with militaries primarily ordered to commit war crimes. Supposed to stay the neutral and undetected observer, Kaminsky snaps after he witnesses a wedding party slaughtered by soldiers sent to destroy a small, peaceful town, he goes on a one man (or one man and one AI, coercing his reluctant lander AI named George) campaign to attack the military and try to stop the killing. Does it prove futile? Will Kaminsky succeed before his own people or the dangers of what he is doing catch up with him? Though the alien technology is little better than early 20th century, Kaminsky can still be killed and his invisibility is not 100% full proof. Enjoyable.
The last story is “No Place Like Home” by Julie E. Czerneda. A little harder to get into at first with the point of view characters (and indeed all the characters) some rather alien aliens, it is a space-faring species known as the Umlari, truly space aliens for centuries, never living on planets. One ship is sent on a decades long mission to find resources for the Umlari and if possible find the original homeworld, completely lost to the species. One of the main features of the story is that a group on board known as walkers use specially grown biological avatars to traverse the worlds they explore, partially because the avatars are adapted to these worlds, partially because the Umlari can barely handle the concept of being on an alien planet under open skies. Some vivid imagery, interesting ideas, and a couple of real twists towards the end.
April 24, 2010
I bought this book specifically for the Alan Dean Foster story which leads off the anthology. Mid-Death is an excellent addition to the saga of Midworld (written about in Foster's Midworld and Mid-Flinx novels). There is more of Foster's devious and deadly plantlife wreaking havoc on a small party of humans; none of the themes are unique, but it is still fun to see Foster play things out yet again.
Allen M. Steele's Walking Star is also good, although his writing and approach seemed to me to be similar to Foster's. All-in-all, the book presents some good science fiction adventure stories.
This book was originally available only through the Science Fiction Book Club, but it is available through other avenues second hand.
Allen M. Steele's Walking Star is also good, although his writing and approach seemed to me to be similar to Foster's. All-in-all, the book presents some good science fiction adventure stories.
This book was originally available only through the Science Fiction Book Club, but it is available through other avenues second hand.
January 31, 2019
Progress Report:
I checked out our library copy of this old SFBC original anthology of six novellas, specifically to try "No Place Like Home" by Julie E. Czerneda. Sadly, I didn't much care for it. I also tried by Allen Steele's "Walking Star," set on his frontier planet Coyote, and didn't finish it, either.
OK, I should still try the Alan Dean Foster Humanx Commonwealth story, and the Nancy Kress. So I'll report back. Book still has a renewal left, I think.
But I should note that none of these stories were ever reprinted: http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?1... . Never a good sign.
Library copy came due. Marked DNF, lost interest. I'm done.
I checked out our library copy of this old SFBC original anthology of six novellas, specifically to try "No Place Like Home" by Julie E. Czerneda. Sadly, I didn't much care for it. I also tried by Allen Steele's "Walking Star," set on his frontier planet Coyote, and didn't finish it, either.
OK, I should still try the Alan Dean Foster Humanx Commonwealth story, and the Nancy Kress. So I'll report back. Book still has a renewal left, I think.
But I should note that none of these stories were ever reprinted: http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?1... . Never a good sign.
Library copy came due. Marked DNF, lost interest. I'm done.
May 26, 2008
This is a pretty good book club collection of six original novellas. I especially enjoyed the Allen Steele story, and the one by Alan Dean Foster. There's also a very rich offering from Nancy Kress.
January 7, 2024
This Science Fiction Book Club anthology contains following novellas~
1. "Mid-Death" by Alan Dean Foster: One of the finest and most archetypal 'Forbidden Planet' story that can be! It’s a jewel that would continue inducing shudders long after the last line has been read.
2. "Walking Star" by Allen M. Steele: An outstanding tale, brimming with exceptional world-building, believable characters, and a terrifying prospect.
3. "JQ211F, and Holding" by Nancy Kress: Unforgettable! This is one novella that I would never be able to brush away, thanks to its extremely believable characters and the tantalizing prospect that it may just be possible.
4. "Rococo" by Robert Reed: Boring tale that drags the anthology down.
5. "Kaminsky at War" by Jack McDevitt: Glorious, typically McDevittian, and challenging all our thoughts regarding the Trekky 'Prime Directive'.
6. "No Place Like Home" by Julie E. Czernada: Very boring, concluding the collection with a damp squib.
However, the four tales mentioned above are good enough to make this a solid read overall.
Recommended.
1. "Mid-Death" by Alan Dean Foster: One of the finest and most archetypal 'Forbidden Planet' story that can be! It’s a jewel that would continue inducing shudders long after the last line has been read.
2. "Walking Star" by Allen M. Steele: An outstanding tale, brimming with exceptional world-building, believable characters, and a terrifying prospect.
3. "JQ211F, and Holding" by Nancy Kress: Unforgettable! This is one novella that I would never be able to brush away, thanks to its extremely believable characters and the tantalizing prospect that it may just be possible.
4. "Rococo" by Robert Reed: Boring tale that drags the anthology down.
5. "Kaminsky at War" by Jack McDevitt: Glorious, typically McDevittian, and challenging all our thoughts regarding the Trekky 'Prime Directive'.
6. "No Place Like Home" by Julie E. Czernada: Very boring, concluding the collection with a damp squib.
However, the four tales mentioned above are good enough to make this a solid read overall.
Recommended.
January 17, 2021
These stories seem to have a common thread besides the obvious one of "forbidden " planets. They all seem to be a search for something.
Mid-Death: Looking for a lost botanist in a world-wide jungle where everything is trying to kill you in weird, alien ways and usually succeed.
Walking Star: The richest man on Coyote is looking for a missing friend and employee but he has another agenda. This was one of highlights of the book.
JQ211F: Searching for the source of life in the galaxy. This was the best story in the book although I was a bit disappointed in the ending. Interesting concepts.
Rococo: Searching for a lost brother. The story was confusing because it kept changing viewpoints and flashbacks without warning.
Kaminsky at War: I did not read this one because it's in another book I have.
No Place Like Home: Searching for a lost "home" world. Good story with a surprise at the end.
Mid-Death: Looking for a lost botanist in a world-wide jungle where everything is trying to kill you in weird, alien ways and usually succeed.
Walking Star: The richest man on Coyote is looking for a missing friend and employee but he has another agenda. This was one of highlights of the book.
JQ211F: Searching for the source of life in the galaxy. This was the best story in the book although I was a bit disappointed in the ending. Interesting concepts.
Rococo: Searching for a lost brother. The story was confusing because it kept changing viewpoints and flashbacks without warning.
Kaminsky at War: I did not read this one because it's in another book I have.
No Place Like Home: Searching for a lost "home" world. Good story with a surprise at the end.
August 15, 2021
Another decent collection of science fiction stories on a theme; this time it's "forbidden planets", i.e. places where explorers, human or otherwise, should *not* casually explore.
November 24, 2021
A wonderful collection of stories albeit some more predictable than others. The tales chosen do well to honor the genre.
April 21, 2023
I liked "Kaminsky at War" by Jack McDevitt and "Mid-Death" by Alan Dean Foster
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews