First of all, if you love roadtrip novels, then perk your ear up.
The black box of doom needs a little road-time.
Of course, exactly WHAT that black boxFirst of all, if you love roadtrip novels, then perk your ear up.
The black box of doom needs a little road-time.
Of course, exactly WHAT that black box of doom is will be a major bone of contention throughout the novel, but it should be safe to say that there are several.
Probably, the more interesting black box of doom is the author's willingness to let it all hang out. We've all had some seriously hard years, be it with societal craziness, fractured people, loneliness, online echo chambers, and, let's face it, FEAR and the greater uneasiness we all have about opening up to others.
After a fairly delightful meet-cute involving a bit of kidnapping (honestly probably the only way this basement-dwelling dude might have agreed to this bit of wildness), this novel doesn't hesitate to jump right in and say the things that might start tons of arguments.
Oddly, however, there's a bit of interesting open-mindedness, which was pretty delightful, even if it didn't go overboard.
The rest of the novel was almost slapstick in how the Reddit boards went cuckoo or how conspiracy nutters became weekend warriors. It was pretty funny.
It may not be my favorite of Mr. Pargin's, but I do appreciate the courage to put these other ideas out there and treat them with a little respect even if they may be a sore point for many. (Think any of the contentious things that are on Reddit, and you'll get the idea.)...more
Some time later, Will finds romance and progresses with some greater powers and negotiations. The space opera continues nicely, but if I am to be entiSome time later, Will finds romance and progresses with some greater powers and negotiations. The space opera continues nicely, but if I am to be entirely honest, it is simple. If nobody expects complicated situations or characterizations, just a well-written formula, then you'll probably have a good time.
It is nothing groundbreaking, however, just psi and better star travel stuff, a long war, and lies.
Time skip, and the destined romance flowered a young man with prodigious psy-talents. He's driven, uncomplaining, and a shoe-in for leadership. Of couTime skip, and the destined romance flowered a young man with prodigious psy-talents. He's driven, uncomplaining, and a shoe-in for leadership. Of course, he must be tested by the other side of the war, and he wasn't found wanting.
Again, it's pretty boilerplate space-opera SF, but it IS written easy-going and should appeal to the popcorn-loving crowd.
Easy-reading space-opera. We've got the standard hidden-war thing going on with the special heroes sporting powerful psi-powers. Mix a little genetic Easy-reading space-opera. We've got the standard hidden-war thing going on with the special heroes sporting powerful psi-powers. Mix a little genetic tampering, bloodlines, and engineered romance, and that pretty much describes the first book.
It's not bad, of course. It's pretty standard you-get-what-you-come-for fare. Fun, if this is what you crave. For me, I didn't mind it at all. I've read much worse.
I can't really review this book without writing a book about it -- and that's because it's an enormous, sprawling far-future SF full of humans, demi-pI can't really review this book without writing a book about it -- and that's because it's an enormous, sprawling far-future SF full of humans, demi-post-humans, and post-humans that have settled across a goodly portion of space without breaking the speed of light barrier.
Those who arrived first got to set up everything however they wanted, passing down the torch in spectacularly high-tech ways, while those who slow-moved their way into the cluster are pretty much given a couple of super-planet reservations to farm and feed the rest of the empire.
Of course, that's just the setup. The rest of the book is over nine-hundred pages, and we've got investigations, intrigue, adventure, interesting politics, high-tech enmeshed plot, and the titular Archimedes Engine -- based on some of the oldest original tech that only the Archons should have their hands on. Of course, the Celestials, the Uranic, and the normal latecomer normal humans will all vie for power -- and there's no power quite as big as that engine. No spoilers, but it's impressive.
What I should really point out is that this is a deep, wildly imaginative, and thoroughly explored novel. If you want to get lost in a really huge tale with amazing, far-reaching worldbuilding, great plots, tons of characters, and great action, then I'm just going to point at Peter here.
He's got it all -- big books that will last you a great long time. :) ...more
More characterizations, more plot, and an interesting development, but I will stand by my last review when I said these three deserve to be together aMore characterizations, more plot, and an interesting development, but I will stand by my last review when I said these three deserve to be together as a single story.
All together, it makes a pretty solid novel of first contact, trust, and resolve.
It was this particular novella that I really enjoyed the most, however. I like Harrison's quasi-magical developments. :)...more
Totality picks up from the first novella, deepening all the relationships, learning more about the Neighbors' world, what they seek to accomplish on oTotality picks up from the first novella, deepening all the relationships, learning more about the Neighbors' world, what they seek to accomplish on our planet, and generally pulling off a normal first-contact kind of story.
However -- it feels like it has been done many times before. The only twist is some people behaving badly and a strong ecological theme. And on top of that, I am getting the distinct impression that these three novellas ought to have been packaged as a single longer tale, that they may have been split for marketing reasons.
I can't say that it would have made it a better tale, either way, but that's my impression.
The story is mild. A slight three-way kind of thing, but really more focused on friendship building. For some readers, this should be a high selling point....more
Now that we've entered an age where cyberpunk is our actual reality, it really tickles me to read techno-thrillers that have all that old panache.
ThiNow that we've entered an age where cyberpunk is our actual reality, it really tickles me to read techno-thrillers that have all that old panache.
This near-future SF dystopia gives me all the feel of Detroit, of Daniel Suarez's wonderful novels, and any number of SF novels that insist that the warning should never be ignored.
In other words, my friends, if you love rich near-future worldbuilding, tech-failings, massive gambles, and a trove of spoilerish SF goodies that make their way onto the page, not to mention a fine plot, then please don't overlook this.
I had a great time!
PS: It's an independent title, but don't let that dissuade anyone. It is a passion project that took 5 years to get out here. It's not backed by anything but our eyes and support. It would be tragic if this gets lost in the shuffle. ...more
Even though I've read most of these short stories across the years, it's an utter no-brainer to pick up these stories and enjoy them again.
It's HarlanEven though I've read most of these short stories across the years, it's an utter no-brainer to pick up these stories and enjoy them again.
It's Harlan Ellison, ya'll. Always acerbic, a force for energetic good, and yet, litigious as hell -- and above all, a loud-mouth, brilliant storyteller.
Instead of commenting on every single story here, I will just mention my now-favorites. A few will slip and slide, but some will always remain.
Repent, Harlequin, said the Ticktock Man -- the ultimate SF that thumbs its nose at time-punchers, is sad and it makes me angry and while I APPRECIATE the damn point, I deal with people who can't not be late for their very lives -- so I guess I have to become the Ticktocck Man. GGahaaaaahhhhhhh. Anyway.
I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream -- Alas, I've read this 5 times, and so, I decided to use ChatGPT to give me it's REAL opinion on AM, and oh, my, it's a slippery one.
Deathbird -- I always thought of this as a little philosophical stroll down good/evil redemption lane, but HOW it was written was pretty awesome. A little cosmic horror and schoolwork together never hurts.
Back to their original settlement, they discover an army of undead goblins laying waste to everything.
In other words, all normal.
I admit I enjoyed thBack to their original settlement, they discover an army of undead goblins laying waste to everything.
In other words, all normal.
I admit I enjoyed the setting of the prior novel better, but this was also fun. I mean, OP, bad odds, betrayal, AI gods on the field, and to top it all off, titans. No problem.
It's time to squash and be squashed. Defend that settlement!
Funnily enough, this is high-level battle time....more
Oooooooohhhhh I think I love this one. At least to me, I dove head-first into this one, screaming, "Cyberpunk!!!!!" And yes, exactly that game, with aOooooooohhhhh I think I love this one. At least to me, I dove head-first into this one, screaming, "Cyberpunk!!!!!" And yes, exactly that game, with a lot of the great, flashy feel and a great deal of Atom Smasher to boot. :)
I went from "This is okay" to "Oh, I'm DOWN" real quick. Maybe it's not for everyone, but I loved the new class changes and combos and raid rotations as much as the overall developments of the story. But really? It was all the aesthetic. I even stayed up late to read.
At least to me, this LitRPG is finally coming into its own....more
This second book still has all the normal LitRPG goodies. The SF reveals are steadily revealing themselves and the dodge-tanking angle is still going This second book still has all the normal LitRPG goodies. The SF reveals are steadily revealing themselves and the dodge-tanking angle is still going strong.
I think I mainly enjoy these for the comfort factor. I'm getting some flashbacks of a FFXI grind and it's pretty neat. Other than that, it's fairly average -- not that this will stop me from reading more....more
I'm getting into the worldbuilding a bit more now, its SF and now even matrixy base, and I generally enjoy the twist of level fluctuations and restricI'm getting into the worldbuilding a bit more now, its SF and now even matrixy base, and I generally enjoy the twist of level fluctuations and restrictions, if handled well.
Funnily enough, when I originally thought that these books were cribbing a little from, say FFXI, this one cribbed a bit more from both ninja gaiden and rts battle sims. Not bad, even if it's not super original.
On the other hand, LitRPGs generally don't need to be original. They're giving us gamers what we clamor for: nostalgia and pure adventure. ...more
This one reads like a cold-war spy/romance where you bring defectors in, maybe romance them up a bit, then watch it all unravel as your agency makes tThis one reads like a cold-war spy/romance where you bring defectors in, maybe romance them up a bit, then watch it all unravel as your agency makes things hairy -- but it is actually a time-travel novel that takes its sweet time enjoying a true man of English culture trying to come to terms with our modern age.
What did I like best?
Not the spy stuff. It was okay but it was rather sad and depressing. I DID like the fish out of water aspects, however, and even rather like the romance.
All in all, a solid time-travel novel that didn't focus too much on timey-wimey stuff, just the human angle.
I feel like I lucked out on this one. The first part made me feel like I was reading another clone of a long, drawn-out, almost YA military space-operI feel like I lucked out on this one. The first part made me feel like I was reading another clone of a long, drawn-out, almost YA military space-opera where the embittered survivors deny themselves or later discover some pleasure in life, but I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE that this novel goes well beyond that setup.
Indeed, the many twists and turns it takes is rather rich and satisfying. I wouldn't spoil it, but the plot, new personality twists, and the overlapping structure seriously enriched both the characterizations and the overall plot in a serious way.
My recommendation? Stick with it. It turns into one hell of an interesting SF adventure.
Most of the modern type likes to moan and complain about how inadequate the MC is when it comes to dealing Now THIS is what I would call real Lit-SF.
Most of the modern type likes to moan and complain about how inadequate the MC is when it comes to dealing with RL, usually surrounding unsatisfying relationships -- interspersed among SF tropes -- but this one has a nicely different feel.
This 1988 SF winner of the Nebula award spends a good half of its foundation in the Vietnam war, with Kitty being a hard-working nurse trying to do the best she can in less than awesome circumstances. We get know her, some patients of both Vietnamese and American persuasion, and some local flyboys. The relationships are everything, and I hardly missed the SF/F twist.
When things go to hell, that's when the twist leads us into many raw experiences that draw us deeper and deeper into the real state of war -- and the best part, at least for me, was how the special auras mainly highlighted psychological and social states, bringing her closer and closer to an epiphany that never seems to come.
And then there's also the aftermath, the true-to-life ennui of returning from war, and what comes next.
THIS is what I call a true Lit-SF. The SF portion is genuine and necessary for the underlying emotional center.
I just wish modern types would master this. Alas....more
This Science Fiction from '79 hit the speculative science spot for me. The engineering, including wonderful robot spiders, a thread of investigation aThis Science Fiction from '79 hit the speculative science spot for me. The engineering, including wonderful robot spiders, a thread of investigation and mystery, and the eventual construction of a beanstalk space elevator all together made for quite a different kind of SF than we usually see today.
Smart engineers, visionary money men, and the deep desire to create something amazing.
I mean, seriously. Why don't we have more of this? Do we no longer have the imagination to dream big? Alas!
These adventure SF novels are really kinda everything I need right now. Is that saying a lot? Maybe it's not saying enough.
Fergus just keeps landing iThese adventure SF novels are really kinda everything I need right now. Is that saying a lot? Maybe it's not saying enough.
Fergus just keeps landing in it.
He's got some amazing skills and intelligence, but that doesn't help him when he's always finding a good reason or eight to skip out on all his friends because of SOME KIND of BONEHEAD universe-saving curiosity shtick that proves, yet again, that no deed ever goes unpunished.
Governments hate losing their shiny deadly shit, after all. Fergus is just tends to really sink neck deep in these kinds of new situations -- like being kidnapped by pirates and forced to serve on their crew.
And it doesn't end there. One of the strongest parts of all these Finder novels is the wildly different situations Fergus keeps finding himself in -- and often, it's part of a much bigger alien (or human!) crapstorm than we generally assume it'll be.
Top notch popcorn SF, as usual. Fergus really can find anything -- it's just a shame he can't keep out of all those damn traps he finds for himself....more
I'm a big fan of Kim Harrison in general, but this novella is pretty mainstream first-contact SF material. That's not to say it's bad -- we have the NI'm a big fan of Kim Harrison in general, but this novella is pretty mainstream first-contact SF material. That's not to say it's bad -- we have the Neighbors and some solid alien-and-worldbuilding stuff going on, but the conflict is -- the usual.
It's pretty slow, but the core is all about building trust, so it does what it sets out to do. I get the distinct impression that it's mostly for the sake of launching the other two novellas, so I guess I can't complain.
A great little Everyman novel from the position of an eternally-innocent robot valet, walking us through philosophical positions from some of the greaA great little Everyman novel from the position of an eternally-innocent robot valet, walking us through philosophical positions from some of the great philosophers as we enjoy the end of the world.
Huh? Say what?
What I MEAN to say is that we've got a bot on an eternal search to be of service in the almost complete wreckage of the human race, encountering so many robots following their instruction sets to the absolute ends of the earth and their existence.
Just do as you've been programmed, ya know? Kinda like us. Do as "they" say. Keep on doing all the little things "they" say. Even if it leads you to doom, never go against your instruction sets!
Ah, but this novel is a bit more than just that kind of commentary, but this little blast at our underlying assumptions is quite delicious.
So yes, why HAVEN'T we been creating a kind and orderly world for ourselves? It IS a simple question. It ought to be part of ALL of our underlying questions.
But, alas, it's not just robots who have to follow instruction sets, no? I think we've been programmed with shit. ...more
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