Finished: On the Steel Breeze by Alastair Reynolds
The second in a planned trilogy following the Akinya family and humanities first steps out of the Solar System. Elephants feature heavily in the first book of this series and they are also present in the second. What their role is at this point, still remains to be seen. It does seem though that the fate of the Akinyas(and therefore humanity as a whole, or at least those on the holoships) and the elephants is closely related.
This book is set another generation into the future than the previous installment with vast caravans of holoships (cored out asteroids) travelling to a planet in another solar system to investigate & colonise a new planet which has some "alien made" features, the primary reason for choosing that planet as one of the first new planets for colonisation. The Akinyas were responsible for this push to move out of the Solar System in both construction of the holoships and development of a new type of physics which enable the ships to travel further and faster then ever before.
I really enjoyed this book. Obviously it is the bridging book in the trilogy and while there is a jump in time, the central characters are still there, albeit in machine form. How and why they are so important will hopefully be revealed in the final book.
I like that when you read one of Alastair Reynolds books, the truth is given out in little parcels, allowing you some satifcation in connecting dots, but not so much that you can prematurely draw the whole picture!
Started: Between Silk & Cyanide: A Codemakers War by Leo Marks
Showing posts with label Science Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Science Fiction. Show all posts
Monday, 28 October 2013
Monday, 21 October 2013
Book Bloggin' 21st October 2013
Started: On The Steel Breeze by Alastair Reynolds
The second part of the Blue Remembered Earth trilogy.
The second part of the Blue Remembered Earth trilogy.
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Book Bloggin' 17th September 2013
Finished: Solaris Rising: The new Solaris Book of Science Fiction Edited by Ian Whates
Well, this was an interesting collection of short SF stories. And I unfortunately don't mean it in a good way. There were some stellar authors in this collection - among them my personal favourite Alastair Reynolds, which was one of the best stories in the collection (bias may be a factor). But in all seriousness, there were stories that literally made my head spin.. and not in a good way. I actually ended up skipping one story because it literally made me feel like I was on the recieving end of one of Antonio Cesaro's spinny thingos and he wasn't ever going to stop! Not good.
Having said that, there were several excellent stories and those, I enjoyed immensely. Hats off to you, Alastair Reynolds, Dave Hutchinson, Richard Salter & Paul di Fillipo!
Started: The Yellowstone Conundrum by John D Randall
Let me just say, despite some clunky writing (did we really need the name of EVERY drug that US vetrans may be given?!) However, in the space of a few pages the author has completely out written Harry Turtledove in his descriptions of the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano. THIS is what disaster geeks (like me) want when reading these types of books.. not the drivel pumped out by Mr Turtledove. Looking forward to the rest of the book!!
Well, this was an interesting collection of short SF stories. And I unfortunately don't mean it in a good way. There were some stellar authors in this collection - among them my personal favourite Alastair Reynolds, which was one of the best stories in the collection (bias may be a factor). But in all seriousness, there were stories that literally made my head spin.. and not in a good way. I actually ended up skipping one story because it literally made me feel like I was on the recieving end of one of Antonio Cesaro's spinny thingos and he wasn't ever going to stop! Not good.
Having said that, there were several excellent stories and those, I enjoyed immensely. Hats off to you, Alastair Reynolds, Dave Hutchinson, Richard Salter & Paul di Fillipo!
Started: The Yellowstone Conundrum by John D Randall
Let me just say, despite some clunky writing (did we really need the name of EVERY drug that US vetrans may be given?!) However, in the space of a few pages the author has completely out written Harry Turtledove in his descriptions of the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano. THIS is what disaster geeks (like me) want when reading these types of books.. not the drivel pumped out by Mr Turtledove. Looking forward to the rest of the book!!
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Book Bloggin' 10th September 2013
Finished: The Devil's Garden by John Schettler
So this was supposed to be the last book in the Kirov saga. Fast forward to the end of the book & you discover that in fact it is not(sorry for the spoiler). The author includes a note apologising, but apparently the story just needed more.
Now don't get me wrong, this was another brilliantly researched and well written book. However, reading it, you get the impression that the author really isn't sure how to end it. Or even if it should end - there are new characters introduced and at this stage in a series, should we really be getting new characters? Especially ones who make it feel like the story won't be concluded in the next book either That rather the author has opened up an entirely new rabbit warren which he can explore.
Seriously I hope he manages to wrap everything up in a neat package in the next book, because I think this is what this series deserves. It does NOT deserve to carry on like Lost - completely Lost and coming to an entirely unsatisfactory please God let it be over, tacked together ending.
This edition sees Federov retrieve Orlov from 1942 and the Kirov under Karpov upset the apple cart even further in 1945, before mysteriously(ok not so mysteriously) catapulting even further back in time! It is revealed that it is in fact Karpov who is the source of this whole mess.. or is he? Stay tuned for the (hopefully)final installment titled "Armageddon".
Started: Solaris Rising: The new Solaris Book of Science Fiction Edited by Ian Whates
So this was supposed to be the last book in the Kirov saga. Fast forward to the end of the book & you discover that in fact it is not(sorry for the spoiler). The author includes a note apologising, but apparently the story just needed more.
Now don't get me wrong, this was another brilliantly researched and well written book. However, reading it, you get the impression that the author really isn't sure how to end it. Or even if it should end - there are new characters introduced and at this stage in a series, should we really be getting new characters? Especially ones who make it feel like the story won't be concluded in the next book either That rather the author has opened up an entirely new rabbit warren which he can explore.
Seriously I hope he manages to wrap everything up in a neat package in the next book, because I think this is what this series deserves. It does NOT deserve to carry on like Lost - completely Lost and coming to an entirely unsatisfactory please God let it be over, tacked together ending.
This edition sees Federov retrieve Orlov from 1942 and the Kirov under Karpov upset the apple cart even further in 1945, before mysteriously(ok not so mysteriously) catapulting even further back in time! It is revealed that it is in fact Karpov who is the source of this whole mess.. or is he? Stay tuned for the (hopefully)final installment titled "Armageddon".
Started: Solaris Rising: The new Solaris Book of Science Fiction Edited by Ian Whates
Wednesday, 21 August 2013
Book Bloggin' 21st August 2013
Finished: Kirov Saga (book 8): Fallen Angels by John Schettler
Wow! I am speechless. This series just gets better and better!!! I have been fortunate up until this book to always be "behind the eightball" in that the next book in the series has already been released, so I haven't had to wait to find out what happens. Unfortunately, my luck, along with the luck of the men aboard the Kirov seems to have finally run out. I have to wait for the final installment!
I have to say I love the way Mr Schettler draws the reader in. What seems like totally irrelevant information is thrown in and then revealed to be a little piece of the vast historical knowledge that Mr Schettler possesses of WW2. Everything is well considered and adds to the reality that this whole saga is REAL, not just a work of fiction. Little things are considered, like (sorry for the mini spoiler) President(still in the future at that point) Ford being killed in action when the Kirov sinks his ship in 1945. I would love to know how that affects the time line!
In this installment, the Kirov is once again flung into the chatic events of WW2 right on the cusp of the signing of surrender by the Japanese, this time by the Demon volcano exploding. In this timeline however, the atom bomb was never used by the USA. Meanwhile, Federov has launched a mission to capture Orlov in 1942 and the truth of their ability to shift in time is revealed, along with some surprises along the way. In 2021, the world continues its 9 day decent to hell and the question to be answered is, can it all be prevented?
This series is well worth the read and it definitely gets better and better with each book in the series. Read them from the begginning and you will NOT be dissapointed!!! I will admit that I struggled in some books, but as I have realised, it was the author finding his feet and his feet have well and truly been found!! Bring on the final installment "The Devil's Garden".
Started: The Year's Top Short SF Novels Edited by Allan Kaster
I think the title says it all!
Wow! I am speechless. This series just gets better and better!!! I have been fortunate up until this book to always be "behind the eightball" in that the next book in the series has already been released, so I haven't had to wait to find out what happens. Unfortunately, my luck, along with the luck of the men aboard the Kirov seems to have finally run out. I have to wait for the final installment!
I have to say I love the way Mr Schettler draws the reader in. What seems like totally irrelevant information is thrown in and then revealed to be a little piece of the vast historical knowledge that Mr Schettler possesses of WW2. Everything is well considered and adds to the reality that this whole saga is REAL, not just a work of fiction. Little things are considered, like (sorry for the mini spoiler) President(still in the future at that point) Ford being killed in action when the Kirov sinks his ship in 1945. I would love to know how that affects the time line!
In this installment, the Kirov is once again flung into the chatic events of WW2 right on the cusp of the signing of surrender by the Japanese, this time by the Demon volcano exploding. In this timeline however, the atom bomb was never used by the USA. Meanwhile, Federov has launched a mission to capture Orlov in 1942 and the truth of their ability to shift in time is revealed, along with some surprises along the way. In 2021, the world continues its 9 day decent to hell and the question to be answered is, can it all be prevented?
This series is well worth the read and it definitely gets better and better with each book in the series. Read them from the begginning and you will NOT be dissapointed!!! I will admit that I struggled in some books, but as I have realised, it was the author finding his feet and his feet have well and truly been found!! Bring on the final installment "The Devil's Garden".
Started: The Year's Top Short SF Novels Edited by Allan Kaster
I think the title says it all!
Monday, 22 April 2013
Book Bloggin' 22nd April 2013
Finished: Manhattan in Reverse by Peter F Hamilton
This is a collection of short stories and novellas. I really enjoyed these stories, particularly the stories involving Paula Myo, of the Commonwealth series. Uncompromising, unbending and faithful to her art. Much like Peter F Hamilton. If you enjoy his work, you will definitely enjoy this collection. I would love to see more of the universe of the first story - I would love to know how that Earth came to where it was (sorry don't want to give away any spoilers!).
Started: Kirov III - Pacific Storm by John Schetteler
The Kirov has reappeared in WWII in the Pacific, just north of Darwin (OK, so not technically the Pacific, but thats where the action takes place!).
This is a collection of short stories and novellas. I really enjoyed these stories, particularly the stories involving Paula Myo, of the Commonwealth series. Uncompromising, unbending and faithful to her art. Much like Peter F Hamilton. If you enjoy his work, you will definitely enjoy this collection. I would love to see more of the universe of the first story - I would love to know how that Earth came to where it was (sorry don't want to give away any spoilers!).
Started: Kirov III - Pacific Storm by John Schetteler
The Kirov has reappeared in WWII in the Pacific, just north of Darwin (OK, so not technically the Pacific, but thats where the action takes place!).
Sunday, 14 April 2013
Book Bloggin' 14th April 2013
Finished: While the World Watched by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
As a child, Carolyn was involved in the bombing of her church by KKK members. By pure chance, or God's desire that she was destined for better things, she survived, where her four friends did not. And she truly believes that God even then, had her pegged for better things. And the truth of that comes through in her story. It not only covers the events of the Sixteenth Street Church bombing, but also other significant events in the civil rights movement in Alabama and the greater US in the 1960's. It makes for a haunting tale of the scale of injustice perpetrated against blacks during that period. That Carolyn came through this relatively unscathed (she is still haunted to an extent by the mental demons left by this event, survivor guilt perhaps? Something which had this happened today, would have resulted in counseling to help her understand and cope). This was a great read, very educational and uplifting, despite the subject. People like Carolyn, give you hope that things can be changed. And should be changed, that we should not just sit on the sidelines, but instead, be active and make them change.
Started: Manhattan in Reverse by Peter F Hamilton
A collection of short stories, so therefore not as massive & complicated as his usual tomes!
As a child, Carolyn was involved in the bombing of her church by KKK members. By pure chance, or God's desire that she was destined for better things, she survived, where her four friends did not. And she truly believes that God even then, had her pegged for better things. And the truth of that comes through in her story. It not only covers the events of the Sixteenth Street Church bombing, but also other significant events in the civil rights movement in Alabama and the greater US in the 1960's. It makes for a haunting tale of the scale of injustice perpetrated against blacks during that period. That Carolyn came through this relatively unscathed (she is still haunted to an extent by the mental demons left by this event, survivor guilt perhaps? Something which had this happened today, would have resulted in counseling to help her understand and cope). This was a great read, very educational and uplifting, despite the subject. People like Carolyn, give you hope that things can be changed. And should be changed, that we should not just sit on the sidelines, but instead, be active and make them change.
Started: Manhattan in Reverse by Peter F Hamilton
A collection of short stories, so therefore not as massive & complicated as his usual tomes!
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