Tag: sci-fi

Book Thoughts10 Comments

The Citadel of Weeping Pearls by Aliette de Bodard

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The space station the Citadel of Weeping Pearls disappeared thirty years ago when the Empress Mi Hiep attempted to destroy both it and her rebellious eldest daughter and heir within. Now, facing invasion from the Nam Federation, (who have learnt how to hijack the Empress’ mindships, which have been her primary advantage up to now), Mi Hiep wants more than ever to find Bright Princess Ngoc Minh and the weapons she developed. In another corner of the story, engineer Diem Huong lost her mother when the Citadel disappeared. Feeling that her mother abandoned her she is working on a time … Continue reading The Citadel of Weeping Pearls by Aliette de Bodard

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The Last Emperox by John Scalzi

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  WARNING: SPOILERS! Well, I cried at the end, so there goes my argument that this wasn’t a particularly feely story. Before I get going, a quick nod to Scalzi for some of the awesome ship names. A few of my especial favourites being the Tell Me Another One, the Yes Sir, That’s My Baby and the No, Sir, I Don’t Mean Maybe, the The Princess is in Another Castle and the That’s Just Your Opinion, Sir. Nearly every time a new ship was introduced I enjoyed a little chuckle over its name. Anyhow, moving on … This was a … Continue reading The Last Emperox by John Scalzi

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The Consuming Fire by John Scalzi

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WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS My only half-hearted complaint about The Collapsing Empire was that I didn’t feel the reader was given time to become emotionally attached to anyone as the story zipped along, and yet here I am at the end of the second book caring plenty about what has happened to Cardenia and Kiva, and about what their ultimate fates are likely to be. So it seems, whether I noticed it or not, that Scalzi gave me enough in that first book to form a connection with these two awesome ladies at least. Whether it’s because of this increased feeling … Continue reading The Consuming Fire by John Scalzi

Miscellaneous Thoughts21 Comments

All Systems Read: I have plans!

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  Next week, over the bank holiday weekend (2nd to 5th April), I’ll be taking part in the All Systems Read mini event, a readathon of all things sci-fi about which you can find out more from imyril over at There’s Always Room For One More. And I am absolutely in the mood for some science fiction at the moment, although I’m still leaning towards the light and comforting (which is making for less interesting posts, but a happier healthy me at present, so #sorrynotsorry). Here’s what I’m planning to read and post about:   John Scalzi’s Interdependency trilogy has … Continue reading All Systems Read: I have plans!

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Skyward Inn by Aliya Whiteley (ARC)

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A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher. I can’t promise that this didn’t affect my feelings about it, but a book is a book is a book, however I acquire it, and I can promise that all opinions are my own.   Hot-diggity-damn!  This was frigging awesome. I honestly don’t know where to start. I don’t want to give anything away because I loved every surprise and would hate to take that from another reader. At the same time, I want to tell you everything because this book kind of blew my mind.   Let’s start … Continue reading Skyward Inn by Aliya Whiteley (ARC)

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Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A Heinlein

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Three weeks into Vintage Science Fiction Month and I’ve only just realised I haven’t once linked to or credited its fabulous creator and host the Little Red Reviewer! (I am ashamed! Please forgive!) I lovelovelove this event because it always pushes me out of my comfort zone in some way.   Valentine Michael Smith was born on Mars and raised by Martians. He is brought to Earth as a young adult and he and humanity change each other in interesting ways. There is nothing unattractive to me about this blurb for Stranger in a Strange Land and this was all … Continue reading Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A Heinlein

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The Crystal World by J G Ballard

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After reading The Drowned World for Vintage SciFi Month last year I knew that I wanted to read something more of Ballard’s work. Maybe not a lot more, but some. I’m still not sure I like his work, but I appreciate his writing style a lot. Anyway, I had The Crystal World on the shelf, so here we are. Ballard wrote three “disaster” novels: The Drowned World, The Drought (alternatively titled The Burning World), and The Crystal World, in which he tackled the British cosy catastrophe form in his own way. In The Crystal World parts of the jungle in … Continue reading The Crystal World by J G Ballard

Miscellaneous Thoughts20 Comments

Vintage SciFi Artists – A Few Favourites

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  Vintage SF cover art is in a league of its own. Looking back at some of the paperback covers from the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies is to see the visual language of science fiction being worked out image by image. There’s an experimental feel to a lot of the artwork produced during this period that totally floats my boat and so today, for your viewing pleasure (possibly) and for my own delectation (definitely) I’m sharing a select few of my favourite artists.   Richard Powers 1921-1996 I first came across Richard Powers’ work only last year when I was … Continue reading Vintage SciFi Artists – A Few Favourites

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The Time Machine by H G Wells

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  Late this afternoon I realised what day it was. On the back of that realisation was another, that I’d not yet written this post, and, more worrying, that I’d forgotten how to do this bloggy thing: I’ve been staring at the screen, then at my notes, then at the screen again for about two hours now.   This is going to be messy …   My motivation for rereading The Time Machine for Vintage SciFi Month was two-fold. Firstly, I wanted to read something from way back when the term ‘science fiction’ had yet to be coined, and secondly, … Continue reading The Time Machine by H G Wells

Miscellaneous Thoughts30 Comments

My Library Book Stack; or Accountability’s a B*tch

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I have a lot of library books out on loan. Last year I worked hard to keep my library loans down to a reasonable number, for a reasonable amount of time. I tried to create a new, less compulsive habit. And then … well, and then COVID-19 became a thing, we went into Lockdown #1 and I panic-borrowed all the books because books might make for lumpy security blankets, but they’re great for building tall walls around yourself to defend against reality. And so my bad borrowing habit has returned with a vengeance. About half of the books in this … Continue reading My Library Book Stack; or Accountability’s a B*tch