The title Dark Matter feels a little bit deceptive as “dark matter” is only brought up once. However something more accurate like, “Putting humans in a quantum state of superposition and the consequences” is a little awkward as a title. Regardless, Dark Matter is a taut science fiction thriller, with dashes of mystery and true love. Jason Dessen lives an ordinary life. Married to the love of his life, Daniela, raising their son Charlie together, and working as a college professor. Every once in a while, […]
The Clockwork Dynasty
The Clockwork Dynasty alternates between two time lines. In the present day, June Stefanov is a highly specialized anthropologist studying clockwork marvels of the past. What others dismiss as mere toys, June seeks out and researches these amazing automatons that once were showcased in art galleries and the wonder rooms of the rich and powerful. Her life and her research are about to collide in a spectacularly violent way. While studying an automaton hidden away in a church, June learns of a secret group that […]
Not quite as romantic and dashing
Arabella and the Battle of Venus is the second book in “The Adventures of Arabella Ashby” series. Last year I reviewed the first book, Arabella of Mars, and was delighted by it’s fun combination of the Regency era and sailing ships that travel interstellar winds between planets. In fact, its escapism was sorely needed when I read it in November of 2016. This time the adventure has its high points but also a lot more drudgery, making it less romantic and dashing than its predecessor, but […]
I expect another Hugo coming N.K. Jemisin’s way
The Stone Sky is N.K. Jemisin’s stunning conclusion to “The Broken Earth” trilogy. Books one: The Fifth Season and two: The Obelisk Gate both were awarded the Hugo Award and I expect that The Stone Sky will complete a hat trick for Jemisin by earning her a third Hugo. “The Broken Earth” trilogy examines familial bonds, both created by birth and those we choose to create. They are a cautionary tale about what can happen when a society chooses to treat people as lesser and then takes away the […]