Mission to Universe by Gordon R. Dickson (1965) – They say you can’t go back again, and I’m beginning to think that it’s true when it comes to reading some of these classic science fiction novels. This novel by science fiction (and fantasy) master, Gordon R. Dickson, does not hold up well. It does, however, show that we’ve come a long way, baby. The story itself is basic space opera. The captain of a phase ship capable of instant shifting from one galaxy to another […]
Ruined Cities of the Future
Ruined Cities edited by James Tallett (2013) – I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed this anthology before. I like beginning writers and original stories, so independent publications’ short story collections are right up my alley. I’m not wild about dystopian or post-apocalyptic stories, but this one is large and meaty (420 pages) and has some exceptional writing. I’ll talk about a few of my favorites. “The City Over Hell” by Jennifer Povey – A young illiterate girl discovers her city is actually a dying space […]
“End of All Things” as a title isn’t being overly dramatic
This is review number lucky 13 and marks halfway through my half cannonball. I’m on better track this year than last! The End of All Things is the sixth book in John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War universe and direct sequel to The Human Division. THD is a set of thirteen standalone short stories (originally released serially in e-format and then collected in dead tree format) with a narrative thread tying the stories together. TEoAT, while not advertised as such, feels similar only instead of short stories they […]
Say Hello to My Little Friend
Dreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre (2008, but originally published in 1978) – First of all, I’ll admit to being a big Vonda N. McIntyre fan since I read this in the seventies and loved it. It’s one of her earliest works (and a Nebula and Hugo winner). I’ve always enjoyed her Star Trek movie adaptations and consider her to be one of the best writers around. In this post-apocalyptic world (it might be Earth or it might not), Snake, a healer who uses snakes who […]