Black market entrepreneur Jazz Bashara is offered enough money to change her life forever, she just has to do a bit of material sabotage or possibly dBlack market entrepreneur Jazz Bashara is offered enough money to change her life forever, she just has to do a bit of material sabotage or possibly destruction of some key resources in Artemis, which is the sole human 'town' on the Moon! I understood what sort of story this book was trying to tell, but a story about a Saudi girl that has more or less renounced her religion and culture, and is completely Westernised on a Moon with a very diverse population, and that is dominated by a Kenyan space agency; is this a story best told by White male American, Andy Weir? Before anyone cries culture wars; when was the last time you read a near all-white cast with a white female lead written by female person of colour? The trend that has seen a massive growth in interest in stories of women and people in colour should really equate to more writers of that ilk and not white male writers 'colouring' in more-or-less white characters and/or supplanting obviously male characters with ones of female gender. I thought writers should write what they know? I say all this because despite solid world building by Weir the main character screamed inauthenticity to me, and I struggled to care about her and her life at all. A 6 out of 12 Three Stars for some solid speculative fiction world building of a moon colony. [image] This artwork was made by Selma Moseng and Linn Hansen from the Kristiania University College, in Olso, Norway for an ESA (Euro Space Agency) competition. 2024 read...more
The story of the past of this costumed super hero reality continues in this second volume, in which we get the full story of the fall of one of the foThe story of the past of this costumed super hero reality continues in this second volume, in which we get the full story of the fall of one of the founder members and the darkness and schism that were forming in the heart of the team that led to the events of Jupiter's Legacy volume one. This volume probably has more story than the previous volumes, but it works well, as characterisation is still shown and developed, and fundamental parts of the mythos are further established. The creative continues to somehow carve out such a detailed and well thought our reality across so few volumes. 8 out of 12, Four Star read. [image] ...more
This 'The Union' take on 1940-50s 'Golden Age' superheroes asks the big questions not normally asked like how would a gay superhero's sex-life functioThis 'The Union' take on 1940-50s 'Golden Age' superheroes asks the big questions not normally asked like how would a gay superhero's sex-life function; the impact of alcoholism; and what happens if a married hero gets the urge for someone younger? A tale of what happens between the fights, set in a 1950s reality; asking the difficult questions but only giving the tried and tested answers, still works because the series asks the questions in the first place. The art is good, but not as stand-out as Frank Quitely's art in Jupiter's Legacy. Scrapes in as another Four Star read 8 out of 12, with such exquisite retro world building. [image] 2024 read...more
The second volume of this almost innovative series sees a rebellion of 'super criminals' seek to bring down the totalitarian rule of the 'superheroes'The second volume of this almost innovative series sees a rebellion of 'super criminals' seek to bring down the totalitarian rule of the 'superheroes'. An interesting, and more essentially wonderful drawn take on superhero-ing with a insightful and at times breath taking re-evaluation of how super heroes would really fight! With core themes of 'with great power comes great responsibility' and family it's quite a complete package. For me though, Frank Quitely's art steals the show. A well merited 8.5 out of 12 Four star read. [image] 2024 read...more
It's been awhile since I read a new-2-me Millar-verse book. The second generation of the original superhero legacy family are a bit of a waste. Chloe It's been awhile since I read a new-2-me Millar-verse book. The second generation of the original superhero legacy family are a bit of a waste. Chloe likes bad boys (super villains!), has never fought a battle (or a crime!) as an adult, and is all about multimedia exposure; her brother loves highly publicised 'good deeds', sleeping with 'fans', and lots of booze and drugs. Their worlds are turned upside down when there's a push for super powered beings to govern and hence 'save' the United States! [image] Yes, another look at an 'alternate' superhero reality; this one has shades of Planetary, but with better character driven storytelling in my opinion. This entire volume feels like a warm-up, a very very good warm-up though. Quitely 's art is peerless and the main reason what this one gets a firm 8 out of 12, Four Stars form me. [image] 2024 read...more
A near-perfect combination of digital, medical and AI technology has left a near-perfect human existence, with but only one real sustainability issue,A near-perfect combination of digital, medical and AI technology has left a near-perfect human existence, with but only one real sustainability issue, people just don't die anymore! As the Earth's resources even in this utopian world are finite, for many years Scythes have managed the human population... by authorised murder! [image] This is the story of two apprentice Scythes as they undergo their training where some Scythes have started to enjoy their role a tad too much! This is top drawer well though through reality building with just enough intrigue, mystery most importantly of all unpredictability to make this one of the best Young Adult reads I've read in years! I am now a committed Arc of Scythe fan. A hot-shot 9 out of 12 scything Four Star read :) [image] 2024 read...more
Shriver takes a speculative fiction / darkly comedic cum-satirical look at an American-centric take on a Western world financial crisis, but weirdly iShriver takes a speculative fiction / darkly comedic cum-satirical look at an American-centric take on a Western world financial crisis, but weirdly in my opinion from the perspectives of the upper middle class and super-rich! The book itself centres around the Mandibles and their extended family of interesting characters, and focuses more on the minutiae of the economics of such a crisis with a number of the primary characters being economists! All-in-all the book is a fine interesting read, as Shriver is a great writer, but it went on for far too long, and ultimately I struggled to care in the slightest what happened to such a privilege family in this financial crisis dystopia. [image] Reality check warning - what ruined the book for me was the almost salivating un-real spectre of such a crisis including the Muslims swarming Europe, the creation of a Palestinian state, Democrat party economic misrule (when history has shown that is is Republicans that have always left the United States in economic jeopardy). It's a typical right-wing writer's wet dream aligning the collapse of America with the empowerment of non-Whites and Muslims. The China-Russia axis themes however made much more sense as well as being intriguing and were very much more interesting. Don't let me put you off reading this, Shriver writes well, but she has just let her 'echo chamber' politics weaken her reality building. A fair 7 out of 12, Three Stars for me. [image] 2024 read...more
SF Masterworks (2010 relaunch series) #79: A satirical look a soviet research and development as seen through the tale of an outsider who is drawn in SF Masterworks (2010 relaunch series) #79: A satirical look a soviet research and development as seen through the tale of an outsider who is drawn in to the fictionalised mysterious world of the National Institute for the Technology of Witchcraft and Thaumaturgy where research into magic is a real thing! As ever with a Strugatsky brothers' book I just couldn't get into it, and found it aimless and repetitive. 2 out of 12, Two Star read. [image] 2023 read...more
Even with such an interesting premise such as an omega powered Superman-like The Plutonium running wild and mass murdering humans on a global scale, tEven with such an interesting premise such as an omega powered Superman-like The Plutonium running wild and mass murdering humans on a global scale, the final volumes of this series just don't really satisfy on that level. Although it's not particularly bad, it just hasn't got that much innovation for a creator-led series. 7 out of 12, Three Stars from me. [image] 2023 and 2012 read...more
An omega powered superman-esque like hero The Plutonium loses it and wipes out million of humans in a fortnight of deadly rage-release was a great conAn omega powered superman-esque like hero The Plutonium loses it and wipes out million of humans in a fortnight of deadly rage-release was a great concept for this series, but by this book that covers volumes 7 and 8 the series has definitely lost its mojo and moved from interesting speculative fiction to basic cosmic Avengers/JLA science fiction storytelling. I still want to find out how it a ends, I'm just a less lot bothered about the journey there! A 6 out of 12, Three Star read. [image] 2023 read...more
An omega powered Superman-like super-being The Plutonium has become the biggest mass-murdered in human history over the space of a couple of weeks, buAn omega powered Superman-like super-being The Plutonium has become the biggest mass-murdered in human history over the space of a couple of weeks, but with the world on the brink multiple concerns are looking at ways to bring him down rom other super powered beings and villains through to even darker forces. The series although still pretty well written and plotted begins to loose some of its innovative feels as it strays into tropes, although it is saved by continuously ploughing back story. 7.5 out of 12, firm Three Star read for this one. [image] 2023 read...more
Collecting Irredeemable, Vol. 3 and Irredeemable, Vol. 4 after multiple mass global murder event by the Superman-like The Plutonium, a fight back of sCollecting Irredeemable, Vol. 3 and Irredeemable, Vol. 4 after multiple mass global murder event by the Superman-like The Plutonium, a fight back of sorts has began with the remaining seeking answers and solutions, and the scientist and US Govt. seeking a drastic solution... bringing on the super villains! Although a great concept of omega powered being run wild, I don't think there's enough of his impact on humanity with it's primary focus on super beings, although the digging into the Plutonium's past is pretty neat. A 7 .5 out of 12. firm Three Star read. [image] 2023 and 2011 read...more
The Plutonium is a Superman/The Sentry/Hyperion omega type superhero that goes rogue, and when I say rogue, I am talking mass indiscriminate murder onThe Plutonium is a Superman/The Sentry/Hyperion omega type superhero that goes rogue, and when I say rogue, I am talking mass indiscriminate murder on an industrial scale; his first act wipes an entire city! This is the story of how the other heroes, the villains and humanity deals with an omega level player appearing to be going insane, or just really evil? [image] On the familiar ground set by the likes of Watchmen and The Boys Mark Waid takes a more conventional look at a world ravaged by a rogue super being by telling the story mostly by the point of view of the heroes. The special gem in this one, is that we really get insight into the The Plutonium himself, something missing in the other 'rogue hero' books, looking at the mind of the rogue hero himself? Full of twists, turns, tension and a definite sense of jeopardy throughout, on second reading I found this far more compelling than my first read. A page turning 8 out of 12 end of days Four Star read. [image] 2023 and 2011 read...more
Klara is normally at the back of the store, but finally gets her big chance in the shop window and sees more of the world and soaks in empowering sun Klara is normally at the back of the store, but finally gets her big chance in the shop window and sees more of the world and soaks in empowering sun rays. When Klara is chosen by a little girl, she is warned not to invest too much in humanity. Klara is an AF, an Artificial Friend, an AI construct, an older model, but one with exceptional observation skills! [image] The utter beauty of Ishiguro's speculative fiction works are that he has zero interest in the science and writes all about the emotion, thoughts, wants, needs etc. A wonderfully weighted tale delightfully told from the perspective of Klara, ultimately making her an unreliable but literal narrator? I have no doubt that now I am fully versed with this read I will Five Star my re-read, but there was so much mystery and nuance this read was all about discovery and acclimatisation. [image] And to top all this off, Ishiguro, in this book is asking, what is love? Yet another haunting read of the same ilk as Never Let Me Go, a speculative fiction that dwarfs almost everything ever written in this genre for its focus on humanity and the world class writing. A 9.5 out of 12, Four Star read. [image] 2023 read...more
Pfft, and just like that Professor Andrew Martin is dead! But, and it's a huge reason for this book but, what used to be well-known and lauded mathemaPfft, and just like that Professor Andrew Martin is dead! But, and it's a huge reason for this book but, what used to be well-known and lauded mathematician Professor Andrew Martin is running naked down a motorway mostly because he's scared of rain! [image] In a Matt Haig trademark 'this story is bigger than you think' style, he takes a look at humanity from the external viewpoint of an alien that has removed the professor from his body and taking it over to execute his mission to limit the progress of Human civilisation. [image] I am always torn with Haig's work, it reads and feels like a top quality Hallmark movie, but always gives me the sense of trying too hard to be such. If I was really being honest and removed Haig's name from the book I would have to say that this is an illuminating and thought provoking read that tries to at least look at the big questions of why we are here, what do we want and how we should live wrapped up in a truly innovative 'the aliens are here' story set around an academic family in a university city/town. Gots to be at least an 8 out o f12, Four Star read, Goddamn you Haig, no matter how hard I resist, I have to give you props. [image] 2023 read...more
It finally happened, I read a Cixin Liu book that didn't dazzle me, and just like with poor Stephen King reads, I know this book is better than I thinIt finally happened, I read a Cixin Liu book that didn't dazzle me, and just like with poor Stephen King reads, I know this book is better than I think it is, but Liu set such a high standard for his work to be judged on. I've probably done myself no favours by reading five of his books this year pretty much one after the other. I suppose I'd better talk about the book? [image]This a speculative / historical fiction set in what felt like the 20th century although I don't think it was specified, or I missed it. Having experienced witnessing ball lightning in the past, Liu was inspired to construct a whole reality focusing on the research and development around ball lightning and it's potential for a ... weapon! Because, that is where we always seem to start with new discoveries. As ever the reality and faux science is superb, the problem it is too super and felt like a text book at times. The story stops and stagger between faux science, theory, research etc around ball lightening. Liu's weakness in character development really shows up here as he has a permanent cast for the whole book unlike most of his other work, and his inability to do good believable characterisations stand out here. Still manages, to get say a 5 out of 12, Two Stars from me for how he runs with a develops ball lightning science. It did come as a little shock to find out, after a quick post-book Google that ball lightning is real though! [image] 2023 read...more
Recounted by a resident couple this is the speculative fiction horror story of mysterious event that leaves a gas over the small town of Midwich, it'sRecounted by a resident couple this is the speculative fiction horror story of mysterious event that leaves a gas over the small town of Midwich, it's a month so later that they realise that all the child-bearing age women are pregnant! The meat of the story is the development of the relationship between the children, their 'mothers' and the villagers! [image] A delightfully old-school BBC drama style British drama with a delightful sense of foreboding and horror that slowly creeps up on you, as you start to ponder, if the only solution is a deadly one. Truly a classic 'sci-fi' read and early flag waver of the more defined speculative fiction sub-genre. This book works especially well as none of the sci-fi elements are explained in any sort of the detail, as the book solely focuses on the human and not-so-human journeys. 8 out of 12. [image] 2022 read...more
SF Masterworks (2010 relaunch series) #20: A speculative fiction treat first published in a sense shattering 1944! Sirius, thanks to extensive experimSF Masterworks (2010 relaunch series) #20: A speculative fiction treat first published in a sense shattering 1944! Sirius, thanks to extensive experimenting with biochemistry and breeding, is essentially a dog with the intelligence of a human being. Narrated by a romantic interest of the woman that Sirius was raised with like a foster-brother, but even closer(!), this is Sirius's life story. Although on the face of things the concept felt like an American B movie from the 190s, what makes this book standout is not only how unbelievably well it has aged, but how Stapledon really envisions how a dog with an human intellect would not only feel and do, but struggle with the physical limits put upon him from both his physical make-up and humanity's uncomfortableness with his existence. Good read! 7.5 out of 12. [image] 2022 read...more
In 1960s Cornwall, Dick Young is only half heartedly engaging with his family and the world he lives in. Why? Because he is addicted to going back intIn 1960s Cornwall, Dick Young is only half heartedly engaging with his family and the world he lives in. Why? Because he is addicted to going back into the past, to the 14th century, where he is consumed with the lives and intrigues of he court there. He has been using a new discovery of a professor friend to time travel, but can't be seen or engage in anyway with the past. He becomes obsessed in trying to change the past, and there's no way that will end well? [image] This essentially a speculative/historic fiction horror read, but although fairly well written, especially the contemporary story, it just doesn't work, far too many plot holes, seriously du Maurier writing sci-fi! The idea was/is interesting though and the overall theme and message is pretty thought inducing. 6 out of 12. [image] 2022 read...more
Remembrance of Earth's Past #2: The first book in this series The Three-Body Problem completely blew up my idea of what to expect from top drawer scieRemembrance of Earth's Past #2: The first book in this series The Three-Body Problem completely blew up my idea of what to expect from top drawer science-fiction, a bar set so high, as the best sci-fi that I have ever read that I had no qualms in readily expecting this book to not reach those heights, and guess what? This book surpasses the The Three-Body Problem in core concepts, space war, alien tech and above all storytelling! The next bit of this review has some very mild spoilers so please do not read below the GIF, if you prefer to go into reads blind. [image] Not satisfied with further underlining all the skills he showed in The Three-Body Problem, Cixin Liu deftly applies multiple storytelling techniques that delighted me throughout with some superbly subtle foreshadowing that I only noted in hindsight and a near genius interpretation of the book title itself. I took so long to read this, as I only wanted to read it when I could totally immerse myself in it, I wanted to slowly and meticulously enjoy the journey, because my greedy speed reading of The Three-Body Problem was my only negative of that read. Seriously all readers should read this series, I realy mean this, this work is exceptional, just for starters it blows every other sci-fi writer out of the water. 10.5 out of 12, FIVE STAR READ! Also until further notice, I have to use this UK pop group Five Star's GIF for all my Five Star reads - love it :D [image] 2022 bad-ass read...more
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