Science Fiction

Through grit and perseverance, Science Fiction authors show us what might just be, in the someday of the future. By unveiling the wonders of human talent and the power of science, these writers trigger progressive thinking, and force us to consider the possible beyond the improbable.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

May 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams

If you haven't read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by now, you are BLOWING IT! Sure, there've been radio plays, a BBC series in the 1980's, and a recent full-on movie with some excellent actors. The guide, however, is one of those books - or, rather, well, series of books - that absolutely demands to be read in dead-tree format. Preferrably with something alcoholic. In one sitting. On Sunday, in a hammock, with lots of tissue around to help because you often laugh too hard and expell something from an inconvenient orifice when you don'y intend to. Douglas Adams' classic … [Read more...]

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Broken Angels

May 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Richard Morgan - Broken Angels

Following Altered Carbon, Richard Morgan's second Envoy book makes the jump from sci-fi noir detective novel to full on survival thriller, explains some of the world of the Envoys, and does a significant amount more world building. Here we find Takeshi Kovacs - a significant time beyond the events of Altered Carbon - in the midst of an archaeological espionage plot to harvest Martian technology from ruins discovered in the middle of a war zone. There should be no surprises here; this is a violent book, filled with rough language, graphic suffering, and a reasonable dose of sexual … [Read more...]

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The Coldfire Trilogy

May 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
C.S. Friedman - Black Sun Rising

Where Did I Get This Series?: This is another recommendation from fellow roleplayers. Why Did I Choose This Series?: Having read only the first fifteen pages of Black Sun Rising, I immediately sought out When True Night Falls and Crown of Shadows - I knew immediately I'd enjoy C.S. Friedman's writing style, and the major characters. The Story’s Strengths: The world Friedman builds in this trilogy has a lot of depth - and logic - behind it. As an example of great, powerful mechanism behind the characters moving through the story, the world is a phenomenon in and of itself. Much of the … [Read more...]

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Altered Carbon

October 31, 2009 By 1 Comment
Altered Carbon - Richard K. Morgan

Where Did I Get This Book?: Found this one in a local book store looking for an excuse to buy a book. It had the shiniest cover. Why Did I Choose This Book?: First-person narrative is fairly rare - and well-done first person narrative is even less common; this, combined with the incredible setting and illustrative writing style makes it one of my favorites. The Story's Strengths: Morgan's devised somewhat of a less-well-known side of sci-fi here, a sci-fi noir. Altered Carbon is a detective novel, at its core, set against a technological background that actually doesn't interfere with … [Read more...]

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Frank Herbert's DUNE

October 23, 2009 By 1 Comment
Frank Herbert's Dune

Where Did I Get This Book?: I was given my first copy of Dune as a birthday gift a number of years ago - and delayed the reading of it for nearly two years. Why Did I Choose This Book?: If there's an epic in fiction that addresses a more broad view of the human experience in a setting created entirely around showcasing that esperience, I've yet to see it. The Story's Strengths: The narrative of Dune as a book is one of it's best points. There's a real sense of power in the story right from the first page. Paul Atreides is easily one of the most tragic characters I've read, aside from CS … [Read more...]

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Ender’s Game

October 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card

Where Did I Get This Book?: I was recommended Ender's Game by a fellow roleplayer way back when, a psychology major who went by BlackRainbow. I had heard of the book beforehand, naturally, but it was his blurb about it that convinced me it was worth a read. Why Did I Choose This Book?: Card's writing is very powerful. His characterisation of Ender and others in the book is so crisp that, even having had the book for the last ten years, I've read it just about once a year, and I always find something new in the reading of it. The Story's Strengths: Whether or not Card shares the … [Read more...]

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