Will review ASAP.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Review - Asimov's - September 2013, Volume 37 No. 9
Average issue. Let’s dive into the stories.
“The Discovered Country” by Ian MacLeod is another story of reality vs. virtual reality and life vs. death. Ingenious in the concept, I found it dragging quite a bit. I don’t know why it’s the cover story.
“The Unparallel’d Death-Defying Feats of Astoundio, Escape Artist Extraordinarie” by Ian Creasy. Nooooh! Noooooh! Such a good idea was thrown into the sewers! Astoundio is an escape artist of the future and in his last feat is that he wants to escape from nothing less than a black hole! He’s quite cool, he has a plan, the idea is great and the milieu is interesting. The first part is pure science fiction; we have the spaceship, we have the usual “virtual copies” of people and of course we have the love story. In other words, the reader is gladly willing to leave real world's physics behind so that he can read that Astoundio can actually escape from the black hole. Then, the story is completely ruined when a fantasy-like elements gets thrown in. Death itself is pissed off? A Doppleganger can travel between universes (already a weak plot device) with the spaceship? Come on, please. They require a big leap of faith. However, the ending, with the philosophical and paradoxical questions, is all right.
“A Hole in the Ether” by Benjamin Crowell. It’s the best of this issue. By far. Dedicated to Ray Bradbury, it’s full of “bradburian” references; Venus is mentioned and my guess is that it is a hidden homage to “All summer in a day”. I am not a Bradbury affecionado, but all the elements are there, inspired clearly by Fahrenheit 451. The story is very dystopian and I recommend its reading.
“What we Ourselves are not” by Leah Cypess. A story about differences and cultural values. Interesting concept.
“As yet untitled” by James Sallis is flash fiction. Nice read.
“The Universe we Both Dreamed Of” by Jay O’Connell is a nice read about a guy interviewed by a girl. Or is she an alien? He doesn’t know.
“What Changes You, What Takes You Away” by Dominica Phetteplace is the story of a girl with Down Syndrome that gets in contact with an alien. The extraterrestrial’s appearance is like that of a human. A short story about being beautiful and somehow appreciated.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Review - Analog, September 2013, Volume CXXXIII, No. 9
As I mentioned earlier I am behind schedule on my reading queue. Of course, the same day I finished reading Analog's September issue I got the new one (and Asimov's) in the mail. Well that's life; I got to find a way to get advance copies... I need more time!
Usually, I do not review the non-fiction portion of the magazines but this time I have to make an exception, especially since the rest of the issue is quite lukewarm.
Analog has a new editor, Trevor Quachri; he decided to start with a loud bang. The dude's got balls. September's issue concludes a two-month editorial that goes by the title "The Blame Game" (Part 1 issue #8; Part 2 issue #9) on the possible effects of science-fiction on the general population. Mr. Quachri does not look for middle ground and he is not afraid of mentioning Sandy Hook Elementary's tragedy. The first part is mainly about data research and some basics information. The second part is a jab on most of the common misconceptions about video game, literary and movie violence. I think it is a very important reading. One observation is that he focuses mainly on the direct relationship of media violence to real world violence and does not mention indirect effects. One example that pops to mind is that of a less sensitive population. Is it possible that if the general population becomes visually and mentally used to violence then less and less preventive measures will be taken, such as better - I repeat, BETTER, not necessarily stronger - gun laws, more research, etc. ? However, kudos to the editor especially since he does not force himself to be politically correct.
Let's go to the not-so-good fiction in this "meh-ish" issue.
"Murder on the Aldrin Express" by Shoemaker could've been good. Actually, it could've been great. Unfortunately it is not good enough to be convincing since the reader will have the feeling of been cheated. I read it only once, but I don't think that as a reader I ever had the opportunity to know what happened, to solve the mystery. Being a murder mystery, this is a shame. The story is good, the characters are okay, the plot is not the best but it's at least consistent. It's a shame that the investigator, Nick, knew something the reader didn't.
"The Whale God" by Nevala-Lee. I don't have a clue on why this story is in this magazine. It is based in Vietnam and the sci-fi in it is too weak. Too much fantasy-like stuff, a lot of religious beliefs and just a small mention of technology.
"The Oracle" by Lavie Tidhar is just confusing. Locus' Tilton agrees.
"Full Fathom Five" by Pitkin. Well, if you find life on the jovian moon Europa you are going to make news. But if this life is a giant penis, then you might not want to share the news! Actually an interesting story on dream vs. reality. I am sorry that the director of the movie "Europa Report" (which coincidentally I watched the night before reading this story; I did not like it) did not have the guts to do something like that.
"Life of the Author Plus Seventy" by Kenneth Schneyer is the gem of this issue! If you ever had to fight one of those automated phone systems and/or automated email replies then you are going to love this piece. It's a fun read. Thank you Mr. Schneyer, for making this issue much better.
"Creatures From a Blue Lagoon" by Liz J. Andersen is a piece that just bore me to death.
ToC according to Analog Sicence Fiction & Fact website:
NOVELLA
MURDER ON THE ALDRIN EXPRESS, Martin L. Shoemaker
NOVELETTES THE WHALE GOD, Alec Nevala-Lee
THE ORACLE, Lavie Tidhar
SHORT STORIES
FULL FATHOM FIVE, Joe Pitkin
LIFE OF THE AUTHOR PLUS SEVENTY, Kenneth Schneyer
CREATURES FROM A BLUE LAGOON, Liz J. Andersen
PROBABILITY ZERO WRECK SUPPORT, Arlan Andrews, Sr.
SCIENCE FACT
THE EVAPORATION OF WORLDS, Kevin Walsh
SPECIAL FEATURE
FROM IDEA TO STORY (OR WHY “HIGH CONCEPT” IS ONLY THE BEGINNING), Richard A. Lovett
READER’S DEPARTMENT
EDITORIAL: THE BLAME GAME, PART II, Trevor Quachri
IN TIMES TO COME THE ALTERNATE VIEW, Jeffery D. Kooistra
THE REFERENCE LIBRARY, Don Sakers
BRASS TACKS
UPCOMING EVENTS, Anthony Lewis
Usually, I do not review the non-fiction portion of the magazines but this time I have to make an exception, especially since the rest of the issue is quite lukewarm.
Analog has a new editor, Trevor Quachri; he decided to start with a loud bang. The dude's got balls. September's issue concludes a two-month editorial that goes by the title "The Blame Game" (Part 1 issue #8; Part 2 issue #9) on the possible effects of science-fiction on the general population. Mr. Quachri does not look for middle ground and he is not afraid of mentioning Sandy Hook Elementary's tragedy. The first part is mainly about data research and some basics information. The second part is a jab on most of the common misconceptions about video game, literary and movie violence. I think it is a very important reading. One observation is that he focuses mainly on the direct relationship of media violence to real world violence and does not mention indirect effects. One example that pops to mind is that of a less sensitive population. Is it possible that if the general population becomes visually and mentally used to violence then less and less preventive measures will be taken, such as better - I repeat, BETTER, not necessarily stronger - gun laws, more research, etc. ? However, kudos to the editor especially since he does not force himself to be politically correct.
Let's go to the not-so-good fiction in this "meh-ish" issue.
"Murder on the Aldrin Express" by Shoemaker could've been good. Actually, it could've been great. Unfortunately it is not good enough to be convincing since the reader will have the feeling of been cheated. I read it only once, but I don't think that as a reader I ever had the opportunity to know what happened, to solve the mystery. Being a murder mystery, this is a shame. The story is good, the characters are okay, the plot is not the best but it's at least consistent. It's a shame that the investigator, Nick, knew something the reader didn't.
"The Whale God" by Nevala-Lee. I don't have a clue on why this story is in this magazine. It is based in Vietnam and the sci-fi in it is too weak. Too much fantasy-like stuff, a lot of religious beliefs and just a small mention of technology.
"The Oracle" by Lavie Tidhar is just confusing. Locus' Tilton agrees.
"Full Fathom Five" by Pitkin. Well, if you find life on the jovian moon Europa you are going to make news. But if this life is a giant penis, then you might not want to share the news! Actually an interesting story on dream vs. reality. I am sorry that the director of the movie "Europa Report" (which coincidentally I watched the night before reading this story; I did not like it) did not have the guts to do something like that.
"Life of the Author Plus Seventy" by Kenneth Schneyer is the gem of this issue! If you ever had to fight one of those automated phone systems and/or automated email replies then you are going to love this piece. It's a fun read. Thank you Mr. Schneyer, for making this issue much better.
"Creatures From a Blue Lagoon" by Liz J. Andersen is a piece that just bore me to death.
ToC according to Analog Sicence Fiction & Fact website:
NOVELLA
MURDER ON THE ALDRIN EXPRESS, Martin L. Shoemaker
NOVELETTES THE WHALE GOD, Alec Nevala-Lee
THE ORACLE, Lavie Tidhar
SHORT STORIES
FULL FATHOM FIVE, Joe Pitkin
LIFE OF THE AUTHOR PLUS SEVENTY, Kenneth Schneyer
CREATURES FROM A BLUE LAGOON, Liz J. Andersen
PROBABILITY ZERO WRECK SUPPORT, Arlan Andrews, Sr.
SCIENCE FACT
THE EVAPORATION OF WORLDS, Kevin Walsh
SPECIAL FEATURE
FROM IDEA TO STORY (OR WHY “HIGH CONCEPT” IS ONLY THE BEGINNING), Richard A. Lovett
READER’S DEPARTMENT
EDITORIAL: THE BLAME GAME, PART II, Trevor Quachri
IN TIMES TO COME THE ALTERNATE VIEW, Jeffery D. Kooistra
THE REFERENCE LIBRARY, Don Sakers
BRASS TACKS
UPCOMING EVENTS, Anthony Lewis
 |
| September 2013 issue. Not so good. |
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Review: Doctor Who - 002 - Season 01 Episode 02 - "The Daleks"
If one episode can be pointed out as the single source of success of Doctor Who that is most certainly "The Daleks".
The second story is composed of seven twenty-five minute long episodes that ran from December 21, 1963 to February 1, 1964.
In "The Daleks" the four characters directly follow the happenings of "An Unearthly Child" by landing on a strange planet with a petrified forest. Quite soon our four friends will find out that outside of the forest lies a mysterious city, "Dalek City".
At the sight of the city, the Doctor can't resist his curiosity and after a strong argument with his companion he will trick them into following him in his trip to the city. Unknown to all of them, the TARDIS radiation meter went out of the scale.
They will find that the city is strange and highly technological, meaning that whatever lives (or lived) there was a very advanced civilization.
At one point, Barbara Wright while wondering in the city will end up divided from the main group and trapped inside a building and cause one of the best cliffhangers in Doctor Who history. A strange arm from a weird eye will get close to a scared Barbara. At the end of part one, the first piece of a Dalek, the number one enemy of the Doctor, the menace of the universe, and one of the most famous creations in science fiction, will be introduced to the world.
In the following parts it will be found out that a big war between the Daleks and the Thals caused mutations to the living beings of Skaro. The Doctor and his friends will have to escape the Dalek's fury and the Thals' reluctance to act agains the Daleks.
I obviously liked this episode. It is a perfect example of early science fiction that crosses any boundary and pushes the limits. The Daleks are mean, evil, they don't have mercy. I can't imagine how many nightmares the kids had after watching "The Daleks". Even my kids, in the XXI century, enjoyed the show without complaining about the inevitably slow timings and long conversations.
The second story is composed of seven twenty-five minute long episodes that ran from December 21, 1963 to February 1, 1964.
In "The Daleks" the four characters directly follow the happenings of "An Unearthly Child" by landing on a strange planet with a petrified forest. Quite soon our four friends will find out that outside of the forest lies a mysterious city, "Dalek City".
 |
| It's a foggy day in Dalek City. |
At the sight of the city, the Doctor can't resist his curiosity and after a strong argument with his companion he will trick them into following him in his trip to the city. Unknown to all of them, the TARDIS radiation meter went out of the scale.
They will find that the city is strange and highly technological, meaning that whatever lives (or lived) there was a very advanced civilization.
At one point, Barbara Wright while wondering in the city will end up divided from the main group and trapped inside a building and cause one of the best cliffhangers in Doctor Who history. A strange arm from a weird eye will get close to a scared Barbara. At the end of part one, the first piece of a Dalek, the number one enemy of the Doctor, the menace of the universe, and one of the most famous creations in science fiction, will be introduced to the world.
 |
| First glimpse of a Dalek, just a few days before Christmas. Curiously enough it's from its perspective. |
In the following parts it will be found out that a big war between the Daleks and the Thals caused mutations to the living beings of Skaro. The Doctor and his friends will have to escape the Dalek's fury and the Thals' reluctance to act agains the Daleks.
 |
| On the right, the first Dalek ever seen in its beauty. |
I obviously liked this episode. It is a perfect example of early science fiction that crosses any boundary and pushes the limits. The Daleks are mean, evil, they don't have mercy. I can't imagine how many nightmares the kids had after watching "The Daleks". Even my kids, in the XXI century, enjoyed the show without complaining about the inevitably slow timings and long conversations.
If you've never seen it, then provide as soon as possible.
We should all thank the First Doctor for this.
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