A pretty good issue, although there is nothing really impressive. "Whaliens" by Tidhar made me laugh out loud.
"A Fierce Calming Presence" by Jordan Jeffers is this month's novelette. An interesting story about a federal ecologist who has been called on Ceres to investigate attacks by gulls. Within cries from the local authorities to exterminate (Avatar style) the attacking birds, an evil plot will be uncovered. Enjoyable.
"Pollution" by Don Webb. Billy Parsons lives in Japan and wants to be a japanese. He tries everything - including being interested in "japanese zombies" - to fit in but can't. Sad story.
"The Oracle of Boca Raton" by Eric Baylis. Short piece on learning on the job. Mystique piece which left me pretty cold.
"Wind Reaper" by Jon Hakes. A four page story on alternative energy and hurricanes. Interesting idea.
"It's not 'The Lady or the Tiger?' It's 'Which Tiger?'" by Ian Randal Strock. It seems that lately bars are becoming important for science fiction as Asimov's (Vol. 38, No.3, March 2014) had a similar piece. It's a sad tale on success, failure and the future. I enjoyed thoroughly and I am glad it ended the way it did.
"Whaliens" by Lavie Tidhar. Best piece in this issue, although some people might actually hate it. Whaliens (alien whales...) come to Earth and decide to investigate human religions. The aliens expect the US government to teach them Judaism within a week or they will destroy our planet. Meanwhile, cats do not approve this invasion, as Earth and humans are in their power (if you have cats like me, you know it is true). It seems that cats don't want to lose their status and will do anything to keep it. Meanwhile a sci-fi writer is put in charge by the government to come up with a plan. It's incredibly messed up and funny.
Showing posts with label science fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label science fiction. Show all posts
Friday, February 7, 2014
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Review: Clarkesworld, January 2014, Issue 88
I did not enjoy this issue, very underwhelming. Quick review.
"The Clockwork Soldier" by Ken Liu. A story about automation, ethics and bounty hunting. I have never been a great fan of Ken Liu (not that I read many of his works), but this one is quite boring. The only thing I liked is the small homage to P.K. Dick when the "PKD androids" are discussed.
"Grave of the Fireflies" by Cheng Gingbo. A strange piece about stars and time. Interesting enough.
Wine" by Yoon Ha Lee wins the trophy as best story of this issue. Nasteng is a recluse planet under siege and its inhabitants want to avoid complete doom. Although apparently peaceful, Nasteng is a planet with a disturbing secret. Somehow this story reminded me of "Torchwood - Children of Earth", although the connection is really not immediate.
The other two stories, "Ship's Brother" by A. De Bodard and "Utriusque Cosmi" by R. C. Wilson are reprints.
"The Clockwork Soldier" by Ken Liu. A story about automation, ethics and bounty hunting. I have never been a great fan of Ken Liu (not that I read many of his works), but this one is quite boring. The only thing I liked is the small homage to P.K. Dick when the "PKD androids" are discussed.
"Grave of the Fireflies" by Cheng Gingbo. A strange piece about stars and time. Interesting enough.
Wine" by Yoon Ha Lee wins the trophy as best story of this issue. Nasteng is a recluse planet under siege and its inhabitants want to avoid complete doom. Although apparently peaceful, Nasteng is a planet with a disturbing secret. Somehow this story reminded me of "Torchwood - Children of Earth", although the connection is really not immediate.
The other two stories, "Ship's Brother" by A. De Bodard and "Utriusque Cosmi" by R. C. Wilson are reprints.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Analog - March 2014, Volume CXXXIV No. 3
I am back!
My absence:
Being truly sorry for the weeks of absence I would like to explain what happened. In a few words: I lost my job as my former company did a huge layoff. It happened on the last week of September when my boss's boss called me in his office to tell me that since "cash is king" there was no more space for me in the company. What makes it ironic is that I was working hard and overtime, I was on-time and excelled any performance review; my direct supervisor wasn't warned and was truly shocked to see me go as he badly needed me (just a couple of hours earlier he assigned me several critical tasks). Well, that's the past. I am still looking for a job - unless somehow I am able to get enough fundings to open my own bookstore, which would be my dream job. Any angel investor out there?
I had to put down my usual readings for obvious reasons; hopefully I will be able to keep up.
So let's dig in Analog for March 2014, which I read in one sitting.
Life Flight by Brad R. Torgersen. If someone told me that I would have enjoyed reading something that resembled Baricco's "Novecento" (or Tornatore's movie based on the book) but was based on an interstellar spaceship I would have probably snorted in disgust. I am not sure if the resemblance is voluntary or not (the ending in particular) but Mr. Torgersen was somehow able to pull it out and give us the best story of this frankly disappointing issue. In "Life Flight" we follow the life of a child who is selected among the space settlers that will travel on board of the Osprey from Earth to an habitable planet called Delta Pavonis, which lies at about 80 years of space travel. The settlers are supposed to hibernate (it's actually ) on a rotation schedule so that everybody gets knowledge on the Osprey and nobody gets physically old. Unfortunately something goes wrong and our child is doomed to live his all life on board of the Osprey as he is unable to be suspended in time.
Rubik's Chromosome by Megan Chaudhuri. A piece about genetically modified genes and prejudices. A Saudi couple asks Tecca, a bioengineer, to review their future child's DNA. She finds out that it has been modified so that if their child is male then he's going to be handsome and smart and if the child is born as a girl she is going to be born as beautiful only.
Not for Sissies by Jerry Oltion. A gay man finds out that he has prostate cancer and his companion can't stand it. To make thing worse, medicine in the future is so badly corrupted that it is impossible to cure therefore the easy way out would be euthanasia. Meh.
The Teacher's Gamble by Stephen L. Burns. An alien observes Earth until it decides to change the fate of humanity by crashing in Tunguska in 1908. Another meh.
The Avalon Missions by David Brin. Incredibly short but clever.
We Who Are About to Watch You Die Salute You by Maggie Clark. A piece about space colonization, written for the fictional Screed Magazine (publication date: July, 18 2046). Nice read.
Next is Asimov's - February 2014 - which I received today.
My absence:
Being truly sorry for the weeks of absence I would like to explain what happened. In a few words: I lost my job as my former company did a huge layoff. It happened on the last week of September when my boss's boss called me in his office to tell me that since "cash is king" there was no more space for me in the company. What makes it ironic is that I was working hard and overtime, I was on-time and excelled any performance review; my direct supervisor wasn't warned and was truly shocked to see me go as he badly needed me (just a couple of hours earlier he assigned me several critical tasks). Well, that's the past. I am still looking for a job - unless somehow I am able to get enough fundings to open my own bookstore, which would be my dream job. Any angel investor out there?
I had to put down my usual readings for obvious reasons; hopefully I will be able to keep up.
So let's dig in Analog for March 2014, which I read in one sitting.
Life Flight by Brad R. Torgersen. If someone told me that I would have enjoyed reading something that resembled Baricco's "Novecento" (or Tornatore's movie based on the book) but was based on an interstellar spaceship I would have probably snorted in disgust. I am not sure if the resemblance is voluntary or not (the ending in particular) but Mr. Torgersen was somehow able to pull it out and give us the best story of this frankly disappointing issue. In "Life Flight" we follow the life of a child who is selected among the space settlers that will travel on board of the Osprey from Earth to an habitable planet called Delta Pavonis, which lies at about 80 years of space travel. The settlers are supposed to hibernate (it's actually ) on a rotation schedule so that everybody gets knowledge on the Osprey and nobody gets physically old. Unfortunately something goes wrong and our child is doomed to live his all life on board of the Osprey as he is unable to be suspended in time.
Rubik's Chromosome by Megan Chaudhuri. A piece about genetically modified genes and prejudices. A Saudi couple asks Tecca, a bioengineer, to review their future child's DNA. She finds out that it has been modified so that if their child is male then he's going to be handsome and smart and if the child is born as a girl she is going to be born as beautiful only.
Not for Sissies by Jerry Oltion. A gay man finds out that he has prostate cancer and his companion can't stand it. To make thing worse, medicine in the future is so badly corrupted that it is impossible to cure therefore the easy way out would be euthanasia. Meh.
The Teacher's Gamble by Stephen L. Burns. An alien observes Earth until it decides to change the fate of humanity by crashing in Tunguska in 1908. Another meh.
The Avalon Missions by David Brin. Incredibly short but clever.
We Who Are About to Watch You Die Salute You by Maggie Clark. A piece about space colonization, written for the fictional Screed Magazine (publication date: July, 18 2046). Nice read.
Next is Asimov's - February 2014 - which I received today.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Weird Tales, Issue 361, Summer 2013
This is going to be hard; it won't be the usual review.
Last time I reviewed Weird Tales (Issue 360) I wrote a paragraph about the new anthological format of the magazine. The editors had the idea of having a single theme for each issue. For example, Issue 360 was about the Elder Gods, Issue 361 (current) is about Fairy Tales and issue 361 is going for the “Undead” theme.
Last time I reviewed Weird Tales (Issue 360) I wrote a paragraph about the new anthological format of the magazine. The editors had the idea of having a single theme for each issue. For example, Issue 360 was about the Elder Gods, Issue 361 (current) is about Fairy Tales and issue 361 is going for the “Undead” theme.
My paragraph was in strong disagreement with this choice for several reasons, all of them can be read here, including the fear of lowering the quality of the stories. Some personal background is needed.
As with many of us, my introduction to weird fiction was through H.P. Lovecraft when I was a teenager. I remember I was around thirteen years old when I bought a collection of his stories. At the time I still lived in Italy (it was around 1993) so my first HPL readings were translated in Italian; the edition was cured by Sebastiano Fusco and Gianni Pilo. I believe it was published by Newton Compton. I even remember where I got it: one of those old bookstores with a lot of interesting books. You know, the one packed with books owned by chain smokers that spend all day reading books and actually knowing what readers need and the location of a book without the use of a computer. I knew the three owners (Renato, Valeriano and Lucio) very well. They used to give me books for free to encourage me in reading. They made me discover H.P. Lovecraft, his world of fiction and his circle. I clearly remember some of the books they gave me mentioned, in the preface, the importance of Weird Tales. After all, that was the magazine that published HPL. For a long time, Weird Tales was for me an almost surreal and non-existent literary entity that lived glorious days but died with HPL. I didn’t know that Weird Tales was still around. And even if I knew it was alive it would have probably been impossible for me to get a hold of an issue.
Therefore, the sole mentioning of “Weird Tales” brings many memories, many ideas; many many things. Weird Tales reminds me of Renato, Valieriano and Lucio; Weird Tales reminds me of long gone non empirical worlds or places that never were. It reminds me of the fact that for a while I was the only one in my entire school that knew who H.P. Lovecraft was. This was until luckily one day a friend of mine asked me to read a Cthulhu mythos collection I had with me; after reading it he got as addicted as I was (I never got the book back. I hope he still has it). In other words, Weird Tales has been an important part of me, even though I started reading it recently. Reading forums and talking to people it becomes clear that Weird Tales is an important part of everyone who is interested in the genre.
The obvious consequence is that most of us consider this magazine, a sort of Totem. It’s there, it might do something or it might just sit still, yet it is extremely important. No one wants to see it disfigured. This is why I opposed the editor’s decision to encage the themes in the magazine and why I complained about it. I was dead wrong.
Weird Tales 361 is a literary gem that might end up being of unique, high quality in its genre. Every single story published in this issue is simply well above average and deserves an award or medal. I am not fond of (nor expert on) fairy tales but, oh boy, this is almost perfection. Anyone who is interested in fiction – and I mean fiction in general, not only weird/sci-fi/fantasy – should get a copy of WT #361 and read it as soon as possible. I am sorry I didn’t start reading it as soon as it arrived at my house but a few things (work, a family trip, and an awfully long reading queue) prevented me from enjoying this magazine at an earlier point in time. If only I could put my hands on an advanced copy! Well, better late than never, right?
Now, it’s important to understand that I am not expecting every issue to keep the same quality. There are going to be inevitable ups and downs but I am going to be satisfied even if the quality is half of what I have seen in WT #361.
Good job to the authors and the publishers. Even if there is much to be said for every story, I will not review them as that it would spoil the fun. It's better to read the magazine without any prior knowledge of what you will find.
The only thing I can tell you is not to expect the usual fairy tale; expect something that Brom would write. Expect to go from New York, to the La Guardia airport, to lands that don't exist.
Final Comment: this issue is the perfect explanation of why Weird Tales is so magic.
Final Comment: this issue is the perfect explanation of why Weird Tales is so magic.
If you want to read more about it I suggest the following:
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Interzone #247, July/August 2013
Browsing my local Barnes and Noble’s magazine section I found Interzone (July/August 2013 issue) hidden behind other magazines. I couldn’t pass on this one, so I quickly grabbed it to enjoy some British Sci-Fi once I arrived at home. Quick review.
“The Pursuit of the Whole is Called Love” by L.S. Johnson. I mean, seriously? This is going to win the award of “Worst Story I Read – 2013 Edition”. This story is just a meatloaf of concepts. For some reason it reminded me of movies directed by Cronenberg. Sadly, this story is not as nearly as good as the movies I had in my mind. Cam and Jess are two beings that become one when they go back to their nest until the two stop understanding each other. I had to check Lois Tilton’s review to be sure I wasn’t missing a great piece of literature. Apparently, I wasn’t. Only good thing is the delicate Cabernet Sauvignon I was drinking while reading this piece.
“Automatic Diamante” by Philip Suggars is an enjoyable work about an AI with PTSD or something like that.
“Just as Good” by Jacob A. Boyd is certainly the second best story in this magazine. The Exchange is a monstrous entity that simply… exchanges stuff in people’s lives. At first it removes items from houses and replaces them with others. Then, when there's nothing more to swap it starts with people. Unfortunately, the exchange includes the main character’s mom who’s replaced with a new one. Sad.
“The Cloud Cartographer” by V.H.Leslie is my favorite piece in this issue. Ahren is on the payroll of a powerful company that sent him to map the cloudsphere. He believes he is the only human there, until he finds a fresh body. Nice adventure in a strange land.
“Futile the Winds” by Rebecca Schwarz. Curiously, V.H. Leslie’s story contains a reference to my favorite poem by Emily Dickinson… and so does the title of this story! A lone couple is sent to Mars, with the hope of colonizing it. So far, every other mission failed and everyone else that attempted to survive on the Red Planet simply died. Enjoyable enough.
“The Frog King’s Daughter” by Russ Colson. Arnie is the CEO of a very powerful company. Unfortunately, he is also a frog. Even more, he and his daughter have many enemies. Awful.
Final Comment: the fiction is absolutely not worth the cover price.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Review - Analog, November 2013, Volume CXXXIII, No. 11
This is sleepy issue. Only positive exception is Lerner's novella.
“Bugs” by Ron Collins is this month’s cover story. It starts well but it ends quite abruptly and in a cheesy fashion. In other words, it’s a wasted opportunity. The story: John McDonald suffers from heart disease and his condition is worsening day by day. He’s soon going to be dead. Thankfully, he’s approved for a new revolutionary procedure that involves nanotechnology. I am not sure if it’s a story about his love for his wife Carol or about technology. Love and technology are two subjects that could be blended well together but unfortunately it doesn’t happen in this story.
"Make Hub, Not War” by Christopher L. Bennett features a hub in space, different alien races, humans, humanoids and space invasions. It also explores the possibility of wiping an entire race without firing a single shot. Enjoyable enough.
“Deceleration” by Bud Sparhawk is a very nice read. For thousands of years something mysterious cyclically appeared in the sky, Humans always dismissed it as not important and never considered it an immediate threat. If only they prepared themselves…
“Distant” by Michael Monson is quite… useless. A lone astronaut is sent in space and he’s terribly afraid to die. He wants to tell something to his daughter, but he doesn’t. That’s it, that’s the whole story. WTF.
"The Eagle Project" by Jack McDevitt is a short depressing story. Scientists send a few nanorobotic probes in a different constellation system in the hope of finding some proof of alien life.
"Copper Charley" by Joseph Weber is an interesting short story about mining with the use of "smart" cyber plants. And also a story of lawyers. Likable.
"Redskins of the Badlands" by Paul di Filippo is one of this two month's novelettes. In a future in which Earth has been badly ruined by environmental change, some if not all humans live with an artificial enhanced skin that basically is a life size condom.
“The Matthews Conundrum” by Edward M. Lerner is an ingenious novella. Saying that this is the best story of this issue (by far) would’ve been a much better compliment if the other works weren’t so low-to-average quality. This novella is a part of a long going series of which I am not familiar with. This means that I probably missed a few references and back stories. It’s not really a problem since the work is very enjoyable. Joshua Matthews is the historian for the ICU (Interstellar Commerce Union). He suddenly disappears and then he comes back after about a month. Apparently at his return he is so drunk he can’t even stand still; to make things worse he can’t remember what happened. This causes him to get fired from ICU. Unfortunately for him, he becomes a sort of planetary meme. He’s the talk of the week, everyone treats him as someone who belongs to AA. Unfortunately, no one understands how his theory, the “Matthews Conundrum”, is revolutionary. He noticed that something in interplanetary history doesn’t really make sense. Earth is right in the middle of an eleven-planet system, each one evolved on its own. However all the planets gained more or less the same technological level. Other than that, it appears that nothing else in the galaxy bears signs of intelligent life. The various planets and their species even share folkloristic tales, such as Frankenstein. How could planets separated by several light years be so synchronized? Very nice indeed. Thank you, Mr. Lerner for making the issue a worthwhile reading.
“Bugs” by Ron Collins is this month’s cover story. It starts well but it ends quite abruptly and in a cheesy fashion. In other words, it’s a wasted opportunity. The story: John McDonald suffers from heart disease and his condition is worsening day by day. He’s soon going to be dead. Thankfully, he’s approved for a new revolutionary procedure that involves nanotechnology. I am not sure if it’s a story about his love for his wife Carol or about technology. Love and technology are two subjects that could be blended well together but unfortunately it doesn’t happen in this story.
"Make Hub, Not War” by Christopher L. Bennett features a hub in space, different alien races, humans, humanoids and space invasions. It also explores the possibility of wiping an entire race without firing a single shot. Enjoyable enough.
“Deceleration” by Bud Sparhawk is a very nice read. For thousands of years something mysterious cyclically appeared in the sky, Humans always dismissed it as not important and never considered it an immediate threat. If only they prepared themselves…
“Distant” by Michael Monson is quite… useless. A lone astronaut is sent in space and he’s terribly afraid to die. He wants to tell something to his daughter, but he doesn’t. That’s it, that’s the whole story. WTF.
"The Eagle Project" by Jack McDevitt is a short depressing story. Scientists send a few nanorobotic probes in a different constellation system in the hope of finding some proof of alien life.
"Copper Charley" by Joseph Weber is an interesting short story about mining with the use of "smart" cyber plants. And also a story of lawyers. Likable.
"Redskins of the Badlands" by Paul di Filippo is one of this two month's novelettes. In a future in which Earth has been badly ruined by environmental change, some if not all humans live with an artificial enhanced skin that basically is a life size condom.
“The Matthews Conundrum” by Edward M. Lerner is an ingenious novella. Saying that this is the best story of this issue (by far) would’ve been a much better compliment if the other works weren’t so low-to-average quality. This novella is a part of a long going series of which I am not familiar with. This means that I probably missed a few references and back stories. It’s not really a problem since the work is very enjoyable. Joshua Matthews is the historian for the ICU (Interstellar Commerce Union). He suddenly disappears and then he comes back after about a month. Apparently at his return he is so drunk he can’t even stand still; to make things worse he can’t remember what happened. This causes him to get fired from ICU. Unfortunately for him, he becomes a sort of planetary meme. He’s the talk of the week, everyone treats him as someone who belongs to AA. Unfortunately, no one understands how his theory, the “Matthews Conundrum”, is revolutionary. He noticed that something in interplanetary history doesn’t really make sense. Earth is right in the middle of an eleven-planet system, each one evolved on its own. However all the planets gained more or less the same technological level. Other than that, it appears that nothing else in the galaxy bears signs of intelligent life. The various planets and their species even share folkloristic tales, such as Frankenstein. How could planets separated by several light years be so synchronized? Very nice indeed. Thank you, Mr. Lerner for making the issue a worthwhile reading.
2013 Hugo Awards
Source of the following post:
http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2013-hugo-awards/
2013 Hugo Awards
Presented at:LoneStarCon 3, San Antonio, Texas, August 29-September 2, 2013
Toastmaster: Paul Cornell
Base design: Vincent Villafranca
Awards Administration: Todd Dashoff, Vince Docherty, Saul Jaffe, Steven Staton, Ben Yalow
Best Novel
- Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas, John Scalzi (Tor)
- Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance, Lois McMaster Bujold (Baen)
- 2312, Kim Stanley Robinson (Orbit)
- Throne of the Crescent Moon, Saladin Ahmed (DAW)
- Blackout, Mira Grant (Orbit)
Best Novella
- The Emperor’s Soul, Brandon Sanderson (Tachyon Publications)
- After the Fall, Before the Fall, During the Fall, Nancy Kress (Tachyon Publications)
- “The Stars Do Not Lie”, Jay Lake (Asimov’s, Oct-Nov 2012)
- On a Red Station, Drifting, Aliette de Bodard (Immersion Press)
- San Diego 2014: The Last Stand of the California Browncoats, Mira Grant (Orbit)
Best Novelette
- “The Girl-Thing Who Went Out for Sushi”, Pat Cadigan (Edge of Infinity, Solaris)
- “In Sea-Salt Tears”, Seanan McGuire (Self-published)
- “Fade To White”, Catherynne M. Valente (Clarkesworld, August 2012)
- “Rat-Catcher”, Seanan McGuire (A Fantasy Medley 2, Subterranean)
- “The Boy Who Cast No Shadow”, Thomas Olde Heuvelt (Postscripts: Unfit For Eden, PS Publications)
Best Short Story
- “Mono no Aware”, Ken Liu (The Future is Japanese, VIZ Media LLC)
- “Immersion”, Aliette de Bodard (Clarkesworld, June 2012)
- “Mantis Wives”, Kij Johnson (Clarkesworld, August 2012)
Note: Category had only 3 nominees due to the minimum 5% requirement of Section 3.8.5 of the WSFS constitution.
Best Related Work
- Writing Excuses Season Seven, Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler and Jordan Sanderson
- Chicks Dig Comics: A Celebration of Comic Books by the Women Who Love Them, Edited by Lynne M. Thomas & Sigrid Ellis (Mad Norwegian Press)
- Chicks Unravel Time: Women Journey Through Every Season of Doctor Who, Edited by Deborah Stanish & L.M. Myles (Mad Norwegian Press)
- The Cambridge Companion to Fantasy Literature, Edited by Edward James & Farah Mendlesohn (Cambridge University Press)
- I Have an Idea for a Book … The Bibliography of Martin H. Greenberg, Compiled by Martin H. Greenberg, edited by John Helfers (The Battered Silicon Dispatch Box)
Best Graphic Story
- Saga, Volume One, written by Brian K. Vaughn, illustrated by Fiona Staples (Image Comics)
- Locke & Key Volume 5: Clockworks, written by Joe Hill, illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez (IDW)
- Schlock Mercenary: Random Access Memorabilia, written and illustrated by Howard Tayler, colors by Travis Walton (Hypernode Media)
- Grandville Bête Noire, written and illustrated by Bryan Talbot (Dark Horse Comics, Jonathan Cape)
- Saucer Country, Volume 1: Run, written by Paul Cornell, illustrated by Ryan Kelly, Jimmy Broxton and Goran Sudžuka (Vertigo)
Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form
- The Avengers, Screenplay & Directed by Joss Whedon (Marvel Studios, Disney, Paramount)
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Screenplay by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro, Directed by Peter Jackson (WingNut Films, New Line Cinema, MGM, Warner Bros)
- The Hunger Games, Screenplay by Gary Ross & Suzanne Collins, Directed by Gary Ross (Lionsgate, Color Force)
- Looper, Screenplay and Directed by Rian Johnson (FilmDistrict, EndGame Entertainment)
- The Cabin in the Woods, Screenplay by Drew Goddard & Joss Whedon; Directed by Drew Goddard (Mutant Enemy, Lionsgate)
Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form
- Game of Thrones, “Blackwater”, Written by George R.R. Martin, Directed by Neil Marshall. Created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (HBO)
- Doctor Who, “The Angels Take Manhattan”, Written by Steven Moffat, Directed by Nick Hurran (BBC Wales)
- Fringe, “Letters of Transit”, Written by J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Akiva Goldsman, J.H.Wyman, Jeff Pinkner. Directed by Joe Chappelle (Fox)
- Doctor Who, “Asylum of the Daleks”, Written by Steven Moffat; Directed by Nick Hurran (BBC Wales)
- Doctor Who, “The Snowmen”, written by Steven Moffat; directed by Saul Metzstein (BBC Wales)
Best Editor, Short Form
- Stanley Schmidt
- Sheila Williams
- John Joseph Adams
- Neil Clarke
- Jonathan Strahan
Best Editor, Long Form
- Patrick Nielsen Hayden
- Toni Weisskopf
- Sheila Gilbert
- Lou Anders
- Liz Gorinsky
Best Professional Artist
- John Picacio
- Dan dos Santos
- Julie Dillon
- Chris McGrath
- Vincent Chong
Best Semiprozine
- Clarkesworld, edited by Neil Clarke, Jason Heller, Sean Wallace and Kate Baker
- Lightspeed, edited by John Joseph Adams and Stefan Rudnicki
- Strange Horizons, edited by Niall Harrison, Jed Hartman, Brit Mandelo, An Owomoyela, Julia Rios, Abigail Nussbaum, Sonya Taaffe, Dave Nagdeman and Rebecca Cross
- Apex Magazine, edited by Lynne M. Thomas, Jason Sizemore and Michael Damian Thomas
- Beneath Ceaseless Skies, edited by Scott H. Andrews
Best Fanzine
- SF Signal, edited by John DeNardo, JP Frantz, and Patrick Hester**
- The Drink Tank, edited by Chris Garcia and James Bacon
- Journey Planet, edited by James Bacon, Chris Garcia, Emma J. King, Helen J. Montgomery and Pete Young
- Banana Wings, edited by Claire Brialey and Mark Plummer
- Elitist Book Reviews, edited by Steven Diamond
Best Fancast
- SF Squeecast, Elizabeth Bear, Paul Cornell, Seanan McGuire, Lynne M. Thomas, Catherynne M. Valente (Presenters) and David McHone-Chase (Technical Producer)**
- SF Signal Podcast, Patrick Hester, John DeNardo, and JP Frantz
- StarShipSofa, Tony C. Smith
- The Coode Street Podcast, Jonathan Strahan and Gary K. Wolfe
- Galactic Suburbia Podcast, Alisa Krasnostein, Alexandra Pierce, Tansy Rayner Roberts (Presenters) and Andrew Finch (Producer)
Best Fan Writer
- Tansy Rayner Roberts
- Steven H Silver
- Christopher J. Garcia
- Mark Oshiro
- James Bacon
Best Fan Artist
- Galen Dara
- Brad W. Foster
- Spring Schoenhuth
- Maurine Starkey
- Steve Stiles
**These winners have recused themselves from future eligibility for these works in these categories.
The John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer (476 nominating ballots cast)
Award for the best new professional science fiction or fantasy writer of 2011 or 2012, sponsored by Dell Magazines. (Not a Hugo Award, but administered along with the Hugo Awards.)
Award for the best new professional science fiction or fantasy writer of 2011 or 2012, sponsored by Dell Magazines. (Not a Hugo Award, but administered along with the Hugo Awards.)
- Mur Lafferty*
- Stina Leicht*
- Chuck Wendig*
- Max Gladstone
- Zen Cho*
*Finalists in their 2nd year of eligibility.
1343 valid nominating ballots (1329 electronic and 14 paper) were received and counted from the members of Chicon 7, LoneStarCon 3 and Loncon 3, the 2012-2014 World Science Fiction Conventions.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Review - Analog, October 2013, Volume CXXXIII, No. 10
I received October's issue of Analog and it was so good I read it in just a few days. I am happy to say that this issue is a much better than average issue, with two stories sharing the first place as my favorites and one that is a close second. It has been long since I have have felt this satisfied by one of the magazines I read.
Let's get down to the fiction.
"Lune Blue" by Janet Catherine Johnston is this month's novella. This is one of my two faves. Two researches are sent to the Moon while doing some research for NSETI, which is a derivative of SETI. Unfortunately, Earth is politically on chaos with nuclear war looming over the entire globe. Nice story, nice characterization and a very good ending. It's pure sci-fi. As a plus, Daleks are mentioned, which is always a good thing.
"Sixteen Million Leagues From Versailles" by Allen M. Steele is the second favorite. A long time ago, when Louis XIV, aka the Sun King, was ruling over France a vase with a tribute to Mars, the god of War, used to lay over a fireplace at Versailles. A few centuries later the precious vase is lost on Mars (the planet!). A small team will have to find it and will quickly find out that there is more important than life itself.
"Following Jules" by Ron Collins gets the second place not because it is not well written but because I really can't stand stories about virtual reality anymore. Surprisingly, this story ended up being very interesting so I don't have much to complain. The ending is a bit cheesy but it fits the general mood of the novelette.
"Putting Down Roots" by Stephen W. Wilk is a short story which is more a meditation on culture than actual science fiction. I liked it mainly because I never turn down a good red wine or a pint of beer.
"Things We Have in This House For No Reason" by Marissa Lingen is flash fiction. Weak story.
"At The Peephole Palace" by William Eakin is more flash fiction. Not as nice as the other stories.
"Fear of Heights in the Tower of Babel" by Carl Frederick. While reading this I couldn't understand if it was satire or not, and still don't. A set of elevators with a very elevated AI kidnap some VIPs and ask for a ransom. I think it's funny. However, the problem is that the person in charge of solving the kidnapping is afraid of heights and will have to go on top of Europe's tallest building, which makes my cruel mind have even more fun. I enjoyed it, although the ending was quite obvious from the start of the story.
"Conscientious Objectors" by Jay Werkheiser. A story based at a VA hospital with a lot of cross-cultural issues tackled. Nice, but I guess it ends up preaching too much.
Last (but not least) mention to the cover art. I am quite happy about it, no weird monsters, no fantasy-like stuff. Just three naked bodies floating in a good 'ol lab.
Let's get down to the fiction.
"Lune Blue" by Janet Catherine Johnston is this month's novella. This is one of my two faves. Two researches are sent to the Moon while doing some research for NSETI, which is a derivative of SETI. Unfortunately, Earth is politically on chaos with nuclear war looming over the entire globe. Nice story, nice characterization and a very good ending. It's pure sci-fi. As a plus, Daleks are mentioned, which is always a good thing.
"Sixteen Million Leagues From Versailles" by Allen M. Steele is the second favorite. A long time ago, when Louis XIV, aka the Sun King, was ruling over France a vase with a tribute to Mars, the god of War, used to lay over a fireplace at Versailles. A few centuries later the precious vase is lost on Mars (the planet!). A small team will have to find it and will quickly find out that there is more important than life itself.
"Following Jules" by Ron Collins gets the second place not because it is not well written but because I really can't stand stories about virtual reality anymore. Surprisingly, this story ended up being very interesting so I don't have much to complain. The ending is a bit cheesy but it fits the general mood of the novelette.
"Putting Down Roots" by Stephen W. Wilk is a short story which is more a meditation on culture than actual science fiction. I liked it mainly because I never turn down a good red wine or a pint of beer.
"Things We Have in This House For No Reason" by Marissa Lingen is flash fiction. Weak story.
"At The Peephole Palace" by William Eakin is more flash fiction. Not as nice as the other stories.
"Fear of Heights in the Tower of Babel" by Carl Frederick. While reading this I couldn't understand if it was satire or not, and still don't. A set of elevators with a very elevated AI kidnap some VIPs and ask for a ransom. I think it's funny. However, the problem is that the person in charge of solving the kidnapping is afraid of heights and will have to go on top of Europe's tallest building, which makes my cruel mind have even more fun. I enjoyed it, although the ending was quite obvious from the start of the story.
"Conscientious Objectors" by Jay Werkheiser. A story based at a VA hospital with a lot of cross-cultural issues tackled. Nice, but I guess it ends up preaching too much.
Last (but not least) mention to the cover art. I am quite happy about it, no weird monsters, no fantasy-like stuff. Just three naked bodies floating in a good 'ol lab.
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. |
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Analog, July/August 2013
- Reading “Thaw” by Arland Andrews, Sr. someone might think that the editors included this story by mistake. It seems that every element of the fantasy genre is in there while every element of science fiction is out of it. So, what’s going on? Did the editors drink too much vodka while watching “The Hobbit”? Did they shrank the thin line between sci-fi and fantasy so much that there is no more division among the two genres? Or more simply, is this an attempt to pacify hardcore sci-fi fiction fans with hardcore fantasy fiction fans? No, none of the above. “Analog” is the magazine of “Science fiction and fact” and the science fiction element is in the fact part of the story. (spoiler) The story is based on Earth, in a far/not to far future, after the global warming changed everything. People, the few still alive, are unable to read with their eyes not because they are blind or anything, but because history must’ve been forgotten – becoming oral tradition – and reading is fundamentally changed. People read with their touch. This story is quite an interesting device to discuss science, global warming and other hot topics (end of spoiler). I am not a big fan of this story in particular but I must give the author a lot of credit for fooling me and for writing down a good plot.
- “Not with a bang” by Rosemary Clair Smith is a time travel love story. Two scientists fall in love with Julianna. Both are sent back in time to the Late Cretaceous for a six-month mission. From that mission new facts about the dinosaurs and their extinction will emerge. The core of the story is the love for Julianna, which is a few million years later. Easy read, not a great story. The only part I really liked is when they find out that the T-Rex behaves differently than previously thought.
- "Other people's avatar" by Howard V. Hendrix reminded me of David Cronenberg's "eXistenz". A guy wasted his life in front of video games, has a heart attack and a whole new adventure begins. Is it real? Is it a dream? I kinda felt sorry for Anderson. This story had an amazing potential but it was way mistreated. Too long and the character felt incredibly dry.
- "Ready, Set" by Mary Lou Klecha is very short (not even two pages) but a nice read. The only thing the main character desires is to leave his current place. A long wait, and nothing will ever bring him away. Truly a sad one.
- "Milk Run" by Alec Austin and Marissa Lingen. A story about a mission with an "intern". Nothing to note on this one, pretty average.
- "Tethered" by Harris A. Durrani. A nice story about a janitorial spaceship devoted to pick up space trash. The crew finds itself faced with the risk of starting a diplomatic crisis or not respecting contracts with private corporations. I enjoyed it but I sometimes found myself lost among all the information that is thrown to the reader which is then left there.
- A Quiet Little Town in Northern Minnesota” by K.C. Ball is a nice little piece about an AI who wants to conquer the world starting from Blackduck, MN and, in part, its relationship with humans. Enjoyable.
- “Cronus and the Ship” by Seth Dickinson is a very short story about spaceships and their defense system. Another enjoyable story full of significant christenings for ships (Iliad, Edda, Argonautica etc.).
-“Love” by Rick Norwood. This is a sad love story, which strangely enough is not cheesy. At six Stephen is kissed on the cheek by a spaceship captain, Helen. She’s much older than him but since she is sent out to travel in space she ages a little while he ages according to Earth’s time. When she’s back he will meet her and they will have a one night stand. He deeply loves her so he will wait (and age) for her to come back.
I don’t think “CREP d’Etoile” by Bud Sparhawk is meant to be taken seriously. It’s about recycling food supplies and making them taste amazing while there is one crisis after another. Didn’t enjoy it; nothing wrong with the style, I just didn’t find it interesting.
- One story I loved is “The Chaplain’s Legacy” by Brad R. Torgersen. An alien race called the Mantis (due to their look) is unstoppable in their destruction of the galaxy’s civilizations. Harry Barlow, a chaplain, is able to make the humans and mantis to sign a truce by teaching the concept of religion to the Mantis who never heard about it. They are unable to comprehend it. Somehow the truce ends and Harry, a human female Captain, a Mantis called Professor and the Queen Mantis are stuck on a planet together trying to survive. Now, it’s obviously a story about preconceived notions and possibility of change and from time to time it’s actually cheesy but with some leap of faith (mainly believing that people/aliens can be englightened in a split second) it’s by far the best story in this issue.
- “Dark Secret” by Edward Lerner is the conclusion of a series. I haven’t read the previous episodes so I will not review it.
- “Not with a bang” by Rosemary Clair Smith is a time travel love story. Two scientists fall in love with Julianna. Both are sent back in time to the Late Cretaceous for a six-month mission. From that mission new facts about the dinosaurs and their extinction will emerge. The core of the story is the love for Julianna, which is a few million years later. Easy read, not a great story. The only part I really liked is when they find out that the T-Rex behaves differently than previously thought.
- "Other people's avatar" by Howard V. Hendrix reminded me of David Cronenberg's "eXistenz". A guy wasted his life in front of video games, has a heart attack and a whole new adventure begins. Is it real? Is it a dream? I kinda felt sorry for Anderson. This story had an amazing potential but it was way mistreated. Too long and the character felt incredibly dry.
- "Ready, Set" by Mary Lou Klecha is very short (not even two pages) but a nice read. The only thing the main character desires is to leave his current place. A long wait, and nothing will ever bring him away. Truly a sad one.
- "Milk Run" by Alec Austin and Marissa Lingen. A story about a mission with an "intern". Nothing to note on this one, pretty average.
- "Tethered" by Harris A. Durrani. A nice story about a janitorial spaceship devoted to pick up space trash. The crew finds itself faced with the risk of starting a diplomatic crisis or not respecting contracts with private corporations. I enjoyed it but I sometimes found myself lost among all the information that is thrown to the reader which is then left there.
- A Quiet Little Town in Northern Minnesota” by K.C. Ball is a nice little piece about an AI who wants to conquer the world starting from Blackduck, MN and, in part, its relationship with humans. Enjoyable.
- “Cronus and the Ship” by Seth Dickinson is a very short story about spaceships and their defense system. Another enjoyable story full of significant christenings for ships (Iliad, Edda, Argonautica etc.).
-“Love” by Rick Norwood. This is a sad love story, which strangely enough is not cheesy. At six Stephen is kissed on the cheek by a spaceship captain, Helen. She’s much older than him but since she is sent out to travel in space she ages a little while he ages according to Earth’s time. When she’s back he will meet her and they will have a one night stand. He deeply loves her so he will wait (and age) for her to come back.
I don’t think “CREP d’Etoile” by Bud Sparhawk is meant to be taken seriously. It’s about recycling food supplies and making them taste amazing while there is one crisis after another. Didn’t enjoy it; nothing wrong with the style, I just didn’t find it interesting.
- One story I loved is “The Chaplain’s Legacy” by Brad R. Torgersen. An alien race called the Mantis (due to their look) is unstoppable in their destruction of the galaxy’s civilizations. Harry Barlow, a chaplain, is able to make the humans and mantis to sign a truce by teaching the concept of religion to the Mantis who never heard about it. They are unable to comprehend it. Somehow the truce ends and Harry, a human female Captain, a Mantis called Professor and the Queen Mantis are stuck on a planet together trying to survive. Now, it’s obviously a story about preconceived notions and possibility of change and from time to time it’s actually cheesy but with some leap of faith (mainly believing that people/aliens can be englightened in a split second) it’s by far the best story in this issue.
- “Dark Secret” by Edward Lerner is the conclusion of a series. I haven’t read the previous episodes so I will not review it.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Review: "Asimov's Science Fiction" - December 2012 - Vol. XXVI, no. 12, Issue 443
Being awfully late in my reading queue I started reading December's edition of Asimov's with a worrying amount of delay. As a matter of fact I already got my January 2013 issue before I was half through with December's so I read it in a rush. In addition a banana I forgot in a backpack damaged the digest sized magazine irremediably (I won't go into detail, but you can imagine my happiness when I found about it).
Issue 443 gives us a beautiful novella by Steven Popkes and a few other good stories. I enjoyed reading most of this issue and I would suggest buying it for the cover price.
Issue 443 gives us a beautiful novella by Steven Popkes and a few other good stories. I enjoyed reading most of this issue and I would suggest buying it for the cover price.
- "Sudden, Broken, and Unexpected" by Steven Popkes is the only novella in this issues and it's worth reading it. This story uses Artificial Intelligence and music to serve the purpose of making the answer to the question "What is human?" a little bit closer to being answered. I think this story is well written, Dot is characterized wonderfully and most readers will find Popkes's work enjoyable.
- "The waves" by Ken Liu is a novelette and is pleasant to read. If your "self" could go surfing through the universe, sharing a sort of Borg-like knowledge (but keeping individuality), than this would be the perfect adventure. It's a tale of immortality and I recommend reading it.
- "The Caramel Forest" by Chris Beckett is a short story and it is the cover story. It's a nice tale in which two children will discover that not everything looks like what it is. I found peculiar that the goblins could speak to the human's minds.
- "The wizard of the 34th Street" by Mike Resnick will remind most readers of the TV series "The booth at the end" starring Xander Berkeley. I enjoyed reading it, especially the final twist, but I found it too similar to its TV show counterpart to think of it as a truly original work. Don't get me wrong, it is darn good so if you haven't seen the TV series you will find much pleasure in it.
- "The Black Feminist's Guide to Science Fiction Film Editing" by Sandra McDonald. In a partially dystopian future movies are edited so that women are the heroes of the movies. "Total Recall" star is not Arnie but Sharon Stone. In such society all the 1980s macho movies must be revised which is not an easy task. In this story the main character finds the last copy of the movie "The Ginger Star" and will start thinking deeper about her job. What I found of particular interest is the fact that the first part was quite funny, while the second part was quite serious.
- "The Pipes of Pan" by Robert Reed. Ok, don't bring this story to any Creationist's Museum. Interesting read, but in my opinion too obsessive.
As I said previously, this issue is quite enjoyable and I recommend it to you.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Review: Analog - October 2012 - Vol. CXXXII No. 10
After such beautiful issue as September's I eagerly expected another great issue. Unfortunately my expectations were broken very soon as I found October's issue pretty dull and not worth the cover price.
Analog this month gives us three novelettes and five short stories of which the best one is "The Journeyman: on the short-grass prairie" by Micheal F. Flynn which is a good story about a knight and a battle between the stars.
I found the cover story, "The liars" by Juliette Wade, was pretty much awful. I honestly had difficulty reading it through as the story didn't make much sense to me. The editors found it worthy, I did not so I guess it's just a matter of tastes.
"Ambidextrose" by Jay Werkheiser and "The end in Eden" by Stven Utley are pretty ingenious and enjoyable to read, but they are also poorly developed.
"Deer in the garden" by Michael Alexander is a nice dystopian story, but again it is another missed hit as the story has a "someone-already-did-this" feeling. I find that dystopian stories are important, and I love them, so I enjoyed reading it but someone else may find it too simplistic.
"Nothing but vacuum" by Edward McDermott is classical sci-fi with a pinch of sadness added to it. I think the formula works and I would like to see a longer story with the same concepts.
"Nahiku West" by Linda Nagata is an interesting story among the stars, but once again it doesn't deliver as it wanders around in its plot.
"Reboot and saddles" by Carl Frederick was funny to read. I have to admit that coming out with the idea of electronic - hackable -horse saddles is pretty interesting.
Analog this month gives us three novelettes and five short stories of which the best one is "The Journeyman: on the short-grass prairie" by Micheal F. Flynn which is a good story about a knight and a battle between the stars.
I found the cover story, "The liars" by Juliette Wade, was pretty much awful. I honestly had difficulty reading it through as the story didn't make much sense to me. The editors found it worthy, I did not so I guess it's just a matter of tastes.
"Ambidextrose" by Jay Werkheiser and "The end in Eden" by Stven Utley are pretty ingenious and enjoyable to read, but they are also poorly developed.
"Deer in the garden" by Michael Alexander is a nice dystopian story, but again it is another missed hit as the story has a "someone-already-did-this" feeling. I find that dystopian stories are important, and I love them, so I enjoyed reading it but someone else may find it too simplistic.
"Nothing but vacuum" by Edward McDermott is classical sci-fi with a pinch of sadness added to it. I think the formula works and I would like to see a longer story with the same concepts.
"Nahiku West" by Linda Nagata is an interesting story among the stars, but once again it doesn't deliver as it wanders around in its plot.
"Reboot and saddles" by Carl Frederick was funny to read. I have to admit that coming out with the idea of electronic - hackable -horse saddles is pretty interesting.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Review: "Analog" - September 2012 - Vol. CXXII, no. 9
The last issue of "Analog - Science Fiction and Fact" is better than what I expected. Usually I like one story or, at most, two. This time, I liked them all but only one by Brad Aiken is truly outstanding.
"Done that, never been there" by Brad Aiken is what science fiction is all about, especially for short stories. It is a murder mystery with strong technological implications and believable characters. It is a futuristic Sherlock Holmes in which deduction is the pillar over which the story is built. In addition, it provides a decent dose of adventure which is uncommon for 'brainy' stories. Good job Mr. Aiken.
I completely disagree with Locus's review, I found the story between Roger Bennett and Doris a good subplot - but it should have been developed a little bit more - which gave more depth to the main character.
"Elmira, 1895" by Michael F. Flynn... what if Mark Twain and Rudyard Kipling not only discussed alien forms and spaceships but also dealt with them? This is a nice story featuring two great artists, definitely worth reading.
"The voices" by Alec Nevala-Lee is my least favorite in this issue. January, the main character, hears voices and is under therapy. She interacts with the voices and issues come along...
"Rent in space" by Susan Forest is about black holes in your own backyard. Well, they are not really black holes and they are in an office and in an apartment, however they can... be used as nuclear waste disposals. Is it a good idea or not?
"The long view" by Jerry Oltion narrates a moon landing in which the astronauts find an alien time capsule. The idea is pretty good but the story unfolds boringly and at times it seems as if the author is trying to pontificate "peace and love", which isn't a bad thing per se if done well.
"Mythunderstanding" by Carl Frederick is a ridiculous story on a church trying to evangelize/conquer alien planets and forms of life. It is enjoyable and funny enough to be read, but I would not consider it a masterpiece.
Analog Website: http://www.analogsf.com
The Long View Sigma: Summing Up Speculation READER’S DEPARTMENTS
The Editor's Page
In Times to Come
The Alternate View The Reference Library
Brass Tacks
Upcoming Events
"Done that, never been there" by Brad Aiken is what science fiction is all about, especially for short stories. It is a murder mystery with strong technological implications and believable characters. It is a futuristic Sherlock Holmes in which deduction is the pillar over which the story is built. In addition, it provides a decent dose of adventure which is uncommon for 'brainy' stories. Good job Mr. Aiken.
I completely disagree with Locus's review, I found the story between Roger Bennett and Doris a good subplot - but it should have been developed a little bit more - which gave more depth to the main character.
"Elmira, 1895" by Michael F. Flynn... what if Mark Twain and Rudyard Kipling not only discussed alien forms and spaceships but also dealt with them? This is a nice story featuring two great artists, definitely worth reading.
"The voices" by Alec Nevala-Lee is my least favorite in this issue. January, the main character, hears voices and is under therapy. She interacts with the voices and issues come along...
"Rent in space" by Susan Forest is about black holes in your own backyard. Well, they are not really black holes and they are in an office and in an apartment, however they can... be used as nuclear waste disposals. Is it a good idea or not?
"The long view" by Jerry Oltion narrates a moon landing in which the astronauts find an alien time capsule. The idea is pretty good but the story unfolds boringly and at times it seems as if the author is trying to pontificate "peace and love", which isn't a bad thing per se if done well.
"Mythunderstanding" by Carl Frederick is a ridiculous story on a church trying to evangelize/conquer alien planets and forms of life. It is enjoyable and funny enough to be read, but I would not consider it a masterpiece.
Analog Website: http://www.analogsf.com
NOVELETTES
Done That, Never Been There
Elmira, 1895
The Voices
Rent in Space
Mythunderstanding Done That, Never Been There
Elmira, 1895
The Voices
Rent in Space
The Long View Sigma: Summing Up Speculation READER’S DEPARTMENTS
The Editor's Page
In Times to Come
The Alternate View The Reference Library
Brass Tacks
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
April/May's (very variable) book queue.
I am currently reading "American Gods" by Gaiman. So far I am loving it. "Soon" a review.
I just bought "This Alien Shore" by C.S. Friedman.
Next in line is "The Plucker" by Brom. After reading "The child thief" I expect another great book by the author.
I just bought "This Alien Shore" by C.S. Friedman.
Next in line is "The Plucker" by Brom. After reading "The child thief" I expect another great book by the author.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Review: Asimov's Science Fiction, June 2012, Volume 36, Number 6
The latest issue of Asimov's science fiction, June 2012, Volume 36 Number 6, is a meatloaf of stories that will be enjoyed mostly by hardcore sci-fi geeks. I would not use it to introduce speculative fiction to anybody. However, the cover price of $4.99 is acceptable.
"Possible Monsters" by Will McIntosh
It is by far the best in this issue. In this story, Cooper is a depressed failed triple-A pitcher. inside his home he finds a multi-eyed monster who loves watching TV. Cooper will then live a strange but very important adventure. This story actually has a meaning.
"Free range" by Bruce McAllister
I firmly believe that, contrary to the popular saying, roasted chicken is man's best friend. So it is natural that I find Bruce McAllister's story amusing. I won't spoil it, but be aware that chickens should not be underestimated.
"Scout" by Bud Sparhawk
It is the classical human vs. aliens story. It is well delivered. Let me tell you, our foes are very mean... and I am downplaying it.
"Final exam" by Megan Arkenberg
It is a nice experiment. I never read a story made up with only multiple-choice questions and answers. It is a fun exercise, but hopefully there will never be a long version; it would remind someone of the school years.
"Missionaries" by Mercurio D. Rivera is a tale about faith, science, love and death. It is pretty enjoyable and a long form of it may be an interesting read.
"The widdershins clock” by Kali Wallace is a simple story about time, time travel and aging. Where is grandma gone?
"The flowering ape" by Allan DeNiro is, if you will, a story about young space navigators. I did not like it at all. It seems a dumbed down version of Dune's Guild navigators with a teeny mindset. Some may like it. I did not.
"Waiting at the altar" by Jack McDevitt is pure sci-fi. The story has spaceships, astronauts, technology and a rescue mission. Pleasant reading. I could not avoid to feel sorry for Simmons, one of the characters.
On a side note, Silverberg reviews some work of Philip K. Dick. Very interesting.
Here's the TOC from Asimov's website:
NOVELETTE
"Possible Monsters" by Will McIntosh
It is by far the best in this issue. In this story, Cooper is a depressed failed triple-A pitcher. inside his home he finds a multi-eyed monster who loves watching TV. Cooper will then live a strange but very important adventure. This story actually has a meaning.
"Free range" by Bruce McAllister
I firmly believe that, contrary to the popular saying, roasted chicken is man's best friend. So it is natural that I find Bruce McAllister's story amusing. I won't spoil it, but be aware that chickens should not be underestimated.
"Scout" by Bud Sparhawk
It is the classical human vs. aliens story. It is well delivered. Let me tell you, our foes are very mean... and I am downplaying it.
"Final exam" by Megan Arkenberg
It is a nice experiment. I never read a story made up with only multiple-choice questions and answers. It is a fun exercise, but hopefully there will never be a long version; it would remind someone of the school years.
"Missionaries" by Mercurio D. Rivera is a tale about faith, science, love and death. It is pretty enjoyable and a long form of it may be an interesting read.
"The widdershins clock” by Kali Wallace is a simple story about time, time travel and aging. Where is grandma gone?
"The flowering ape" by Allan DeNiro is, if you will, a story about young space navigators. I did not like it at all. It seems a dumbed down version of Dune's Guild navigators with a teeny mindset. Some may like it. I did not.
"Waiting at the altar" by Jack McDevitt is pure sci-fi. The story has spaceships, astronauts, technology and a rescue mission. Pleasant reading. I could not avoid to feel sorry for Simmons, one of the characters.
On a side note, Silverberg reviews some work of Philip K. Dick. Very interesting.
Here's the TOC from Asimov's website:
NOVELETTE
Missionaries by Mercurio D. Rivera
Possible Monsters by Will McIntosh
SHORT STORIES
Final Exam by Megan Arkenberg
Waiting at the Altar by Jack McDevit
The Flowering Ape by Alan DeNiro
The Widdershins Clock by Kali Wallace
Free Range by Bruce McAllister
Scout by Bud Sparhawk
POETRY
Pavane by F. J. Bergmann
I am nothing, you say, to you, coming close to it by W. Gregory Stewart
Objectifying Faerie by Jane Yolen
The Novikov Self-Consistency Conjecture from "The Official Guide to Time Travel" by Robert Frazier
Care and Feeding by Mary A. Turzillo
DEPARTMENTS
Editorial: We Have Met the Alien by Sheila Williams
Reflections: Rereading Philip K. Dick by Robert Silverberg
Next Issue
On Books: Short and Sweet by Paul Di Filippo
The SF Conventional Calendar by Erwin S. Strauss
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