This is Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi, but the tale starts further than usual down the road to the post-humanity era of self-awareness. It deals with the problem we have trying to predict this progress. There’s no point in present-day humans worrying too much about it, because by the time AI starts taking over, the people of that…
Tag: Sci-Fi
REVIEW
“Strike the Lilac Scent” by H. C. Turk
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This strange novel has a fascinating story line, but it seems the author tried a little too hard to be creative, and thus did not succeed in communicating clearly with readers. Granted, the heroine is a teenager, but the other characters are adults, and yet the conversation is peppered with “golly,” and “ohso” and juvenile…
REVIEW
“Robot Detective” by Shawn Goodman
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This novel is dressed up as Science Fiction, but its roots are in the good old-fashioned detective tale. Except for his lack of skin, Schneider is the epitome of underdog detectives, looked down upon by his workmates, reviled by the public, watched with suspicion by his superiors and viewed with frustration by those who try…
REVIEW
“After the Fall” by Gerry Gainford
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This novel is a Post-Apocalyptic story stripped to its basics. The world has fallen apart, and it has really crashed. There are no enclaves of rescued tech and remembered ethical behaviour. Technology has been pushed back to the 1950s, politics and morality into the early Dark Ages. Feudalism would be a definite improvement. As stories…
REVIEW
“Smuggler’s Love”(Reese Daniels Smuggler Book 3) by T. D. Wilson
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When I am reviewing a book aimed specifically at a narrow genre, I ask myself two questions. First, does the book stick to the genre? Second, what is there about the book that lifts it above the other members of the group? The draw in this book is the main character. He is a sympathetic,…
REVIEW
“Grace of Empire” by Christie Greenwood
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This book is all about people. Most of the reader’s time is spent inside somebody’s head, being told exactly how and what that person is thinking. In the opening, at least, there is very little action. It is the tale of a 1984-type totalitarian society that masquerades as utopia, and a disparate group of rebels,…
REVIEW
“The Shirker” by Mark J. Schultis
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I read this story all the way through without stopping. No notes, no pauses for reflection. I just enjoyed the tale and the characters. I must admit, there were times when I was reading that I said, “Wait a minute. That’s not right. You can’t do that!” And you can’t do that in a Space…
REVIEW
Aviator Awakening: Vor’s Shadow Trilogy: Book One” by M. C. Elaine
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“Aviator’s Awakening” is listed as a Space Opera, but it doesn’t fit the genre comfortably. It has the prerequisite alien species, neatly conceived and well-described. It has the military setting, with a hazy background of interstellar war, but the action takes place in a very restricted setting, and the majority of the conflict is either…
REVIEW
“Werecats Emergent” by Mark Engels
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This is a paranormal novel with an unusual approach to werewolves. Most of these stories glorify the power and beauty of the species, while throwing them enough difficulties to keep the story interesting. These werecats find their genetic malformation a life-threatening handicap, almost uncontrollable. A great deal of the conflict in the story revolves around…
REVIEW
“How We Became Intergalactic Space Heroes” by Chris von Halle
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I often tell authors that a Table of Contents with creative chapter titles can be one of their best sales drivers. When this book opened with “Chapter One, Joe’s Toenails,” I was intrigued. “Chapter Two, Dana’s Underwear,” sealed the deal. Full disclosure: eleven- and twelve-year-olds were my favourite grades to teach. These kids are old…