Centuries before our story begins, the robots of Panga gained self-awareness, laid down their tools, and ventured into the forest never to be seen agaCenturies before our story begins, the robots of Panga gained self-awareness, laid down their tools, and ventured into the forest never to be seen again. Since that day, humans and robots have peacefully co-existed on the same moon, but occupying different regions.
Now, a robot has ventured into human territory encountering Dex, a solitary tea monk, and asks one question, "what do humans need?"
At some point, most of us have been where Dex is; dissatisfied with our current station in life and wanting something more. Cooped up inside the oppressively noisy city, Dex yearned for something quiet, something minimalistic. Dex needed to hear the sounds of the crickets amongst the wilderness and wanted a more personal connection with those they've pledged to help. Dex embarks on a life as a tea monk, one who listens to your problems and prescribes the perfect tea blend for how you're feeling.
I really enjoyed this. In an interview with Wired, Becky called this the quietest story she's ever written. While it's true that not much happens, it's still an affecting story about one's purpose in life and how there is never just one way to quantify one's existence. Coming in at under 200 pages, the story is as tight as can be, but still feels loose and relaxed. Very much like the novel's protagonist, it feels like an enjoyable cup of tea for the frazzled.
Becky Chambers offers up a sci-fi story that is a breath of fresh air amongst the seemingly never-ending dystopian novels that take up shelf space....more
All Systems Red follows a research team as they navigate the strange and unfamiliar surface of a distant planet. Along for the ride is a SEC-Unit, a cAll Systems Red follows a research team as they navigate the strange and unfamiliar surface of a distant planet. Along for the ride is a SEC-Unit, a company-provided security android officer, for their protection. What the team doesn’t know is that the SEC-Unit has hacked its own governor module, allowing it a great deal of intellectual freedom. Naming itself “Murderbot”, it continues to do its job to keep up appearances, but it would much rather sit in the back bay and stream endless hours of entertainment. However, when the aforementioned team can no longer reach out to the scientists involved in a nearby expedition, it’s up to the group - and Murderbot - to investigate why.
This is a really fun read and Murderbot is such a compelling character. The premise certainly had the opportunity to veer into a parody of science fiction, but author Martha Wells kept things grounded; this is an unexplored planet after all and danger lurks around every corner. I’ve grown quite attached to Murderbot, so I’m happy to see there are more novellas and a full length novel on the horizon. I expect a lot of growth for the character given its complicated past and desire to keep its undisclosed freedom a secret from its manufacturer....more
I started reading this series 8 years ago when I finished the first TPB. I put it down and never returned to it. Finally picked this up and it blew meI started reading this series 8 years ago when I finished the first TPB. I put it down and never returned to it. Finally picked this up and it blew me away. Easy 5 stars....more
In the not too distant future, our antibiotics have become useless and once treatable infections have again become deadly. With the world reeling, a bIn the not too distant future, our antibiotics have become useless and once treatable infections have again become deadly. With the world reeling, a bioterrorism attack is unleashed in New York City leaving countless dead.
Detective Jake Gibson was one of the many who lost a loved one on 8/17. Now years later, with his wife gone, Jake is trying to hold it all together when his daughter falls ill and he is called to the scene of a mass murder in Central Park. Even more shocking than the piles of charred bodies was the fact that the victims were all in perfect health when they met their end. Is there a possible way to heal his ailing daughter Zoe?
I’m going to get this out of the way immediately – when this book hits shelves in May, you need to race to your local bookstore and grab a copy.
Already an award-winning author himself, it’s Chris Holm’s experience as a molecular biologist that gives this book an air of authenticity that could otherwise be fumbled in the hands of another. Above all else, while this book could easily fall into a trap of seemingly endless info dumps and scientific jargon, Chris keeps things moving swiftly and clearly while never once leaving me lost in all the complicated nature of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
While Child Zero excels at the “why”, enough can’t be said of these big action sequences that populate the story. Child Zero reads like the literary equivalent of a standalone big budget summer blockbuster movie that simply isn’t made anymore (well, MCU aside); something that we could use more of. You really feel the urgency on the part of the characters to accomplish their goals while maintaining a sense of grounded reality.
Perhaps the most terrifying aspect of Child Zero is that a scenario like this is entirely possible and could easily happen within our lifetime. Hell, I’m reading and reviewing this during a pandemic right now! In Chris’ novel, the worst of the infected had been quarantined inside of a shantytown within Central Park while affluent neighborhoods in Manhattan push through as if nothing is happening. If that isn’t a direct comparison to the vaccine hoarding of the first world, I’m not sure what is.
Child Zero is not only a thrilling novel, but an urgent warning about our future and the dire consequences we all face if nothing is done to alter the course....more
Rabbits follows K., someone who has become obsessed with seeking out and discovering patterns and connections throughout their day-to-day life. A few Rabbits follows K., someone who has become obsessed with seeking out and discovering patterns and connections throughout their day-to-day life. A few years ago, they discovered an almost alternate reality style game played in secret amongst a select few. Very little information is available about the game, but its roots run deep in both culture and time.
K. is approached by Alan Scarpio, a somewhat reclusive billionaire believed to be one of the winners of a past iteration of Rabbits. Over a plate of pie in a Seattle diner, Scarpio tells K. that something is wrong with the game, that he needs K.’s help to fix it. Before he can explain, Scarpio is interrupted by a phone call and abruptly leaves. The next day, Scarpio is reported missing leaving K. to pick up the ball and run.
Based on a podcast of the same name, Rabbits has achieved a certain level of notoriety through its compelling first season. Author and podcast creator, Terry Miles, launched a Kickstarter to fund a potential follow-up but with the fundraising coming up short, a book became the next logical medium.
The original podcast flew under my radar and was one I’d not heard of before I was approached by the publisher with a review copy, so I was going into this one blind. I would say within the first 10% of this book, I experienced Ready Player One vibes and quickly began to worry that I was getting myself into an Ernest Cline-esque 80s geek reference extravaganza, which is not something I ever want to experience again. Thankfully, the geeky pop-culture stuff is merely window-dressing although it does appear to be ham-fisted at times.
The plot here is a hell of a lot deeper than I expected. Once it’s revealed what the purpose of the Rabbits game is and what is really happening under the surface, I was ready for the story to hit the next gear, but it never really does. It began to feel clunky and almost too expansive. I felt I couldn’t establish a connection with the story because even three-quarters of the way in, we’re introducing new layers and characters. I felt the urgency at which K. had to put things right was at odds with the general pacing of the narrative. It all became very tedious leaving me struggling to maintain my attention.
I also didn’t care much for K. nor the other main character of Chloe. Chloe felt especially thin and seemingly existed as a love-interest/sounding board for K.’s detective work, who at the best of times was barely tolerable. I didn’t feel the slightest chemistry between the two compared to what I felt the author had been trying to portray. I swear, if I ever have to hear the exchange, “Are you OK?” followed by “I’m fine” again, it will be too soon.
I can appreciate what the author is going for here because stories about anomalies in reality and multi-verses are certainly a favorite of mine, but I felt maybe this was a tad too ambitious. I think we could have lost maybe one hundred pages here and tightened things up thus allowing a much stronger story....more
Radicalized is a short story collection from author Cory Doctrow. All four fall within the realm of sci-fi and carry the theme: “tales for our presentRadicalized is a short story collection from author Cory Doctrow. All four fall within the realm of sci-fi and carry the theme: “tales for our present moment”.
Unauthorized Bread – The first story in the collection follows a young woman, Salima, recently released from an immigration holding facility. She makes her way to Boston, eager to start her new life. Taking an apartment in a building that houses both wealthy and lower class citizens, her unit is partially subsidized by companies providing appliances that only work with authorized food/soap/etc. Once Salima learns to jailbreak her toaster so she can afford less costly bread, she sets off a chain of events that if not corrected, could threaten eviction for her fellow tenants.
Model Minority – A Superman-esque super hero, The American Eagle, takes up the cause of fighting for a black man on the receiving end of police brutality. His intentions are good, but his actions are not exactly welcomed by either side. Doctrow examines the toxic attitudes of division in today’s day and age with the right desperate to strip away The Eagle’s right to question the American justice system and the left questioning The Eagle’s sincerity having ignored this kind of injustice for so long.
Radicalized – After Joe’s wife becomes stricken with stage four breast cancer, the couple spirals into hopelessness when it’s revealed their health insurance company refuses to pay for an experimental treatment that could save her life. Joe looks to the darkest corners of the internet to find some solace through others who feel victimized by health insurance companies. It isn’t long before a movement begins among the members looking to strike back and exact revenge for the loss of their loved ones.
The Masque of the Red Death – The final story follows Martin, a self-obsessed wealthy doomsday planner who has built a haven in the wilderness to ride out the end of the world. Alongside a small group of others, he intends to emerge once the apocalypse passes. With a plan so in depth, what could possibly go wrong?
I very much enjoyed this. All four stories were similar yet just different enough to keep me engaged the entire time. I whipped through this one quite quickly, actually. I thought both Radicalized (although the ending is rather problematic) and Unauthorized Bread were the two standouts of the four, not taking anything away from the others, but those felt the most urgent and realistic for right now. I usually enjoy post-apocalyptic fiction but there were moments near the end of The Masque of the Red Death that completely turned my stomach. That’s on me though – I don’t tend to do well with graphic descriptions of plague-based armageddon.
I picked this one up as it was shortlisted for Canada Reads and although it was immensely readable, I can’t see this one going too far in the competition. I would be surprised if it isn’t the first or second book eliminated as it faces some very tough competition....more
The Nobody People follows acclaimed war-zone journalist Ari as he is hired by a group of humans, dubbed Resonants, with extraordinary abilities. CurreThe Nobody People follows acclaimed war-zone journalist Ari as he is hired by a group of humans, dubbed Resonants, with extraordinary abilities. Currently, under the guidance of a headmaster, they attend a school that will help them better harness their powers. For years, they’ve remained hidden until recently, when the decision was made to come forth and let the world know what they can do. Ari has been tasked with interviewing them and producing a story which will introduce them to the public at large. The problem? Not all Resonants believe they will be seen as trustworthy.
Does that sound familiar? I should hope so. I’m surprised Marvel hasn’t already launched a lawsuit.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Look, Marvel doesn’t own the rights to a particular idea or aspect of sci-fi and I’m sure Bob Proehl isn’t the first person to write a book that so closely resembles The X-Men, but for me, it was so similar that it became a distraction. I had a very difficult time getting into this one, if I’m being honest.
The book is filled with characters, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This is a big, sprawling story that I assume will be made into a series given the little amount of pay-off we get in the end, but I just didn’t connect with any of the people Proehle presented us here. I found them obnoxious for the most part and terribly unfunny.. I don’t feel like anyone speaks like the characters in this book and when you have so much dialogue, it becomes draining to listen to them speak.
This one just didn’t work for me, in the end. I don’t think it’s nearly as bad as what a few reviewers have said – maybe the next books in the series will become more focused in their execution – but I don’t think this is one I can confidently recommend. Might work better as a TV series.
The Nobody People will be published on September 03rd, 2019...more
If you could place your current consciousness back into your younger self, what would you change? Would you ask ouWhere do I even begin with this one?
If you could place your current consciousness back into your younger self, what would you change? Would you ask out that girl? Save a loved one from tragedy? Would you pull a Biff Tannen and amass a fortune betting on horse racing? Blake Crouch’s Recursion is a look at just that scenario. Can someone truly go back and make minor changes and still avoid the ripple effect? Probably not. For Blake Crouch’s Recursion, it’s a lesson in messing with timelines and avoiding the unavoidable.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve always been fascinated with time travel. Back to the Future is usually where my mind goes when I think of one of the better uses of the idea, but there are many great examples including Stephen King’s 11/22/63, that episode of the Simpsons where Homer builds the time traveling toaster and Army of Darkness. But for all the great ones, there can be others that fall flat on their face (Kate & Leopold). Thankfully, Blake Crouch takes the premise and excels with it.
It wasn’t until a few days after I finished the book that I realized the plot – or at least the way in which time travel is executed – somewhat resembles 2004’s The Butterfly Effect. I don’t think it’s all that fair to compare the two because, honesty, Recursion is exponentially better, but the comparisons are there. Although I did find some of the sciencey stuff supporting the act of traveling difficult to follow, I understood it on a basic level and Crouch didn’t seem to spend overly long explaining the ins-and-outs of it (DMT chemical release and mind-mapping), so you’re not left like Bruce Willis in Looper slamming his fists on the table refusing to discuss time travel worried he’d be there all day talking about it, making diagrams with straws.
Don’t take that the wrong way though, I’m not dismissing Crouch’s work. It’s exceptional. It’s just that time travel is tough and once you get into the nitty gritty of it you’ll drive yourself mad trying to make sense of it sometimes (I once had a short, but very loud argument with a friend of mine about time travel in Terminator 3). Probably because it’s not possible, so you’re trying to make sense out of an impossible act.
Boy, does this one get dark. But, that’s to be expected if you’ve read Crouch’s work before. Just like having his characters mess with the multiverse in his previous novel Dark Matter, nothing good can come with screwing around with timelines in Recursion. There are some exceptionally haunting moments in this story that were written so unnervingly well. One of my biggest personal fears comes to life in the last third of the book and the way in which Crouch executed it left me speechless.
While the book isn’t out until June, I expect to spend the next four months pushing this on all my friends. I would not be surprised to see it on my 2019 year-end list.
Expected release date: June 11, 2019
***I wasn’t surprised to see that Netflix is picking this up for adaptation. I think the idea of making it into both a TV show and a movie is a tad ambitious as I’d hate to see the plot watered down to expand to a bigger story than it needs to be, but I don’t want to dismiss it before it happens....more
Junior and Hen enjoy an easy, quiet life on their farm outside the city. This all changes when a man shows up on their doorstep to notify Junior that Junior and Hen enjoy an easy, quiet life on their farm outside the city. This all changes when a man shows up on their doorstep to notify Junior that he has been randomly selected to travel a great distance from home without Hen. He needn’t worry though - Hen will be well taken care of by some.. familiar company. Making waves in 2016 with his psychological thriller I'm Thinking of Ending Things, Iain Reid returns with his sophomore fiction effort, Foe.
To be honest, Reid had completely flown under my radar despite the heaps of critical praise he’s been receiving. He only recently popped up with the announcement that Charlie Kaufman (the award winning writer of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - a favorite of mine) would be adapting I’m Thinking of Ending Things for Netflix. Given my appreciation for Kaufman and the fact that Reid had a new book available for consumption on Netgalley, I thought I would check him out
This was a hell of a read. The narration comes in short, stinging bursts coupled with hasty dialogue to boot. While Reid doesn’t have the stylistic punchiness of James Ellroy, he carries the same urgency with his writing that lends itself to gobbling multiple chapters in scarce sittings.
The vagueness of the location (they live outside “the city”) as well as keeping the year unspecified adds another layer of disorientation on top of an already dizzying plot. I had my mind working overtime trying to figure out where Reid was taking all this. In fact, there were no fewer than three times where I assumed I had nailed it down only to be blindsided at the finish line.
It’s difficult to say too much without going into spoiler territory. The best advice I can muster up is to go into this as blind as possible. Foe is the kind of novel that probably benefits from the shock of it all; the need to get out there and find someone else who has read it just so you can discuss it endlessly over coffee....more
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