The main scope of ‘The Bastard Legion’ is combat. Despite this fortunately, for the reader, the plot drives the action and not the reverse. Continue reading ‘The Bastard Legion’ Swings With Intense Action
Riverworld is probably Philip José Farmer’s most famous creation. The idea of billions of people resurrected along the banks of a ten million mile long river is truly unique. ‘The Fabulous Riverboat’ explores a small portion of that world through the eyes of a man’s obsession. An obsession that raises troubling questions about morality. Continue reading ‘The Fabulous Riverboat’ Explores Dangerous Obsession
‘The Albino’s Secret’ owes much to detective stories of the pulp era, however, doesn’t emulate them. The story is neither homage nor pastiche. Instead it uses pulpish techniques in a modern way. With clear writing with minimal extravagence it tells a great and exciting story. Continue reading ‘The Albino’s Secret’ Explodes With Style and Action
‘Hellstrom’s Hive’ is a story of several parts. It is part espionage thriller, part SF, and part horror. However, Herbert is known for his interest in ecology and that is the basis for ‘Hellstrom’s Hive’. Continue reading ‘Hellstrom’s Hive’ Buzzes With Unsettling Imagination
Asher’s greatest talent as a writer, though, is his ability to write intense and exciting action sequences. The action in ‘The Line Of Polity’ is tense and gripping at every turn. Combined with weapons that are casually apocalyptic in power Asher excels in large scale mayhem. Continue reading ‘The Line Of Polity’ Rages With Action
Fans of J. R. R. Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ will find many elements of ‘The Broken Sword’ familiar. Anderson and Tolkien both take inspiration from the same sources. However, where Tolkien uses them to draw out his story, Anderson boils them down to their essence. Continue reading ‘The Broken Sword’ Is A Mythic Tragedy
Science fiction has a long history of great adventure heroes. From John Carter and Flash Gordon to Luke Skywalker and Captain Kirk. These names are immediately recognisiable to a wide audience. David ‘Lucky’ Starr is a name that should stand alongside them. Continue reading ‘David Starr: Space Ranger’ Deserves More Recognition
Flux (1993) by Stephen Baxter rides a current of incredible ideas and possibilities. Baxter expands the Xeelee mythos and humanity’s place in it. Flux is littered with awe inspiring technologies that hint at something even greater. The story puts the … Continue reading ‘Flux’ Relies On Ambitious Ideas
Despite ‘Hunting Party”s flaws there is enough to keep the reader entertained. And despite its military SF leanings it doesn’t become overtly so until the end. Continue reading ‘Hunting Party’ Skirts The Edges Of Military SF
From the first pages ‘The Middle Kingdom’ grabs the reader with its exotic and fascinating world building. Taking the point of view that the Chinese culture becomes the dominant force on earth is a unique one for a western author. And Wingrove does it so well it’s easy to forget that he is working from a foreign stance. Continue reading ‘Chung Kuo: The Middle Kingdom’ Amazes With Its Depth and Scope
