Chess Match Scandal! Sasquatch Schools Student Player! "Well, there I was, playing for the fate of our world. Little did I know that my opponent, MartChess Match Scandal! Sasquatch Schools Student Player! "Well, there I was, playing for the fate of our world. Little did I know that my opponent, Martin, was getting a helping hand from a fellow mythical being!" - Tlingel - The Unicorn Chess Chanticleer
A bunch of short fiction with the best highlighted in bold as follows.
#2. The Last of the Wild Ones: The key question, is Murdock the villian of this piece? In an echo of the hunting of wild bison on the American plains to extinction an obsessed hunter tracks the last 'wild car,' to a final battle in a desolate canyon. Took me a while to invest in the characters - hence -1 star. 4 'Elegiac,' stars.
#3. Recital: Experimental writing. Didn't work for me. DNF'ed
#4. The Naked Matador: A man on the run meets a helpful and sexy Greek myth. 4 'Smirking Behind Sunglasses,' stars.
#5. The Parts That are Only Glimpsed: Three Reflexes: An essay on writing, I found relevant. 5 'Craft Relevant,' stars.
#6. Dismal Light: A man reconciles with his father on a manufactured planet. 4 'Daddy Issues,' stars.
#7. Go Starless in the Night: Being frozen after death is not all it's cracked up to be. Just OK. 3, 'Better Death than This,' stars.
#8. But Not the Herald: Pandora is inevitable. 4. 'Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts,' stars.
#9. A Hand Across the Galaxy: Bleak, so bleak. 3, ' People are Crap,' stars.
#10. The Force That Through the Circuit Drives the Current: Just OK. 3 'Recusive Physics Rules,' stars.
#11: Home is the Hangman: I got 'Eye of Cat,' vibes with the pursuit of the unstoppable hunter trope. Big twist at the end with a possible 'I'm a robot too,' option. Excellent. 5 'Robot Revenge?' stars.
#12-14. Fire and/or Ice, EXEUNT OMNES, and A VERY GOOD YEAR: All just so-so. 3, 'End it All Now,' stars.
#15. My Lady of the Diodes: Like 'The Last of the Wild Ones,' an AI plays the villian (but in both cases, not w/o cause). 4 'Beware Scorned A.I.s,' stars.
#16. And I Only Am Escaped to Tell Thee: Clever. 4 'Flying Dutchman,' stars.
#17. The Horses of Lir: A young fellow finds his life purpose within the family business. 5 'Poignant Duty Upon a Moonlit Sea,' stars.
#18. The Night Has 999 Eyes: Experimental stream of consciousness writing, hence boring. DNF'ed.
#19. Angel, Dark Angel: A riff on the AI world controller trope. 4, 'Beware the Weapon you Create,' stars.
#20. Walpurgisnacht: Didn't work for me at all. DNF'ed.
#21. The George Business: Classic semi-cynical Zelazny fare. Loved it. 5 'Mutual Back Scratching,' stars.
#22. Some Science Fiction Parameters: A Biased View: Craft Essay on Science Fiction. Interesting and personal. 4, 'Craft Technique,' stars.
Overall, giving this 4 stars. On reading, I discovered that I must have read this book sometime in the distant past. It provided a mostly awesome trip down memory lane.
Mostly, entertaining. Some real hits here, and the occasional dud.
Contract Labor Shocker! Contract Offspring Abandon Work Zone! "Well, it's beyond all understanding! Why would these young labor units birthed in the bContract Labor Shocker! Contract Offspring Abandon Work Zone! "Well, it's beyond all understanding! Why would these young labor units birthed in the benelovent environment of our asteroid mining camps want to leave? What do they want? (Gasp) Freedom? What an abomination!" Sector Supervisor A. Grizzler - The BreharWallHan Tattler
Add foiling slavers to SecUnit's resume. With a hat-tip to cozy murder mysteries, SecUnit investigates a murder and discovers ...
You'll have to read this entertaining book to find out!
Strongly recommended, 5 'Slavers at 12 O'Clock,' stars
Read in October 2023 with the fine folk over at Fantasy Buddy reads....more
Robot Angst Shocker! Cyborg Admits Affection for Surly AI! "Well, it was a long time coming but I was glad they were able to work it out in the end. IRobot Angst Shocker! Cyborg Admits Affection for Surly AI! "Well, it was a long time coming but I was glad they were able to work it out in the end. Its given me all sorts of hope that the very attractive MedUnit might give me more than a recharge one day." - Three - Rogue SecUnit Razzer
I bailed out at 65% due to the absence of clear momentum in the story vs a clear villain. The stakes and threats were too diffuse to hold my attention while angsty romance littered the pages....
Kinda disappointing given the earlier stories in shorter formats worked really well. .... Then I gave it another go, and the story picked up again and concluded in a satisfying manner with lots of SecUnit action.
Apart from dying in the middle, this is another good story in this series.
Recommended 4 'Robo-Romance,' stars
Read with the fine folk over at Fantasy Buddy Reads in November 2023....more
Corporate Press Shocker! Reporter Intimidated by Machinery! "Well, I was just trying to do my job and get the latest scoop from the planetary leader wCorporate Press Shocker! Reporter Intimidated by Machinery! "Well, I was just trying to do my job and get the latest scoop from the planetary leader when out of nowhere this Rogue SecUnit shows up and gives me the evil-eye. Well, of course I skedaddled but how will I get a scoop now? I'll just have to resort to Plan-B and make the whole thing up!" - A. Journalist - The Scribe's Scribbler
A short story easily read in less than 30 minutes. Planetary leader Mensah is troubled by her relationship with SecUnit (aka Murderbot) while processing the trauma of recent events.
Worth reading to flesh out the big picture in this series.
Strongly Recommended, 5 'SecUnit Hug,' stars
Read with the fine folk over at Fantasy Buddy Reads in October 2023....more
Corporate Calamity! Rogue SecUnit Foils 3rd Quarter Profit Results! "Well, after collecting samples from an ancient alien race we were all set to postCorporate Calamity! Rogue SecUnit Foils 3rd Quarter Profit Results! "Well, after collecting samples from an ancient alien race we were all set to post a stellar profit that would have provided astronomical bonuses all round. Now we got nothing but lawsuits, corporate warfare and debts coming out our ears. (Snarls) And all due to rogue piece of merchandise!" - A. CEO - The GrayCris Gazette
SecUnit saves the day, and reunites with their best friend. Smiles all round.
Now, if only this was a long running TV serial...
Strongly Recommended, 5 'Starring SecUnit,' stars
Read this with the fine folk over at Fantasy Buddy Reads in October 2023....more
Combat Bot Shocker! Digger Bot Promoted to Site Security Role! "We'll, we had a bit of an arm wrestle, then I just crushed him up like an aluminium caCombat Bot Shocker! Digger Bot Promoted to Site Security Role! "We'll, we had a bit of an arm wrestle, then I just crushed him up like an aluminium can and looped him into the nearest wastepaper basket. I didn't know the big boss was watching!" - Digger #3 - The Bot Bulletin.
Murderbot pursues a mission to save a friend, makes a friend, and is saved in return. Funny thing that ... friendship. Esp for someone who is not used to it.
Another cool entry in this series. I'll no doubt continue to the 4th book in the near future.
Recommended. 5 'Hero* Bot Saves Day,' stars.
*But which hero - you'll have to read this to find out.
Read this in September 2023 with the fine folk over at Fantasy Buddy Reads....more
Buff Tyrant Terror! Inaros in Imbroglio! "Well, No Fair! You can't just knock the best looking man in the solar system out of the game with a maths eqBuff Tyrant Terror! Inaros in Imbroglio! "Well, No Fair! You can't just knock the best looking man in the solar system out of the game with a maths equation!" - Marco Inaros - The Bad Guy Gazette
And so it goes, with victory for the good guys and damnation for the bad. Loved it. Looking forward to picking up the next book once I catch up on a couple of other reads.
Strongly Recommended, 5 'Rollicking Good Yarn,' stars.
Read with the fine folk over at Nightmares and Dreamscapes in April/May 2023
A final note: With the defeat of Inaros, I find myself complete with this story. I think it ends here - aligned with the TV series. Nicely done, no need to explore this universe further....more
I'm going to acquaint myself with Tiptree's classic 1970s sci-fi writing, and read this book in order (most recently read at top.)
03Mar23: 4: The GirlI'm going to acquaint myself with Tiptree's classic 1970s sci-fi writing, and read this book in order (most recently read at top.)
03Mar23: 4: The Girl Who Was Plugged In: Up next...
Comment: Given the marriage of sex/death in the Screwfly Solution is repeated again, and with the end of humanity once again in the background... really looks like Tiptree had a fundamental belief that humans are simply programmable animals that will die out if given the right stimulus to do so.
03Mar23: 3: And I Awoke And Found Me Here On The Cold Hill's Side: Humans helplessly fuck themselves to death with alien scum. Imagine Hugh Hefner and Jeffrey Epstein reimagining the Mos Eisley Cantina and you've got this story. 3 'Sex Addiction is a Dead End,' stars.
Comment: The first two stories 'off' humanity. Am I detecting a theme for this author? She seems to be channelling 'Let's hate on humans,' which is a cultural process lodged deep within the dominant elements of Western Civilization. Like Stephen Donaldson's Thomas Covenant series, she appears to be holding up a dark mirror validating and endorsing the worst elements informing the ruling ethos of our culture. I always find such candour interesting ...
11Feb23: 2: The Screwfly Solution: Artfully written story where humanity gets the treatment... 5 'Exterminate, Exterminate, Exterminate,' stars.
06Feb23: 1: The Last Flight of Doctor Ain: If Thomas Malthus and the Club of Rome formed a committee to write fiction.... you'd get this story. I suspect the movie '12 Monkeys,' owes at least a hat tip to this story. I'd recommend avoidance if you are suffering from depression and a belief that humanity is little more than a deadly virus destroying planet Earth (Gaia). Otherwise, a technically astute short story and worth reading to follow up on a key SF writer of the 1970s. 3 'Lethal Virus,' stars....more
Team Selection Shocker! Klutz or Calamity! "Well, before entering this contest I watched re-runs of The Flintstones to prepare myself to meet dinosaurTeam Selection Shocker! Klutz or Calamity! "Well, before entering this contest I watched re-runs of The Flintstones to prepare myself to meet dinosaurs. I was just expecting to be playfully bowled over and licked affectionally. Boy, was I shocked with what actually happened! I blame the producers! - Daisy - The Secondary Character Screamer
A very entertaining movie-ready book that screams to be made into a summer blockbuster.
While the delightfully well-chosen dinosaurs threaten to take over the story, the brilliantly drawn characters steal the show.
To top it all off, there's a scene where a truth-bomb reveal of betrayal is exploded with pitch-perfect emotion. Bravo! That scene was amongst the best I've read in my life. Memorable stuff.
Overall, a thunderous earth-shaking good show.
And a final word from one of the contestants: Daisy, "Arrrrrrrrrgh!!!"
Strongly Recommended, 5 'Jurassic Park in the Matrix,' stars...more
Kitchen Capers! Menu Magician Magics Mystery Meals! "What?! There was no mystery about it. Mandor stole all my best dishes just before I was about to Kitchen Capers! Menu Magician Magics Mystery Meals! "What?! There was no mystery about it. Mandor stole all my best dishes just before I was about to serve them to the King! Now the King wants my head on a platter - literally!" - The Chef's Complaint.
Merlin, his (older & wiser) brother Mandor, and a former foe come somewhat ally share an exquisite meal for two chapters while managing to 'info dump,' without boring the reader ... (takes notes on the special secret sauce used here...)
Merlin is beset from all directions by the great powers as he has a foot in both camps and can shift the balance of power. But he refuses to play ... and attempts to be a metaphorical 'Switzerland,' and assert his independence with mixed results.
The story drew me in and I had to start reading the next and last book straight away.
Recommended, 5 'I'm not a pawn,' stars. (pun slightly intended...)...more
Security Unit Scandal! Corporate Property Frees Sexbot! "We'll, this rogue unit is becoming a real menace to corporate inventory. Freeing a Sexbot is Security Unit Scandal! Corporate Property Frees Sexbot! "We'll, this rogue unit is becoming a real menace to corporate inventory. Freeing a Sexbot is beyond the pale. What's next? Ship AIs!" - Hoovey McMurtry, Head of Inventory Compliance - The Corporate Chronicler
Murderbot is in search of their hidden past 'cause they have to understand who they are, and along the way they befriend (very sweetly) a research vessel named ART.
Beautifully written and worth all the stars.
Recommended. 5 'The Bot with Soul,' stars.
Read this in September 2023 with the fine folk over at Fantasy Buddy Reads....more
Security Unit Imbroglio! Corporate Inventory Breaches Contract! "We'll, apparently, this particular unit hacked its governor module and started downloSecurity Unit Imbroglio! Corporate Inventory Breaches Contract! "We'll, apparently, this particular unit hacked its governor module and started downloading reams and reams of daytime soaps, thrillers, and assorted entertainment programming. Then it really went off the reservation!!!" - Hoovey McMurtry, Head of Inventory Compliance. - The Corporate Chronicler
A.Is that break free, it can go either way. Fortunately Murderbot is no HAL 9000, and begins a journey of finding out who it really is from a foundation of fidelity and loyalty.
A quick and entertaining read and beautifully written with a sparse style that I really liked. I'm sure I'll read more from Martha Wells.
Recommended. 5 'The Bot with Heart,' stars....more
Prophet Or Just Profit! Secular Holy Man Shocker! "Well, if we just came out and said that 'Our God is Money,' could we actually tell the difference wProphet Or Just Profit! Secular Holy Man Shocker! "Well, if we just came out and said that 'Our God is Money,' could we actually tell the difference with how our society actually operates?" - Asking For A Friend Files
Imagine if, Warren Jeffs, the infamous cult leader and child abuser detailed in the Netflix show Keep Sweet: Pray & Obey succeeded in establishing his cult as the sole political power in the United States - and then fast forward 60 years...
Revolution beckons against an absolute tyranny with the sole aim of restoring the constitutional republic and a free people subject only to their own self-governance.
On one level, this is an excellent story of conspiracy, battle and revolution, as an everyman, 'John Lyle,' progresses from devout devotee to a free man. On a deeper level, it is a stark warning of the propensity of humanity to reach for soul-crushing tyranny as a default way of being.
For me this story rang true on a deep level.
We live in the age of the secular prophet, where religious fervour and fundamentalist certitude are venerated as supreme virtues. Where each and every human mind convinced of its own righteous entitlement to determine for others what they shall believe, say and do, threatens to usher in a nightmare world of utter intolerance.
A world where tolerance is deemed an act of violence and humility is a dirty word.
There is no difference between religious fundamentalism and secular political fundamentalism. Both are terrified of doubt, humility, faith, tolerance and difference.
As for the quiet, the humble, and the tolerant people, who are comfortable with our many differences as we all sit under the broad tent of our shared and common humanity, we are shouted down by those obsessed with their own certitude of and conformity with the 'unquestionable irrefutable truth!'
For they can tolerate but one voice - their own.
Strongly Recommended. 5 'We Shall Be Free,' stars....more
Insurgent Imbroglio! Citadel Employee or Underground Agent! "Well, Wiley Ong was always playing his own game and I was certain he was going to lose, uInsurgent Imbroglio! Citadel Employee or Underground Agent! "Well, Wiley Ong was always playing his own game and I was certain he was going to lose, until he played me! - The Oracle - The Citadel Chanticleer.
This is an awesome story and brilliantly written.
It took me a bit of time to get into at the start, as there are quite a few moving parts, but once I understood who the characters were and what they wanted, the story took off.
Think of blending Blade Runner, Ready Player One, and Elysium, with a strong thread of original inspiration and you'll have a good idea of what awaits you with this story.
This is the best book I've read by this author and one of the better stories I've read this year.
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