To enjoy Science Fiction, the reader must suspend the disbelief that all those technological wonders are possible. Fans of Space Opera need to practise this technique to a greater degree, because the situations and the coincidences are even harder to believe. We are willing to trade this effort for the enjoyment we get from the […]
“Sandorn’s Command” by Thom Bedford
To enjoy Science Fiction, the reader must suspend the disbelief that all those technological wonders are possible. Fans of Space Opera need to practise this technique to a greater degree, because the situations and the coincidences are even harder to believe. We are willing to trade this effort for the enjoyment we get from the […]
“Why They Came” by Chris von Halle
When a problem appears in a story, there are two possible reader responses. Some readers will say to themselves, “Hey, that’s not right…” and then, when the author deals with it, they say, “That’s better. I saw that coming.” Other readers will see the author solving the problem, and they will say, “Oh, yeah. I […]
“Emma After” by Anthony O’Connor
I enjoyed most of this book, but you need to know up front that it’s got a problem. As it happens, at the front. You, see, I accepted the book for review on the promise that it was about a girl who dies, and what happens after that (Hence the title). The tone seemed light-hearted, […]
“SPVCE” by A. W. Karin
This novel is definitely a one-off. It starts out as standard “training school” Sci-Fi, where elite students are chosen for a secret program. But that’s as far as the normal plotline goes. This group is placed in a Pinteresque situation where they are moved through a repetitive series of environments and given endless, meaningless tasks […]
“Chronicles of the Drakyn War” by Dap Dahlstrom
This book is a wide-ranging and rather loose-jointed epic fantasy with so much variety in species, settings, and magical powers that it lacks cohesiveness. Characters and even whole species appear and disappear at the whim of the author, and readers are prevented from forming an emotional grasp of the most important conflict of the story: […]
“Thrill Switch” by Tim Hawkin
Welcome to a Sci-Fi version of Silence of the Lambs. It involves the psychological conflict of a detective trying to persuade a convicted serial killer to help solve a continued —or new — killing spree, never sure whether her incarcerated client isn’t still functioning in the cyberworld. The writing is in first person, so we […]
“Cut from Stone” by Brendan O’Meara
The start of a Fantasy Military Action series, this book is mainly concerned with the training of a Special Ops team and their first live engagement. It presents a sanitized version of the usual training-up-to-fight plotline. Competition is minimized, bullying and hazing are not present. These are people focused on becoming the best of the […]
“Breach of Contract: Shattered Stars Book I” by Vance Huxley
This is a great adventure/action novel, a reworking of an old storyline set in a dystopian future. It is the story of a group of renegades brought together in a military unit who use their disparate talents and irreverent attitude to succeed where no other unit can, much to the dismay and horror of their […]
Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc.” by Ash Bishop
This novel is lighthearted Space Opera with a strong but chaste romantic element, making it appropriate for young adults. However, there is enough action and serious conflict to make it appealing to adult Sci-Fi readers as well. The earthly section of the plot is portrayed realistically and well described, with just enough detail to put […]