This is a good example of a standard Space Opera with a “regaining lost memory” plot. It is quite obvious that what the main character, Neroy, lost was worth forgetting, which sets up a nice conflict within the character that meshes neatly with the external conflict he is soon embroiled in. The physical setting is […]
“Infinity America: Liberty to Every Reality” by Christopher C. Cole
This is a Sci-Fi Political Satire combined with wide-ranging iconoclastic humour that entertains and informs without hitting anyone over the head with the obvious. It even changes pace with touches of fairly serious discussion just to keep us on our toes. Don’t expect it easy to follow the plotline. Yes, there is one in there […]
“Destiny: Protectress Volume I” by G. E. Ward
Note to authors: no matter how well you direct us with your chapter headings, using a large number of point-of-view characters facilitates plot movement at the expense of diluting our emotional connection to the characters. And when, as in this book, some of the POVs are first person and others are third person, it becomes […]
“2121: EXODUS: Lupus Stella: Book One” by Scott D. Rodriguez
This book starts out sounding great, but the style soon gets tiresome. It is written in the choppy, military narration used by ElevenLabs and Tiktok text-to-speech to create content for YouTube shorts and Facebook Reels. It is packed with muted hyperbole couched in strong simile and metaphor, enhancing emotion by suppressing it. Every action is […]
‘The Awkward Out of Sync Half Life of Funk” by Nick Brewster
Let’s get it straight from the start; this is not a book about zombies. I say this to clear up any possible misunderstandings caused by a 20-page introductory chapter that is pure zombie. This generation’s version of, “then he woke up and it was all a dream.” Misleading introduction is a source of many bad […]
“One Day Lucky” by D. Benedict Dold
We need a new sub-genre. Maybe there already is one. It’s for stories based on the supposition that at some time in the (near ?) future, people will be able to escape into a virtual world for long periods of time, trusting the corporation that markets the program to keep their corporeal bodies alive while […]
“Discovery” by Louise McLaughlin
This novel is a blend of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, with magic blended with modern science. It’s a risky proposition, but it would work except for the weakness of the writing style. Unfortunately, the author’s self-conscious intrusion between the reader and the story, making sure we get all the jokes by explaining them, rather spoils the […]
“Navvy Dreams” by HMH Murray
This is a difficult review to write, because the author has made a bold attempt at a complex writing style, and hasn’t been completely successful. To put it simply, he has tried to replicate the nuances of a socially and politically advanced culture, where the art of diplomatic conversation is paramount. This results in long […]
“Cristobal Ritter” by Mijo Rebic
This novella updates the old Noir Detective form with a modern and subtly humorous twist. The electronic cityscape blends in with reality, which I assume is the intended effect, but in places (especially flashbacks) the readers could wish for clearer clues about where and when we just jumped to. Except for that, the setting creation […]
“Hypgnosium” by J. E. R. Sanderson
This novel shows an example of an author who has planned a book of great scope but then doesn’t have room in a single volume to “show” readers everything, and thus is reduced to “telling” all the creative details. Characters are carefully thought out and described in great physical detail., and they develop in interesting […]