How is it possible that a book about early DNA science could be so mind-numbingly boring? Perhaps being written in 1978 by real biochemists is the cause. We’ve all been heavily educated by Hollywood on the dangers of DNA manipulation since then. That doesn’t excuse pages of classroom exposition on what splicing DNA means and the dangers thereof. It has way too much technical jargon and not enough plot. The point of the story (I think; I might have fallen asleep during the third or […]
I Have Known Several Villains Who Were Perfect Gentlemen
The Hippopotamus Pool by Elizabeth Peters – 1996 Since I read “Crocodile on the Sandbank” almost thirty years ago, I’ve been madly in love with the observant, intelligent, and mule-headed Amelia Peabody. Set in the 1800s, Amelia is an amateur Egyptologist who always stumbles upon a murder, a robbery, or a kidnapping as she accompanies her husband on digs. I’ve read most of the Peabody books, and I enjoy them a great deal for several reasons. First of all, Elizabeth Peters is adept at the […]
Zombies and Satanists and Space Princesses, Oh My!
I guess if an author plots out two or three books in advance, he or she can take the two or three stories and splice them together to make an epic space opera. The splicing in Reality Dysfunction (Part 1) gave me whiplash. First we’re introduced to Adamists, non-genetically-augmented humans who are trying to maintain their equality by smuggling highly illegal – and unstable – anti-matter. It doesn’t end well when the protectors of the galaxy – the Edenists, genetically-augmented humans – show up and […]
The Life and Times of a Sassy Space Captain
Sassinak by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon (1990) Two writers for the price of one! Or, since it’s three novellas, six for the price of one? This is an interesting read, mostly because of the first book (it’s split into three books). Sassy, or Sass, is a young colonial girl on a distant world who sees her family killed by slavers and is kidnapped, along with the other children. “Conditioned” to obey and kept under the worst conditions, the children are sold as slaves based on […]
English 101, Dreadnaught 0
Jack Campbell’s The Lost Fleet – Dreadnaught (1998) – My daughter (Bothari43) is right (as usual). It’s much harder to write a review of a bad book than a good one. I don’t even know where to begin with The Lost Fleet – Dreadnaught, the tenth book in a series of space operas by Jack Campbell. It looked like a book I’d love – lots of space weaponry, square-jawed heroes fighting aliens, stalwart teammates, and daring adventure. Unfortunately, the book was annoying from the start. […]
A Whirling Light in the Woods? Let’s Split Up and Let the Cheerleader Go First!
Edited by Martin H. Greenberg – 1998 – I love science fiction anthologies. They’re short and sweet and easy to pick up and put down. I read so many of them, in fact, that I’m surprised this is my first anthology review. I especially enjoy anthologies written on a theme. This collection of short stories is all about aliens descending upon unsuspecting Earthlings and the challenges that ensue. Some are funny, some make you think, but none are not quickly forgotten. I do have some […]