Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
A few years ago, there was a weird discourse on men and AI sex dolls. I stayed about as far away from it as possible; mostly because I have no opinion but also because I didn’t want to think about the subject. Yet when it came time to read a book on artificial intelligence for a local library’s book challenge, this is the one I picked up. Less a science fiction read and more one about power and gender dynamics, Sierra Greer has crafted an […]
Rose/House by Arkady Martine
“I am Rose House, entire, and have never been anything else. I am not lonely. I do not wish to be a companion of elsewheres.” This was so atmospheric and a pleasure to read, even though I’m pretty sure I didn’t understand half of what was going on. The main conceit here is that this is a sci-fi take on a haunted house, where the haunt is an A.I. that IS the house, not that inhabits the house or was installed there, but is in […]
Network Effect by Martha Wells
4.5 stars CBR15 Bingo: Take the Skies Murderbot is away from Dr. Mensah, the person it likes the most (although it would never admit this to anyone, or itself), in order to guard a research party (which includes Mensah’s daughter). The group is attacked and sucked through a wormhole, and Murderbot is really very annoyed about the sudden upheaval. When it turns out that the abduction may in fact have something to do with an old friend of Murderbot (not that it acknowledges friends, as […]
City Under the City by Dan Yaccarino
I think I have read City Under the City before. However, I did not really remember it at all. Sure, things seemed a smidgen familiar, but the theme is similar in other works and I always find samples here and there so that’s why a page or two wasn’t completely “fresh.” And that is not necessarily a bad thing as I was able to read it fresh. And like with another book I read and this happened to me, I was able to take something […]
The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu
The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu is an emotional graphic novel with layers that could be a bit “much” as we deal with a larger “cosmic” connection. The more surface level is the love story we have with ourselves and each other, the ideas of being human and humane, and most importantly, connections on a smaller scale that we find with others and ourselves as we grow. The illustrations are unique, but familiar. They give you what is needed, but sometimes you do need to fill in a […]
The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei
Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ARC. It hasn’t affected the contents of my review. This was an enjoyable mystery/sci-fi/thriller set in space. It doesn’t do anything new to the genre (really of either mystery or sci-fi) but it is a good example of both kinds of stories, and it has likable characters you want to root for. It’s also pretty queer! Only people who have uteruses are allowed on the mission to colonize another planet, because space/fuel limitations mean not that many […]
