world-building – Cannonball Read 17

I’m just gonna gush effusively for a couple hundred words

City of Last Chances by Adrian Tchaikovsky

September 18, 2023 by Bothari43 2 Comments

I have loved all the Tchaikovsky sci-fi I’ve read, but this is my first time reading his fantasy stuff. The world building reminded me of Guy Gavriel Kay (setting it up so every piece has its counter), but with teeth. And the immersiveness reminded me of New Crobuzon. The first time I read China Mieville’s The Scar, I would be surprised when I looked up from the page and didn’t see ocean. But this is all Adrian’s own, and has his wonderful stamp all over […]

An enjoyment of sci-fi was awakened by Leviathan Wakes

Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

May 19, 2020 by Mobius_Walker 2 Comments

I will start by saying that I typically do not enjoy sci-fi, but I found it hard to put this book down. Leviathan Wakes primarily follows the Jim Holden, former military officer turned private captain of water transport ship, and Joe Miller, washed-up detective who doesn’t know he’s past his prime. Holden and his ragtag crew members start an interplanetary war after his ship is attacked. Miller investigates a missing persons case across multiple planets at the center of said war . Together, they discover a […]

Getting to know some new authors in a familiar setting

March 31, 2018 by thewheelbarrow Leave a Comment

There won’t be any spoilers for Star Wars in this review. This book also contains no spoilers for the movies. Canto Bight is a new location to the Star Wars universe. It is a planet that is relevant only because on it rests the city of Canto Bight. Canto Bight, the place, is Las Vegas and Dubai but more extravagant. Canto Bight, the book, is a collection of short stories follows a several minor characters, heretofore unknown to the greater Star Wars universe. So, […]

History is Written By the Literate: The World of Ice & Fire

January 15, 2015 by Fredo 4 Comments

Like many people today, I’m a big fan of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice & Fire” series. The books are both a delight and a terror as Martin builds a tremendously brutal, violent and uncaring landscape upon which he populates his characters. Like the best of the fantasy genre, a great deal of the work goes into building that landscape – the cities and nations of Westeros and Essos, the history that colors the various points of views and pressures that each of […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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