With well stocked carry-on.
4 out of 5
http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=story&id=24190#comments
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Komodo - Tim Pratt
Lizard boy disease catching keeping.
4 out of 5
http://media.rawvoice.com/podcastle/media.libsyn.com/media/podcastle/PC050_Komodo.mp3
4 out of 5
http://media.rawvoice.com/podcastle/media.libsyn.com/media/podcastle/PC050_Komodo.mp3
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Thoughtcrime Experiments - Sumana Harihareswara and Leonard Richardson
Extremely bad.
A very odd idea. Find stories that had been rejected, or even better, multiply rejected, and publish those.
The editors point out that there is an oversupply of stories. That is certainly true. For any given reader there isn't remotely an oversupply of brilliant, excellent or even very good stories, though.
Decent, average, sure, there'll be heaps. If you want to get a little mathematical, possibly countably infinite numbers of crap, too.
If a story has been rejected multiple times, don't see too much logic generally speaking, as to why they'd be of interest. In some cases, sure (e.g. Dune), but as a general approach, it is a bizarre one.
I most definitely do not agree that these are of similar quality to the big print magazines. In fact, nothing here is good enough to get in there, except perhaps the Liu - which I didn't like much, but perhaps others might.
There's also the issue with becoming editors. The editors of the big print magazines have read hundreds of thousands of stories if they have been doing it for a while. The editors of this publications may have the of thousands part removed, and have only read hundreds. They may also have zero talent in this area themselves, period.
A few of these stories would seem to be basically just not up to the mark at all, writingwise, or even most, really (Mohanraj and Liu excepted, perhaps). That's an editorial lack.
So, whacko idea to start with, terrible result as a whole. They may have some sense of this, though, as it says it is a 'Crummy' production.
The average here is is 2.61, which is disgraceful.
Thoughtcrime Experiments : Welcome to the Federation - Mark Onspaugh
Thoughtcrime Experiments : Jump Space - Mary Anne Mohanraj
Thoughtcrime Experiments : The Last Christmas of Mrs. Claus - Alex Wilson
Thoughtcrime Experiments : Qubit Slip - William Highsmith
Thoughtcrime Experiments : Daisy - Andrew Willett
Thoughtcrime Experiments : The Ambassador's Staff - Sherry D. Ramsey
Thoughtcrime Experiments : Goldenseed - Therese Arkenberg
Thoughtcrime Experiments : Single-Bit Error - Ken Liu
Thoughtcrime Experiments : Friar Garden Mister Samuel and the Jilly Jally Butter Mints - Carole Lanham
We'd like us an inter-Galactic Invasion.
2 out of 5
Ship baby education.
3 out of 5
We don't do that xmas letter thing.
3 out of 5
A bit clumpy.
2.5 out of 5
Water pixies not too smooshable.
2 out of 5
Spaceport case.
2.5 out of 5
Chopped down.
2.5 out of 5
Particle absence conception.
3 out of 5
Things not to do.
3 out of 5
1 out of 5
http://thoughtcrime.crummy.com/2009/
A very odd idea. Find stories that had been rejected, or even better, multiply rejected, and publish those.
The editors point out that there is an oversupply of stories. That is certainly true. For any given reader there isn't remotely an oversupply of brilliant, excellent or even very good stories, though.
Decent, average, sure, there'll be heaps. If you want to get a little mathematical, possibly countably infinite numbers of crap, too.
If a story has been rejected multiple times, don't see too much logic generally speaking, as to why they'd be of interest. In some cases, sure (e.g. Dune), but as a general approach, it is a bizarre one.
I most definitely do not agree that these are of similar quality to the big print magazines. In fact, nothing here is good enough to get in there, except perhaps the Liu - which I didn't like much, but perhaps others might.
There's also the issue with becoming editors. The editors of the big print magazines have read hundreds of thousands of stories if they have been doing it for a while. The editors of this publications may have the of thousands part removed, and have only read hundreds. They may also have zero talent in this area themselves, period.
A few of these stories would seem to be basically just not up to the mark at all, writingwise, or even most, really (Mohanraj and Liu excepted, perhaps). That's an editorial lack.
So, whacko idea to start with, terrible result as a whole. They may have some sense of this, though, as it says it is a 'Crummy' production.
The average here is is 2.61, which is disgraceful.
Thoughtcrime Experiments : Welcome to the Federation - Mark Onspaugh
Thoughtcrime Experiments : Jump Space - Mary Anne Mohanraj
Thoughtcrime Experiments : The Last Christmas of Mrs. Claus - Alex Wilson
Thoughtcrime Experiments : Qubit Slip - William Highsmith
Thoughtcrime Experiments : Daisy - Andrew Willett
Thoughtcrime Experiments : The Ambassador's Staff - Sherry D. Ramsey
Thoughtcrime Experiments : Goldenseed - Therese Arkenberg
Thoughtcrime Experiments : Single-Bit Error - Ken Liu
Thoughtcrime Experiments : Friar Garden Mister Samuel and the Jilly Jally Butter Mints - Carole Lanham
We'd like us an inter-Galactic Invasion.
2 out of 5
Ship baby education.
3 out of 5
We don't do that xmas letter thing.
3 out of 5
A bit clumpy.
2.5 out of 5
Water pixies not too smooshable.
2 out of 5
Spaceport case.
2.5 out of 5
Chopped down.
2.5 out of 5
Particle absence conception.
3 out of 5
Things not to do.
3 out of 5
1 out of 5
http://thoughtcrime.crummy.com/2009/
Welcome To the Federation - Mark Onspaugh
We'd like us an inter-Galactic Invasion.
2 out of 5
http://thoughtcrime.crummy.com/2009/Federation.html
2 out of 5
http://thoughtcrime.crummy.com/2009/Federation.html
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
The Stranger 4 - Max Frei
"Spare me, O Sir Max the Terrible, who spews death from out of his fire-breathing maw! Do not snuff out my existence with your burning spittle, which flows abundantly over the heads of your sworn enemies! I am unworthy of such a magnificent demise."
Terrified policemen came running up when they heard Melifaro's shrieks. It appeared they sincerely thought that someone was being murdered. They stared at my grimacing colleague. At me they only glanced surreptitiously, as though trying to size up the situation--was he going to spit or not? "
2.5 out of 5
http://www.suvudu.com/2009/04/exclusive-excerpt-the-stranger-by-max-frei.html#more
Terrified policemen came running up when they heard Melifaro's shrieks. It appeared they sincerely thought that someone was being murdered. They stared at my grimacing colleague. At me they only glanced surreptitiously, as though trying to size up the situation--was he going to spit or not? "
2.5 out of 5
http://www.suvudu.com/2009/04/exclusive-excerpt-the-stranger-by-max-frei.html#more
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Tumithak and the Ancient Word - Charles R. Tanner
Defeat Shelks, get dog, score library. Not bad.
3.5 out of 5
http://charlesrtanner.com/TumithakAndTheAncientWord.htm
3.5 out of 5
http://charlesrtanner.com/TumithakAndTheAncientWord.htm
Tumithak Of the Corridors - Charles R. Tanner
Inside boy gets over agoraphobia and alien killing phobia to take charge.
3.5 out of 5
http://charlesrtanner.com/TumithakOfTheCorridors.htm
3.5 out of 5
http://charlesrtanner.com/TumithakOfTheCorridors.htm
Beneath Ceaseless Skies 15 - Scott H. Andrews
One story a bit better than decent, with a nifty Middle-Eastern flavour. The other bad.
Happily Glomming onto the fact this is Obah.
2 out of 5
Ghul hunting marriage, now apprenticed.
3.5 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/toc.php?s=all
Happily Glomming onto the fact this is Obah.
2 out of 5
Ghul hunting marriage, now apprenticed.
3.5 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/toc.php?s=all
Where Virtue Lives - Saladin Ahmed
Ghul hunting marriage, now apprenticed.
3.5 out of 5
http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/story.php?s=32
3.5 out of 5
http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/story.php?s=32
More Than Once Upon A Time - S. C. Butler
Happily Glomming onto the fact this is Obah.
2 out of 5
http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/story.php?s=31
2 out of 5
http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/story.php?s=31
Beneath Ceaseless Skies 14 - Scott H. Andrews
Standard BCS issue.
Crushed and shredded World's End.
3.5 out of 5
Gryphon ship lessons.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/toc.php?s=all
Crushed and shredded World's End.
3.5 out of 5
Gryphon ship lessons.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/toc.php?s=all
Friday, April 24, 2009
Heart Of Jade - Amy Sterling Casil
Please take care of my deluded Mayan princess daughter, would you? This city is toast.
4 out of 5
http://www.bookviewcafe.com/index.php/Heart-of-Jade-by-Amy-Sterling
4 out of 5
http://www.bookviewcafe.com/index.php/Heart-of-Jade-by-Amy-Sterling
The Rhondda Rendezvous - Rhys Hughes
Jerry Cornelius gets Welshly Spanish Main piratical.
3 out of 5
http://www.heliotropemag.com/04/the-rhondda-rendezvous-by-rhys-hughes/
3 out of 5
http://www.heliotropemag.com/04/the-rhondda-rendezvous-by-rhys-hughes/
Thursday, April 23, 2009
SF Scope Interview With - James Enge
"I'm glad you like him. Morlock snuck into a long and hopelessly stupid multistage novel that I was writing thirty or so years ago. Everything else in those books eventually went into the ever-hungry maw of the writer's best friend, but I kept returning to Morlock and messing about with his biography and his world. In some ways, he's depressing, I guess: he's a drunk who's trying to keep from drinking; he's faced a lot of frustrations and personal disasters. But he enjoys exercising his considerable talents, and once he decides to do something he never gives up."
4.5 out of 5
http://sfscope.com/2009/04/interview-with-james-enge-cond.html
4.5 out of 5
http://sfscope.com/2009/04/interview-with-james-enge-cond.html
The coming king of steampunk - Alastair
http://www.sfcrowsnest.com/news/arc/2009/nz13830.php
SF Crowsnest interview with Stephen Hunt that also gives a brief career history.
4 out of 5
SF Crowsnest interview with Stephen Hunt that also gives a brief career history.
4 out of 5
World's End 1-3 - Mark Chadbourn
"“Let’s get away from here,” the hippie hissed, dragging them both by their jackets. “Where’s your car?” The snake-man was already pulling himself to his feet, his face a mess of blood and torn flesh. An ear-splitting, inhuman roar erupted from its throat as they ran to the Nissan, and for a second of pure terror, Church thought it was coming after them. As he pushed the key in the lock, Church couldn’t help glancing back, and instantly wished he hadn’t; framed in the open van doors, he saw the snake-man howling terrible monkey cries as he tore at his clothes and face which was transforming, melting, shifting into something so awful Church gagged and turned away.
When they were safely inside, he fired up the engine, gunning the accelerator, and then they were lurching forward in a screech of tires.
Only when they had pulled off the slip road into traffic did Church’s heart start to return to normal. He turned to Ruth in the passenger seat. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, her face pale and drawn.
“That thing in the van,” he stuttered, “it was the same as whatever we saw under the bridge. Not the same one, though. So there’s more of—”
“They can put on human faces,” the hippie interrupted from the back seat."
4.5 out of 5
http://pyrsamples.blogspot.com/2009/04/worlds-end-age-of-misrule-1-by-mark.html
When they were safely inside, he fired up the engine, gunning the accelerator, and then they were lurching forward in a screech of tires.
Only when they had pulled off the slip road into traffic did Church’s heart start to return to normal. He turned to Ruth in the passenger seat. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, her face pale and drawn.
“That thing in the van,” he stuttered, “it was the same as whatever we saw under the bridge. Not the same one, though. So there’s more of—”
“They can put on human faces,” the hippie interrupted from the back seat."
4.5 out of 5
http://pyrsamples.blogspot.com/2009/04/worlds-end-age-of-misrule-1-by-mark.html
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
H. P. Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 - Marvin Kaye
http://www.weirdtales.net/storypdf/lo...
The last issue of this erratic publication. They have seen fit to make it available to everyone. Can't say I'm overly impressed. Graphically of no interest, beyond the cover. The non-fiction isn't of any interest, either. It is, however, a close to 20MB unwieldy not very friendly beast, as far as reading it goes.
The stories barely average over 3. The only impressive thing was managing to get a couple of decent vignettes, something that is not easy. Bear, etc. That is where I'd start, if you were going to try this out, Bear to the end.
Have no reference other than this one of course, which may be a down issue. If this is the normal standard, not really worthy of paid support in large numbers, anyway.
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 - John Gregory Betancourt
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : A Bit of Life - Alexandra Konigsberg and David Konigsberg
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Cherrystones & Shards of Ice - Ekaterina Sedia
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Descant - Terry Bramlett
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : The Thing's The Play - Andrew J. Wilson
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Going After Timmy - Parke Godwin
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Ichthys - Arrin Dembo
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Boxing Day - Leah Bobet
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Ostraca - Jane Alice Kelly
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Cryptic Life - Jill Baumann
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : The Piper's Chair - Terry McGarry
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Formidable Terrain - Elizabeth Bear
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Within Your Soul I Sightless See - Eugie Foster
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : The Monster in the Living Room - Marc Bilgrey
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Between Ourselves - Tanith Lee and Rosemary Hawley Jarman
No more of that sorcery.
2.5 out of 5
Better be dead soon.
2.5 out of 5
Black Blink Madonna.
3 out of 5
Scary stage talent.
3 out of 5
Shot for brother.
2.5 out of 5
Scaly signore snack skill transfer.
3.5 out of 5
Sockpinned.
3 out of 5
Want mommy, mummy.
3 out of 5
Play off, then.
3 out of 5
Pseudopocalypse?
3.5 out of 5
Blindman pet attack problem consumption.
4 out of 5
Cheap incantation.
3 out of 5
Good old goat man ritual.
3.5 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
The last issue of this erratic publication. They have seen fit to make it available to everyone. Can't say I'm overly impressed. Graphically of no interest, beyond the cover. The non-fiction isn't of any interest, either. It is, however, a close to 20MB unwieldy not very friendly beast, as far as reading it goes.
The stories barely average over 3. The only impressive thing was managing to get a couple of decent vignettes, something that is not easy. Bear, etc. That is where I'd start, if you were going to try this out, Bear to the end.
Have no reference other than this one of course, which may be a down issue. If this is the normal standard, not really worthy of paid support in large numbers, anyway.
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 - John Gregory Betancourt
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : A Bit of Life - Alexandra Konigsberg and David Konigsberg
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Cherrystones & Shards of Ice - Ekaterina Sedia
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Descant - Terry Bramlett
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : The Thing's The Play - Andrew J. Wilson
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Going After Timmy - Parke Godwin
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Ichthys - Arrin Dembo
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Boxing Day - Leah Bobet
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Ostraca - Jane Alice Kelly
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Cryptic Life - Jill Baumann
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : The Piper's Chair - Terry McGarry
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Formidable Terrain - Elizabeth Bear
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Within Your Soul I Sightless See - Eugie Foster
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : The Monster in the Living Room - Marc Bilgrey
H P Lovecraft's Magazine Of Horror 5 : Between Ourselves - Tanith Lee and Rosemary Hawley Jarman
No more of that sorcery.
2.5 out of 5
Better be dead soon.
2.5 out of 5
Black Blink Madonna.
3 out of 5
Scary stage talent.
3 out of 5
Shot for brother.
2.5 out of 5
Scaly signore snack skill transfer.
3.5 out of 5
Sockpinned.
3 out of 5
Want mommy, mummy.
3 out of 5
Play off, then.
3 out of 5
Pseudopocalypse?
3.5 out of 5
Blindman pet attack problem consumption.
4 out of 5
Cheap incantation.
3 out of 5
Good old goat man ritual.
3.5 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
Terra Insegura 1-2 - Ed Willett
"Randy waved him off. “We’ll send a null-brane pulse as soon as we emerge from branespace.” He turned to Smith. “Great work, John,” he said. “Congratulations. If this were a proper military I’d promote you.”
“Thank you, Captain,” Smith said. His face actually colored a little.
Richard and Andy took their leave, pulling themselves along the webbing toward one of the transport platforms that would whisk them along the ship’s giant central shaft to the habitat ring. “So tell me, Captain,” Andy said as they went, “which are you looking forward to more when we emerge from branespace in two weeks: letting Marseguro know where to look for a second starship, or talking to a certain Selkie girl?”"
2 out of 5
“Thank you, Captain,” Smith said. His face actually colored a little.
Richard and Andy took their leave, pulling themselves along the webbing toward one of the transport platforms that would whisk them along the ship’s giant central shaft to the habitat ring. “So tell me, Captain,” Andy said as they went, “which are you looking forward to more when we emerge from branespace in two weeks: letting Marseguro know where to look for a second starship, or talking to a certain Selkie girl?”"
2 out of 5
Within Your Soul I Sightless See - Eugie Foster
Blindman pet attack problem consumption.
4 out of 5
http://www.weirdtales.net/storypdf/
lovecraftsmag5.pdf
4 out of 5
http://www.weirdtales.net/storypdf/
lovecraftsmag5.pdf
Moorcock the author Mike the man - Chris Roberson
A reminiscence. I think It would definitely be hard to hold it together if he was bringing you bears and giving you Stormbringer to play with.
4.5 out of 5
http://www.heliotropemag.com/04/moorcock-the-author-mike-the-man-by-chris-roberson/
4.5 out of 5
http://www.heliotropemag.com/04/moorcock-the-author-mike-the-man-by-chris-roberson/
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Michael Moorcock: Behold the Man - Lou Anders
"Michael Moorcock is threaded throughout the entire fabric of my childhood universe. I remember bookstores devoting entire shelves to the various novels of his multiverse, works I devoured as fast as I could get my hands on them. It was a natural leap from the Barsoom and Africa of Edgar Rice Burroughs to the darker, stranger worlds of Elric of Melniboné and Prince Corum Jhaelen Irsei."
4 out of 5
http://www.heliotropemag.com/04/michael-moorcock-behold-the-man-by-lou-anders/
4 out of 5
http://www.heliotropemag.com/04/michael-moorcock-behold-the-man-by-lou-anders/
One Life Furnished With Early Moorcock - Neil Gaiman
Elric story boy.
3 out of 5
http://www.heliotropemag.com/04/one-life-furnished-in-early-moorcock-by-neil-gaiman/
3 out of 5
http://www.heliotropemag.com/04/one-life-furnished-in-early-moorcock-by-neil-gaiman/
Ichthys - Arrin Dembo
Scaly signore snack skill transfer.
3.5 out of 5
http://www.weirdtales.net/storypdf/lovecraftsmag5.pdf
3.5 out of 5
http://www.weirdtales.net/storypdf/lovecraftsmag5.pdf
Ghost Chimes - Nancy Fulda
Dead mom's annoying me.
3 out of 5
http://darwinsevolutions.com/wordpress/index.php/the-library/stories/ghost-chimes-by-nancy-fulda/
3 out of 5
http://darwinsevolutions.com/wordpress/index.php/the-library/stories/ghost-chimes-by-nancy-fulda/
20000 Light Years To Lilliput - Bill Ward
Maybe Baby Unreality Drive.
3 out of 5
http://darwinsevolutions.com/wordpress/index.php/the-library/stories/20000-light-years-to-lilliput-by-bill-ward/
3 out of 5
http://darwinsevolutions.com/wordpress/index.php/the-library/stories/20000-light-years-to-lilliput-by-bill-ward/
Monday, April 20, 2009
Nightship - Kim Westwood
Should have racked off you little bleeder.
3 out of 5
http://browseinside.harpercollins.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061364082
http://keithstevenson.com/media/TISF_006.mp3
3 out of 5
http://browseinside.harpercollins.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061364082
http://keithstevenson.com/media/TISF_006.mp3
The Little Demon - Louise Katz
A demon walks into a bar, is confused by what a Princess is, and decides this ain't such a bad place.
3 out of 5
http://keithstevenson.com/media/TISF_004.mp3
3 out of 5
http://keithstevenson.com/media/TISF_004.mp3
The Bride Price - Cat Sparks
A man of the New Ceres noble class out to procure a suitable wife encounters refugees on his flight home, and shows class nobility.
http://www.newceres.com/doku.php?id=i...
http://keithstevenson.com/media/TISF_...
http://www.newceres.com/doku.php?id=i...
http://keithstevenson.com/media/TISF_...
The Slimelight and How To Step Into It - Robert Hood
Can't trust those amorphous creatures from outer space.
3 out of 5
http://keithstevenson.com/media/TISF_003.mp3
3 out of 5
http://keithstevenson.com/media/TISF_003.mp3
The Once and Future King - Dirk Flinthart
Full bodied future karaoke.
3.5 out of 5
http://darwinsevolutions.com/wordpress/index.php/the-library/stories/the-once-and-future-king-by-dirk-flinthart/
3.5 out of 5
http://darwinsevolutions.com/wordpress/index.php/the-library/stories/the-once-and-future-king-by-dirk-flinthart/
Sunday, April 19, 2009
High Stakes - Sarah A. Hoyt
Babylon Eye blind.
4 out of 5
http://darwinsevolutions.com/wordpress/index.php/the-library/stories/high-stakes-by-sarah-a-hoyt/
4 out of 5
http://darwinsevolutions.com/wordpress/index.php/the-library/stories/high-stakes-by-sarah-a-hoyt/
Darkship Thieves 1-3 - Sarah A. Hoyt
" “Athena Hera Sinistra,” he said. “Has left my Space Cruiser while hallucinating. She might be in the grip of mind-altering drugs. She must be believed to be armed and dangerous. We’re asking Circum Terra to detain her till she can be retrieved by my employees.”"
3.5 out of 5
http://darkship.sarahahoyt.com/dst-excerpt.html
3.5 out of 5
http://darkship.sarahahoyt.com/dst-excerpt.html
Geekerati Planet Stories Interview - Erik Mona
Talking about how the line came about, and what is being published.
4.5 out of 5
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/bc/Geekerati/2008/04/01/Erik-Mona-discusses-Planet-Stories.mp3?localembed=download
4.5 out of 5
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/bc/Geekerati/2008/04/01/Erik-Mona-discusses-Planet-Stories.mp3?localembed=download
White Fungus - Bruce Sterling
http://www.sunarchitecture.nl/upload/49d601a8ba4b25.51434338.pdf
Suburban junkspace mushroom project woman.
3 out of 5
Suburban junkspace mushroom project woman.
3 out of 5
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Death Draws Five Las Vegas the Mirage Auditorium - John J. Miller
http://web.archive.org/web/20060819004617/http://www.georgerrmartin.com/wc-s.html
"The fiery sword appeared in her hands. With a four foot blade licked by flames from its plain cross hilt to its blunt tip, it was a weapon that could be wielded only by an ace stronger than most nats. The flames burning up and down its length lit the Angel’s face with an almost Hellish glow as she glanced swiftly about. It was difficult to see what exactly was happening, but Ray was spinning like a dervish and the gunmen were retreating before him. Some were out of his reach, and one of those was aiming at the figures clustered at center stage. She lunged, swinging her sword, and the fiery blade chopped through the gun’s barrel like a glowing knife through butter. The gunman turned to stare at her, and the Angel was gratified by the expression that she saw on his face. He slunk away. She turned to look for another victim, and she saw him. The blond-haired man she’d seen in the Waldorf-Astoria’s parking garage, strong and tall and as beautiful as an angel. He came toward her slowly, smiling confidently. Smugly. He has reason to be smug, the Angel thought. He was the most handsome man she’d ever seen."
3.5 out of 5
"The fiery sword appeared in her hands. With a four foot blade licked by flames from its plain cross hilt to its blunt tip, it was a weapon that could be wielded only by an ace stronger than most nats. The flames burning up and down its length lit the Angel’s face with an almost Hellish glow as she glanced swiftly about. It was difficult to see what exactly was happening, but Ray was spinning like a dervish and the gunmen were retreating before him. Some were out of his reach, and one of those was aiming at the figures clustered at center stage. She lunged, swinging her sword, and the fiery blade chopped through the gun’s barrel like a glowing knife through butter. The gunman turned to stare at her, and the Angel was gratified by the expression that she saw on his face. He slunk away. She turned to look for another victim, and she saw him. The blond-haired man she’d seen in the Waldorf-Astoria’s parking garage, strong and tall and as beautiful as an angel. He came toward her slowly, smiling confidently. Smugly. He has reason to be smug, the Angel thought. He was the most handsome man she’d ever seen."
3.5 out of 5
If You're Just Joining Us - James Enge
http://www.ifyourejustjoiningus.com/podpress_trac/web/83/0/james_enge(If_Youre_Just_Joining_Us).mp3
Jon Armstrong interviews newly booked author. Whose pseudonym apparently means Hero. (Not sure if he ever delivered time-limited pizza or not, though.) Stuff on being genre enough, and love you longtime in ancient Greek.
4 out of 5
Jon Armstrong interviews newly booked author. Whose pseudonym apparently means Hero. (Not sure if he ever delivered time-limited pizza or not, though.) Stuff on being genre enough, and love you longtime in ancient Greek.
4 out of 5
Friday, April 17, 2009
The Book Cave 17 - Jess Nevins
http://media.libsyn.com/media/thebookcave/Book_Cave_ep_017.mp3
Where he is interviewed about his various projects and history, and gives the lowdown on some pulp characters obscure or not.
4 out of 5
Where he is interviewed about his various projects and history, and gives the lowdown on some pulp characters obscure or not.
4 out of 5
The Book Cave 16 Tribute To Phil Farmer - Win Scott Eckert and Dennis Power and Paul Spiteri and Michael Croteau
http://media.libsyn.com/media/thebookcave/Book_Cave_ep_016.mp3
This one is epic, over two hours long, discussing Wold Newtonry and Farmer in general, with various workd.
5 out of 5
This one is epic, over two hours long, discussing Wold Newtonry and Farmer in general, with various workd.
5 out of 5
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Continental Op - Mike Humbert
http://www.mikehumbert.com/Dashiell_Hammett_02_Continental_Op.html
A complete list of the stories with this character.
4.5 out of 5
A complete list of the stories with this character.
4.5 out of 5
Another Word for Map is Faith - Christopher Rowe
Religiously correct landscaping writ large.
3 out of 5
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1597800686/1597800686___6.htm
3 out of 5
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1597800686/1597800686___6.htm
In the House Of the Seven Librarians - Ellen Klages
Taxonomically sheltered upbringing.
4 out of 5
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1597800686/1597800686___5.htm
http://media.rawvoice.com/podcastle/m...
4 out of 5
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1597800686/1597800686___5.htm
http://media.rawvoice.com/podcastle/m...
El Regalo - Peter S. Beagle
Witch boy sororal rescue.
4 out of 5
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1597800686/1597800686___3.htm
4 out of 5
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1597800686/1597800686___3.htm
Glory - Greg Egan
Antimatter lightspeed starblast instantiation means mathematical archaeology discovery decision.
4.5 out of 5
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1597801240/1597801240___5.htm
http://outofthiseos.typepad.com/blog/...
4.5 out of 5
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1597801240/1597801240___5.htm
http://outofthiseos.typepad.com/blog/...
Dead Horse Point - Daryl Gregory
Girl, Interrupted keeper drained.
3 out of 5
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1597801240/1597801240___6.htm
3 out of 5
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1597801240/1597801240___6.htm
The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate - Ted Chiang
Wormhole time tender's raconteur replay.
4 out of 5
http://web.archive.org/web/20080214145811/http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/fiction/tc01.htm
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1597801240/1597801240___2.htm
http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/fiction/tc01.htm
http://cdn2.libsyn.com/starshipsofa/Ted_Chiang_The_Merchant_and_the_Alchemists_Gate.mp3
4 out of 5
http://web.archive.org/web/20080214145811/http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/fiction/tc01.htm
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1597801240/1597801240___2.htm
http://www.sfsite.com/fsf/fiction/tc01.htm
http://cdn2.libsyn.com/starshipsofa/Ted_Chiang_The_Merchant_and_the_Alchemists_Gate.mp3
Trunk and Disorderly - Charles Stross
Dwarf mammoths are heavy. Supreme planetary overlords have bloody big houses. Multigendered metalflesh relations are jolly complex, old chap.
4 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.ph...
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1597801240/1597801240___4.htm
4 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.ph...
http://www.webscription.net/chapters/1597801240/1597801240___4.htm
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Holocaust House - Norbert Davis
Double secretary impersonation killer.
3.5 out of 5
http://manybooks.net/titles/davisnother07Holocaust_House.html
3.5 out of 5
http://manybooks.net/titles/davisnother07Holocaust_House.html
Monday, April 13, 2009
Inspirational and Educational Reading - Gary Gygax
Appendix N: of the grand old AD&D DM Guide tome, whereupon I discovered Howard, Leiber, Moorcock, Vance and more.
5 out of 5
http://www.isegoria.net/2007/01/appendix-n-inspirational-and.htm
5 out of 5
http://www.isegoria.net/2007/01/appendix-n-inspirational-and.htm
Coyote Horizon Prologue - Allen M. Steele
http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/specialinterests/scifi/2009/coyotehorizon.html
"Wendy Gunther didn't appear much older than she did when she and her husband, Carlos Montero, traveled to Earth as Coyote's emissaries to the United Nations. With pale blond hair turned silver with age and braided into a slender rope that hung down her back from beneath a straw sun hat, she remained slender and almost sensuously regal, with only crows feet at the corners her eyes and the wrinkled skin of the back of her hands giving evidence of her age. There was a certain strength to her, though, that hinted at a sense of belonging to this place; Lynn would later reflect that it was as if she'd become part of Coyote, as native to this world as any of the creatures that had evolved here."
3 out of 5
"Wendy Gunther didn't appear much older than she did when she and her husband, Carlos Montero, traveled to Earth as Coyote's emissaries to the United Nations. With pale blond hair turned silver with age and braided into a slender rope that hung down her back from beneath a straw sun hat, she remained slender and almost sensuously regal, with only crows feet at the corners her eyes and the wrinkled skin of the back of her hands giving evidence of her age. There was a certain strength to her, though, that hinted at a sense of belonging to this place; Lynn would later reflect that it was as if she'd become part of Coyote, as native to this world as any of the creatures that had evolved here."
3 out of 5
Kelly Country 4 - A. Bertram Chandler
"The night of the raid was brightly moonlit, with a clear sky. The wind over the North Sea was easterly, at about ten knots. The Allied air fleet lifted from the Royal Navy’s Airship Base at Pulham, in East Anglia. There were twenty Australian metalclads, with the flagship, Deirdre, in the van. There were ten French semi-rigids. My understanding is that these ships were among those present despite my great-grandfather’s lack of confidence in them. There were ten Royal Navy airships of essentially Zeppelin design. Finally there were ten of the Royal Navy’s airship aircraft carriers to provide fighter support should it be required."
3 out of 5
http://www.bertramchandler.com/kellycountry.aspx
3 out of 5
http://www.bertramchandler.com/kellycountry.aspx
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Song In A Minor Key - C. L. Moore
A bit of reminiscing by Northwest Smith about his first use of a ray gun in anger.
3 out of 5
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/28550
3 out of 5
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/28550
Beyond Lies the Wub - Philip K. Dick
You might be what you eat.
4 out of 5
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/28554
http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/4787204/510202/89610580/NPR_89610580.mp3
(at around 14-15 mins in)
4 out of 5
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/28554
http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/4787204/510202/89610580/NPR_89610580.mp3
(at around 14-15 mins in)
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Farewell To the Master - Harry Bates
Gnut our ship, you gorilla.
3 out of 5
http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3797
http://www.unexploredworlds.com/RealP...
3 out of 5
http://www.feedbooks.com/book/3797
http://www.unexploredworlds.com/RealP...
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Lone Star Stories Reader - Eric Marin
An average of 3.13 is probably around what you would expect given that all this book is is a selection of around the editor's top 25% of stories from a pool of only around 60 from a minor league magazine. Given somewhat different tastes, too, would assume this book would only be average, and it is. Does include a couple of my favorite stories from there, and other decent ones, along with some anti-favorites.
Lone Star Stories Reader : Wolf Night - Martha Wells
Lone Star Stories Reader : Seasonal Work - Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Lone Star Stories Reader : Janet Meet Bob - Gavin J. Grant
Lone Star Stories Reader : The Great Conviction of Tia Inez - M. Thomas
Lone Star Stories Reader : Angels of a Desert Heaven - Marguerite Reed
Lone Star Stories Reader : The Disemboweler - Ekaterina Sedia
Lone Star Stories Reader : A Night in Electric Squidland - Sarah Monette
Lone Star Stories Reader : Thread: A Triptych - Catherynne M. Valente
Lone Star Stories Reader : The Frozen One - Tim Pratt
Lone Star Stories Reader : Dragon Hunt - Sarah Prineas
Lone Star Stories Reader : Manuscript Found Written in the Paw Prints of a Stoat - Samantha Henderson
Lone Star Stories Reader : Giant - Stephanie Burgis
Lone Star Stories Reader : When the Rain Comes - Josh Rountree
Lone Star Stories Reader : The Hangman Isn't Hanging - Jay Lake
Lone Star Stories Reader : The Oracle Opens One Eye - Patricia Russo
If travelling in crappy weather wasn't bad enough :
'Just out for a walk on an icy winter night in an isolated outpost populated by strange men and murdering werewolves.'
3.5 out of 5
Present boy.
1.5 out of 5
Murder probability.
3 out of 5
Ghost game retrieval search.
2.5 out of 5
Psychic singer's native wingin' it.
3.5 out of 5
Robot auto sacrifice.
3.5 out of 5
Cthulhu club king monster murder.
4 out of 5
Annie? Ariadne? It is all something like Greek to them.
4.5 out of 5
Twin freakout Other City Halfway Hero holdout advice.
3.5 out of 5
Sir Librarian's euthanasia service.
3.5 out of 5
Weaseling him out.
2.5 out of 5
Hearty immunity.
2 out of 5
Ice witch freaky.
3 out of 5
Angel execution selection.
3.5 out of 5
Whipped seer sucks.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
http://www.lsspress.com/LSSReaderDownload.pdf
Lone Star Stories Reader : Wolf Night - Martha Wells
Lone Star Stories Reader : Seasonal Work - Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Lone Star Stories Reader : Janet Meet Bob - Gavin J. Grant
Lone Star Stories Reader : The Great Conviction of Tia Inez - M. Thomas
Lone Star Stories Reader : Angels of a Desert Heaven - Marguerite Reed
Lone Star Stories Reader : The Disemboweler - Ekaterina Sedia
Lone Star Stories Reader : A Night in Electric Squidland - Sarah Monette
Lone Star Stories Reader : Thread: A Triptych - Catherynne M. Valente
Lone Star Stories Reader : The Frozen One - Tim Pratt
Lone Star Stories Reader : Dragon Hunt - Sarah Prineas
Lone Star Stories Reader : Manuscript Found Written in the Paw Prints of a Stoat - Samantha Henderson
Lone Star Stories Reader : Giant - Stephanie Burgis
Lone Star Stories Reader : When the Rain Comes - Josh Rountree
Lone Star Stories Reader : The Hangman Isn't Hanging - Jay Lake
Lone Star Stories Reader : The Oracle Opens One Eye - Patricia Russo
If travelling in crappy weather wasn't bad enough :
'Just out for a walk on an icy winter night in an isolated outpost populated by strange men and murdering werewolves.'
3.5 out of 5
Present boy.
1.5 out of 5
Murder probability.
3 out of 5
Ghost game retrieval search.
2.5 out of 5
Psychic singer's native wingin' it.
3.5 out of 5
Robot auto sacrifice.
3.5 out of 5
Cthulhu club king monster murder.
4 out of 5
Annie? Ariadne? It is all something like Greek to them.
4.5 out of 5
Twin freakout Other City Halfway Hero holdout advice.
3.5 out of 5
Sir Librarian's euthanasia service.
3.5 out of 5
Weaseling him out.
2.5 out of 5
Hearty immunity.
2 out of 5
Ice witch freaky.
3 out of 5
Angel execution selection.
3.5 out of 5
Whipped seer sucks.
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
http://www.lsspress.com/LSSReaderDownload.pdf
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Subterranean Online 09 - William Schafer
A very weak 3.00 for this issue, the best of which is the Scholes. The Rusch story was one of those toss the coin decisions, as to up or down, and a little bit of variety, genre-wise, as a straight crime story.
Subterranean Online 9 : A Four-Sided Triangle - Mike Resnick
Subterranean Online 9 : Clinic - Kris Nelscott
Subterranean Online 9 : Grail-Diving in Shangrilla with the World's Last Mime - Ken Scholes
Subterranean Online 9 : Three Fancies from the Infernal Garden - C.S.E. Cooney
Subterranean Online 9 : Her Voice in a Bottle - Tim Pratt
Subterranean Online 9 : The Dry Spell - James P. Blaylock
Sure I'll marry a cocaine millionaire, can do it myself.
3 out of 5
Dead baby medicine heart.
3.5 out of 5
Shoot the hobgobbies, piss on 'em, say no, then do the cheerleaders.
3.5 out of 5
Ivan hot snack, dead.
2.5 out of 5
Very mushy porting.
2.5 out of 5
Maybe too wet all at once.
3 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/winter-2009/fiction-grail-diving-in-shangrilla-with-the-worlds-last-mime-by-ken-scholes/
Subterranean Online 9 : A Four-Sided Triangle - Mike Resnick
Subterranean Online 9 : Clinic - Kris Nelscott
Subterranean Online 9 : Grail-Diving in Shangrilla with the World's Last Mime - Ken Scholes
Subterranean Online 9 : Three Fancies from the Infernal Garden - C.S.E. Cooney
Subterranean Online 9 : Her Voice in a Bottle - Tim Pratt
Subterranean Online 9 : The Dry Spell - James P. Blaylock
Sure I'll marry a cocaine millionaire, can do it myself.
3 out of 5
Dead baby medicine heart.
3.5 out of 5
Shoot the hobgobbies, piss on 'em, say no, then do the cheerleaders.
3.5 out of 5
Ivan hot snack, dead.
2.5 out of 5
Very mushy porting.
2.5 out of 5
Maybe too wet all at once.
3 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/winter-2009/fiction-grail-diving-in-shangrilla-with-the-worlds-last-mime-by-ken-scholes/
The Dry Spell - James P. Blaylock
Maybe too wet all at once.
3 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/winter-2009/fiction-the-dry-spell-by-james-p-blaylock/
3 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/winter-2009/fiction-the-dry-spell-by-james-p-blaylock/
Her Voice In A Bottle - Tim Pratt
Very mushy porting.
2.5 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/winter-2009/fiction-her-voice-in-a-bottle-by-tim-pratt/
2.5 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/winter-2009/fiction-her-voice-in-a-bottle-by-tim-pratt/
Three Fancies From The Infernal Garden - C. S. E. Cooney
Ivan hot snack, dead.
2.5 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/winter-2009/fiction-three-fancies-from-the-infernal-garden-by-cse-cooney/
2.5 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/winter-2009/fiction-three-fancies-from-the-infernal-garden-by-cse-cooney/
Grail-diving In Shangrilla With The World's Last Mime - Ken Scholes
Shoot the hobgobbies, piss on 'em, say no, then do the cheerleaders.
3.5 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/winter-2009/fiction-grail-diving-in-shangrilla-with-the-worlds-last-mime-by-ken-scholes/
3.5 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/winter-2009/fiction-grail-diving-in-shangrilla-with-the-worlds-last-mime-by-ken-scholes/
Clinic - Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Dead baby medicine heart.
3.5 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/winter-2009/fiction-clinic-by-kris-nelscott/
3.5 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/winter-2009/fiction-clinic-by-kris-nelscott/
A Four-Sided Triangle - Mike Resnick
Sure I'll marry a cocaine millionaire, can do it myself.
3 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/winter-2009/fiction-a-four-sided-triangle-a-lucifer-jones-story-by-mike-resnick/
3 out of 5
http://subterraneanpress.com/index.php/magazine/winter-2009/fiction-a-four-sided-triangle-a-lucifer-jones-story-by-mike-resnick/
Apex Magazine 7 - Jason Sizemore
Two decent stories, two not. A column on nicking English by Tidhar, and the odd interview.
Apex Magazine 7 : Waiting for Jakie - Barbara Krasnoff
Apex Magazine 7 : The Last Science Fiction Writer - Jamie Todd Rubin
Apex Magazine 7 : Love Dad - Jeffrey D. Kooistra
Apex Magazine 7 : Savage - E. Anderson
Take the blue pill, like a bullet.
3.5 out of 5
Definitely dead inside.
2.5 out of 5
Long distance family.
3.5 out of 5
Cold hunt looser.
2.5 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/apex-online/
Apex Magazine 7 : Waiting for Jakie - Barbara Krasnoff
Apex Magazine 7 : The Last Science Fiction Writer - Jamie Todd Rubin
Apex Magazine 7 : Love Dad - Jeffrey D. Kooistra
Apex Magazine 7 : Savage - E. Anderson
Take the blue pill, like a bullet.
3.5 out of 5
Definitely dead inside.
2.5 out of 5
Long distance family.
3.5 out of 5
Cold hunt looser.
2.5 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/apex-online/
Savage - E. Anderson
Cold hunt looser.
2.5 out of 5
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/apex-online/2009/04/permuted-press-presents-savage-by-e-anderson/
2.5 out of 5
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/apex-online/2009/04/permuted-press-presents-savage-by-e-anderson/
Love Dad - Jeffrey D. Kooistra
Long distance family.
3.5 out of 5
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/apex-online/2009/04/short-fiction-love-dad-by-jeffrey-d-kooistra/
3.5 out of 5
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/apex-online/2009/04/short-fiction-love-dad-by-jeffrey-d-kooistra/
The Last Science Fiction Writer - Jamie Todd Rubin
Definitely died inside.
2.5 out of 5
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/apex-online/2009/04/short-fiction-the-last-science-fiction-writer-by-jamie-todd-rubin/
2.5 out of 5
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/apex-online/2009/04/short-fiction-the-last-science-fiction-writer-by-jamie-todd-rubin/
Waiting For Jakie - Barbara Krasnoff
Take the blue pill, like a bullet.
3.5 out of 5
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/apex-online/2009/04/short-fiction-waiting-for-jakie-by-barbara-krasnoff/
3.5 out of 5
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/apex-online/2009/04/short-fiction-waiting-for-jakie-by-barbara-krasnoff/
Morlock Ambrosius Master of Makers - James Enge
Lou Anders interviews him at Tor, about this most excellent characters and series of books coming.
4.5 out of 5
http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=blog&id=18925#preview
4.5 out of 5
http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=blog&id=18925#preview
Monday, April 06, 2009
Beyond the Blue Event Horizon 1 - Frederik Pohl
Nevertheless he had to go to the gold, whether the grave old frog-jawed ones were there or not, because that was where the books were. The Dead Men were well enough. But they were tedious, and touchy, and often obsessed. The best sources of knowledge were books, and to get them Wan had to go where they were.
3 out of 5
http://us.macmillan.com/BookCustomPage.aspx?isbn=9780765321770
3 out of 5
http://us.macmillan.com/BookCustomPage.aspx?isbn=9780765321770
Inside Straight Is A Homecoming For Me - George R. R. Martin
"Wild Cards was never just a series of books. It was a world full of old friends, and it was sad to think we might not be able to visit there any longer.
Sometimes you can go home again, however. Thanks to Tor Books, Wild Cards is back."
http://us.macmillan.com/BookCustomPage.aspx?isbn=9780765357120&m_type=4&m_contentid=9483#cmscontent
Sometimes you can go home again, however. Thanks to Tor Books, Wild Cards is back."
http://us.macmillan.com/BookCustomPage.aspx?isbn=9780765357120&m_type=4&m_contentid=9483#cmscontent
Imager 1 - L. E. Modesitt
"Two weeks ago, Rousel couldn't even have pronounced "pedant," but he'd heard Master Sesiphus use it, and now he applied it to me as often as he could. Younger brothers were worse than vermin, because one could squash vermin and then bathe, something one could not do with younger brothers. With some fortune, since Father would really have preferred that I follow him as a factor but had acknowledged that I had little interest, I'd be out of the house before Culthyn was old enough to leave the nursery and eat with us. As for Khethila, she was almost old enough, but she was quiet and thoughtful. She liked it when I read to her, even things like my history assignments about people like Rex Regis or Rex Defou. Rousel had never liked my reading to him, but then, he'd never much cared for anything I did."
http://us.macmillan.com/BookCustomPage.aspx?isbn=9780765320346#Excerpt
http://us.macmillan.com/BookCustomPage.aspx?isbn=9780765320346#Excerpt
Pop Squad - Paolo Bacigalupi
Breeding dinosaur kid kill cleanup.
4.5 out of 5
http://www.thinkgalactic.org/Bacigalupi-Think_Galactic_Reader.pdf
4.5 out of 5
http://www.thinkgalactic.org/Bacigalupi-Think_Galactic_Reader.pdf
The Calorie Man - Paolo Bacigalupi
Generipper murder massacre's unlikely Johnny Appleseed monopoly breaker.
5 out of 5
http://www.thinkgalactic.org/Bacigalupi-Think_Galactic_Reader.pdf
5 out of 5
http://www.thinkgalactic.org/Bacigalupi-Think_Galactic_Reader.pdf
Blood Of Ambrose 1-3 - James Enge
http://pyrsamples.blogspot.com/2009/04/blood-of-ambrose-by-james-enge.html
"Urdhven turned to him, his face a golden mask of fury. “If he uses sorcery he will die. It was not for nothing I brought my army here! He will die and she will die and you, too, will die, little man.”
“I am not a man,” the dwarf replied. “Further, what is your army to Morlock or to me? Had we chosen to steal Ambrosia by night, or in the open day, you could have done nothing to stop us. But we desire that Ambrosia again be able to walk the streets of her city—”
“It is not her city.”
“It is her city. It exists because she created it. She has spent her life defending it. Her children have gone on to conquer half a world. The palace she designed and built justly wears her great ancestor’s name. If Ambrosia is to enter it again, the lies about her must be crushed; she must be acquitted in law. Therefore, Morlock will use no magic. I tell you, he needs none to best any living man with the sword.”"
5 out of 5
"Urdhven turned to him, his face a golden mask of fury. “If he uses sorcery he will die. It was not for nothing I brought my army here! He will die and she will die and you, too, will die, little man.”
“I am not a man,” the dwarf replied. “Further, what is your army to Morlock or to me? Had we chosen to steal Ambrosia by night, or in the open day, you could have done nothing to stop us. But we desire that Ambrosia again be able to walk the streets of her city—”
“It is not her city.”
“It is her city. It exists because she created it. She has spent her life defending it. Her children have gone on to conquer half a world. The palace she designed and built justly wears her great ancestor’s name. If Ambrosia is to enter it again, the lies about her must be crushed; she must be acquitted in law. Therefore, Morlock will use no magic. I tell you, he needs none to best any living man with the sword.”"
5 out of 5
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Settings for Space Opera Part III: Strange Neighbors - Marshall Perrin
In the first two columns in this series, we looked around the solar neighborhood and hunted for extrasolar planets. We found a few surprises along the way, but for the most part we encountered typical star systems, seeking understanding of the general properties of the stars and planets around us. This time . . . we get to have some real fun. In this, the third and final installment of the series, we'll explore some of the strangest systems known to science. Every neighborhood has a few real oddballs, right? But these particular space weirdos aren't fictional. As astronomers labor to twist photons into information, we would do well to remember the guidance of the good Sir Arthur.
4.5 out of 5
http://www.strangehorizons.com/2007/20070903/perrin-c.shtml
4.5 out of 5
http://www.strangehorizons.com/2007/20070903/perrin-c.shtml
Settings for Space Opera Part II: A Perplexing Plethora of Planets - Marshall Perrin
"Those words reflect a presumption dating back to the dawn of the space age: that discovering new worlds would require boldly going to them, physically and in person. This near-universal assumption appears in story after story, from the Golden Age of the thirties through to the modern era of Babylon and Battlestars. Yet in the last decade, advances in astronomy have completely overturned that presumption, in a dramatic revolution of discoveries made from the comfort of home. In my prior column, we discussed the stars which make up the solar neighborhood. Now it's time to zoom in closer and take a look at the worlds around them.
The discovery of planets around other stars is now a routine occurrence. As I write this, 240 are known, but that total may well be higher by the time you read these words: on average, a new planet is found every two weeks. In fact, technology has advanced so far that detecting worlds around other stars is literally an undergraduate lab assignment these days. The techniques used—precision radial velocity measurements and transit searches—do have their limitations, being capable of finding only relatively large planets. But the meaning of "relatively large" is steadily shrinking, as improvements in technique have gradually pushed the detection threshold down from Jupiter-sized (about 300x more massive than Earth) all the way to Neptune-sized (a mere dozen times more massive). "
4.5 out of 5
http://www.strangehorizons.com/2007/20070730/perrin-c.shtml
The discovery of planets around other stars is now a routine occurrence. As I write this, 240 are known, but that total may well be higher by the time you read these words: on average, a new planet is found every two weeks. In fact, technology has advanced so far that detecting worlds around other stars is literally an undergraduate lab assignment these days. The techniques used—precision radial velocity measurements and transit searches—do have their limitations, being capable of finding only relatively large planets. But the meaning of "relatively large" is steadily shrinking, as improvements in technique have gradually pushed the detection threshold down from Jupiter-sized (about 300x more massive than Earth) all the way to Neptune-sized (a mere dozen times more massive). "
4.5 out of 5
http://www.strangehorizons.com/2007/20070730/perrin-c.shtml
Settings for Space Opera Part I: Welcome to the Neighborhood - Marshall Perrin
"Whether you're looking to start an interstellar colony, found a galactic empire, or merely find a great location for your next tale of adventure in outer space, it pays to know what the neighborhood is like. That's the plan for this column and the next: to take a look around the neighborhood (the solar neighborhood, that is!) and see what's out there waiting for us. In this column, we'll start with the nearby stars—what and where they are, which ones have had starring roles in science fiction, and what recent discoveries have added to science fact. Next time, we'll zoom in to the rapidly expanding catalog of known planets around nearby stars, and their surprisingly bizarre properties—just the latest example of astrophysical truth proving once again to be stranger than fiction."
4.5 out of 5
http://www.strangehorizons.com/2007/20070402/perrin-c.shtml
4.5 out of 5
http://www.strangehorizons.com/2007/20070402/perrin-c.shtml
Friday, April 03, 2009
Bubba Ho-Tep - Joe R. Lansdale
Not dead Elvis vs definitely dead mummy.
4.5 out of 5
http://www.joerlansdale.com/stories.shtml
http://web.archive.org/web/2006010606...
http://freesf.blogspot.com/2008/09/bu...
4.5 out of 5
http://www.joerlansdale.com/stories.shtml
http://web.archive.org/web/2006010606...
http://freesf.blogspot.com/2008/09/bu...
The Culture Archivist - Jeremiah Tolbert
Humpty survival UP ex-bad guy Swarm sneak.
4 out of 5
http://www.johnjosephadams.com/federations/?page_id=28
4 out of 5
http://www.johnjosephadams.com/federations/?page_id=28
The One With The Interstellar Group Consciousnesses - James Alan Gardner
The Union of matchmake is on the rise.
3 out of 5
http://www.johnjosephadams.com/federations/?page_id=27
3 out of 5
http://www.johnjosephadams.com/federations/?page_id=27
Federations Introduction - John Joseph Adams
"...but my fondness for the Trek-type of narrative has remained, and so to me, the idea of doing an anthology that builds on those same tropes and traditions held great appeal. That, more than anything, is the reason this book exists."
3.5 out of 5
http://www.johnjosephadams.com/federations/?page_id=26
3.5 out of 5
http://www.johnjosephadams.com/federations/?page_id=26
Deluge 21 - Brian Keene
"Kevin shook his head. “I can’t explain it. I just know. Maybe it’s some kind of weird symbiosis. Maybe me and the fungus share a consciousness now. It certainly feels that way, at least. This shit isn’t just mold. It’s intelligent. It has thoughts of its own.”"
3.5 out of 5
http://www.briankeene.com/?p=1448
3.5 out of 5
http://www.briankeene.com/?p=1448
Deluge 20 - Brian Keene
“Kind of hard to drink through a dust mask, but yeah, put the gloves on. It can’t hurt. Better… soft… safe than sorry.”
3 out of 5
http://www.briankeene.com/?p=1425
3 out of 5
http://www.briankeene.com/?p=1425
The Dreaming Wind - Jeffrey Ford
Not much wizardry here.
2.5 out of 5
http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/media.libsyn.com/media/starshipsofa/StarShipSofa_Nebula_Nominee_2008_Jeffery_Ford.mp3
2.5 out of 5
http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/media.libsyn.com/media/starshipsofa/StarShipSofa_Nebula_Nominee_2008_Jeffery_Ford.mp3
Trophy Wives - Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Clarkesworld 31 - Sean Wallace
Two good stories, a funky cover, an article about jetpacks, and one about James Morrow and his Godzilla antics. Can't see anything wrong with that.
Clarkesworld 31 : Rolling Steel: A Pre-Apocalyptic Love Story - Jay Lake and Shannon Page
Clarkesworld 31 : The Dying World - Lavie Tidhar
Entity take-out, mummy.
3.5 out of 5
Topper the morning to you, Grace. As far as it can be, Post.
4 out of 5
5 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/issue_31
Clarkesworld 31 : Rolling Steel: A Pre-Apocalyptic Love Story - Jay Lake and Shannon Page
Clarkesworld 31 : The Dying World - Lavie Tidhar
Entity take-out, mummy.
3.5 out of 5
Topper the morning to you, Grace. As far as it can be, Post.
4 out of 5
5 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/issue_31
Rolling Steel: A Pre-apocalyptic Love Story - Jay Lake and Shannon Page
Topper the morning to you, Grace. As far as it can be, Post.
4 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/lake_04_09/
4 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/lake_04_09/
Rolling Steel: A Pre-apocalyptic Love Story - Jay Lake and Shannong Page
Topper the morning to you, Grace. As far as it can be, Post.
4 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/lake_04_09/
4 out of 5
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/lake_04_09/
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Lone Star Stories 32 - Eric Marin
A 3 average. Nothing of particular note here.
Lone Star Stories 32 : Lone Star Stories 32 - Eric Marin
Lone Star Stories 32 : People Unnoticed - Patricia Russo
Lone Star Stories 32 : Off the Path - Nicole Kornher-Stace
Lone Star Stories 32 : Gone Daddy Gone - Josh Rountree
Sidewalk soggy do-over.
3.5 out of 5
Anorexia not too bright.
2.5 out of 5
Doggie daddy, no Augie.
3 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
http://literary.erictmarin.com/current.htm
Lone Star Stories 32 : Lone Star Stories 32 - Eric Marin
Lone Star Stories 32 : People Unnoticed - Patricia Russo
Lone Star Stories 32 : Off the Path - Nicole Kornher-Stace
Lone Star Stories 32 : Gone Daddy Gone - Josh Rountree
Sidewalk soggy do-over.
3.5 out of 5
Anorexia not too bright.
2.5 out of 5
Doggie daddy, no Augie.
3 out of 5
2.5 out of 5
http://literary.erictmarin.com/current.htm
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
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