Category: Sci-fi

Angels of Ashes — Alastair Reynolds

By 5t4n5

Angels of Ashes -- Alastair ReynoldsYou’ll find this in the collection, Zima Blue and Other Stories.

It’s one of those sci-fi stories that goes on about quantum babble and how there’s a universe for every possible outcome of every possible situation.   To be honest, i think this theory is no different than the theory of god, both total nonsense made up by people who really don’t understand Nature and how it works.

Then Alastair has our protagonists in this book starting a war over whether god is right or quantum babble is right — which is just silly when all intelligent people already know that they’re both utter nonsense, which i hope is the point that Alastair is making in this story?   Although, thinking about it, he has wrote some other really bizarre stuff that makes no sense in other books, like the sheep in Inhibitor Phase; so maybe Alastair really is a die-hard quantum babble-ist and thinks that quantum babble-ists everywhere should rise up and start a war against the god grovellers?   Who knows the true thoughts of fiction writers?

But, whatever, have a read, it’s a fairly good story.

Coming next in the Alastair Reynolds reading list, from the year 2000, will be Merlin’s Gun.

Bye for now.

Alastair’s Page

#scifi #alastairreynolds

Viper — Alastair Reynolds

By 5t4n5

Viper -- Alastair ReynoldsYou’ll find this in the collection, Deep Navigation.

Super good idea on how we might test future prisoners as to whether or not they’re suitable for parole.

Although we have to be sure that those doing the testing can’t be allowed to fiddle with the test — don’t we?

Enjoyable.

Next in the timeline from Alastair, it’s Angels of Ashes, from 1999.

Bye for now.

Alastair’s Page

#scifi #alastairreynolds

On the Oodnadatta — Alastair Reynolds

By 5t4n5

On the Oodnadatta -- Alastair ReynoldsYou’ll find this in the collection, Deep Navigation.

A rather enjoyable short story, and a definite must read for any weirdos out there who are considering cryonics.

You never know who is going to end up buying out the corporation you originally contracted with, and once you’re frozen you won’t get any further say whatsoever as to what level those contracts will be honoured.   Maybe your new corporate owners will find a better use for your frozen bits in 20 or 30 years time.

Cremation is much cheaper and you know you’ll only be good for plant fertiliser afterwards.

Next up in Alastair’s writings will be Viper, a short story from 1999.

Bye for now.

Alastair’s Page

#scifi #alastairreynolds

Elemental — Anthology

By 5t4n5

Elemental -- Anthology

Introduction: Once and Future Tsunamis — Arthur C. Clarke
Report from the Near Future: Crystallization — David Gerrold
And Tomorrow and — Adam Roberts
Abductio Ad Absurdum — Esther M. Friesner
In the Matter of Fallen Angels — Jacqueline Carey
Tiger in the Night — Brian W. Aldiss •• [as by Brian Aldiss]
The Strange Case of Jared Spoon, Who Went To Pieces for Love — Stel Pavlou
The Solipsist at Dinner — Larry Niven
The Wager •• [Lords of Avalon] — Sherrilyn Kenyon •• [as by Kinley MacGregor]
Expedition, with Recipes — Joe Haldeman
Tough Love 3001 — Juliet Marillier
Chanting the Violet Dog Down: A Tale of Noreela — short story by Tim Lebbon (variant of Chanting the Violet Dog Down)
Butterflies Like Jewels — Eric S. Nylund •• [as by Eric Nylund]
Perfection •• [Skalan Saga] — Lynn Flewelling
The Compound — Michael Marshall Smith
Sea Child — Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
Moebius Trip — Janny Wurts
The Run to Hardscrabble Station — William C. Dietz
The Last Mortal Man — Syne Mitchell
The Double-Edged Sword — Sharon Shinn
Night of the Dolls — Shane Dix and Sean Williams
The Potter’s Daughter — Martha Wells
The Day of Glory •• [Hammer’s Slammers] — David Drake
Sea Air — Nina Kiriki Hoffman
Afterword: Why Elemental? — Steven Savile

#arthurcclarke #brianaldiss #larryniven #joehaldeman #michaelmarshallsmith #brianherbert #kevinjanderson #jannywurts #marthawells