The Evolution of Science Fiction discussion

Recently finished a nice story collection, Robots Through the Ages: Anthology with a bunch of works from 1899 to 2022, so I ain't sure to which thread to post it and decided to orient at the newest publications. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Recently finished a debut novel by Emily Tesh, whose previous two fantasy novellas I liked. Some Desperate Glory (2023) is her SF novel, my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I've finished an SF novel from India The City Inside (2020). My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Goodreads is gitching again. It told me there were 100 new messages in this folder. I suspected spam, but nope, just a glitch.

I'm also reading The City Inside, and I also like it but think it has too many details that make it hard to see the plot.

The Emily Tesh sounds nice, since I liked her fantasy novellas.

I know members have been using the 2000 & Up thread to post about newer reads.
But this one is designated for 2015 & Up. I'm not going to police this thread or the other modern one. Just so you know, you can post here!

I finished the disappointing sequel to Ready Player One


Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline
Rating: 2 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I thought Ready Player One was just okay, though I know many people enjoy it. I have heard the second was not nearly as good.

The second one was terrible.

Natalie wrote: "I thought Ready Player One was just okay, though I know many people enjoy it. I have heard the second was not nearly as good."

I got a kick out of it when I first read it. Then I revisited it on audio, with Will Wheaton reading it and enjoyed it even more than I did the first time. Will does a great job with the book and even though I knew how it was going to end I found myself completely drawn in. Also, I found that the themes of economic disparity and corporate greed were a little more prominent the second time through.

Andrew wrote: "The second one was terrible."

Yes, it really was.

Just finished Wool by Hugh Howey, 4 star (just about) review here:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Sabri wrote: "Just finished Wool by Hugh Howey, 4 star (just about) review here:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

Nice review, Sabri. Have you watched the show? I really enjoyed it. The first season goes right up to the point where (view spoiler)[Juliette goes outside (hide spoiler)]. The second season is supposed to be released later this year, and there will be a third and fourth season which will be filmed at the same time to wrap up the story, which I assume will incorporate material from later books in the series.

RJ - no I didn't even know it existed! Thanks for the heads up. Have done very little research on the books or author. I am now a third of the way through the sequel, Shift, and enjoying it greatly.

Sabri wrote: "RJ - no I didn't even know it existed! Thanks for the heads up. Have done very little research on the books or author. I am now a third of the way through the sequel, Shift, and enjoying it greatly."

I liked it better than the book. They did a great job bringing the setting to life.

Continuing my awkward abnegation of this group's monthly reads, I've just finished

Hugh Howey

Review here.

(Aforemention abnegation will probably last as long as I have a big pile of physical books to get through).

Currently reading Your Utopia
Strange but interesting techniques employed here. This is a collection of short stories, so far they seem to be more horror and dystopian bent. First story I've read about a pathogen that turns people into cannibals.

Also, almost done reading Echo of Worlds
I loved the first book, Infinity Gate, and I'm finding I really like this one as well. MR Carey has some fascinating and complex worldbuilding, diverse cast of characters and cultures, I love everything about this.

Recently finished...

Dust by Hugh Howey
3/5 Not bad, but a mildly disappointing end.

I read Wool, and after that, Shift, and after that I thought, I know this world by now, interesting, but enough.

Levi wrote: "Currently reading Your Utopia ..."

I hope to get to that soon.

I just finished a Korean SF techno-thriller called Counterweight. Didn't like the book, but loved the author's photo!

Allan wrote: "Working on Leviathan Falls, the final book of The Expanse. It’s been a good ride." I bought the books, and I plan to read them. I started the first one, and it is still not pulling me in... I hope it will.

I just finished Space Oddity (2024) by Catherynne M. Valente. I learned that "The first rule of teleportation is: No."

Thomas wrote: "I just finished Space Oddity (2024) by Catherynne M. Valente. I learned that "The first rule of teleportation is: No.""

That is a good rule! I won't be reading that book, though. I like Valente a lot, but this is part two of a series that I can't stand. Tried reading book 1 twice, but just can't.

I’m reading Rogue Protocol. It’s the third book in the series and I’ve enjoyed them. Apple is putting out a series shortly that I’m sure will be worth watching.

Glad you're enjoying them Chad. I really liked the Murderbot series as well.

Having a go at The Deluge.

I am getting ready to read The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey.

Finished UPRISING and enjoyed it.

I am reading The One by John Marrs. Not my cuppa so far.

I've read The One Who Stay and Fight, from N. K. Jemisin. It's in Lightspeed Magazine if anyone is interested. It's more of a political piece, in response to The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin, which is more of a philosophical dystopian short story. I liked Ursula's better bc it's more subtle and gives you more room to think about it. Jemisin's short story felt maybe too preach-y. But it's a good short story overall.

I just finished Gareth Powell’s Future’s Edge. It’s an entertaining space opera.

I haven't read any Powell before. I do like a good space opera though

Reading The Man Who Saw Seconds by Alexander Boldizar. Fast-paced, very engaging story about a man who can see 5 seconds into the future.

Also started Shroud by Adrian Tchaikovsky this morning. It's an interesting first contact story set on a very hostile planet. Still in the first 20% setup, but there's a clear sense of something weird going on.

Right now Nightfall by Asimov, the original one. Stanislaw Lem Return from the stars. And the new Analog issue from may 25.

Allan, I'm interested in what you think of Shroud; I'm a fan of Tchaikovsky!
And Leonida, I'd be interested in hearing about the Lem book. I've only read Solaris but I plan to read more by him.