‘Ensign Davis thought, Screw this, I want to live, and swerved to avoid the land worms. But then he tripped and one of the land worms ate his face ‘Ensign Davis thought, Screw this, I want to live, and swerved to avoid the land worms. But then he tripped and one of the land worms ate his face and he died anyway.�
Redshirts by John Scalzi is a science fiction novel that pays homage to and parodies the classic "Star Trek" trope where minor characters (often wearing red shirts) frequently meet untimely ends. The story follows Ensign Andrew Dahl, who notices a disturbing pattern of junior officers dying on away missions.
Scalzi takes this classic sci-fi trope and runs with it in the most entertaining way possible. His writing is sharp, funny, and filled with plenty of sci-fi in-jokes that will delight fans. The characters are quirky and likable, and the plot twists keep you guessing. It’s a hilarious and surprisingly heartfelt ride that pokes fun at the genre while also celebrating it.
If you've ever watched Star Trek and thought, "Why do those poor redshirts always bite the dust?" then Redshirts is the book for you. If you're also in the mood for a clever, laugh out loud read that still manages to tug at your heartstrings, then Redshirts is definitely the book for you!
Just be careful if you’re wearing red! ;)
‘If I knew you were going to drug me, kidnap me, and take me back to the dark ages without my pants, I never would have slept with you.�
Eynhallow by Tim McGregor is a gripping read that effortlessly blends mystery and folklore into a ‘Death is a promise that cannot be made pretty.�
Eynhallow by Tim McGregor is a gripping read that effortlessly blends mystery and folklore into a thrilling narrative. Set on the hauntingly beautiful island of Eynhallow, the story immediately pulls you in with its atmospheric setting and intriguing premise. McGregor's writing is vivid and immersive, making the island almost a character in itself.
Essentially a retelling of Frankenstein, the plot revolves around Agnes and her lonely life on the isolated island with her husband and children. This is not the paradise she was promised by her older husband and she is miserable. So when a stranger comes to the island for a temporary visit, she is intrigued. The man, she learns, is Victor Frankenstein.
McGregor does a fantastic job of keeping the suspense high and the reader guessing. The characters are well developed, with enough depth and complexity to make them feel real and relatable. As the story unfolds, the intertwining of local legends and modern day mystery creates a rich tapestry that is both engaging and thought provoking.
What I particularly loved about Eynhallow is how it balances a fast paced plot with moments of reflection and beautiful prose. It's a book that makes you think, while also providing the kind of page turning excitement that makes it hard to put down. If you're a fan of Frankenstein and atmospheric horror with a touch of scifi, this book is definitely worth your time.
‘Don’t swim with the dolphins during a labor dispute. No matter how much they try to convince you otherwise.�
John Scalzi’s "Starter Villain" is a ‘Don’t swim with the dolphins during a labor dispute. No matter how much they try to convince you otherwise.�
John Scalzi’s "Starter Villain" is a delightful romp that flips the traditional villain narrative on its head. The novel introduces us to Charlie, an ordinary guy who unexpectedly inherits his Uncle's Supervillain empire. What follows is a hilarious and action packed adventure as Charlie navigates a world filled with cat spies, nefarious plots, and a surprising amount of corporate bureaucracy.
Scalzi's writing is sharp and engaging, making it easy to root for Charlie even as he grapples with morally ambiguous decisions. The humor is spot on, balancing the absurdity of the premise with genuine character development and clever dialogue. The book is a refreshing blend of satire and sci-fi, with plenty of laugh out loud moments.
A delightful read that doesn't take itself too seriously but still manages to explore themes of power, responsibility, and what it means to be truly good or evil. The pacing is brisk, and the plot twists keep you hooked from start to finish.
Numerous people told me I would love this book (because, cats!) and they weren’t wrong. So thank you to those who recommended this one to me.
If you're looking for a fun, smart read that doesn't take itself too seriously, "Starter Villain" is the perfect pick.
‘I sometimes think that the only things really worth talking about are the things people absolutely refuse to discuss.�
Under the Skin is a must re‘I sometimes think that the only things really worth talking about are the things people absolutely refuse to discuss.�
Under the Skin is a must read for fans of science fiction, horror, and philosophical musings. Faber takes readers on a spine tingling journey that explores the boundaries of humanity, identity, and our place in the universe.
The novel follows protagonist Isserley, who preys on unsuspecting men hitchhiking in the desolate Scottish Highlands. The novel's tension builds steadily as Isserley's true nature is gradually revealed. Faber masterfully creates a sense of dread and unease, keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout the entire narrative.
The ending, both haunting and enigmatic, leaves a lasting impact and provokes a deep contemplation of the themes explored throughout the novel. Under the Skin is not for the faint of heart. It is a challenging and unsettling read that will stay with you long after you finish the last page.
Faber's thought-provoking exploration of humanity and the unknown makes this a novel that deserves a place on the shelf of any discerning reader.
"Late last night and the night before, Tommyknockers, Tommyknockers, knocking at the door."
There's something strange in the woods in Haven, Maine."Late last night and the night before, Tommyknockers, Tommyknockers, knocking at the door."
There's something strange in the woods in Haven, Maine. Bobbi Anderson, out walking her dog quite literally stumbles over it. A few weeks later when Jim Gardener, poet and drunk decides to visit Bobbi, his only real friend, he finds a woman who's changed. Obsessed, intense, she's inventing things, making things happen. She's developed telepathic powers. But oddest and most ominous of all is what she's discovered buried down beyond the end of her garden.
In my opinion this is the type of story Stephen King does best, horror in a small town. What I liked most about The Tommyknockers was the vast and complex plot featuring lots of gruesome imagery and the building anticipation surrounding the meaning behind a mysterious object and what the consequences of its discovery will be.
The first half of this book is pure character development, the second half is all action. Is it a little overwritten? Maybe, but I still really enjoyed it. So it has some super weird bits (I’ll never look at a Coke vending machine the same way ever again) but I love that. Small town residents go crazy, nastiness, extreme gore and aliens! No one destroys a whole town like Stephen King!
If you like strange and unusual, you'll like this. If you are a slow/impatient reader, I wouldn’t recommend this one....more
‘Ordinary is impossible. It’s more realistic to believe that we are all exceptional, that I, too, am singular, unique, that there has never been no‘Ordinary is impossible. It’s more realistic to believe that we are all exceptional, that I, too, am singular, unique, that there has never been nor ever will be another me.�
In Foe by Iain Reid, readers are taken on a chilling journey into the depths of identity and reality. Set in a not-so-distant future, the story revolves around a couple, Junior and Henrietta, whose quiet rural life is interrupted when a stranger arrives, claiming Junior has been selected for a prestigious space mission. What follows is a mesmerizing exploration of memory, perception, and the nature of human connection.
Reid's writing is captivating, drawing readers into a world where the boundaries between truth and fiction blur with each page. The narrative is hauntingly atmospheric, filled with tension and uncertainty, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. The minimalist prose adds to the sense of unease, allowing the reader to immerse themselves fully in the characters' increasingly surreal experiences.
Central to the novel's intrigue is the concept of identity. Reid masterfully probes the characters' sense of self, forcing readers to question the authenticity of their own perceptions. Themes of isolation, longing, and the desire for connection permeate the story, adding depth and emotional resonance to the narrative.
With its unpredictable twists and turns, Reid challenges readers to confront their own assumptions about reality and human nature. Fans of psychological thrillers and speculative fiction will find much to admire in this haunting tale of identity and deception.
“Light is the left hand of darkness and darkness the right hand of light. Two are one, life and death, lying together like lovers in kemmer, like hands“Light is the left hand of darkness and darkness the right hand of light. Two are one, life and death, lying together like lovers in kemmer, like hands joined together, like the end and the way.�
The Left Hand of Darkness tells the story of a lone human emissary sent to Gethen (Winter), an alien world whose inhabitants can change their gender. His goal is to facilitate Winter's inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization. But to do so he must embrace the aspects of psychology, society, and human emotion on an alien world.
It took me a while to get into this book, I found it slow to start but interesting. From the get go the reader is left to ponder unexplained terms and references. I got the feeling that I should have read previous works and I found myself looking for a glossary of terms. I put the book down and did some quick research, no previous works required and no glossary of terms existed. OK, I might be in over my head with this one�
Pretty soon though, I was drawn in to a beautiful tale with fascinating questions of gender and identify. The world Ursula Le Guin creates and its inhabitants are richly imagined and I found by the time I got to trek across the frozen lands of Winter with our two main protagonists, I was fully engaged. I found this novel to be a story of survival, love, friendship, exploration, and above all, a big thought experiment. What if and how would that work? What would this world be like and how would the absence of gender influence behaviours and culture etc. It was fascinating.
This is the first time I have read Ursula Le Guin, she came highly recommended by friends and family. I now understand why. What a beautiful imagination and a phenomenal writer she was. This is a book I can see myself reading again and getting more from each time. I’m so glad I read this and will definitely be reading more of her works in the future.
“There's really only one question that can be answered, Genry, and we already know the answer�.The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty: not knowing what comes next."...more
“Life with a cheat code isn't life. Our existence isn't something to be engineered or optimized for the avoidance of pain. That's what it is to be “Life with a cheat code isn't life. Our existence isn't something to be engineered or optimized for the avoidance of pain. That's what it is to be human - the beauty and the pain, each meaningless without the other.�
An epidemic called False Memory Syndrome (FMS) is spreading and causing people to go mad. It’s victims remember aspects of a life they never had, and it feels so real that the false life and their real life are completely indistinguishable. After failing to rescue a woman who jumped off a building due to FMS, Detective Barry Sutton starts digging around to uncover the truth behind the syndrome. His investigation leads him to neuroscientist Helena Smith who has invented a machine that is capable of preserving our memories.
Recursion is a scifi/mystery, race-to-save-the-world thriller with some romance thrown in for good measure. In a book full of dialogue, science, action, and twists, the author makes us reflect: Who are we without our memories? What is time but an illusion constructed by our memories? We are urged to understand how important memories are in defining who we are and who we will become, and that without them, our very concept of reality can be corrupted.
A mind-bending novel that is suspenseful, fast paced, and so well done. I can’t wait to see what Blake Crouch does next....more
“No one tells you it's all about to change, to be taken away. There's no proximity alert, no indication that you're standing on the precipice. And “No one tells you it's all about to change, to be taken away. There's no proximity alert, no indication that you're standing on the precipice. And maybe that's what makes tragedy so tragic. Not just what happens, but how it happens: a sucker punch that comes at you out of nowhere, when you're least expecting it. No time to flinch or brace�
Dark Matter is the story of Jason Dessen, an intensely devoted family man with a lacklustre career. One day he's abducted by a mysterious stranger, and every assumption he'd had about his life is yanked away. He wakes up in a disorienting world both similar and different from his "real" life. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor, but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible. Is it this world or the other that's the dream? And even if the home he remembers is real, how can Jason possibly make it back to the family he loves?
This book was utterly brilliant and had me question everything about my identity and reality. These questions aren't new to me, but to see it verbalized under a microscope was quite the rollercoaster. I literally dreamt about this book last night because it disturbed me in the best kind of way. It’s like a book version of those videos that start with you and zoom out gradually into the universe. It makes you feel small and part of something unfathomably powerful.
A thriller/sci-fi meets a touch of romance. It's fast paced, cinematic, and while the subject matter is complex it’s not a difficult read at all.
Highly recommend you go into this one blind. You won’t regret it....more
“When the alternative is death to your entire species, things are very easy. No moral dilemmas, no weighing what’s best for whom.�
In Project Hail “When the alternative is death to your entire species, things are very easy. No moral dilemmas, no weighing what’s best for whom.�
In Project Hail Mary we follow Ryland Grace, a schoolteacher who finds himself alone in a spaceship with absolutely no knowledge of how or why he got there. As his memories slowly return to him, he is faced with the unthinkable task of saving Earth and humanity from an unknown predator.
What we get in this novel is Andy Weir's signature humour, enthralling scientific problem solving, and an enduring story of friendship. I love science but I’m no expert, this novel was written in such a way that I felt like I actually learnt a thing or two about space and science. My inner nerd squealed with delight on many occasions. It was easy to follow along and incredibly hard to put down. It made me laugh, sit in awe, cry, fear, and most of all, made me think about all the possibilities of life around us. It surpassed all of my expectations and was such a beautiful read.
The narrative flips between the present day on the Hail Mary, and the events that lead up to Ryland Grace waking up alone and with no memory at the beginning of the book. I can honestly say the plot surprised me so many times, and I loved the way Grace develops as a character by the end of the novel. The central friendship between the two characters in the story was a joy to read, and had me tearing up by the end.
As a massive fan of Andy Weir's previous masterpiece, The Martian, I wasn't sure if anything would be able to top such a thrilling story of space survival. I was wrong. Project Hail Mary is easily my favourite science fiction space novel of all time. It has everything I have ever wanted in a science fiction novel.
Just Brilliant! Highly recommend to everyone....more
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