rather than generic science fiction, this is hardcore maths fiction. Some stories gave me a headache with their extended technobabble.
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Jon PENNYCOOK wants to read ParSec In Print by Ian Whates
Jon PENNYCOOK rated Moon Rising: 3 stars
Moon Rising by Ian McDonald (Luna, #3)
Optioned for TV by CBS in a massive deal, Ian McDonald's Luna trilogy has already been acclaimed as one of …
Jon PENNYCOOK reviewed Blue Shifting by Eric Brown
Jon PENNYCOOK rated Beasts Before Us: 3 stars
Review of 'The Time-lapsed Man and Other Stories' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Despite being an avid reader of Interzone in the early/mid 90s, I must have forgotten about Eric Brown. This was an interesting collection of his early science fiction - definitely not hard-SF. I don't think I skipped any stories in this one.
There was something about the relationships that the telepaths in the Engineman stories here have that made me uncomfortable, but it was the early 90s. The telepaths are created medically at an early age and are needed to guide spacecraft (perhaps like Navigators in Dune, but much younger). I think this quote encapsulates it:-
"It’s no longer illegal, but oldsters like Mass have throwback morality."
Jon PENNYCOOK reviewed Austral by Paul J. McAuley
Review of 'Austral' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
PJ McAuley can write some great books. Others are okay, and this is one of them. There is too much flashback, presented as one character telling stories to another character. There are no heroes in this book, mostly criminals of one sort or another, but some become criminals because of discrimination.
Jon PENNYCOOK reviewed Hull Zero Three by Greg Bear
Jon PENNYCOOK rated Dawn: 4 stars
Jon PENNYCOOK rated Permutation City: 4 stars
Permutation City by Greg Egan
The story of a man with a vision - immortality : for those who can afford it is found in …
Jon PENNYCOOK reviewed Stellaris by Robert Hampson
Review of 'Stellaris' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
a book released after a meeting of the Tennesee Valley Interstellar Workshop. The book is split between articles on what needs to be considered for interstellar travel (including a more philosophical article by Martin Rees), and science fiction short stories set in either remote colonies or travelling to them. An interesting idea but none of the stories or articles really stood out - good for a single read rather than a keeper.