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| Geodesic |
 Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 12:05 pm Post subject: Book Recommendations |
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Forum Freshman
Joined: 09 May 2005
Posts: 28
Location: Edinburgh, UK
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I thought it would be a good idea to have a list of books posters enjoyed, with a quick list of what was good/bad about them. I'd suggest any book you've read recently is eligible for review, regardless of when it was published, so here goes:
Grass - Sheri S. Tepper
Good: Interesting plot, and though there weren't all that many twists, it was enjoyable enough for me to read the final 300 pages in one go  . The universe is also plausible, but different enough to be intriguing, so that you find yourself wanting to have a more deatailed background. The characters are generally well rounded.
Bad: I felt that at times the plot was a little predictable, and some of the less major characters were occasionally a bit flat, and I felt the chemistry towards the end was a little dubious, but otherwise, a very good story.
Discussion is encouraged! |
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| Starthane Xyzth |
| Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 3:34 am Post subject: |
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Forum Freshman
Joined: 16 May 2005
Posts: 16
Location: Where I log on
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Homeward Bound - by Harry Turtledove.
[Continuation of WorldWar & Colonisation series]
Good: intriguing alternate timeline extended into the near future (Lizard aliens from Tau Ceti invaded Earth during World War II, were fought to a standstill and agreed to share planet with main human powers; now story jumps forward to 2031 when first human starship arrives at their homeworld).
Alien culture, society and biosphere well conceived and described.
Despite lack of direct action, narrative generally remains engaging throughout.
Characters all believable, created and developed in depth - does not rely on previous books for familiarity. Both humans & aliens can engage the reader's sympathy.
Various redundant, boring characters from previous books have been dropped.
A satisfying technological turnabout at the end.
Bad: excessive repetition of certain facts and descriptions, can become annoying.
Too much introspection by certain individuals.
Lack of scenes back on Earth, except a few in the final chapters - most of the book is from viewpoint of longtime space travellers, who are out of touch with recent events, and the reader's curiosity is not satisfied.
Central American character, Sam Yeager, was - in my opinion - a traitor, who should have died in the previous book.
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Riding the Darkdrift |
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| cosmictraveler |
| Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 7:18 am Post subject: |
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Forum Masters Degree
Joined: 20 May 2005
Posts: 598
Location: Key West, Florida, Earth
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Foundaton Trilogy by Issac Asimov
"Don't tell me you haven't heard of the Foundation series before? No? Well, it's the tale of the fall of the Galactic Empire and the rise of the Foundation. Pretty normal so far, except for the fact that the Foundation's destiny is guided by psychohistory, a scientific method of predicting the future, developed the the Foundation's founder, Hari Seldon. Hari Seldon plots the paths of the Foundation, from its start to, one thousand years later, its leadership of the galaxy.
In 'Foundation', the early golden days of the Foundation are told, of how the society managed to gain survival and ultimately pre-eminence in it's local sector, not through violence, but through cunning.
See those five stars? Buy this book. Now. It might be old, but it's still possibly the best sci-fi book in existence.
Foundation and Empire:
Click here to read the book's blurb
Foundation and Empire picks up the ball from Foundation. First, the Foundation must deal with still-strong remains of the Galactic Empire and its expert General Bel Riose.
Then, in the second half of this book, is how a wildcard drops into the Foundation universe; the Mule. This individual, on his own, manages to upset the cornerstone of the Foundation; Hari Seldon's psychohistorical plan. Unlike the unbridled optimism and triumph of the first Foundation book, the Foundation and the characters of this book suffer their fair share of misfortune.
To be honest, I quite liked the idea of the Mule. If it weren't for him, the entire series would have just stagnated - it's one thing to have the Foundation win against vicious foes in the first book, directed by the Second Foundation, but you can't have that for three books. No, something tangible has to threaten the entire shebang.
The ending of the book is, well, different, for a change. Read it and see.
Not quite up to the standard of Foundation, but it's still a must-buy if you enjoyed the previous book at all. A very good book in it's own right.
Second Foundation:
Click here to read the book's blurb
I hesitate to give Second Foundation the same rating as Foundation and Empire. I'm not sure why, I just don't think it's up to scratch. Still a wonderful read, though.
The first half deals with the downfall of the Mule, while he searches for the elusive, hidden and powerful Second Foundation, a society of mentalics. The second half skips forward a number of years to when the Foundation is once again in control, and another search for the Second Foundation begins apace.
Second Foundation possibly wins the 'Greatest number of end-plot twists' award, during the phase in which the Foundation is searching for the Second Foundation. Still, you have to appreciate the thinking Asimov must have put into it, and it's a pleasant surprise to find out who, and where, the Second Foundation really are.
It's a little strange how this books appears to be split completely into two parts. You wonder whether it would have been better for first half of the book to have been stuck onto Foundation and Empire, and the second half expanded, made a little more exciting and turned into a proper story". |
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| OneNeo |
| Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 2:05 am Post subject: 5 star experience |
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Forum Freshman
Joined: 03 Aug 2005
Posts: 1
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I followed a link from The Matrix search on AMAZON.com and stumbled upon a science fiction novel by debut author Jason Giacchino entitled Human Interface.
I debated buying for a while then figured the potential for some good mental stimulation was worth taking the chance- Just finished it, wow what a ride!
Artificial Intelligence, great action, hard science and a little philosophy, definitely highly recommended. It may be the guy's first book, but I doubt it'll be his last. I'll try to find the link I used to order it.
Link |
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| wallaby |
| Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 12:05 am Post subject: |
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Forum Professor
Joined: 03 Jul 2005
Posts: 1375
Location: Australia
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| cosmictraveler wrote: |
Foundaton Trilogy by Issac Asimov
"Don't tell me you haven't heard of the Foundation series before? No? Well, it's the tale of the fall of the Galactic Empire and the rise of the Foundation. Pretty normal so far, except for the fact that the Foundation's destiny is guided by psychohistory, a scientific method of predicting the future, developed the the Foundation's founder, Hari Seldon. Hari Seldon plots the paths of the Foundation, from its start to, one thousand years later, its leadership of the galaxy.
In 'Foundation', the early golden days of the Foundation are told, of how the society managed to gain survival and ultimately pre-eminence in it's local sector, not through violence, but through cunning.
See those five stars? Buy this book. Now. It might be old, but it's still possibly the best sci-fi book in existence. |
i wouldn't say it's the best Sci-fi book in existence but is was an exelent read.
what i liked was the ending to Foundation and Earth where you can see how the book ties in with most of his other works and provides that everything wound up in a neat little package thrill. |
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| Silas |
| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 8:25 am Post subject: |
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Forum Bachelors Degree
Joined: 04 May 2005
Posts: 436
Location: London, England
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ISAAC! Not Issac!
I find that the Star Wars prequel trilogy planet Coruscant is heavily influenced by Isaac's vision of Trantor as the hub planet of an Empire. |
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| cosmictraveler |
| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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Forum Masters Degree
Joined: 20 May 2005
Posts: 598
Location: Key West, Florida, Earth
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I also enjoyed Dune by Herbert
Dune is a masterpiece of science fiction. It describes the struggle of House Atreides as it is forced to move to the planet Arakis, commonly referred to as Dune. This novel effectively handles many complex issues such as politics, religion and ecology -- and blends them together to describe a very interesting, dynamic universe. At the same time, the novel manages to tell a compelling story involving memorable characters. This is one of the few books I have read over and over, and have enjoyed each time. Perhaps the best way to describe this book and the Dune trilogy is to say that it is to science fiction what the Lord of the Rings is to fantasy.
Dune is the first book in what originally a trilogy (Dune is followed by "Dune Messiah" and then "Children of Dune". Although the first book is the best (as is typical with most science fiction series), the other two books are very highly recommended. The trilogy was eventually expanded to include: "God Emperor of Dune", "Heretics of Dune", and "Chapterhouse Dune". Unfortunately, the last three books are not nearly as compelling as the first three. |
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| invert_nexus |
| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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Forum Ph.D.
Joined: 21 Apr 2005
Posts: 858
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| Quote: |
| Unfortunately, the last three books are not nearly as compelling as the first three. |
I disagree. I say the final three books in the series MADE the whole thing.
Let's look at them one by one.
Dune. Meh. It was alright. Set the whole thing up, but was rather limited in scope as the franchise was only getting started and not all the details were fully worked out.
Dune Messiah. Boring. Boring. Boring. Watch out for that stone burner, Pauls. And what's the deal with all those tarot cards? And, Paul, you coward. Turning away from the Golden Path. You condemn your son to the skin that is not his own because of your cowardice.
Children of Dune. Boring. It had some interesting bits in it as it led up to the true beginning of the saga. The rise of Leto II. How he conquered the babbling horde within. Ghanima, what a babe.
God Emperor of Dune. Essential. This book brings us to the full depth of philosophy which Frank Herbert brought into this series and which made it complete. But. It is rather slow. But, what can one expect from the Golden Path?
Heretics of Dune. Very interesting. The Honored Matres make their appearance. Mankind has advanced far beyond the simplicity of the early novels. Duncan Idaho raised as a ghola. Once the cream of the species. Now slow and somewhat dull. But with hidden abilities. And the Tleilaxu. What are the dirty Tleilaxu up to? Ah. Sheena. And the pearls of Awareness.
Chapterhouse Dune. Arrakis is no more and a new desert grows on the Bene Gesserit homeworld. The Bene Gesserit are the true heart of this series and these final two books display them in their full glory. Delving deep and deeper into the mysteries of the Spice Trance. Into the mysteries of Other Memory. Into the Prana Bindu techniques. Teg, revived as a ghola. And what's this? How'd he do that? Ah. Duncan and Lucilla. What a pair. The Honored Matres... fleeing from something? From what?
Damn you Frank!!!! How could you die NOW!!!!
And how could you have such a miserable son!?
We see in the 'prequels' written by Frank's son that the Honored Matres are actually fleeing from the thinking machines seeded by the overmind during the Butlerian Jihad. Thinking machines that have been growing wild in the depths of space for millenia upon millenia and are now poised to return to the old Empire.
And. We are forced to perceive this epic struggle through the tiny, tiny mind of Frank's son.
I hate him. |
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| cosmictraveler |
| Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:17 pm Post subject: |
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Forum Masters Degree
Joined: 20 May 2005
Posts: 598
Location: Key West, Florida, Earth
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| I only said that the last three books are not nearly as compelling as the first three. That doesn't mean they weren't any good. |
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| Silas |
| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 2:01 am Post subject: |
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Forum Bachelors Degree
Joined: 04 May 2005
Posts: 436
Location: London, England
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Best closing line of a movie ever: "You see? He is the Kwisatch Haderach!"
(I preferred Kumquat Häagen-Dasz, from Doon. Ah, the Freedmenmen, Drunken Omaha and beerpaper!) |
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| Capnemo |
| Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 8:54 am Post subject: |
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Forum Freshman
Joined: 07 Aug 2005
Posts: 35
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| invert_nexus wrote: |
...
Dune. Meh. It was alright. Set the whole thing up, but was rather limited in scope as the franchise was only getting started and not all the details were fully worked out.
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Wow nice abstract of the whole serie ! Yup I feel the same way on those books.
The Emperor is really something very deep and powerfull !
Im happy to see that Herbert is teached in philosophy at high school (in France).
_________________
Capnemo - a frenchie in new jersey
http://www.nemoworld.info/ |
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| Orleander |
| Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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Forum Freshman
Joined: 25 Mar 2008
Posts: 90
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Swan Song, The Stand, and The Road. I love end of it all stuff. (I just found out about A Boy and His Dog, can't wait to watch it)
The Road was the most disturbing and I will only read it the one time. Swan Song and The Stand I have read over and over. Harvesting people, especially infants to eat, bothered me a bit. Considering there is some of this in A Boy and His Dog, I'm not sure I'll be able to watch it all. |
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