Books tagged with: bittersweet
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![Elite: Lave RevolutionAllen Stroud]()
Science FictionI first discovered Elite growing up in the Eighties. It was a simpler time and Elite made a huge impact, the freedom to travel to distant stars and meet or trade with Alien races was irresistable. Sadly even back then entertainment companies were already trying out crazy methods of protecting their...
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![GreybeardBrian Aldiss]()
Science FictionOriginally published in 1964, Greybeard is a post apocalyptic vision by Brian Aldiss, the version reviewed here is for the Gollancz SF Masterworks collection. Greybeard is all about the human ageing process, growing old (and being old) - an idea that reminds me of something a pessimistic friend once...
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![Odd JohnOlaf Stapledon]()
Science FictionOdd John was first published in 1935 and was one of the very first novels to explore the theme of the super human, coining the term homo superior . It's being reviewed here as part of Gollancz excellent SF Masterworks series. Written from a narrator's perspective, Odd John is a pretty unique piece o...
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![Remembering FirebrightPhilip K Dick]()
Science FictionRemembering Firebright is a biography of Philip K Dicks later life, written by his last wife Tessa Dick. I must admit that I am a very big fan of Philip K Dicks (PKD) works, he had a unique raw style that made his stories so easy to read and yet conveyed so well some of the very big topics he wrote...
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![Terminal EarthMichael Stewart]()
Science FictionTerminal Earth is a collection of original short stories that all feature the end of the world in some way, edited by Michael Stewart and Neil Thomas. With 23 tales of the apocalypse, Terminal Earth offers a great deal of compelling tales from talented authors. Despite the common theme there are som...
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![The Book of Strange New ThingsMichel Faber]()
Science FictionThe Book of Strange New Things , is itself quite strange. It's one of those genre books that have managed to convince the mainstream that it's more mainstream literature. I must admit that it's also not a bad example and will certainly not do the reputation of science fiction any harm. It is however...
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![The Long UtopiaTerry Pratchett]()
Science FictionAnyone who has been following the Long Earth series will be eagerly awaiting this fourth and penultimate novel in Stephen Baxter's and Terry Pratchett's series. The Long Mars was the strongest novel in the series so far and so The Long Utopia has a lot to live up to. The Long Utopia is set some time...
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![A Slip of the KeyboardTerry Pratchett]()
FantasyA Slip of the Keyboard isn't quite an autobiography and yet in many ways it feels like one. It contains a collection of essays, articles, speeches and interviews by the author from 1963 up to the present day. It is the essence of Pratchett, his thoughts on writing, his development and lately his com...
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![Shadow of the DemonDavid Burrows]()
FantasyShadow of the Demon is the third and final novel in the Prophecy of the Kings trilogy by David Burrows. Kaplyn, Lars, Lomar and the brave defenders of Thrace have earned a respite from the horrors of the war they find thrust upon them. The Seige was only the start though and they must now find out j...
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![The EnemyCharlie Higson]()
FantasyCharlie Higson is probably best known as part of a series that for many in the UK was one of the funniest things to watch on TV in the 90's - the Fast Show (known as Brilliant in the US). The irreverent and often off-beat humour was guaranteed to make me laugh and still does. Until this year I didn'...
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![The Final Testimony of Raphael Ignatius PhoenixPaul Sussman]()
There is a bittersweet air that surrounds the publication of The Final Testimony of Raphael Ignatius Phoenix . It was the authors very first work and yet it has also proved to be his last. Paul Sussman passed away at the untimely age of 45 in May 2012. The book remained unpublished until his wife ma...
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![The Janus CycleTej Turner]()
FantasyEvery now and then I am sent something that stretches the boundaries of my reading interest. The Janus Cycle is one such book. Whilst this book is billed as a novel, it is really a collection of linked short stories. The linked theme follows a disparate group of individuals seemingly connected by th...
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![The Shepherds CrownTerry Pratchett]()
FantasyI've been reading Pratchett books for such a large part of my life. Knowing there will be no more Discworld, no more cheerful yet insightful adventures from the colourful inhabitents of that world on the back of four giant elephants — propelled through space by the Great A'Tuin, is a sad and soberin...
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![The Scarlet GospelsClive Barker]()
HorrorIt has to be said that even though I don't entertain much horror, Clive Barker is somewhat of a legend. Growing up in the 80's his name was often spoken in quiet awe by impressionable teenagers, not least due to his infamous Books of Blood collections. For me though it was the character of Pinhead t...
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![Captain's DaughterPeter David]()
Science FictionThere are many things that I want to be in life, but I don’t want to be the relation of a famous Star Trek character. You are only there to be killed off at some point e.g. Kirk’s Son or Father depending on what Universe you are in. Now in Star Trek : The Captain ’s Daughter by Peter David it...
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![Shark HeartEmily Habeck]()
Science FictionIf I have said it once, I have it said a thousand times, science fiction is the best genre as it is so wide reaching. Stories can be grandiose, epic Space Operas with multiple characters on several planets. Or, stories can be personal affairs, titbits of speculative fiction that tweaks our own reali...
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![Shoestring TheoryMariana Costa]()
HorrorThe creation of a new subgenre comes fraught with danger, there may be a good reason it did not arise before. I am seeing an increase in what can be called Cosy Fantasy, novels that have many of the tropes of the genre but concentrate on character interaction over the action. The threat is that Fant...
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