Tag: SF/F

Review – The Possibility of Life

Posted September 12, 2023 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Cover of The Possibility of Life by Jaime GreenThe Possibility of Life, Jaime Green

The Possibility of Life looks to both science and science fiction for an idea of humanity’s hopes, dreams and fears of what alien life might look like, how realistic that might be, and what it’s based on. If you’re an SF/F fan, you’ll probably recognise a lot of the references, and not just the old white men or the hit TV series of SF either: Ursula Le Guin and N.K. Jemisin are here too.

I found it very readable, and thought Green presents the scientific facts (such as they are) very well. The enthusiasm for the subject is palpable, and optimistic, but doesn’t over-egg it (we’re probably not five minutes from meeting a Vulcan or Cardassian).

Nothing too surprising for me, but I enjoyed the approach to the subject.

Rating: 4/5

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Review – The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles

Posted September 8, 2023 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Cover of The Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles by Malka OlderThe Imposition of Unnecessary Obstacles, Malka Older

Recieved to review via Netgalley

It’s pure chance that I’d so recently read The Mimicking of Known Successes, but it definitely made me eager to read this follow-up. The setup continues rather Holmesian, but set on a planet full of dangers, not quite hospitable to humans, on which humanity has nonetheless made a home in a series of settlements joined by rails. Mossa is an investigator, looking into a disappearance — and Pleiti is her girlfriend.

The previous story’s shadow lingers here, with Pleiti definitely upset by her experiences, her worldview shaken, and with people around her a little wary and doubtful given her involvement in what happened. Mossa remains… well, Mossa, but her care for Pleiti shows in so many ways. I really enjoy their relationship: Pleiti has to guess a little at whether Mossa’s gestures are significant, is maybe over-reading significance into some things (and underestimating others); their relationship isn’t quite stable yet, but nonetheless, their careful attitude to it and to each other, carefully building things up, is enjoyable.

The mystery itself is less gripping to me: I enjoy it as a vehicle for understanding the world better, for seeing Mossa and Pleiti together, but any mystery would do, for that. The solution was actually a little obvious, when it came, but it was the getting there that mattered.

I enjoyed this a lot, and eagerly look forward to more novellas centring these two.

Rating: 4/5

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Review – The Bookshop & The Barbarian

Posted August 11, 2023 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Cover of The Bookshop & The Barbarian by Morgan StangThe Bookshop & The Barbarian, Morgan Stang

I feel unfair giving this one star, because I did finish it and it was mildly entertaining while it went by, but when I sit back to think about it… it just didn’t work for me. One major thing that bothered me was the broken English spoken by Asteria: I get that there’s this idea of what fantasy “barbarians” speak like, but that’s a whole heap of stereotypes about people and about how English-as-a-second-language people speak that just… nope, no thank you, please go away and keep your broken English in your head with your other patronising fantasies. You don’t have to play into that nonsense. 

In addition, you can be irreverent and playful in your narration and break the fourth wall all you like, but that does open you up to people thinking your narrative voice isn’t that funny, or is kind of an asshole, and that’s where I’m at with this.

Rating: 1/5

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Review – A Glimmer of Silver

Posted August 8, 2023 by Nicky in Reviews / 1 Comment

Cover of A Glimmer of Silver by Juliet KempA Glimmer of Silver, Juliet Kemp

A Glimmer of Silver is a novella looking at not first contact, but how contact with an alien lifeform might evolve. It reminds me of some other story that I can’t quite bring to mind, which is driving me a bit nuts. Anyway, the idea is that the ocean of this planet is in fact sentient, and humans are — for the most part — carefully keeping themselves separate from it, thinking that this is what Ocean wants. No fishing, no drinking the water (without careful distillation), etc.

Jennery is a Communicator, but a reluctant one, having wanted to become a musician instead. Still, it seems that what Ocean wants is not at all what the status quo has established, and the humans on Ocean (other than the Communicators) are equally restless.

The solution is a neat one, and worth pondering. Overall, it’s a fairly slight story, but worth it, I think.

Rating: 3/5

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Review – Peter Darling

Posted August 6, 2023 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Cover of Peter Darling by Austin ChantPeter Darling, Austin Chant

Peter Darling takes the story of Peter Pan and imagines what might be the reasons behind Peter’s insistence that he’ll never grow up, his wildness and casual cruelty. What if Peter comes back to Neverland — how have things been without him?

I don’t want to say too much about it, because I think this exploration of Neverland is best taken as it comes, allowing the story to make it clear what exactly it wants to explore in its own time. I found it really enjoyable, though, and loved that the nature of the relationship between Hook and Peter was explored, developed and deepened.

I think their time alone together — and the way their relationship changes as a result — is nicely done, and the only reason I’m not sure about the ending is that it doesn’t entirely feel right that Peter “has to” grow up and accept — well, you’ll see. At the same time, the novel never denies Peter’s assertion that he is not Wendy, and not a girl, so it was more of a slightly off note for me than something which spoiled it.

Rating: 4/5

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Review – Wild Wild Hex

Posted August 2, 2023 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Cover of Wild Wild Hex by Jordan L. HawkWild, Wild Hex, Jordan L. Hawk

Wild Wild Hex is a short story that takes us quite different places than the main series. Instead of following the MWP, it follows the fortunes of a “Hexas Ranger” (and yep, he hates the pun plenty) as he chases down a notorious bandit, and discovers that he has a chance to do a lot more than that.

The emotional connection between the two leads is quick, as rendered necessary by the shortness of the story, but it doesn’t feel totally rushed — instead it feels pretty natural for these particular people, thrown together in this particular situation. It’s not quite the same level of attachment as I feel about, say, Cicero and Tom, but it’s enough to make this little story satisfying.

Rating: 4/5

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Review – Hexhunter

Posted July 29, 2023 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Cover of Hexhunter by Jordan L. HawkHexhunter, Jordan L. Hawk

Hexhunter breaks the mould of this series a little bit, which was a relief: the couple didn’t have a mid-book miscommunication-and-break-up, which was a feature of each of the others. Not that Isaac and Bill’s story is entirely smooth-sailing: there’s a whole jealousy subplot (sigh) and, of course, Isaac’s trauma and self-hatred. If you might have triggers around that and about a victim blaming themself for what happened to them, be careful with this one (though Bill is entirely supportive of Isaac).

The relationship between them is sweet, though in the relatively short space of the book you don’t have time to entirely feel the weight of the pining Bill’s been doing for quite some time. Isaac’s road to some kind of recovery is pretty satisfying, given we’ve been seeing his pain since book one.

This book doesn’t draw the series to a close, either, despite the fact there’s been nothing new since that one — the overarching plot that ran through the four main stories isn’t solved, though each couple has had a happy-ever-after. So that’s worth noting, too.

Not my favourite of the series, I think, but enjoyable as ever!

Rating: 4/5

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Review – Remote Control

Posted July 27, 2023 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Cover of Remote Control by Nnedi OkoraforRemote Control, Nnedi Okorafor

Received to review via Netgalley

I keep trying out Nnedi Okorafor’s work, because there’s so much about her work that appeals, but it’s never quite clicked with me. (I’ll admit here that I interacted with her a couple of times on social media and found her unpleasant, for reasons that are not really relevant to reviewing her books but do mean I’d never call myself a fan of hers. So take my opinions with a grain of salt.) This is… honestly maybe the closest to a hit for me? I was intrigued by the way the story was told, the stuff that was held back, the little sensory details like the scent of shia butter.

Plus, Movenpick is a pretty awesome sidekick.

My only disappointment is that we didn’t really learn the why of it — it was more on the level of a fable, from the narrative to the repeated line about her sandals slapping her feet as she walks, so it makes sense… but darn it, I was curious.

Rating: 3/5

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Review – Hexslayer

Posted July 25, 2023 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Cover of Hexslayer by Jordan L. HawkHexslayer, Jordan L. Hawk

I wasn’t sure how to feel about a book where Nick was one of the romantic leads, since he’s stubborn as a (yes, yes) horse, and it felt like it was going to be a pretty big barrier to a romance. I feel like it was shockingly easy, actually, and while it made sense… I don’t know, I could’ve used a little more time for it to develop, or something.

Which is not to say I didn’t have fun with this book, and with the development of Jamie’s character as he begins to understand he’s been privileged and blinkered — and with Nick’s slow acceptance that some people can be depended on.

I didn’t love the scene where Nick decided to let Jamie ride him in his horse form, despite his initial refusal to ever countenance it, I must admit. It felt like Nick saw that as servitude, as degrading, and then decided… what? He’d be okay with that because the case was more important? Jamie was more important? His motives weren’t entirely clear to me there, and I didn’t feel comfortable with it being fairly glossed over, and then repeatedly happening again. There’s a whole intersection there with Jamie’s disability and Nick being accommodating of that, but still, not wholly comfortable.

Overall, not a favourite of the series, but I’m definitely curious what it’s all building up to — does the fourth book finish things up?

Rating: 4/5

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Review – A Christmas Hex

Posted July 21, 2023 by Nicky in Reviews / 0 Comments

Cover of A Christmas Hex by Jordan L. HawkA Christmas Hex, Jordan L. Hawk

It’s probably the wrong time of year to read A Christmas Hex, but I was curious about this one and decided to go ahead anyway. Unlike the other Hexworld books, this one doesn’t concern the police and their familiars, but a private detective, Gus. Roland realises that Gus is his witch and quickly becomes fascinated, but he’s terrified to admit that his animal form is that of a wolf, since people normally fear wolves.

It’s a fun set-up, but the relationship between the two feels more than a little rushed by the amount of space available in such a short narrative, and I didn’t get the usual sense of two people figuring out how to match up their experiences and come to some kind of accord. It all feels like it’s a bit too easy, but not in the sort of way where it makes total sense — like there’s some important scenes of negotiation or reaction or something skipped.

It was a fun short read, but definitely not a favourite.

Rating: 3/5

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