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As an avid consumer of sci-fi and fantasy in all its forms, please allow me to say a few words about my favorite subject.
Author Archives: Bruncvik
Hugos 2022 – Short Stories
The common thread of this year’s short story nominees is the lack of a twist or ambiguous ending. The stories are expertly written, but they seem to lack deeper meaning that one could discuss later, or contain something of a … Continue reading
Classic Review: Babel-17 by Samuel L. Delany
This compact novel feels way ahead of its time. It has an ambiance in the best tradition of Cordwainer Smith, it reminds me of the modern works of Alastair Reynolds, it explores an ancient idea that was immensely popularized in … Continue reading
Book review: A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
This Hugo Award winner is a weird beast. I hesitate to call it a political thriller because it isn’t thrilling enough. It’s definitely not a space opera, even though it is marketed as such. It can be described as a … Continue reading
Book review: In Fury Born by David Weber
In Fury Born has everything a fan of action science fiction could ask for. A sprawling space opera. Strong and personable characters. Intense combat with set pieces that jump straight from the pages. Emotionally charged aftermath that may be difficult … Continue reading
Book review: King of the Road by R. S. Belcher
Two books in one! Werewolves, killer clowns, ancient alchemy and so much more! And no Elvis in sight… The second installment of the Brotherhood of the Wheel series is not as strong as the first one. With two completely separate … Continue reading
Omelas in the times of Covid-19
Ursula K. Le Guinn’s The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas is one of the best-known short stories in all fiction. It won the 1974 Hugo Award, but it’s not necessarily fantasy or science fiction. The term “philosophical fiction” is … Continue reading
Book review: Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson
I must confess that I have a problem with Neal Stephenson. Based on his past performance, I have high expectations for his works, so even when he delivers something as technically proficient as Termination Shock, with interesting ideas that hit … Continue reading
Classic review: The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch by Philip K. Dick
What do ogres and Dick’s books have in common? They are like onions: they have several layers, and when you peel one off, another will lie underneath. The layers in Dick’s book can be very different: they may have little … Continue reading
Book review: The Brotherhood of the Wheel by R. S. Belcher
American highways are the battleground of a war between good and evil. Monsters, both real and in human form, are being hunted by truckers and motorcycle gangs who trace their lineage back to the Knights Templar. This may sound bombastic, … Continue reading
Book review: Dawn (Legend of the Galactic Heroes 1) by Yoshiki Tanaka
A space opera for younger readers, which is eminently readable, Dawn is the answer to the question nobody cared to ask: How would a John Scalzi book look without all the edginess and curse words? The end result is a … Continue reading