The Scifi-punk Bookfeed

 Grand Sci-Fi worthy of the Hall of Fame! Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie, published 2013 by Orbit Books How can I begin? This impressive book won the six of the biggest awards in Science Fiction publication in America, Britain and Japan. (Nominated for many more) It is my opinion that winning all the awards was absolutely deserved, and it is deserving of even more.  Welcome to my new favorite galactic empire! I’m a big fan of Dune and Star Wars and such. This book details a fascinating culture of conquerors and the conquered, and hints at rich cultures elsewhere in the galaxy. The moralities are complex and we are not given a simplistic good vs evil. It’s complicated and this universe is more interesting because of it.  Information and backstory is carefully and slowly doled out on a need to know basis, as two different timelines begin the novel, later to converge. Which is why I thought it started slow. I really wasn’t sure I would be happy with this story after the fir...

 Sci-Fi Trilogy's Massive Conclusion! Light of Impossible Stars by Gareth L. Powell, published February 2020 by Titan Books This is Powell's action packed and stunning conclusion to the Embers of War trilogy, a space adventure epic in scope and vision. According to Wikipedia, a "Space Opera" is charaterized by: " space  warfare, melodramatic adventure, interplanetary battles, chivalric romance and risk-taking."  The Embers of War trilogy may share some similarities with that definition: space warfare, interplanetary battles, risk-taking, for example. The adventure is, I would say, quite intense and grounded in realistic choices and emotions. Powell writes excellent and deeply felt characters, and does not shy away from tragedy or the death of viewpoint characters amidst terrible conflict. But melodramatic? No. Also, the few bits of romance sprinkled lightly in these books I would not classify as chivalric, but modern. So is it Space Opera. No, it's bet...

Epic Space Opera, Big Action, Big Thrills Embers of War by Gareth L. Powell from Titan Books I admit to binging on space opera's lately: Last year I went through Ann Leckie's Ancilliary Justice trilogy, which was so incredible it reenergized my passion for space opera, (I do plan on reviewing here soon!) The Prefect by Alastair Reynolds, an absolute nail biter with fascinating concepts, and Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott was breathless entertainment and intrigue on a grand cinematic scope. Now that Mr. Powell's full Embers of War trilogy is released and on my bookshelf, I plan on tearing through them with all speed. His first book, Embers of War, sets the bar high and did an excellent job drawing me in and establishing the pace quickly! Mr. Powell did a nice job handling the difficult emotions of regret over past deeds and the harm you cause the world, or universe in this case. I also greatly enjoyed his take on space ship AI and their origins and how that affe...

I won an ARC of this book from TOR.com, and I couldn’t be happier I did! Thank you TOR Books! Unconquerable Sun by Kate Elliott, due out from TOR Books July 2020 I’ll admit, this book caught me off guard. It started by introducing a cast of aristocrats and palace intrigue, and slowly built up a wide set of characters cutting a swath across many economic classes in a galactic empire. It was slowly building the world, and I loved the world-building and the mysteries that began to take shape, so it kept me reading... until something literally blows up! Then the rocket boosters hard burn and the story accelerates with g-forces so intense it hurt to put the book down! I couldn’t stop myself, I was so quickly invested in these bickering characters and this crazy story! I was fully caught up in the riptide as the tension continued to ratchet up, betrayal and political machinations unfolded and reformed over again! The pace doesn’t relent to the end, and the intrigues deepen a...