Book Review: Valhalla: Into the Darkness

Book Review: Valhalla: Into the Darkness by Lee Gold Note: This review will have SPOILERS for Valhalla: Absent Without Leave so if you have not read that book, you may want to read that review first. Robin Grima Jonson and her oathmates have managed to avert Ragnarok, or at least the version of it that… Continue reading Book Review: Valhalla: Into the Darkness

Book Review: Iron Widow

Book Review: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao Huaxia is a future society that has modeled itself somewhat on medieval China, for both good and ill. As far as Zetian is concerned, it’s definitely for ill. The way Huaxia society is set up seems to be designed to oppress women and crush their wills. From… Continue reading Book Review: Iron Widow

Book Review: Dave Dawson with the Air Corps

Book Review: Dave Dawson with the Air Corps by R. Sidney Bowen After several exciting adventures in the European and Pacific Theaters of World War Two, Captain Dave Dawson of Military Intelligence is certainly due a few days of rest and recreation. But after three days on the beach in California, he and sidekick Captain… Continue reading Book Review: Dave Dawson with the Air Corps

Book Review: The Empire of the Ants

Book Review: The Empire of the Ants by H.G. Wells In addition to his famous longer works like The War of the Worlds, Herbert George Wells also wrote a number of speculative fiction short stories. What I’m reviewing today is a collection published by Scholastic Book Services (and mostly sold at school book fairs) which… Continue reading Book Review: The Empire of the Ants

Book Review: The Invaders: Alien Missile Threat

Book Review: The Invaders: Alien Missile Threat by Paul S. Newman The Invaders was a Quinn Martin production that ran on American television from 1967-1968. Architect David Vincent (Roy Thinnes) discovers that aliens from a dying planet are infiltrating Earth (particularly America) in human disguises for the purpose of making our planet their planet. Since… Continue reading Book Review: The Invaders: Alien Missile Threat

Book Review: The Big Book of Victorian Mysteries

Book Review: The Big Book of Victorian Mysteries edited by Otto Penzler While stories that could be considered “mysteries” in some sense have existed as long as writing, and perhaps a bit before, the short story mystery came into its own during the lifetime of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). This volume collects forty-nine notable stories from… Continue reading Book Review: The Big Book of Victorian Mysteries

Book Review: Give Unto Others

Book Review: Give Unto Others by Donna Leon Disclaimer: I received an uncorrected proof of this book for the purpose of writing this review. No other compensation was offered or received. As an uncorrected proof, some details may be different in the final edition, such as removal of typos. Thanks to the folks at Once… Continue reading Book Review: Give Unto Others

Book Review: Thuvia, Maid of Mars

Book Review: Thuvia, Maid of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs It has been some years since Thuvia, princess of Ptarth, was rescued from her captivity by the Therns, thanks to John Carter and his son Carthoris. In the process, she and Carthoris had become attracted to each other, but having been returned to her rightful… Continue reading Book Review: Thuvia, Maid of Mars

Book Review: Subversive Sci-Fi: Reflections on Futuristic Films That Broke the Rules

Book Review: Subversive Sci-Fi: Reflections on Futuristic Films That Broke the Rules edited by Prof. Christopher McGothlin, M.Ed. Disclaimer: I contributed to the Kickstarter for this book. In over a century of movies that can be considered “science fiction” of one sort or another, there have been a number that challenged the status quo in… Continue reading Book Review: Subversive Sci-Fi: Reflections on Futuristic Films That Broke the Rules

Book Review: All Systems Red

Book Review: All Systems Red by Martha Wells Murderbot does not want to kill all humans. Or even very many humans. It just doesn’t feel comfortable interacting with humans outside its security unit (SecUnit) duties, and would rather spend its spare time watching the endless hours of human entertainment available in the various archives. (Right… Continue reading Book Review: All Systems Red