Tag Archives: Book Review

4 Star Book Reviews: Adrift on the Sea of Rains

Posted on July 29, 2019 by dan

Adrift on the Sea of Rains by Ian Sales Adrift on the Sea of Rains is beautifully written and exquisite in its commitment to accuracy. The sharp-lined realism, the towering wonder, and the depths of emotion of an astronaut who … Continue reading →

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4 Star Book Reviews: Arrows of Time

Posted on July 22, 2019 by dan

Arrows of Time by Greg Egan Greg Egan is one of the few authors whose books I can re-read and Arrows of Time certainly rewards re-reading. The first time, through, it was all I could do to keep track of … Continue reading →

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4 Star Book Reviews: The Quantum Magician

Posted on July 15, 2019 by dan

The Quantum Magician by Derek Künsken I hadn’t found a space opera I liked in a long time, so I was very happy to find Künsken’s big, frenetic, furious book. The beginning is a bit cluttered and unfocused. I got … Continue reading →

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4 Star Book Review: The Forest and Pale Green Dot

Posted on July 8, 2019 by dan

The Forest and Pale Green Dot by Justin Groot This one gets me right where I live. In a mysterious and grand environment, monsters eat people. But the real monsters…are of the human psyche! But seriously, this story is great. … Continue reading →

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4 Star Book Reviews: Against Empathy

Posted on July 1, 2019 by dan

Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion by Paul Bloom Ah, what a breath of fresh air. This is a book about how to be good. Is empathy (that is, feeling the emotions of the person you’re trying to help) … Continue reading →

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4 Star Book Reviews: Perhelion Summer

Posted on June 24, 2019 by dan

Perhelion Summer by Greg Egan This is probably the only climate change fiction I can manage. Egan side-steps the politics of the issue by talking about a cosmic accident that screws up Earth’s orbit and stresses the hell out of … Continue reading →

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5 Star Book Reviews: The Other Kind of Life

Posted on April 25, 2019 by dan

The Other Kind of Life by Shamus Young I could say “gritty Issac Asimov” and you’d be most of the way there. Maybe I’ll say “Rivers of London” to get you some of the rest of way. But honestly what … Continue reading →

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Five Star Book Reviews: Underlord

Posted on April 18, 2019 by dan

Underlord by Will Wight Imagine that self improvement, pursued assiduously enough, gave you the ability to throw fireballs. Maybe if you throw big enough fireballs, you’ll be put in a position to understand *why* you want to throw them in … Continue reading →

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Five Star Reviews: Unsong

Posted on April 1, 2019 by dan

WOW. Uh… one-sentence summary… “Apollo 8 crashed into the heavenly crystal sphere surrounding the Earth and cracked it.” Or “A disgraced kabalist working for an international theonomics corporation runs afoul of the UN agency in charge of policing the use … Continue reading →

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Five Star Book Reviews: A Coffinful of Nightmares

Posted on February 20, 2019 by dan

Full Disclosure: I edited this book for my good friend Emil. This book is a sweaty, crawly, hairy, bloody, and surprisingly tender collection of stories. There are a lot of horror stories here, but also science fiction, mystery, and a … Continue reading →

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