Difference between revisions of "Bookbag's Science Fiction Picks"
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Who doesn't love immersing themselves in another world? The best sci-fi books have a grand scope, that involves the reader and inspires fantastic thoughts. They can make us look at our own lives with fresh eyes, or they can be rip-roaring adventures with robots and aliens. There's something here for everyone. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites? We're always looking for new reviewers, so if you'd like to review a classic sci-fi novel and join our team, please [[Reviewer Vacancies|get in touch]]. | Who doesn't love immersing themselves in another world? The best sci-fi books have a grand scope, that involves the reader and inspires fantastic thoughts. They can make us look at our own lives with fresh eyes, or they can be rip-roaring adventures with robots and aliens. There's something here for everyone. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites? We're always looking for new reviewers, so if you'd like to review a classic sci-fi novel and join our team, please [[Reviewer Vacancies|get in touch]]. | ||
__NOTOC__ | __NOTOC__ | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Kevin Brooks | |author=Kevin Brooks | ||
|title=Being | |title=Being | ||
|rating=5 | |rating=5 | ||
|summary=Frighteningly good writing, a tense plot, existential questions and vivid emotions make this Blade Runner themed book a five star volume, not to be missed. | |summary=Frighteningly good writing, a tense plot, existential questions and vivid emotions make this Blade Runner themed book a five star volume, not to be missed. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0141381442 |
| + | |genre=Science Fiction | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Charles Stross | |author=Charles Stross | ||
|title=Halting State | |title=Halting State | ||
|rating=4 | |rating=4 | ||
|summary=Some time in the near future the virtual world and Edinburgh reality collide with some serious collateral damage. It won’t appeal to everyone – a very specific sense of humour is required – along with the ability to accept you won’t necessarily understand a fair chunk of what you’re reading. It’s still funny. | |summary=Some time in the near future the virtual world and Edinburgh reality collide with some serious collateral damage. It won’t appeal to everyone – a very specific sense of humour is required – along with the ability to accept you won’t necessarily understand a fair chunk of what you’re reading. It’s still funny. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1841496650 |
| + | |genre=Science Fiction | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Cherith Baldry | |author=Cherith Baldry | ||
|title=The Reliquary Ring | |title=The Reliquary Ring | ||
|rating=4 | |rating=4 | ||
|summary=A masterly combination of fantasy, science fiction, alternate history and politics. The lead characters are beautifully and subtly drawn. The relationships between them, especially that of the genic Gabriel and his master Leonardo, are complex and bitter sweet. The characters as a whole have that illusive but essential quality of being recognisable, their actions and reactions always believable. | |summary=A masterly combination of fantasy, science fiction, alternate history and politics. The lead characters are beautifully and subtly drawn. The relationships between them, especially that of the genic Gabriel and his master Leonardo, are complex and bitter sweet. The characters as a whole have that illusive but essential quality of being recognisable, their actions and reactions always believable. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0330492071 |
| + | |genre=Science Fiction | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Richard Matheson | |author=Richard Matheson | ||
|title=I Am Legend | |title=I Am Legend | ||
|rating=5 | |rating=5 | ||
|summary=Part of the Millennium SF Masterworks series, ''I Am Legend'' is the inspiration for many subsequent books and films. It's a groundbreaking novel and a must read for any fans of the genre, despite some superficial characterisation among the minor cast. | |summary=Part of the Millennium SF Masterworks series, ''I Am Legend'' is the inspiration for many subsequent books and films. It's a groundbreaking novel and a must read for any fans of the genre, despite some superficial characterisation among the minor cast. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1857988094 |
| + | |genre=Science Fiction | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Frederik Pohl | |author=Frederik Pohl | ||
|title=Gateway | |title=Gateway | ||
|rating=4 | |rating=4 | ||
|summary=''Gateway'', by Frederik Pohl, is very much in the grand tradition of 'hard SF'. Whereas much of what gets put in the science-fiction section of bookshops is actually little more than fantasy with lasers instead of swords, ''Gateway'' is part of the Arthur C Clarke, Bradbury and Asimov school that seeks to extrapolate fantastic worlds from real current science, and examines how science and technology could affect the peoples of those worlds. | |summary=''Gateway'', by Frederik Pohl, is very much in the grand tradition of 'hard SF'. Whereas much of what gets put in the science-fiction section of bookshops is actually little more than fantasy with lasers instead of swords, ''Gateway'' is part of the Arthur C Clarke, Bradbury and Asimov school that seeks to extrapolate fantastic worlds from real current science, and examines how science and technology could affect the peoples of those worlds. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0575078995 |
| + | |genre=Science Fiction | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Ken MacLeod | |author=Ken MacLeod | ||
|title=The Execution Channel | |title=The Execution Channel | ||
|rating=5 | |rating=5 | ||
|summary=A near-future catastrophe novel that is tense, well-drawn and sneakily, sneakily clever. The muted SF elements and subtle opinionating give the book a number of levels and made a patsy of this reader right up to the very last pages. Highly recommended. | |summary=A near-future catastrophe novel that is tense, well-drawn and sneakily, sneakily clever. The muted SF elements and subtle opinionating give the book a number of levels and made a patsy of this reader right up to the very last pages. Highly recommended. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=184149349X |
| + | |genre=Science Fiction | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Philip K Dick | |author=Philip K Dick | ||
|title=Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? | |title=Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? | ||
|rating=4.5 | |rating=4.5 | ||
|summary=World War Terminus is over, and Earth is in ruins. While most people have emigrated to Mars, some continue to live their lives on Earth while radioactivity slowly impairs their brain and reproductive function. Upon emigrating to Mars, all citizens were given a highly sophisticated android servant, and now six have escaped from captivity and fled to Earth, killing all in their path. Rick Deckard is the bounty hunter commissioned to track down and destroy these androids, almost indiscernible from humans, in return for a fee. | |summary=World War Terminus is over, and Earth is in ruins. While most people have emigrated to Mars, some continue to live their lives on Earth while radioactivity slowly impairs their brain and reproductive function. Upon emigrating to Mars, all citizens were given a highly sophisticated android servant, and now six have escaped from captivity and fled to Earth, killing all in their path. Rick Deckard is the bounty hunter commissioned to track down and destroy these androids, almost indiscernible from humans, in return for a fee. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0575079932 |
| + | |genre=Science Fiction | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Jeff Somers | |author=Jeff Somers | ||
|title=The Digital Plague | |title=The Digital Plague | ||
|rating=4 | |rating=4 | ||
|summary=This future-noir styled thriller features a returning hero with a troubling world collapsing round his shoulders. Trying to get revenge on the people who made him the very cause is harder than he thinks, in this lively and pacy action read, which we recommend. | |summary=This future-noir styled thriller features a returning hero with a troubling world collapsing round his shoulders. Trying to get revenge on the people who made him the very cause is harder than he thinks, in this lively and pacy action read, which we recommend. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1841497045 |
| + | |genre=Science Fiction | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Jim Crace | |author=Jim Crace | ||
|title=The Pesthouse | |title=The Pesthouse | ||
|rating=4.5 | |rating=4.5 | ||
|summary=A book about a future American dystopia that is surprisingly gentle, kind and optimistic if unlikely. Lovers of language will find Jim Crace addictive, but his prose poem style may prove a stumbling block for some. | |summary=A book about a future American dystopia that is surprisingly gentle, kind and optimistic if unlikely. Lovers of language will find Jim Crace addictive, but his prose poem style may prove a stumbling block for some. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=0330445626 |
| + | |genre=Science Fiction | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | {{ | + | {{Frontpage |
|author=Iain M Banks | |author=Iain M Banks | ||
|title=The Algebraist | |title=The Algebraist | ||
|rating=5 | |rating=5 | ||
|summary=A grand sweep of a novel, exciting, tantalising and engaging for a reader who makes an effort to try and work out what's going on. The vision is truly massive, the politics complicated, the science totally implausible, the human characters believable and engaging, and the social set-ups suitably varied; while the main alien race of the Dwellers are something else altogether. | |summary=A grand sweep of a novel, exciting, tantalising and engaging for a reader who makes an effort to try and work out what's going on. The vision is truly massive, the politics complicated, the science totally implausible, the human characters believable and engaging, and the social set-ups suitably varied; while the main alien race of the Dwellers are something else altogether. | ||
| − | | | + | |isbn=1841492299 |
| + | |genre=Science Fiction | ||
}} | }} | ||
Latest revision as of 09:50, 11 February 2024
Who doesn't love immersing themselves in another world? The best sci-fi books have a grand scope, that involves the reader and inspires fantastic thoughts. They can make us look at our own lives with fresh eyes, or they can be rip-roaring adventures with robots and aliens. There's something here for everyone. Why not tell us about your favourites? We're always looking for new reviewers, so if you'd like to review a classic sci-fi novel and join our team, please get in touch.
|
|
Review ofBeing by Kevin BrooksFrighteningly good writing, a tense plot, existential questions and vivid emotions make this Blade Runner themed book a five star volume, not to be missed. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofHalting State by Charles StrossSome time in the near future the virtual world and Edinburgh reality collide with some serious collateral damage. It won’t appeal to everyone – a very specific sense of humour is required – along with the ability to accept you won’t necessarily understand a fair chunk of what you’re reading. It’s still funny. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThe Reliquary Ring by Cherith BaldryA masterly combination of fantasy, science fiction, alternate history and politics. The lead characters are beautifully and subtly drawn. The relationships between them, especially that of the genic Gabriel and his master Leonardo, are complex and bitter sweet. The characters as a whole have that illusive but essential quality of being recognisable, their actions and reactions always believable. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofI Am Legend by Richard MathesonPart of the Millennium SF Masterworks series, I Am Legend is the inspiration for many subsequent books and films. It's a groundbreaking novel and a must read for any fans of the genre, despite some superficial characterisation among the minor cast. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofGateway by Frederik PohlGateway, by Frederik Pohl, is very much in the grand tradition of 'hard SF'. Whereas much of what gets put in the science-fiction section of bookshops is actually little more than fantasy with lasers instead of swords, Gateway is part of the Arthur C Clarke, Bradbury and Asimov school that seeks to extrapolate fantastic worlds from real current science, and examines how science and technology could affect the peoples of those worlds. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThe Execution Channel by Ken MacLeodA near-future catastrophe novel that is tense, well-drawn and sneakily, sneakily clever. The muted SF elements and subtle opinionating give the book a number of levels and made a patsy of this reader right up to the very last pages. Highly recommended. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofDo Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K DickWorld War Terminus is over, and Earth is in ruins. While most people have emigrated to Mars, some continue to live their lives on Earth while radioactivity slowly impairs their brain and reproductive function. Upon emigrating to Mars, all citizens were given a highly sophisticated android servant, and now six have escaped from captivity and fled to Earth, killing all in their path. Rick Deckard is the bounty hunter commissioned to track down and destroy these androids, almost indiscernible from humans, in return for a fee. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThe Digital Plague by Jeff SomersThis future-noir styled thriller features a returning hero with a troubling world collapsing round his shoulders. Trying to get revenge on the people who made him the very cause is harder than he thinks, in this lively and pacy action read, which we recommend. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThe Pesthouse by Jim CraceA book about a future American dystopia that is surprisingly gentle, kind and optimistic if unlikely. Lovers of language will find Jim Crace addictive, but his prose poem style may prove a stumbling block for some. Full Review |
|
|
Review ofThe Algebraist by Iain M BanksA grand sweep of a novel, exciting, tantalising and engaging for a reader who makes an effort to try and work out what's going on. The vision is truly massive, the politics complicated, the science totally implausible, the human characters believable and engaging, and the social set-ups suitably varied; while the main alien race of the Dwellers are something else altogether. Full Review |
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