Book Reviews, science fiction 0 comments on Robot Visions – by Isaac Asimov

Robot Visions – by Isaac Asimov

Robot Visions is a collection of 18 short stories, and 16 essays, written by Isaac Asimov.  The stories were originally published between 1940 and 1976.  The essays were originally published between 1956 and 1974 (with a big gap in the middle somewhere).

I had not read any of Asimov’s work before I picked up this collection.  I would recommend it as a good starting point for people who want a glimpse into Asimov’s robots (and the way humans interact with them).

It includes a story called Runaround which was published in 1942.  This story is significant because it is the very first one in which Asimov specifically describes the Three Laws of Robotics.  It is those laws that govern the behavior of all of his robots.

Continue Reading “Robot Visions – by Isaac Asimov”

Book Reviews, science fiction 3 comments on Fallen – by Traci L. Slatton

Fallen – by Traci L. Slatton

Fallen is a book that I fell in love with almost immediately. It is a story that takes place in an apocalyptic world, not too far in the future. I tend to gravitate towards these types of stories. Either I am fascinated by the differences between the world I live in and the “alternate universe” one presented in a post-apocolyptic story, or some part of me just wants to “watch the world burn”. Either way, I found Fallen to be completely captivating.

The main character is a woman named Emma, who has become the caretaker of a group of children. One of the children, Mandy, is her own. The rest are, essentially, orphans due to the mists that are plaguing the world.

Continue Reading “Fallen – by Traci L. Slatton”

Book Reviews, science fiction 0 comments on The Blue-Haired Bombshell – by John Zakour

The Blue-Haired Bombshell – by John Zakour

The Blue-Haired Bombshell was handed to me by a friend of mine, who remembered when I used to dye my hair blue. I could immediately tell that the book came from the sci-fi section, but was somewhat hesitant about reading it. I mean, it just about screamed out “cheesy”.

Once I opened the book, I realized that it had way more potential than I’d first guessed. Here we have a really silly and fun book, that combines classic sci-fi concepts with both sarcastic and goofy humor.

Continue Reading “The Blue-Haired Bombshell – by John Zakour”
Book Reviews, science fiction 0 comments on Prey – by Michael Crichton

Prey – by Michael Crichton

Somewhere in Nevada, science has gone terribly wrong. The book Prey can be described as a science-fiction/thriller.

Jack, a self described “househusband”, stays home and takes care of his three children. Julia, his wife, is a scientist, working on a top secret project that Jack (and the other spouses) know almost nothing about. It turns out that no one, not even the scientists in charge of this project, were very well informed about what it was they were up against.

Continue Reading “Prey – by Michael Crichton”
Book Reviews, science fiction 0 comments on Outrageous Fortune – by Tim Scott

Outrageous Fortune – by Tim Scott

Outrageous Fortune begins with Jonny X67’s house having been stolen while he was at work designing dreams. Not robbed, not broken into, the entire house has been taken away.

All that is left is a business card, dropped by the thieves, that says “Don’t you hate it when this happens?” and a phone number.

Continue Reading “Outrageous Fortune – by Tim Scott”
Book Reviews, science fiction 0 comments on The Time Traveler’s Wife – by Audrey Niffenegger

The Time Traveler’s Wife – by Audrey Niffenegger

I was surprised by how much I liked this book.

It was a bit strange, in every way I can think of. The Time Traveler’s Wife is the story of Henry DeTamble who, through some fluke in genetics, is a time traveler. It is also the story of his wife, Clare, who he often goes to meet when he time travels. Henry has no control over when he time travels, or when/where he goes.

Continue Reading “The Time Traveler’s Wife – by Audrey Niffenegger”
Book Reviews, science fiction 0 comments on The Swarm – by Frank Schatzing

The Swarm – by Frank Schatzing

The Swarm is a science-fiction book that focuses on biology and genetics. The main premise is that there are aliens living in the oceans, who have been there much longer than humans. The aliens are much smarter than we are, and have gotten really tired of our destructive ways.

Most of the characters in the book are scientists, from different countries and branches of science. They are trying to connect the dots between the many catastrophes and plagues that are happening around the world – in the hopes of discovering the source of it all.

Continue Reading “The Swarm – by Frank Schatzing”
Book Reviews, science fiction 0 comments on Pattern Recognition – by William Gibson

Pattern Recognition – by William Gibson

Pattern Recognition is a novel set shortly after the events that took place in the United States on September 11, 2001. The book was published in 2005.

Cayce Pollard is a “coolhunter”, which means she has a gift for spotting the next cool trend. Big companies hire her to find that for them, and also to judge if their next logo is going to work for them or not. She leads a very solitary life, traveling from country to country for work.

Continue Reading “Pattern Recognition – by William Gibson”