Science Fiction Books > 10 GBP to 14 GBP Science Fiction Books > A

Excellent space-fantasy for all fans of genre

Advantages: Well thought out, brilliant plot, and excellent re-readability
Disadvantages: Quite long, more suited for adult reader

*** As a brief warning to readers, this review will give details of the plot of this book, so if you don’t want anything spoilt, don’t read it! *** A Deepness In The Sky was one of the first Vernor Vinge books I read, and it inspired me to go out and buy an awful lot more of his work. At first glance it seems quite a tome, 606 pages (well my version anyway) and a significant chunk of shelf space gone, but it is so expertly written the ...
...to the point you need a pen and paper just to remember each bit! Pham Nuwen, a human child from a medieval world called Canberra, is taken away when a fleet from the star-faring Qeng Ho turn up to trade with the world, expecting it to be far more advanced for a fallen civilisation. Pham is swept up into this world of trade and inter-stellar voyages, growing up to become one of the leaders of the Qeng Ho, until tragic events force him into hiding. ...

SmurfTheWeb 05.08.2004 · Read full review
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Review of A Deepness In The Sky - Vernor Vinge

Great if you like this sort of thing

Advantages: Wonderful descriptive writing. Well developed plot and characters
Disadvantages: Can be tedious

Robinson is best known for his 'Mars' series, which have gained him a place amongst the best 'hard' SF writers of recent years. His latest novel is 'Antarctica', set in the near future and based on the ice continent. The plot revolves around the ecological issues facing the various groups and authorities using and responsible for Antarctica. The plot is actually quite straightforward, but as you go through the book you will come across a number ...
...is in the descriptive passages of the beautiful and harsh environment. I challenge anyone to read this and not want to visit the place! If you want a fast moving, action packed novel then this is not for you; but if you enjoy learning about a place whilst being entertained then get the book. ...

rwsweet 26.09.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Antarctica - Kim Stanley Robinson

Closer to Heaven

Advantages: Great character building
Disadvantages: A little slow paced for my taste

Fantasy and science fiction are genres that mesh well together. Some authors have written successfully across both genres, but not usually in the same story. Jaine Fenn has managed to combine both in one book and it's an interesting read. One night, a stranger is found lying unconscious in a bog just outside the village of Dangwern. He appears to have come from nowhere and, apart from a strange piece of cloth lying near his naked body, there is nothing ...
...Unfortunately, this includes the stranger himself, as he is suffering from amnesia and has no idea even where he is, much less how he came to be there. Fortunately for Sais, as he is nicknamed, the boy who finds him is "sky touched". This means he is soon to travel to the City of Lights to be tested to see if he is worthy of being a consort of the goddesses. The village elders permit Sais and the boy's mother Kerin to accompany him to see if anyone ...

Soho_Black 19.12.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Consorts of Heaven - Jaine Fenn

It is not just about football!

Advantages: It's very funny, and oh so true!
Disadvantages: None

The Disc, for those who don't know, continues to float in space, supported by the elephants who ride the back of the great swimming turtle A'tuin. The Hub about which the planet spins is a centre of great magic, and best avoided if you want to live a happy and contented life. At the outer perimeter is the great circle sea which unendingly streams over the rim into the void, which is best avoided if you want to continue to live at all. Most Discians ...
...Smeems, for instance, is the Candle Nave at the Unseen University. He has to worry about keeping the candles not just alight, but properly melted, artistically, gothicly, dribbled, as it were. Of course, there's Trevor to help. And there's Nutt. With two t's. Trevor Likely has a tendency to skive off work whenever possible, and to kick a tin can around. His dad was a legend. Nutt is… well, no-one's quite sure what Nutt is, even him. Goblin isn't ...

hiker 07.12.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Unseen Academicals - Terry Pratchett

From Dead to Worse

Advantages: Good read
Disadvantages: Lots of threads, can be confusing

...A failed attempt of takeover from werewolves in another area results in Alcide becoming the new packleader. This, however, comes with a price which is the death of a few weres in the community including the previous packmaster Patrick, Maria-Star, Alcide’s girlfriend. As for the vampires, the explosion in the vampire summit results in the loss of various main personnel in Queen Sophie’s court and the King of Nevada, Felipe, grabs the opportunity. ...
...Louisiana apart from Eric and his gang. Eric surrenders to the new regime and manages to keep his area. And with Sookie saving the King from the attack of the Sophie’s last surviving child, Eric is slowly gaining the trust of the new King. And as for our heroine Sookie, a surprise meeting with her great-grandfather Niall reveals her heritage of being part-fairy. This completes Andre’s discovery of Sookie having fairy blood. And also explains the ...

medgenie 21.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of From Dead to Worse - Charlaine Harris