S.D. Williams (Author of Unclaimed Outpost)

S.D. Williams rated a book really liked it The Long Walk by Richard Bachman	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
As much as I like a lot of Stephen King’s work, I do think I prefer him as Richard Bachman, He just feels more aggressive in his writing in this form. Darker. More evil. His lead characters have more asshole qualities about them that make them more i ...more
May 08, 2026 12:10PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Long Walk by Richard Bachman. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Long Walk by Richard Bachman <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
S.D. Williams rated a book it was amazing Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Obviously Journey to the Centre of the Earth is an absolute classic, but what’s even more impressive is that I think it’s still a really good read now. It’s a riveting story with a great sense of adventure and likeable characters with a lot more witt ...more
May 01, 2026 01:13PM · like · see review
S.D. Williams and 7 other people liked Martin Gaede's review of The Forever War (The Forever War, #1): "Some science fiction novels age because their predictions come true; others endure because they understand people. The Forever War belongs to the second category. Joe Haldeman uses interstellar conflict, relativistic time dilation, and future militar" Read more of this review »
Apr 25, 2026 01:36PM · see review
S.D. Williams rated a book really liked it A Gift from Earth (Known Space) by Larry Niven	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I always like when books are set off Earth, but are still about humans. Those colonies in deep space where different cultures and societies have formed. A different way of life has began, but you’re still dealing with humans. It’s always struck me as ...more
Apr 25, 2026 12:59AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Gift from Earth by Larry Niven. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Gift from Earth by Larry Niven <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
S.D. Williams rated a book it was amazing I Am Legend by Richard Matheson	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Why is I Am Legend one of those books that film adaptations can never get right? Why does every version feel the need to change what is a fantastic story? I’ve seen countless versions of the story, different takes on it, and none can ever quite captu ...more
Apr 17, 2026 11:07AM · like · see review
S.D. Williams liked christy 's review of Synners: "it's a damned schrodinger world"
Apr 10, 2026 12:56PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Synners by Pat Cadigan. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Synners by Pat Cadigan <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
S.D. Williams made a comment on Lydia’s review of Synners " Definitely. "
Apr 10, 2026 12:56PM · see review
S.D. Williams liked Lydia's review of Synners: "Slow start but worth it in the end"
Apr 10, 2026 12:56PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Synners by Pat Cadigan. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Synners by Pat Cadigan <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
S.D. Williams made a comment on Ken Loft’s review of Synners " Definitely grows on you as the book moves forward. Get so dark "
Apr 10, 2026 12:56PM · see review
S.D. Williams rated a book really liked it Synners by Pat Cadigan (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I’m not quite sure where to start with this one. Synners is a big, somewhat purposefully messy story, that throws you into the deep end with a cyberpunk world full of strange jargon and even stranger characters. You probably won’t have a clue what’s ...more
Apr 10, 2026 12:54PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Synners by Pat Cadigan. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Synners by Pat Cadigan <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

S.D. Williams rated a book really liked it

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As much as I like a lot of Stephen King’s work, I do think I prefer him as Richard Bachman, He just feels more aggressive in his writing in this form. Darker. More evil. His lead characters have more asshole qualities about them that make them more i As much as I like a lot of Stephen King’s work, I do think I prefer him as Richard Bachman, He just feels more aggressive in his writing in this form. Darker. More evil. His lead characters have more asshole qualities about them that make them more interesting, and his stories have bleak endings which i’m not for in real life, but can love in fiction.

The Long Walk is about an annual competition in a dystopian America (I know) where one hundred boys walk for as long as possible at a minimum of four miles an hour until only one is left and can claim the prize… any prize. If they drop below the speed after three warnings, they’re killed. If they leave the road, they’re killed. If they try to run, they’re killed. Either you’re the sole survivor, or you die.

I really enjoyed the movie so was eager to give the book a read especially having loved The Running Man book as well. Everything I enjoyed about the film was in the book, along with some extra doses of darkness and a few nastier character traits that didn’t make it to the film.

It really is a dark story set in such a simple premise. You wonder how the story can keep going for so long when all they’re doing is walking, but it sucks you in. From the silly games and crude comments about the crowd, to the meaning of life conversations and theories about the Long Walk winners. From the sexual tension between Ray and Pete to the mum waiting for a glimpse of her son from the side of the road. One second you’re laughing at some childish taunt the tired Walkers are throwing at each other, the next they’re laying dead on the floor having been shot in the head after receiving their three warnings and getting their ‘ticket.’ it’s a cruel world.

I like this version of Garrarty too. He’s got a little more spitefulness in him under the pen of King/Bachman. Does a few things that a modern audience wouldn’t be okay with when he’s meant to be the lead character. I fully admit, I prefer this. I like characters that feel more flawed and human. Have impulses and wants and thoughts that too many modern interpretations and movies deny. At the end of the day he’s a young kid on a death march, he’s allowed to be a bit of a dick from time to time.

Plenty of the other walkers are great too. McVires is again wise beyond his years, but like Garrarty has a nastiness to him that isn’t represented in the film. You get the impression all these kids are broken. That they’re all the verge before they even start the Long Walk. Why else would they be there? Other than Scramm, he just done fucked up and should have lived a long happy life.

It’s a cruel nasty nihilistic book that I thoroughly enjoyed. A look into the pointlessness of death and war, while at the same time turning a mirror to those celebrating it. It’s a lot more subtle than the movie, and a lot less hopeful, but that works well alongside the presentation of the book.

Anyone who enjoyed the film should like the book despite a few changes (including the ending) and fans of dystopia should give it a go too. But if you’re a happy positive person who doesn’t want to read about how shit the world is, i’d stay away from this one because there isn’t much hope and joy within the pages.

For more Science Fiction Reviews Check Out the Review Page on my Website:
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S.D. Williams rated a book it was amazing

Journey to the Center of the Earth
by Jules Verne

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Obviously Journey to the Centre of the Earth is an absolute classic, but what’s even more impressive is that I think it’s still a really good read now. It’s a riveting story with a great sense of adventure and likeable characters with a lot more witt Obviously Journey to the Centre of the Earth is an absolute classic, but what’s even more impressive is that I think it’s still a really good read now. It’s a riveting story with a great sense of adventure and likeable characters with a lot more witty humour than you’d imagine from a book that’s over one-hundred and sixty years old. Some classics feel dated by their very nature, the world and literature has changed, but I don’t think this is one of them. It’s actually a relatively simple read for the most part, therefore something that can still be enjoyed rather than a classic lost to time.

The book follows the story of Professor Liedenbrock, his nephew Axel, and their Icelandic guide Hans as they investigate the possibility of being able to venture to the centre of the Earth after discovering an opening in the planet’s surface. During their Journey to the centre of the Earth they come across all kinds of weird and wonderful sights that could rewrite the history of the planet.

The story is an adventure story at heart with a simple but vastly enjoyable structure. I love these type of road movie stories. Just a small group travelling and stumbling upon problem after problem or experience after experience. And what an experience their journey is from underground rivers to monsters of the past and sub-terrain jungles. Jules Verne had an absolutely wild imagination for someone born a couple of hundred years ago. (Need to read some more of his work)

I really liked the dynamic of the characters too. What’s around the next corner was always what made me read the next chapter when I thought I was done reading for the night, but I enjoyed the characters interactions just as much. Axel’s doubt and fleeting excitement for the impossible and dangerous journey. The Professors determination and conviction. Han’s being the quiet stoic guide who is just amazing at everything but doesn’t appear to have an opinion about anything. Just pay him every Saturday as promised. Love it.

Some times older books can be a difficult read no matter how well you know the story through modern interpretations, but this isn’t one of them, at least the unabridged Wordsworth Classic translation that I read wasn’t. Sure there was some old timey language and the book rattled off some details a little detailed, but not often. I thought it went at a great pace, helped by the short chapters and adventurous nature.

It’s an influential and famous book for a good reason. It really is a great story with a fantastically structured template. It’s easy to follow, funny, and has great characters. The adventure is impossible, but I love that kind of sci-fi when imagination rules over hard science. While not indulge in some fantasy and wish fulfilment. It’s an amazing piece of work, and one that will no doubt endure even longer than it already has. Everyone should give this book a read at some point.

For more Science Fiction Reviews Check Out the Review Page on my Website:
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S.D. Williams and 7 other people liked Martin Gaede's review of The Forever War (The Forever War, #1):

"Some science fiction novels age because their predictions come true; others endure because they understand people. The Forever War belongs to the second category. Joe Haldeman uses interstellar conflict, relativistic time dilation, and future militar" Read more of this review »

S.D. Williams rated a book really liked it

A Gift from Earth (Known Space)
by Larry Niven

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I always like when books are set off Earth, but are still about humans. Those colonies in deep space where different cultures and societies have formed. A different way of life has began, but you’re still dealing with humans. It’s always struck me as I always like when books are set off Earth, but are still about humans. Those colonies in deep space where different cultures and societies have formed. A different way of life has began, but you’re still dealing with humans. It’s always struck me as a simple and interesting way to tell a dystopian story without having to completely change Earth, or make Earth the bad guy. Just set it elsewhere, with some new rules, and away you go. A Gift From Earth is a great example of that type of story telling.

A Gift from Earth follows the story of Matt Keller, a simple miner who get himself caught up in a battle between the freedom fighters / Eco terrorists (depending what side you’re on) The Son’s of the Earth, and the Implementation Police / Crew who control the dangerous poisonous planet Plateau. The battle intensifies when a robot probe from Earth delivers the colony new technology that could change the balance of power and lifestyle on the planet for good if everyone learns it secret.

It’s an intriguing story from the offset, and one that poses a very nasty, but interesting dilemma. The planet relies on organ farms to extend the lifes of those deemed worthy (something perhaps crucial for such a young world that’s still adjusting to its dangerous terrain) with the organs taken as punishment from the criminal element. Therefore, in theory, the planet should be at peace as that’s quite the deterrent, but the organ farms always seem to be full.

What makes it even more interesting is that the Son’s of Earth aren’t strictly fighting to get rid of the organ farms, one is, but the rest are more interested in the division of power on the planet. So, there’s a big moral (not for me, fuck organ farms) question being basically used by both sides to maintain or grab power going on, all while the colonist of the planet just go about their daily lives.

In the middle of this battle is Matt who honestly just wanted to have sex with a cute girl and somehow found himself in this fight for the planets soul. He has history as his uncle who he idolised fought against the Crew, but still, this was never meant to be his fight. And when it turns out that Matt has special powers too!!! well, the Son’s of the Earth want him to fight their fight even more.

I really enjoyed this one. There’s a lot of world building with the ramrobots, mining worms, flying cars and organ harvesting, not to mention the implementation of those organs. I liked learning about the planet and the culture born from it. The whole by the Mist Demons thing. The Hospital. The way the houses were grown. It’s clear that a lot of thought went into developing this complex world, which made the whole psychic powers thing even more of a captivating curve ball.

The characters were all great too. Matt as the reluctant hero. Jesus Pietro trying to keep order and investigate while also wanting to use harsher punishment. Harry Kane (not him) leading the Son’s of the Earths. Polly… can’t say to much more about her without giving stuff away. Everyone was interesting, everyone had a point of view, and in my opinion, pretty much every single one of them was going about things the wrong way, which is what gave the story an edge and made it feel realistic despite the far away setting.

If people have power, they will want to keep it. If something exists that benefits you, whether it’s right or wrong, you’re not going to want to see it destroyed. The book takes basic principles and creates an interesting and dark world out of them, and for that, it is definitely worth a read.

For more Science Fiction Reviews Check Out the Review Page on my Website:
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S.D. Williams rated a book it was amazing

I Am Legend
by Richard Matheson

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Why is I Am Legend one of those books that film adaptations can never get right? Why does every version feel the need to change what is a fantastic story? I’ve seen countless versions of the story, different takes on it, and none can ever quite captu Why is I Am Legend one of those books that film adaptations can never get right? Why does every version feel the need to change what is a fantastic story? I’ve seen countless versions of the story, different takes on it, and none can ever quite capture the bleak hopelessness of the book… or that ending.

I Am Legend follows the story of Robert Neville, the last living man on Earth. Everyone else is neither dead, a vampire, or something in-between. He spends his days questioning why he’s even bothering trying to survive, yet for some reason even unknown to him, he won’t simply give up. He’ll drink, be reckless, and have plenty of crash outs (as the kids say) but refuses to end it all, even when he’s at his most lonely or depressed.

It’s an interesting story because despite the world building and presentation of this dystopian future, it’s very much purely a character study. Robert goes on little adventures and does some research, but there is no real way out of this situation. No way to bring everyone back. No sunny days ahead He’s fucked, and is basically living day to day without any motivation outside of just the will to live.

Therefore, plot wise, while there are some twists and turns along the way, and the end is kind of shocking, not a lot happens. Yet, you’re always gripped to the page. Always eager to see what nothing happens next. Always awaiting his next fit of rage and whisky bender. Robert’s compelling because his situation is so dire, and it’s very difficult to judge any of his actions when everything is so completely and utterly fucked.

Is the way he treats himself ok? Well, what would you do? Is the way he thinks about the woman vampires a bit creepy and rapey… sure… but he doesn't do anything about it, and is clearly going mad. Is killing the vampires in their sleep the right thing to do? Given the circumstance and the fact that he takes no joy from it… probably.

There’s so many questions he asks of himself, let alone what we ask, and for me that’s what makes the book such an interesting read. He is in an impossible position and doesn’t know what to do about it, and we are right there with him.

I like Robert Neville overall. He’s broken, crazy, and has a temper but it all feels justified to me. From the memories we see of him before the world went to hell this wasn’t who he was. He seemed like a good father and husband. A kind neighbour. Someone who was heartbroken by the lost around him and tried his best to deal with it. Even within the events of the books he’s hopelessly looking for a cure that can’t happen.

It’s this character study that draws me so much to the book, and why I feel every adaption fails. They always want to make it a bigger story, rather than something personal. Want to lean on the worlds gone to hell aspect rather than the lone survivor living in it. I am Legend is a great book. A study of loneliness and depression is a broken world written to perfection. It’s fascinating, and questions so many aspects of humanity. That is what makes it a personal favourite, and one i’d always recommend.

For more Science Fiction Reviews Check Out the Review Page on my Website:
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S.D. Williams liked christy 's review of Synners:

"it's a damned schrodinger world"

S.D. Williams made a comment on Lydia’s review of Synners

" Definitely. "

S.D. Williams liked Lydia's review of Synners:

"Slow start but worth it in the end"

S.D. Williams made a comment on Ken Loft’s review of Synners

" Definitely grows on you as the book moves forward. Get so dark "

S.D. Williams rated a book really liked it

Synners
by Pat Cadigan (Goodreads Author)

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I’m not quite sure where to start with this one. Synners is a big, somewhat purposefully messy story, that throws you into the deep end with a cyberpunk world full of strange jargon and even stranger characters. You probably won’t have a clue what’s I’m not quite sure where to start with this one. Synners is a big, somewhat purposefully messy story, that throws you into the deep end with a cyberpunk world full of strange jargon and even stranger characters. You probably won’t have a clue what’s going on for the first hundred pages plus (at least I didn’t) but ultimately, it’s a really great book.

It’s an experience as you start to pick up on what’s what, and who who’s. But, when things really click and the story becomes more clear and apparent, you realise what an incredibly dark turn everything has taken. The book suddenly switches from slightly confusing too massively engrossing and nightmarish.

Synners is about a future where entertainment has reached whole new levels as we’re plugged into videos and experiences. But, when we go a step further and literally start plugging the product directly into our brain through direct sockets, the question becomes whether the mad science has gone to far? And what are the consequences?

There’s so much madness in this book, and so many things that just feel all to real as well. The traffic A.I being a great example. The idea of computers and devices getting smaller and more undetectable (this book was published in 1991). The look at an A.I growing into itself on the net. The big companies all jostling for the top video’s and commercial space is social media long before social media.

Then there’s the truly dark stuff. The suicidal reboots that the book opens on is terrifying. Using yourself as essentially a battery is nasty. The Videodrome aspects. Then of course what turns into the main plot as the net becomes a more enticing place to spend all your time than ‘The Meat.’ There’s a lot of cynicism and darkness, that sadly has turned out to be largely right, although thankfully not quite to Synners extent… yet.

The writing is quick and snappy, but definitely jargon heavy. But, a lot of the words used are concepts and things that exist now, it’s just the book was written before the explosion of the internet, so the terms differ. The characters take a while to to find their uniqueness, but that’s probably because there are so many. For me, the one’s to pay attention to early on are Sam, Gabe, Gina and Mark. The rest will full in line as you go.

Structurally, it is a difficult book. There’s a lot of characters and it’s set in a futuristic dystopian world that has its own ways. It’s a book you will most likely get lost in, very similar to something like Neuromancer, but like the Willam Gibson classic it’s a story that rewards you for staying with the experience.

It’s a hard one to recommend because there’s a great story in Synners, and characters you’ll like and enjoy, but you have to stick with the book for a while in order to get that, and patience isn’t what it used to be. I think if you’re a big fan of the genre, and cyberpunk in particular, give it a go and try to stick with it. The last few hundred pages really are a great pay off, and the world building is unique.

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