Steven Stennett's Blog

Dark Intelligence by Neal Asher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Solid piece of science fiction.

The technologys within the book, are well thought out and presented in a very user friendly manner, that dose not bog down the fast pasted story in anyway.

This is what I want in my science fiction ships weapons and tech that is seamlessly woven into a an engaging story!!!!

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Apex by Ramez Naam
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It's finished took a while . But it's done. Not as good as the first book bluntly. But never the less still a good end to the trilogy.

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Stealing Light by Gary Gibson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Solid piece of science fiction. Creatures with gills are not widely viewed as supreme being, owners of the galaxy, and here lays a significant difference from my usual fare.

Mammal bias has a tendency to regard fish as fish, not very smart and not entities with the capacity to build, and maintain intergalactic community's.

I tip my hat, to such a simple use of a familiar alien, fish!!!!!

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Extinction Game by Gary Gibson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Good book I enjoyed it. Parallel universes based on earth, a solid idea.
My only reservation the book did not wow me, this seems to be happening a lot to me recently, tainting some of my reviews, hence the 3 stars.

I preferred the beginning of the book more than the later half.

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Lock In by John Scalzi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I admire the writer for showing restraint in his depiction of the vehicles used by the locked in.

Robots.

I would have had them super powered, stronger, faster, superior in every way!
That would have been a mistake.

The premise of the locked in, was well explained and developed appropriately, giving the book and the mystery that unfolds a plausibility, which allows you to seamlessly enjoy the story, that turns into a detective yarn, of a very high standard.

Only three stars, because I prefer my sci fi, just a little bit more out there!

Never the less, its a strong three, with a heck of a lot of positives to enjoy!

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Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Could not finish it Made me think, about my own cerebral qualifications.

No way my brains like a super computer!!

Yeah well hmmmm, I just could not connect. Its a good book, from what I read.

It just wouldn't let me in, or maybe I couldn't figure out the pass word!!!

Anyway, this is the one that got away. I am disappointed in myself but hey that's life!!!!!!

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The Abyss Beyond Dreams by Peter F. Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was in familiar territory at the beginning, the commonwealth a place I have traveled to before with Hamilton.

The middle of the book, slightly stilted for me. It was OK, something I wouldn't have expected from this author, whose previous work I have devoured.

The latter, final act redeemed the book for me, raising the bar of the whole piece.


This book is a solid, set up for the next.

I would liked a little bit more umpth from the get go, for the next installment, but all that said, it is solid 4 for me, I will definitely be picking up the next one.

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First Blood by David Morrell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book made me sad!

All the effort and strength of will. To kill other human beings, that it displayed, via one individual, both at home and abroad even though he was a 'Hero,' all for the sake of Presidents, Primeministers and country's.

Arms dealers, who make shits loads of money, from selling the tools of destruction to hapless soles that believe that shinny, shinny, small arms, are the way forward.

Artifacts to adorn themselves like gaudy jewelery.

Don't get me wrong I think I understand why the Aurthur wrote the book. Returning soldiers from Vietnam where a concern to the US government, like any brain washed automaton would be, to any administration, even today.

It just stings me, that we are still traveling down the same paths, fighting the same battles against what is fundamentally the same species.

Me and you!!!!!!

Wakey, Wakey!!!!!!

Great book, that stands very well against the side of the film.

Nothing get learned.

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The Killing by David Hewson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have never read a book written from a TV series then turned into a book. Initially it dose not make sense. 'The book usually being better than the film!'

This is an exception to the rule! The plot twists and turns relentlessly, and I can see how the TV series was plotted and paced through the chapters.

The tiny problem I found with this, was that I could judge that they had no found the murderer, even though an arrest had been made, because I could see that I still had say four pages a head of me, and I knew the book could not possibly come to an end yet.

That is a small quibble, in what is ultimately a solid piece of entertainment!

As a side note to my review. The lead Detective felt to me like she suffered from some form of autism! Interesting use character trait!

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The Skinner by Neal Asher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great novel, one of Mr Asher's first books, and you can see from the beginning, that he was destine for greatness!

Its a wonder to me that such a complex world, based around science fiction, can manifest its self so easily from the writers mind.

Maybe I am being naive and the undertaken was just made to seem effortless! Never the less, 'The Skinner,' is a rich, fast passed, novel, that needs a smattering of patience to begin with.

If you posses that admiral attribute, then you will find yourself immersed within a world of super humans, mutated by a virus that heals, and turns the fragile flesh of mere homosapiens into Gods, the Captains of said pros become these near immortals.

If you have a taste for all powerful A.I's, War drones that no longer have a war to fight, and aliens that have a taste for human flesh, then look no further.

A resounding five stars!!!!!

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