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Lockdown Tales 2
A collection of nine novelettes and stories from best-selling SF author Neal Asher (150,000 words of fiction between them), all written during lockdown and including four that are original to this volume. Some of these thrilling and inventive narratives were set during the latter days of Neal's Polity universe, while others explored what came next.
Contents:
Lockdown Tales II: An Introduction
Xenovore
An Alien on Crete
The Translator
Skin
Eels
The Host
Antique Battlefields
Moral Biology
Longevity Averaging
Contents:
Lockdown Tales II: An Introduction
Xenovore
An Alien on Crete
The Translator
Skin
Eels
The Host
Antique Battlefields
Moral Biology
Longevity Averaging
- GenresScience FictionEbooks
468 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2023
235 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Neal Asher
139 books3,064 followersI’ve been an engineer, barman, skip lorry driver, coalman, boat window manufacturer, contract grass cutter and builder. Now I write science fiction books, and am slowly getting over the feeling that someone is going to find me out, and can call myself a writer without wincing and ducking my head. As professions go, I prefer this one: I don’t have to clock-in, change my clothes after work, nor scrub sensitive parts of my body with detergent. I think I’ll hang around.
Source: http://www.blogger.com/profile/139339...
Source: http://www.blogger.com/profile/139339...
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 13, 2025
(3.3)Hadn’t read Asher for some time and it was good to come back.
He writes tasty deep tech with flair and enough humanity to keep things moving along
He writes tasty deep tech with flair and enough humanity to keep things moving along
February 18, 2023
Another excellent set of short stories, and even though I tried (very hard) not to binge read the whole thing, I still manage to read it in just over a week.
There are 3 (Translator, Moral Biology, The Host) stories which Neal says are in the wronge order and not next to one another? (not sure why that wasn't corrected before publication) but I'd like to hope can be expanded into a further novel(s). Also the first story Xenovore I think what very good and I would like to hope a novel could come from that, if not directly from the encounter wither the Nok then possible from what I will term the second surviors.
There are 3 (Translator, Moral Biology, The Host) stories which Neal says are in the wronge order and not next to one another? (not sure why that wasn't corrected before publication) but I'd like to hope can be expanded into a further novel(s). Also the first story Xenovore I think what very good and I would like to hope a novel could come from that, if not directly from the encounter wither the Nok then possible from what I will term the second surviors.
February 13, 2023
Stunning collection 💕 Not to be missed
Starts off strong but the last three stories are breathtaking.
Antique Battlefields
Moral Biology
Longevity Averaging
Will add non-spoiler detail soon.
Starts off strong but the last three stories are breathtaking.
Antique Battlefields
Moral Biology
Longevity Averaging
Will add non-spoiler detail soon.
December 24, 2023
"Lockdown Tales 2" is a collection of short stories written by Neal Asher, assembled during the COVID-19 pandemic when many people around the world were experiencing lockdowns. Neal Asher took the opportunity to address the situation in his own way by writing and sharing stories that could provide some entertainment during those challenging times.
This is the first time I had read any of Neal Asher’s works and I was drawn in immediately.
The collection showcases a blend of hard science fiction with deep world-building, complex characters, and fast-paced action. His stories often take place within his established "Polity" universe but he also explores new settings and ideas.
The tales in "Lockdown Tales 2" deal with themes of isolation, societal change, and the psychological impact of confinement, potentially reflecting the real-world experiences during the pandemic. Asher's ability to integrate thought-provoking concepts with dark humour and thrilling scenarios shines through in this collection of tales that involve high-tech scenarios, AI, and broad speculative ideas rooted in real-world concerns.
Each story stands on its own while contributing to the larger tapestry of his speculative fiction universe which I am yet to read but will remedy this over the coming months.
Would give this a 4.3 out 5 and will definitely be reading more of Neal Asher to discover more about the Human Polity Universe!
This is the first time I had read any of Neal Asher’s works and I was drawn in immediately.
The collection showcases a blend of hard science fiction with deep world-building, complex characters, and fast-paced action. His stories often take place within his established "Polity" universe but he also explores new settings and ideas.
The tales in "Lockdown Tales 2" deal with themes of isolation, societal change, and the psychological impact of confinement, potentially reflecting the real-world experiences during the pandemic. Asher's ability to integrate thought-provoking concepts with dark humour and thrilling scenarios shines through in this collection of tales that involve high-tech scenarios, AI, and broad speculative ideas rooted in real-world concerns.
Each story stands on its own while contributing to the larger tapestry of his speculative fiction universe which I am yet to read but will remedy this over the coming months.
Would give this a 4.3 out 5 and will definitely be reading more of Neal Asher to discover more about the Human Polity Universe!
May 10, 2023
Flawlessly underdone. Love it!
Neal Asher has again given us a few days of exciting stories with thought-provoking sciences.
Now I watch and wait for more......
Neal Asher has again given us a few days of exciting stories with thought-provoking sciences.
Now I watch and wait for more......
March 27, 2023
Captivating storytelling by a master author… as always
February 18, 2023
Excellent collection
More Polity stories than I expected but it is all good and some excellence. I must admit I didn't know much about the life of the author before this ( I generally avoid knowing too much in case it interferes with my enjoyment of the stories) and perhaps know now more than I wanted to.
More Polity stories than I expected but it is all good and some excellence. I must admit I didn't know much about the life of the author before this ( I generally avoid knowing too much in case it interferes with my enjoyment of the stories) and perhaps know now more than I wanted to.
March 10, 2023
Absolutely fantastic!
What a brilliant read. The stories were engrossing, entertaining, energetic and engaging. Neal’s imagination seems boundless and I can’t wait too read his next offerings.
What a brilliant read. The stories were engrossing, entertaining, energetic and engaging. Neal’s imagination seems boundless and I can’t wait too read his next offerings.
June 8, 2023
Great collection of novellas and short stories. I enjoyed every one throughly. It was difficult to pick a favourite but if pressed I would say ‘An Alien on Crete’. Wonderful and thoughtful scientific concepts throughout.
March 10, 2023
Excellent, as always by Neal.
Thought provoking, gripping well written stories.
Very enjoyable
Thought provoking, gripping well written stories.
Very enjoyable
March 15, 2023
Never fails to thrill
I always love the characters but the wildly imaginative technology of the Polity floors me every time. Read every book he has written, hungry for more!
I always love the characters but the wildly imaginative technology of the Polity floors me every time. Read every book he has written, hungry for more!
May 15, 2023
lockdown really good
Neal Asher's "Lockdown Tales 2" is a masterfully woven tapestry of science fiction short stories that proves, once again, Asher's prowess in the genre. For those familiar with Asher's work, this anthology showcases his ability to create intricate universes, explore complex themes, and populate his stories with compelling characters. For newcomers, it provides an accessible introduction to his style and the kind of richly-detailed, thought-provoking narratives he is known for.
One of the key strengths of "Lockdown Tales 2" lies in the variety of its stories. Asher has ingeniously pieced together a collection that spans across different themes and premises, each story holding its own with a unique storyline and a set of characters. Despite this diversity, the stories are united by their engaging action and the overall quality of the writing.
Asher's knack for action is on full display throughout the anthology. His vivid and detailed descriptions of intense, high-stakes conflicts create a sense of immediacy and excitement that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. Whether it's a tense standoff, a full-blown battle, or a daring escape, each action scene is crafted with precision and creativity, contributing to the compelling nature of the stories.
The premises of the stories are another highlight. True to form, Asher presents us with a range of intriguing scenarios that push the boundaries of the imagination. From dystopian futures and advanced artificial intelligence to explorations of alien civilizations, each premise serves as a springboard for a deeper exploration of themes such as morality, identity, and the human condition.
Overall, "Lockdown Tales 2" is a testament to Neal Asher's storytelling skills and his ability to engage the reader with a blend of action, thought-provoking themes, and richly-imagined worlds. Whether you're a long-time fan of Asher's work or a newcomer to his writing, this collection of short stories is sure to captivate and entertain. It's a compelling anthology that once again confirms Asher's place among the top-tier authors in science fiction.
Neal Asher's "Lockdown Tales 2" is a masterfully woven tapestry of science fiction short stories that proves, once again, Asher's prowess in the genre. For those familiar with Asher's work, this anthology showcases his ability to create intricate universes, explore complex themes, and populate his stories with compelling characters. For newcomers, it provides an accessible introduction to his style and the kind of richly-detailed, thought-provoking narratives he is known for.
One of the key strengths of "Lockdown Tales 2" lies in the variety of its stories. Asher has ingeniously pieced together a collection that spans across different themes and premises, each story holding its own with a unique storyline and a set of characters. Despite this diversity, the stories are united by their engaging action and the overall quality of the writing.
Asher's knack for action is on full display throughout the anthology. His vivid and detailed descriptions of intense, high-stakes conflicts create a sense of immediacy and excitement that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. Whether it's a tense standoff, a full-blown battle, or a daring escape, each action scene is crafted with precision and creativity, contributing to the compelling nature of the stories.
The premises of the stories are another highlight. True to form, Asher presents us with a range of intriguing scenarios that push the boundaries of the imagination. From dystopian futures and advanced artificial intelligence to explorations of alien civilizations, each premise serves as a springboard for a deeper exploration of themes such as morality, identity, and the human condition.
Overall, "Lockdown Tales 2" is a testament to Neal Asher's storytelling skills and his ability to engage the reader with a blend of action, thought-provoking themes, and richly-imagined worlds. Whether you're a long-time fan of Asher's work or a newcomer to his writing, this collection of short stories is sure to captivate and entertain. It's a compelling anthology that once again confirms Asher's place among the top-tier authors in science fiction.
August 26, 2023
A set of nine novelettes from Neal Asher.
All but one of them (see below) were generally enjoyable reads that explored Neal's Polity universe. I suspect that if I had taken breaks between the novelettes I might have enjoyed them more overall.
I usually enjoy reading about Neal's books and the Polity universe in particular but for these stories I started noticing elements that pulled me out of the story somewhat:
- Recurring use of super human / super competent main ~male~ character who is the only person important to the plot.
- Characters other than the main character often were very shallow if they were developed at all.
The premise for Longevity Averaging is ~individuals~ reaching longevity escape velocity (LEV) where continuous improvements in healthcare and longevity treatment result in them becoming effectively immortal. I've encountered the concept before and find it personally distasteful because there is often a mentality that ~of course~ the super rich people who can afford treatments should live forever because everyone knows that being rich means you are good. (The only folks that say otherwise are all those lazy/bad/undisciplined/... poor people who all ~could~ have been rich too but didn't take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities that life threw their way.) I could have written some of this off to "just telling a story" but Neal's intro to Longevity Averaging is very explicit that he thinks it is all positive that the deserving rich might be about to "reach LEV" and leave all the poor riffraff behind. My standing point for this is that even the most ethical of super rich people did NOT get that way on their own because at the minimum a functioning society maintained by ~everyone~ made it possible.
All but one of them (see below) were generally enjoyable reads that explored Neal's Polity universe. I suspect that if I had taken breaks between the novelettes I might have enjoyed them more overall.
I usually enjoy reading about Neal's books and the Polity universe in particular but for these stories I started noticing elements that pulled me out of the story somewhat:
- Recurring use of super human / super competent main ~male~ character who is the only person important to the plot.
- Characters other than the main character often were very shallow if they were developed at all.
The premise for Longevity Averaging is ~individuals~ reaching longevity escape velocity (LEV) where continuous improvements in healthcare and longevity treatment result in them becoming effectively immortal. I've encountered the concept before and find it personally distasteful because there is often a mentality that ~of course~ the super rich people who can afford treatments should live forever because everyone knows that being rich means you are good. (The only folks that say otherwise are all those lazy/bad/undisciplined/... poor people who all ~could~ have been rich too but didn't take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities that life threw their way.) I could have written some of this off to "just telling a story" but Neal's intro to Longevity Averaging is very explicit that he thinks it is all positive that the deserving rich might be about to "reach LEV" and leave all the poor riffraff behind. My standing point for this is that even the most ethical of super rich people did NOT get that way on their own because at the minimum a functioning society maintained by ~everyone~ made it possible.
May 14, 2023
A small collection of stories from the seemingly dour 'Asherverse' and his future 'dystopic utopia'
Nice to have little prefaces before each tale and to get a glimpse to the reason behind them, as he explains 3 of the stories are linked and he's changed them about a bit so they seem out of order.
Some of these are what I'd call novella length and can feel a bit of a chore to read as the topic covered is a bit meh!
There is one set just as 'The Quiet War' takes place about a Casca like character and how he deals with the changing times.
There are no Prador in this collection and I fucking love them flesh eating fuckers, so a bit disappointed that they never showed up.
All in all a decent enough set of tales with enough to content to keep an
'Asherite' placated.
Nice to have little prefaces before each tale and to get a glimpse to the reason behind them, as he explains 3 of the stories are linked and he's changed them about a bit so they seem out of order.
Some of these are what I'd call novella length and can feel a bit of a chore to read as the topic covered is a bit meh!
There is one set just as 'The Quiet War' takes place about a Casca like character and how he deals with the changing times.
There are no Prador in this collection and I fucking love them flesh eating fuckers, so a bit disappointed that they never showed up.
All in all a decent enough set of tales with enough to content to keep an
'Asherite' placated.
August 27, 2023
Excellent!
You will almost certainly enjoy this collection of stories.
I don't give 5 Stars to anything but Nebula/Hugo winners.
The author is at the top of his game. It is good to hear that he has made more distance from his devastating loss.
Enjoy. I did.
You will almost certainly enjoy this collection of stories.
I don't give 5 Stars to anything but Nebula/Hugo winners.
The author is at the top of his game. It is good to hear that he has made more distance from his devastating loss.
Enjoy. I did.
March 19, 2024
Fills in the backstories on some characters and the near future timeline.
Each story reveals more about the Polity and the origins of the AI and longevity of man. A couple of the stories introduce a new species to the Polity. All are very good and thought provoking.
Each story reveals more about the Polity and the origins of the AI and longevity of man. A couple of the stories introduce a new species to the Polity. All are very good and thought provoking.
August 16, 2025
Neal has a way of bringing in stories rooted in very deep and very beliveable worlds. The concepts they explore are absolutely amazing, somehow the end set of stories just felt rushed and a bit incomplete. Apart from that this is a brilliant voyage
October 8, 2025
A varied assortment of short stories and novellas/novelettes from Neal Asher. Entertaining, challenging and stimulating, they were all worth reading, if varied in their provision of actual enjoyment and satisfaction. Good.
June 10, 2023
Brilliant.
July 18, 2023
One of my favourite authors
never disappoints!
only weird one was romance - bit like Charles Stross doing romance with a context of human sacrifice !
never disappoints!
only weird one was romance - bit like Charles Stross doing romance with a context of human sacrifice !
July 27, 2023
Fabulous for fans of the Polity universe that Asher has created. Scary AI developments!
July 2, 2024
And in case you think the leeches are complete fiction:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...
https://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...
September 9, 2024
A thoroughly enjoyable number of short stories although I could have done without the slippy slidey sex in a few of the stories.
March 31, 2024
Having hugely enjoyed Asher's first Lockdown Tales collection, I actually enjoyed this follow up volume even more. While there are certainly some forays into Asher's Polity universe, as one might expect, there are also a number of non-Polity standalone tales that give the collection a fresh and intriguing feel. Also, while the bulk of these stories fall into the hard SF space opera genre shared by most of the author's previous work, there are some that explore different subgenres of science fiction, as well as a couple that fall squarely under the SF/horror banner. This collection was absolutely engrossing, and an absolute joy to read. Highly recommended.
April 15, 2023
Excellent and varied reads
Excellent and varied reads. I've always enjoy Asher and his universe. If you haven't checked him out it's worth doing, and this is an easy place to start.
Excellent and varied reads. I've always enjoy Asher and his universe. If you haven't checked him out it's worth doing, and this is an easy place to start.
May 31, 2023
troppo prolisso
Neal Asher scrive racconti lunghi. Troppo lunghi. Insomma non fanno per me, soprattutto perché mi pare che si perda fin troppo in dettagli che non portano nulla allo svolgersi della storia e diventano presto noiosi. Inoltre ho trovato a volte difficile seguire la trama: non so se la colpa sia dell'edizione elettronica che ho, ma mi sono trovati molti cambi di voce narrante senze che ci fosse un segnale al riguardo. Per quanto riguarda i singoli racconti:
◆ Xenovore: La parte centrale è interessante, ma l'introduzione è troppo lunga (e difficile da seguire) e la parte finale mi pare un po' troppo forzata, roba che mi posso aspettare da Heinlein che scriveva 60 anni fa. 2/5
◆ An Alien on Crete: Ben costruito. Direi che comunque ad Asher piace il superuomo, o meglio l'oltre-uomo. 4/5
◆ The Translator: Troppo simile al precedente per essere davvero interessante. 3/5
◆ Skin: Tendente all'horror (che a me non piace), ma bisogna dire che è stato ben scritto. 4/5
◆ Eels: Space opera classica. Mi sono perso però in vari punti, e questo non è bello. 2/5
◆ The Host: Un tipo di biologia aliena descritta in modo interessante. 4/5
◆ Antique Battlefields: Il miglior racconto del lotto. Un'ottima spiegazione di come cominciò la Quiet War; il finale finalmente mi ha spiazzato. 5/5
◆ Moral Biology: Altro tentativo di descrizione di una biologia aliena, ma troppo prolisso e con almeno una sottotrama che si perde nel nulla. 3/5
◆ Longevity Averaging: Non dice molto. Soprattutto tutto il contorno ai trattamenti di longevità pare finto. 3/5
Neal Asher scrive racconti lunghi. Troppo lunghi. Insomma non fanno per me, soprattutto perché mi pare che si perda fin troppo in dettagli che non portano nulla allo svolgersi della storia e diventano presto noiosi. Inoltre ho trovato a volte difficile seguire la trama: non so se la colpa sia dell'edizione elettronica che ho, ma mi sono trovati molti cambi di voce narrante senze che ci fosse un segnale al riguardo. Per quanto riguarda i singoli racconti:
◆ Xenovore: La parte centrale è interessante, ma l'introduzione è troppo lunga (e difficile da seguire) e la parte finale mi pare un po' troppo forzata, roba che mi posso aspettare da Heinlein che scriveva 60 anni fa. 2/5
◆ An Alien on Crete: Ben costruito. Direi che comunque ad Asher piace il superuomo, o meglio l'oltre-uomo. 4/5
◆ The Translator: Troppo simile al precedente per essere davvero interessante. 3/5
◆ Skin: Tendente all'horror (che a me non piace), ma bisogna dire che è stato ben scritto. 4/5
◆ Eels: Space opera classica. Mi sono perso però in vari punti, e questo non è bello. 2/5
◆ The Host: Un tipo di biologia aliena descritta in modo interessante. 4/5
◆ Antique Battlefields: Il miglior racconto del lotto. Un'ottima spiegazione di come cominciò la Quiet War; il finale finalmente mi ha spiazzato. 5/5
◆ Moral Biology: Altro tentativo di descrizione di una biologia aliena, ma troppo prolisso e con almeno una sottotrama che si perde nel nulla. 3/5
◆ Longevity Averaging: Non dice molto. Soprattutto tutto il contorno ai trattamenti di longevità pare finto. 3/5
April 3, 2023
Very good Asher stories while we wait for more full length books
Uneven group of Asher novelettes but all are entertaining. Found the last one a bit sad with its reference to his spouses demise. Note I suffered the same tragedy. Still one of the top sci fi authors and very productive.
Uneven group of Asher novelettes but all are entertaining. Found the last one a bit sad with its reference to his spouses demise. Note I suffered the same tragedy. Still one of the top sci fi authors and very productive.
April 1, 2023
must read for Neal Asher fans
Great series of stories they all seem to kind of hang together even though they’re not in the same time or place necessarily.
Very much like this book hope that he writes more but he doesn’t have to be locked in to do it. Thanks.
Great series of stories they all seem to kind of hang together even though they’re not in the same time or place necessarily.
Very much like this book hope that he writes more but he doesn’t have to be locked in to do it. Thanks.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews