Tad’s Comments (group member since Oct 03, 2015)

Tad’s comments from the Beyond Reality group.

For Science Fiction I'll nominate Terminal Alliance by Jim C. Hines.

This is a funny SF story about janitors who end up as the only people left on a big space ship and have to end up saving the day, both for the ship and potentially all humanity. It is very funny, but also has a great SF story and plenty of action.

For fantasy I'll nominate The Fifth Ward: First Watch by Dale Lucas.

This is a fun fantasy series debut. Sort of a buddy cop movie in a fantasy setting. Lots of action, humor, and a good mystery to solve. Book 2 in the series comes out this summer.

Joey wrote: "Thanks for the kind words, Silvana and Rachel.

I usually welcome new technology, but I wonder if anyone had a fearful reaction to the idea of a "neural network." While quite positive in many respe..."

One of the things I've always appreciated about Scalzi is the way he calls back to earlier authors and pioneers of the golden age of science fiction. He seems to expound on concepts they started and does it quite frankly with better or at least more approachable writing.

When you talk about the neural network, it reminded me of the Haden victims that choose to spend all of their time in the virtual world and not interact with the physical one any more than they had to. That in turn reminded me of Frederick Pohl's Gateway series, where eventually people chose to give up their physical bodies and exist entirely as uploaded consciousness in a super computer. It seems like I often find something in Scalzi's work that reminds me of these earlier authors.

Silvana wrote: "Travis wrote: "For sci fi, I nominate Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee."

I will vote this one."

I read it and thought it was way overhyped. It wasn't awful, just ok. Don't think it lives up to the accolades it's getting.

For Fantasy, I'll nominate Red Sister by Mark Lawrence.

This is the first book in a new series and I think it's his best so far. The opening line is:

"It is important when killing a nun to ensure that you bring an army of sufficient size."

That was all it took to hook me!

It is interesting to find out the gender discussion after reading it and examine the assumptions you make. I also assumed Chris was male and then afterwards I had to go back and consider why I made that assumption. I thought it was very cleverly done.

Chris wrote: "I admit, I'm a sucker for doubled genres . There's just something that tickles me about layering some science fiction concept as an accepted fact, then building a good crime drama (or a heist, for ..."

I'm a sucker for the double genre too. I thought it was both an interesting mystery and some interesting sci-fi concepts.

And since this is the SPOILER thread...what did people think about the undefined sex of the main character. I notice you refer to Chris using "his" when in fact, no male or female pronouns are ever used to describe Chris. It was an eye opener for me after finishing the book and learning this was deliberate.

Silvana wrote: "Tad wrote: "Silvana wrote: "Tad wrote: "I'm reading First Watch by
Dale Lucas. Next up is Graveyard Shift [bookcov..."

I haven't. I've seen the movie though, which was weird.

Silvana wrote: "Tad wrote: "I'm reading First Watch by
Dale Lucas. Next up is Graveyard Shift ..."

That's a good point. I had the same thought. About two-thirds done now and this is more of a straight up mystery in a fantasy setting. Good characters and world-building. I like it.

I'm reading First Watch by
Dale Lucas. Next up is Graveyard Shift by Michael F. Haspil

Justine wrote: "I'm planning to read Phantom Pains this month too:) Borderline was one of my favourite reads last year."

One of my favorites too!

Finished the first book in a new fantasy series, Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames. I really like the style and humor in this one.

Next up is Phantom Pains by Mishell Baker. Been looking forward to this!

Christopher wrote: "Back up a second here and explain something very basic to me, please.
The last act hinges upon the idea that the fragmenting nature of the multiverse caused 100 variant Jason1 to split off and all ..."

That's the problem with the infinity portion of the multiverse. There is a universe like you describe. We're just not reading about it. We're in the one where 100 Jason2 copies didn't show up.

One of the things I took from the book is that the original Jason had to wrestle with the fact that he may not be back in his original universe but in one that is "close enough". Likewise, I enjoyed that dilemma in the middle part of the novel as he contemplates, either explicitly or implicitly, whether he will ever find his way back and whether at some point he will either make the decision or not have any more options and have to stay in a universe he knows is not the one he came from.

For fantasy I'll nominate Borderline by Mishell Baker which is the best fantasy book I've read this year.

For Sci Fi I'll nominate Behind the Throne by K.B. Wagers which was the best SF book I read.

I discovered Sheri S. Tepper when I was looking to branch out with some new authors and perspectives and I fell in love with her. This book blew me away. I was so caught up in the world building and the society she constructed. I just disappeared into this world, which is exactly what I'm looking for in science fiction. One of her best works.

Candiss wrote: I've been wanting to read this for several years. Then when the (Western) film adaptation, Edge of Tomorrow, proved to be far, far better than I expected it to be, it jumped way up my list.

I had the exact same reaction. I had the book, didn't get to it before the movie came out and then was wowed by the movie. I need a push to knock it off my TBR stack and into my hands.

For Fantasy, I'll nominate Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells

Urban fantasy with both some traditional elements along with some new twists and interesting characters. I've just started reading it but am enjoying it so far.

I'll nominate Time Salvager by Wesley Chu for Sci Fi. This is a fun combination of time travel and dystopia with interesting characters and a lot of action. Really interesting world-building.

I'll nominate This Census-Taker by China Miéville for Fantasy. This is a twisty, perspective shifting fantasy with a surreal atmosphere. Great writing, keeps you on your toes and has a great ending.

I'm reading Aftermath by Chuck Wendig. It's really good so far. Really enjoying it. I have The Traitor Baru Cormorant high on my TBR list. Hopefully I'll get to it next.