Norwescon discussion

Have you read The Wrong Stars? What did you think? Let us know!

Enjoyable space adventure, with lots of amusingly clever writing and fun ideas for alien cultures, particularly the primary alien life and how they interface with humanity. Liked reading it, and appreciated the diversity of characters both human and alien. Doesn't nudge its way to the top of this year's PKD nominee stack, but that's not at all a knock against this book, this is just proving to be a strong selection this year.

Another of the PK Dick nominees, this one is definitely a space adventure, it reminded me a lot of a Mass Effect story, good guys, bad guys (or are they good?), even badder guys. Heroics worth rooting for, evolving plot lines that get deeper and wider, and lots of action.

Regarding evolving "norms" for gender and sexuality, this book nails it. Instead of a long, drawn out lesson, we get the perfect treatment. It's treated as normal, so normal it's not even worth dwelling on. We may get an acknowledgement (or even not), pronouns are used ... preference asked, yes, because gender is not assumed, but also not preached. These people are who they are, full stop, not singled out for yet another education dump of the week. Seamlessly done.

Yet another book (and author) I would have missed if not for the Philip K Dick awards! I'll definitely read more.