ICE AGE by Brian Freemantle_Review

Ice Age by Brian Freemantle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: ICE AGE by Brian Freemantle

The author specifically advises that this novel is not intended as a polemic against global warming; yet the story speaks for itself, and the situation is too near-future to qualify as science fiction. Rather, the premise is unfortunately a very possible "could happen." The protagonist, climatologist Jack Stoddart, is a long-time environmentalist who has for years cautioned about destruction of the planet. Seems he's now being proved accurate, as conditions of temperature rise at both Poles release a disease--possibly viral, possibly genetic--which emulates in adults the disease of Progeria which occurs only in children: intensely advanced aging.

I enjoyed this novel, including the various scientific speculations involved. I did think too much politicking and political maneuvering was included, specifically in the U.S., the UK, and Russia. Perhaps that was intended as a behind-the-scenes glimpse; certainly it's no wonder nothing important is ever accomplished. However, for readers who like stories with strong female characters who are important in their chosen fields, ICE AGE has a good selection.

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2018 Sci-fi Experience

SEE HERE In January I'll participate in the Vintage Science Fiction reading, and I plan to read much John W. Campbell. Excited!

Throughout 2018 I plan to read a lot of Robert E. Howard, especially his Weird Fiction, and I will try to also read Dune. If time permits, I'll also be looking at Clark Ashton Smith and Edgar Rice Burroughs. (And always, HPL.)

After a dismaying start to the year, I've been reading John W. Campbell's THE BLACK STAR PASSES, and I've also read (on January 5) Campbell's "The Last Evolution" and "The Ultimate Weapon." Surprisingly, "The Last Evolution" fits in the AI square for the SFF vs. Fantasy Challenge, and the day after reading it I realized the resonances to this story with the later story "A Meeting With Medusa" by Arthur C. Clarke, another master of the genre. Now I think I'll balance Mr.Campbell's masculine viewpoint [predominantly displayed in the 1953 introduction to THE BLACK STAR PASSES] with Andre Norton or C. J. Cherryh.

ALTAR IN THE HILLS AND OTHER WEIRD TALES by Brandon Burrows_Review

The Altar In The Hills and Other Weird Tales by Brandon Barrows
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: ALTAR IN THE HILLS AND OTHER WEIRD TALES by Brandon Burrows

An author unafraid to reveal his roots, Brandon Burrows delivers tales purely Lovecraftian and intrinsically weird. In fact, while reading the eponymous tale "Altar in the Hills," I had to repeatedly check to remind myself I wasn't reading the Master himself {Smile}. That tale resonates for me with the thrill I experience when reading HPL' s "The Whisperer in Darkness." This collection is the first I've read of this author, but it certainly won't be the last.

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VINTAGE SCIENCE FICTION!

Over at The Little Red Reviewer and at Red Star Reviews, January brings VINTAGE SCIENCE FICTION!! See what it's all about!

Follow my personal progress HERE

Remember, I grew up on Vintage Sci Fi {and Mystery and Horror} before it was Vintage! {No, NOT the Golden Age of Science Fiction!}

After a dismaying start to the year, I've been reading John W. Campbell's THE BLACK STAR PASSES, and I've also read (on January 5) Campbell's "The Last Evolution" and "The Ultimate Weapon." Surprisingly, "The Last Evolution" fits in the AI square for the SFF vs. Fantasy Challenge, and the day after reading it I realized the resonances to this story with the later story "A Meeting With Medusa" by Arthur C. Clarke, another master of the genre. Now I think I'll balance Mr.Campbell's masculine viewpoint [predominantly displayed in the 1953 introduction to THE BLACK STAR PASSES] with Andre Norton or C. J. Cherryh.

2018_Science Fiction vs. Fantasy Bingo Challenge_My Challenge

SIGN UP

I'm a lifelong devotee of science fiction, and sci fantasy, and I really want to learn to love fantasy {and to expand my reading horizons}, so this is the challenge for me.

Follow my delightful progress and reviews at: 2018 SF vs. F Bingo Challenge Shelf The Squares Space AI: "The Last Evolution," John W. Campbell (Jan. 5) Wibbly Wobbly Time Travel--SINK It's the End of the World As We Know It Alien Invasion Plague Dystopia Alternate Reality Cyberpunk Necromancer, Islands in the Net, Snowcrash This is Totally Going to Happen One Day Asian: THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM African Rebellion Independent South American Portal Fantastic Beasts Haunted--any Sheri Struthers Undead: DEAD MAN RUNNING or DEATH MAGIC RULES Re-Telling Bite Me Kings, Queens and Long, Lost Relatives Demonic BANE OF THE DEAD Immortal Epic

2018 SWORD AND STARS READING CHALLENGE_My-Challenge

2018 Sword and Stars Reading Challenge!

I am glad I found this! I love science fiction and sci fantasy. Unfortunately I don't love fantasy, but in my quest to "expand my horizons" and "read without walls," I want to read fantasy in 2018.

2018_Sword--and-stars_challenge

Review: BREATHE BREATHE by Erin Sweet Al-Mehairi

Breathe. Breathe. by Erin Sweet Al-Mehairi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review: BREATHE, BREATHE by Erin Sweet Al-Mehairi

This single author collection, containing both dark poetry and several dark short stories, takes as its theme breath: the need, both physical and psychological, to breathe, to exist, to endure, through fear, through pain, through trauma, adversity, dark memories. Many of the characters here experience trouble breathing, through trauma, injury, depression, grief--or death. I am certain many readers {and not only female} will find themselves breathing shallower, or holding their breath, as the vividness of these scenes awakens memories. Other readers who may not have these particular types of painful memories, will nonetheless wince in empathy. I am equally certain very few will walk away untouched, and very few will forget.

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