panArchaeologists find an anomalous artifact while excavating a Mycenean tomb.
There is a decent hard SF story struggling to get out of this 1985 novel but in the first and last thirds it is buried beneath the author's near-racist attitudes to his Greek characters (males are sleazy, both sexes are sadistically violent) and the pages and pages of physical description of the main female character.
pickAs we know, 2001 as a novel/movie was a collaboration between Clarke and Kubrick. Without being similarly handcuffed for the sequel, we get a much more exciting story. Clarke loves to write about the pioneering spirit and endeavour of the human race but he simultaneously captures the sense of wonder and how small and insignificant we are within the vastness of space and time. Clarke is the speculative Galactus of sci-fi writing. Superb book.
When a scientist claims to have invented a machine that will create wormholes at the touch of a button, three different political systems send operatives to retrieve the device and the scientist. Mayhem, betrayals, unexpected alliances and murder happens as they vie to control this incredible device.
Interesting and fun, with lots of humor amidst the mayhem.
#Doublespin @TheAromaofBooks
I technically rated How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen higher than Gravity Lost, but since this has ended up being an entirely fiction board, I think I'll stick with that theme (and maybe create a second non-fiction bracket for myself)
#readingbracket2024 #bookbracket2024 @CSeydel
pick93/150 Sequels are rarely better than the first book, but as much as I loved The Blighted Stars, I think this one was even better. The war against the canus goes on, with people switching sides and switching bodies. I think the author made a mistake by "killing" the main antagonist in this chapter. He was clever and dangerous, a perfect foil for Naira and Tarquin. There is an unusually upbeat and optimistic conclusion ⬇️
I really enjoyed the audiobook version of The Blighted Stars, and I couldn't wait to dive into the sequel. I'm only 2 hours into it, but I'm happy to say, so far, it has been as good as the first book.
pick4.5/5
The ambit crew is back and has been blackmailed to jail-break the man they just took into custody.
This is quickly becoming a favorite sci-fi series for me. It has found family, high stakes space battles, an AI ship captain, and a very fun collection of characters.
pickAs in Pratt's delightful Doors of Sleep series, this book features a cheerful, kind protagonist who finds himself hopping across worlds. Glenn's getting his PhD at UC Santa Cruz when he learns his girlfriend (& domme) Vivy is actually a freedom fighter for the Interventionists, a group dedicated to stopping the spread of fascism between worlds. It is in no way explicit, but it's funny how the kink is a more surprising plot point than, say, aliens.
so-soBesides the usual problem with Asimov (the only meaningful female character is still the one responsible for making tea and stew for men) the middle section is flabby and massively expositional/dialogue heavy. This is a shame because the previous book, despite its demoded aspects, is an enjoyable story. It‘s not all bad, though, but I see now why I‘ve never read past this part of the trilogy. However, I‘m aiming to fix that as soon as TBR permits
