Book reviews written by sfharper

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Displaying 11-20 of 21 reviews

Air: or, Have Not Have

by Geoff Ryman
- Rated 5 stars
“I loved this book and felt deeply moved by the heroine, Chung Mae’s trials as she dealt with the arrival of new technology into her rural community. Her reactions seemed true to life and the only thing slightly corny was her pregnancy. Air asserts the premise of a telepathic Internet. The setting is unusual for most science fiction. In all a good read with strong characterization and a plot that moves well with a lot of twists. See my full review at http://www.sfreader.com/read_review.asp?book=966”

sfharper wrote this review Saturday, November 24 2007. ( reply | permalink )
Red Mars

by Kim Stanley Robinson
- Rated 5 stars
“I found this book quite interesting to read. I thought KSR painted a realistic colonization effort, except, I didn't really believe in all that much equipment being present and delivered on schedule and continually resupplied for a small group just for a scientific community. This didn't bother me enough to stop reading. I thought the political exchange and breakdown into splinter groups with ties to the corporate world believable and mirroring what happened with the Genome project. I was pleased to see he spent so much time focusing on the personal relationships amongst the colonists, this helped give an additional layer of believability. I'm always surprised when sex doesn't exist in SF land.”

sfharper wrote this review Saturday, October 27 2007. ( reply | permalink )
The Lathe of Heaven

by Ursula K. Le Guin
- Rated 4 stars
“This book shows two competing cultures and portrays a character very much alienated from both. Good technology in coming up with the communication device. ”

sfharper wrote this review Monday, October 22 2007. ( reply | permalink )
The Left Hand of Darkness

by Ursula K. Le Guin
- Rated 5 stars
“I thought this was a superb book when I first read it. It tells of the complex relationship between alien cultures and challenges our notions about sexuality. I cried when I read it the first time. My second read was less intense but kept me captivated.”

sfharper wrote this review Monday, October 22 2007. ( reply | permalink )
Invisible Cities (A Harvest/Hbj Book)

by Italo Calvino
- Rated 4 stars
“I love this book because of the complex relationship between Marco Polo and the Khan. It's also fun because of how it challenges the reader to see Cities with varying eyes. I think it's a must read for any science fiction or fantasy writer. See my full review at http://www.sfreader.com/read_review.asp?book=1003.”

sfharper wrote this review Saturday, November 24 2007. ( reply | permalink )
Slow River

by Nicola Griffith
- Rated 4 stars
“Good high tech world that discusses waste management as a side issue. The main character, the rich Lore is a good catch for the good/bad Spanner. Their relationship is complex, sensual and very convincing. The background politics behind Lore's kidnapping is an interesting revelation. A very different story.”

sfharper wrote this review Monday, October 22 2007. ( reply | permalink )
Jupiter

by Ben Bova
- Rated 4 stars
“This was a fun read. I liked learning about Jupiter and liked the main character, a student working on his thesis. The action kept moving. I thought the whale creatures were realistically portrayed. ”

sfharper wrote this review Monday, October 22 2007. ( reply | permalink )
Timelike Infinity

by Stephen Baxter
- Rated 5 stars
“I loved this book, it puts Michael Poole, his virtual father, and and the wormhole in danger from the Qax and explains the Spline ships. Good tension throughout and the characters are really interesting. I laughed at Michael's relationship with his ship. The Friend's of Wigner are far too serious. It was great to find out what happens with Jupiter and how star breakers work.”

sfharper wrote this review Monday, October 22 2007. ( reply | permalink )
Runner

by William C. Dietz
- Rated 4 stars
“This book has a lot of imagination and action, but I wouldn't classify it as a military SF book at all. It's an extended chase through a universe and you get to experience several differing planets. I liked the characters and could relate to them. It was a fun read, but not very thought provoking about science.”

sfharper wrote this review Monday, October 22 2007. ( reply | permalink )
Ring

by Stephen Baxter
- Rated 5 stars
“I just finished this and loved the connection with the Xeelee Universe books. Lieserl's birth is wonderful, scary, and really neat to witness. Her role in helping investigate the Sun and finding out about Photino Bird's is wonderful. I loved seeing an opponent portrayed sympathetically. The long journey across the universe was very realistically portrayed and Spinner-of-Rope is a neat character.”

sfharper wrote this review Monday, October 22 2007. ( reply | permalink )