August 28, 2008
Book Review: Plague Year by Jeff Carlson
* Genre: Apocalyptic Fiction, Hard SF
* ISBN: 044101514X
* ISBN-13: 9780441015146
* Format: Paperback, 304pp
* Publisher: Ace Books
* Pub. Date: July 2007
* Author Website (with excerpts and live action book trailer)
Plague Year, by Jeff Carlson, is the type of book that would translate very well in and action/thriller movie. Characters never stand still, political intrigue abounds, and the characters face almost certain death every time they turn around. Written in two perspectives, the novel relates the story of what happens to Earth and humanity after a nanotech plague kills every mammal living below 10,000 feet of elevation. Set only a few months into the first year after the plague of tiny machines hit, the story is written as first person accounts from two primary characters.
The first, and most interesting, is Cam, a Hispanic ski bum who manages to make it to a small outcropping barely above ten thousand feet in California, not far from the supposed epicenter of the plague. Plague Year begins with his story, and what he and his small band of survivors must do to survive. They immediacy of their survival is the strong hook that author Jeff Carlson uses to lure the reader in. From that point, the story fascinates so much; you can't help but read this horrifying story of man-made apocalypse. Cam is a survivor, a man on the front lines of the plague and his eyes relay to the reader the immediacy and near futility of survival on what amounts o almost barren rock.
Ruth is a nanotech scientist stuck in the International Space Station doing her very best to study the plague and find a cure. Unlike Cam, who must suffer many indignities, she is a privileged person, naive about the horrors occurring down on Earth. Her awakening, later in the novel, is a key plot twist. Her selfishness and narcissism can be grating at times on the reader, but Carlson doesn't intend for us to like her, at least not at first. Still, it will fit the reader's stereotype of the lab rat genius who sees nothing but their next experiment. When she acts out of character later in the novel, it becomes a great moment of hope.
These two perspectives provide two separate plot lines that finally converge into the final solution to the nanotech plague.
The story moves very quickly, and this short novel can easily be read in one or two nights. Cam's heroism in the face of self-loathing is amazing to watch. Ruth's tirelessness in searching for cure is inspiring, and her naïveté grounds the reader in our own present day complacency. These two characters, though they don't grow awful much beyond these motivations, will resonate deeply. That lack of growth is one of the weaknesses of the story. The characters do a great deal of introspection, but Carlson fails to move them beyond that introspection to a permanent change of character, making it easy for a reader to think them flat. They are not, but their changes are very subtle, more a bringing out of hidden strengths than any great change in personality.
The plot basics are not truly original. Any moviegoer or reader familiar with I am Legend will see a lot of elements that are very similar, even to the point of the scientist-become-hero theme. But a similar theme is no crime, and Carlson does move the story in a different direction from its predecessor.
Readers may also notice a similarity to the TV show Lost in that Carlson explains the isolation of being stuck on a mountaintop with much the same motivations. One primary character even shares a name and personality with Lost's Sawyer. But these similarities to waht has come before could be seen as strengths, in that readers who enjoyed either I am Legend or Lost is likely to enjoy Plague Year for its similar themes and character types.
Readers who are offended by casual sex (a threesome exists at the beginning of the novel) and some crude thinking on the part of the characters may also wish to avoid this tale.
Carlson's writing can sometimes seem a bit choppy, making faster readers easily miss important details. Slower readers will be at an advantage in reading this novel. More than once I got confused as to what had just happened, but I think that was due more to my reading pace than Carlson's writing per se. I just skipped over a detail in my speed. But the fact that I was reading it quickly points to the avidness and voraciousness with which I was enjoying it, so what initially seemed a detriment to me became a strength of the novel as I thought about it later.
The story is good, even garnering Carlson a nomination for this year's John W. Campbell award. Unfortunately, he was ineligible due to previously published short stories, but that says a lot for his strong writing skills. I think Plague Year is a unique take on the old apocalyptic fiction trope, full of the hard science of nanotech, and it will appeal to a broad audience.
It is highly entertaining, and I can say that I plan to read the stand-alone/sequel, Plague War very soon. If you like apocalyptic fiction, Plague Year is a must-buy.
August 28, 2008
Jim C. Hines The Stepsister Scheme first chapter available
The Goblin Books were awesome, now see what Jim C. Hines does with his brand of wit and humor to the traditional fairy-tale princess. Sure to be good for a lot of laughs.
August 27, 2008
Lou Anders opens a Can of Worms
At his blog, Bowing to the Future, Pyr editor Lou Anders opens up a real can of worms. Building off a comment made in a review of The Martian General's Daughter he takes issue with people who accuse authors of propagandizing when they are simply writing from their perspective. He states,
"Now, I am neither a Marxist nor a Christian, and I'm no fan of propaganda in fiction whether I'm a fan of it's object or not, but there's a difference between propaganda and an author writing from out of his/her own perspective. I don't have to share an author's belief system to enjoy their craft, any more than I have to endorse human sacrifice to admire the construction of the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacán (and that would be an extreme example.)"
And goes on to say,
"I've always loved science fiction for its extreme wealth of ideas of every size and stripe, and don't feel the genre - which is ultimately a set of tools, not a school of thought - should be limited only to a liberal/socialist world view, even if I happened to share that world view."
I agree wholeheartedly, which is why I review Christian SF&F, paranormal romance, hard SF, Space Operas, Epic Fantasy, etc. To ignore the wealth of spec fic, and its myriad of viewpoints, is to demean yourself.
I highly recommend you read Lou's entire thought HERE. And be sure to comment.
Ask the Bloggers: Aidan's (Re?) - Ruminations on 'Urban' Fantasy
Aidan, who participated in our original roundtable discussion of urban fantasy, decided to needed to expand somewhat on previous comments due to the comments made by Larry at OF Blog of the Fallen and the discussion there. There is the full text of the original answer, plus some recommended reading outside of the "paranormal romance" sub-category of urban fantasy, which I think are excellent reading suggestions.
August 26, 2008
'Mr. Punch' and Rogue Artists Ensemble
What happens when the classic Punch and Judy show ends up in the hands of Neil Gaiman? You get a graphic novel that is visually stunning and cleverly written. What happens when that same graphic novel ends up in the hands of a group of dramatists called the Rouge Artists Ensemble? You get THIS.
See more HERE.
This is Genius Book Marketing
According to the Guardian, Charlie Hidgson, author of the "Young Bond" books for young adults, has created a computer game that ties into his books. Kids are not just encouraged, but are forced to read his books in order to play the game. Says Hidgson in his defense of this idea ""Kids can get as engrossed in a football magazine as they can in a history book or novel. We shouldn't be dismissive of other forms of literature - I used to read tons of comic books when I was a kid."
Good point, and genius marketing.
After all, if the old Wheel of Time video game had integrated better with the books, building on knowledge gleaned from reading them rather than being a separate story, they would have been much better. What if the popular Lord of the Rings games from Electronic Arts had not just let you play through the story, but had in fact used facts that could only be gotten from reading the books to help you solve puzzles in that world?
I always liked the old school Nintendo games that required you to read the "spoken" words of the characters. Early Final Fantasy, King's Quest, Legaia, and Wild Arms all required this. I was reading, and doing all the thinking about intent and tone, etc that goes along with it. Today's video games don't require reading much becasue the technology has progressed far enough to allow voices. You have to turn on closed captioning to read the words of the characters.
But beyond it having a positive effect, it also is genius marketing. Book sellers and publishers have been bemoaning for years the loss of readers to video games and their kin. Well, Hidgson looks to be taking the best of both worlds and combining them. This way, he gets kids to buy his books (with a character lots of boys are interested in, and some older men). This guy should make money hand over fist.
The game, called Shadow War, is available for free online play at www.youngbond.com until October 8,"when Higson will take part in a live event during which players will be able to influence the end of the game."
And I say, more power to him. I like both mediums, so a combination thereof, I am all for!
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August 25, 2008
Ask the Bloggers: The Rewards of Blogging
This fourth edition of Ask the Bloggers (still a working title) asks the bloggers about the rewards they find in blogging.
What has been your most rewarding moment as a blogger?
Neth: This is a tricky question.
I certainly remember the almost exhilarating feeling of realizing who some of the people reading my blog were and then sheepishly asking for ARCs (and getting them). Though I'm not sure I'd call that rewarding.
With the blog I've had a chance to speak (well, exchange emails) with some of the powerhouses of the SFF genre - George R.R. Martin, Steven Erikson, Michael Moorcock, Michael Swanwick - as well as some exciting newcomers - Scott Bakker, Joe Abercrombie, Tobias Buckell, etc. It's always a pleasure joy to interact with these authors, but them I'm not sure rewarding is the best word for it.
I suppose the most rewarding moments come when I find an unexpected reference to something I've written on the blog - especially when some fan indicates that they found a new-to-them book as a result of me. That is definitely rewarding.
Tia Nevitt: My rewarding moments come every time someone leaves a comment on my blog. For me, web traffic analysis is nice, but comments are tangible evidence that someone has stopped by, read what I had to say, and felt it worth responding to.
And even more rewarding is when a conversation starts in the comments, with people checking several times a day to see what has been said since they last stopped by. I love that.
But the most rewarding moment comes whenever another blogger gives a shout-out to a particular post. That means someone has been particularly struck by something I had to say, and felt it worth bringing to the attention of their own readers. I am always gratified at how generous other bloggers are with their web traffic.
SMD: Probably the most rewarding moment for me is when someone (anyone) says they enjoy my blog. I can't imagine anything more rewarding than that, even if it is one person. I don't hear it often (which sounds bad, but all bloggers realize that most readers don't comment in the first place), but it's nice when it happens. I've heard it about my blog novel and a few times about the actual blogging aspect. I actually really love receiving emails from random people telling me they enjoyed reading. It makes me feel good. I encourage people to email me about whatever. Seriously. I'd rather spend my email time replying to useful emails than going through spam.
Other rewarding moments are when people link to me, either in a blogroll or directly, or whenever an author agrees to do an interview with me. I also feel somewhat rewarded just by the fact that my blog is almost 2 years old. A lot of bloggers have been at this for longer than I have, and I've grown a lot as a blogger (or I think so), but it feels great to have succeeded in keeping at it for so long. I don't know if I ever truly thought I would remain so dedicated, but I absolutely love my blog and the process of blogging. It's exciting and fun. What's not fun about talking about what you enjoy most?
So, that's my answer to that.
SQT: Rewarding moments come in so many ways I think. I think the first time blogging was really satisfying to me was when I got some traffic to my blog and had a couple of people email me to tell me how much they like it. I even had a couple of readers ask if they could contribute posts now and then and that was a small thrill.
But I think the most rewarding thing is when authors and publicists email me and ask if I would review a book for them. To me, that is such a huge compliment. I read other review blogs and think they're so much better than mine, so it makes me feel good to think that someone wouldn't mind having their book featured on my site.
Dark Wolf: The rewarding moments come in different ways, but the feeling is pretty much the same, joy. I enjoy seeing comments on my post, I know that readers don't make comments (when I was just a reader I commented in pretty rare occasions), but I enjoy when I see comments. I also enjoy when they compliment my blog, it is rewarding to see my work appreciated even though I do it mainly for fun.
It is rewarding when I receive mail and I find books there, I love when they arrive and it gives me a pleasant feeling. Also when I'm asked to review a book I'm happy, beacause I feel my work appreciated in a new way. And I love when the authors agree to make interviews with me, this part is something I never thought off or dreamed off before I started my blog.
A rewarding thing is that since I started my blog I made so many friends and I met so many nice people, who are a joy and a pleasure to talk too.
To find out more about an individual blogger, click their name to be redirected to their blog.
If you would like to participate in a further discussion and you own a blog (authors who blog are welcome too!) that writes SF and Fantasy Reviews, send me an email, or leave a comment. Question suggestions are also welcome.
"Ask the Bloggers" is a working title for this ongoing feature. Should you have a better suggestion, please leave it in the comments. The contributor whose suggestion I like best will receive a $10 Amazon gift certificate.
August 23, 2008
Ask the Bloggers: Larry Responds
Larry at Of Blog of the Fallen responds to our recent roundtable discussion about "urban fantasy" saying that he felt we didn't discuss enough of the variety of urban fantasy, being too focused on "paranormal romance".
He has a valid point, and I plan to take that constructive criticism and apply it to more questions in the future. Go join the discussion there. Maybe we can actually define it better through constructive dialogue.
August 22, 2008
Convention Going Advice Needed
To be honest, I am a total convention noob. I've never been to an SF Con and have no idea what to expect.
A week from today, I will be heading to Dragon*Con, the Southeast's biggest convention.
What I need from you all is advice on what I should do to prepare for the convention, what types of events you think are more worthwhile (i.e. Readings vs. Panels, etc.) and general con going advice. I have a schedule, and I have checked some of the author's sites for their scheduled appearances, but other than that, I'm at a loss.
August 21, 2008
Book Review: Ascendancy of the Last by Lisa Smedman
> * Genre: Shared World Fiction, Sword and Sorcery
* ISBN: 0786948647
* ISBN-13: 9780786948642
* Format: Mass Market Paperback, 312p
* Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
* Pub. Date: June 2008
* Series: Forgotten Realms Lady Penitent Series, #3
* Author Website
The sava game is still being played, and Lolth and Eilistraee continue to vie for control of all the drow of Faerun. But the drow were once dark elves, surface dwellers, and faithful to the pantheon of the "light" elves. As Lisa Smedman's The Lady Penitent draws to its conclusion, the fate of all draw hangs in the balance. Ascendency of the Last, the concluding volume of this trilogy, brings returns the reader to the halls of the Promenade, where Eilistraee's faithful dwell. But all is not well, as their leader Qilue is beset by a demon, the drow-turned-demon Halistraa is reborn a demigod, and Ghaunadaur's oozes are preparing themselves for a final assault on the Promenade.
Smedman has brought to the reader a sword and sorcery tale that rarely takes a breath from action scene to action scene. But unlike simplistic tales that tend to bore a reader after a short time and straightforward plot, Smedman has kept the reader guessing. The ferocity of the action sequences hides subtler hints and foreshadowing of the significant and Realms changing event hidden in the final pages of this novel. The path to that revelation is fraught with danger for all the characters, as they play out in real life the game between Lolth and Eilistraee.
Qilue seeks to purify the demonic taint from all drow that caused them to become as they are now. Cavatina, slayer of the demigod Selvetarm, believes that Qilue's desire is itself tainted by the effects of the Crescent Blade she carries. Q'arlynd is a wizard who must quickly find recognition for his wizard's college so that he might also be able purge the taint using high wizardly magic. Various Nightshadows are drawn into the web, both wanting to serve Eilistraee and believing that she is in fact controlled by another drow god, Vhaerun. Such complex emotions and motivations serve to elevate this story from mere action tale, to grand drama, played out.
Some readers may dislike the common use of deus ex machina that Smedman uses. Many of her characters narrowly survive events through some fortuitous twist of fate. Several characters survive narrow odds. But for those who see that, they must remember that Smedman also kills as many characters as she saves, and a liberal dosage of characters we had come to care about over the course of three books are killed off. So to be far, Smedman does sometimes twist the story slightly to get her characters out of tight jams, but other times, she just lets them die, or even kills them deliberately.
Ascendancy of the Last also needs a better copyeditor. In my copy of the book, there were many missing punctuation marks. A sentence would finish, a period (full stop) would be missing, and then the next sentence would begin with a capital letter and keep right on going. This will be jarring to anyone who has had grammar lesson drilled into their heads. This may be Smedman's fault, or it may be the publisher's fault, but either way it is unacceptable from such generally professional and prolific people.
The story of Ascendancy of the Last and its prequels is a must read for any Forgotten Realms fan. Drow fans especially need to read this series, as the events that transpire change Faerun a great deal, effects likely to linger on in the newest edition. Smedman is one of the more seasoned authors of the Forgotten Realms, having been around at least since Paul S. Kemp's time, and at Wizards of the Coast even before that. This means that she has honed her craft to a sharp bladed knife, neither mincing words nor wasting them. Ascendancy of the Last becomes a fun 308 page read that is exciting and accessible. If you are looking for light, action filled adventure full of mystery and intrigue, yet still containing far reaching consequences, than The Lady Penitent trilogy is exactly what you are looking for.
