All Reviews by Steve Bookworm
by
A good story, but I thought the ways they overcame their difficulties stretched science and belief. I wouldn't have published it, but now that it's here you might as well look.
Space Prison
by Tom Godwin
Title should have been different. Ending was a little too contrived and convenient. An excellent survival epic which is a must-read. Once I'd started I didn't even go to the toilet until I'd finished it.
Return to Pleasure Island
by Cory Doctorow
The asinine "plot" lifted straight from Pinnochio is totally lacking any conclusion whatsoever. The juvenile ramblings of Mr. Doctorow are apparently the new "edge" in Sci-Fi! This author's second total waste of my time will be the last. Is it just me? If purveyors of such rubbish were fined or something maybe it wouldn't happen so often.
Man of Many Minds
by E. Everett Evans
This is good stereotypical 50's adventure for adolescents, naive and wholesome. These efforts are no doubt partially responsible for putting man on the moon a decade and a half later. The plot of animal control was a tad hard to swallow, but I'm old and grumpy now. May these things stay in print forever.
Morale
by Murray Leinster
Very prophetic of Mr. Jenkins in this war story to choose 1941 to 1943 as the time setting. This work would be aimed at early teenagers i imagine, and as such is exempt from anything too caustic. It is what it is and nothing more. Just one thing: where exactly is the word "wabbly" supposed to have come from?
Motherload
by David Collins-Rivera
Typical teenage space stuff. Knowing when it was written might help me "slot" it in. Nothing eye-widening or Asimov-threatening. Immunity granted from criticism because of the age of the target audience. Yawn.
The Mightiest Man
by Patrick Fahy
Little gems like this make all the sifting worthwhile. What more can I say?
The Moon Metal
by Garrett P. Serviss
Interesting concept for 1900. The ending started to get vague with the final few lines going over my head entirely. Was he from the moon or had he engraved his image on the moon or what? Worth reading.
Naudsonce
by H. Beam Piper
Mostly I agree with R. Stephan (previous review), however I think the final explanation is scientifically sound and quite original. Worth reading.
Necahual
by Tobias Buckell
Because I grant "concession" to early sci-fi writers I expect a lot more from modern ones. The storyline is vague with an Aesop/Luddite type thread within it. Nothing special but I won't tell you not to read it.
Picnic
by Scott Carpenter
Good portrayal of a lustful, lazy 17 year old spoilt male brat. I would have ended it differently as you might see. Worth a look.
The Players
by Everett B. Cole
Above average (especially for 1955). The only bone I have to pick with it is; why did they give Musa his memory back? Recommended reading.
Police Your Planet
by Lester del Rey
A most enjoyable effort from a giant of the genre. The lovable character "Mother" comes alive particularly. This well written story illustrates why Mr. del Rey is famous and I am not. A very good read.
Quiet, Please
by Kevin Scott
Very short story but total waste of time. Ill-conceived plot, stupid "talks too much" punchline and a piano that is dischordant for reasons we are never even told! Forget it.
by
A very good read. I identify with Maggie Archer and know just how she feels. Mr. Moran could only have known ARPANET in 1984 and has predicted well. Love the musketeer bit. Recommended reading.
Regeneration
by Charles Dye
Got me in at the start but ruined it with the same old standard ending. If nobody can read, how did they know to call their God Thor exactly?? Extra star for descriptive prose. Waste of time I'm afraid.
Men Are Trouble
by James Patrick Kelly
This was incomplete, more like an excerpt. Most of the threads started by Mr. Kelly are frustratingly left dangling. It's increasingly difficult however to surprise me with something so original in the genre. That's what the three stars are for. Would I recommend reading it? Yes. It's only 32 pages out of your life. Try it.