Interview Transcript: Kevin J. Anderson joins Mike and Mike to talk about his newest novel, The Dark Between the Stars. It’s the first of his new series, “Saga of Shadows”, which takes place 20 years after the events of his “Saga of the Seven Suns” series, with reviewers calling it “Game of Thrones, with planets”.
science fiction
Review: “The Martian” by Andy Weir
The Martian is a decent hard Science Fiction novel and I certainly didn’t regret reading it. I just wish there was more substance to the protagonist’s side of the story. I hope that this will not be the only novel that Weir does, as I look forward to seeing how he grows as a writer.
Review: “Parasite” by Mira Grant
Mira Grant’s first novel Feed was one of the best novels of its year, garnering critical praise, a legion of fans and making the short list for the Hugo Award.
It deserved every bit of that attention thanks in large part thanks to a new take on the zombie thriller and a couple of interesting twists along the way that made me eager for the next installment in the trilogy.
Reading Diary #16: WebGenii’s Reads
This is WebGenii, with an installment from my Reading Diary. So, what have I been reading lately?
Review: “Nexus” by Ramez Naam
Nexus is a thriller for the post-human age, Ramez Naam does a phenomenal job of taking modern cutting edge science and building a realistic world of the near future. In Nexus, Naam asks the question, “what if?”.
Review: “Alien Contact”, edited by Marty Halpern
I’m always on the lookout for good reading and new authors to follow. Alien Contact is something of a veritable who’s who of the current genre greats, with some names I’m not as familiar with in the mix as well.
With twenty-six short stories telling tales of man meeting with other intelligences, Marty Halpern has pulled together an anthology filled with hours of enjoyable reading.
Review: “Debris” by Jo Anderton
Jo Anderton’s debut novel is a compelling tale which pulls you in right from the start. Debris is told from the point of view of the protagonist Tanyana, and as the story progresses she searches for the truth behind her change of circumstances and meets a number of interesting characters along the way.
Cover to Cover #448: Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
Interview: Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert join us this week in the middle of their book tour to talk about Hellhole, their most recent collaboration and the first in a trilogy set in a new original universe.
They talk about their collaborative process, the future of the Dune series, listening to (or not listening to) critics, and why not to buy Christmas presents before December 21, 2012.
Cover to Cover #443: Alan Dean Foster
Interview: This week, our guest is Alan Dean Foster, and his latest SF novel is The Human Blend, and his newest book is a memoir, Predators I Have Known (coming out as a first print digital edition).
In The Human Blend, he explores a world where genetic engineering and body modifications are widely in use, including as punishments for criminals. It’s the first book in his new “The Tipping Point” trilogy.
Predators I Have Known chronicles his adventure travels around the world. Open Road Media, the publisher, has also incorporated some of the video that Alan has shot over the years into the ebook
Review: “Feed” by Mira Grant
“Feed” is fascinating, compelling and while it runs for close to 600 pages, the novel never feels long or drawn out. Grant expertly sets up the world within the first 100 pages and then slowly begins to examine the implications of what we’ve learned about her universe over the rest of the novel.
Review: “Omnitopia Dawn” by Diane Duane
This was a refreshing read. A.I. has been through the ringer when it comes to scenarios, but Diane Duane brought something new to the table. It’s fascinating to see such an expansive game from multiple points of view – the players, the creators, etc.
Cover to Cover #436A: Pamela Sargent
Interview: This week, Mike, Mike and Summer talk with Pamela Sargent about her latest YA novel, Seed Seeker, the concluding volume of her Seed Trilogy (Earthseed in 1983, Farseed in 2007).
Cover to Cover #425A: Harry Harrison
Interview: This week, Mike and Mike chat with Harry Harrison! His iconic character, The Stainless Steel Rat, is back for a new adventure inThe Stainless Steel Rat Returns. Harry talks about the history of The Rat and the popularity of this character around the world, poking fun at the military, and playing with Esperanto.
Harry also goes into how he got into writing and the steps he went through to make himself a better writer, the books, classes and the work he put into it, and more.
Cover to Cover #423A: Larry Niven
Interview: This week, Mike and Mike chat with Larry Niven; his newest collection is Stars and Gods, but the conversation covers many topics, from portraying technological advances in fiction, space travel and exploration, Niven’s Laws, merging tech and fashion, and more!
Stars and Gods is the latest in a series of collections, containing editorials, articles, short stories and excerpts from novels, and random writing that doesn’t quite fit anywhere else.
Review: “I Am Number Four” by Pittacus Lore
“I Am Number Four” is a narrative driven story, full of twists, turns and danger for John and Henri. And while that keeps the pages turning, the story lacks any really fleshed out or interesting supporting characters for John.
