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 SF Insite: News from the world of SF publishing.
New and Noteworthy: A look at the week's
most intriguing books and publications.
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The 1996 Sidewise Awards for Alternate History have been announced. You should see what won.
First Contact: well-written stories by Rusch, Sherman and
Bilgrey add substance to this anthology of man's first alien encounter.
Finished with the SF Site reviews? There are plenty more review sites out there.
Interface Masque: Shariann Lewitt's
built a world, real and electronic,
where people conceal who they are with disguises and masks.
Leon felt either the story was cut down to fit or there'll be a sequel.
Newsgroups: Looking for more? Looking for a particular one? Try browsing our lists
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Our Contents Page highlights reviews of Philip Pullman's The Subtle Knife and Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling's four Fairy Tale Anthologies.
Author & Fan Tribute Sites: we've built 26 pages of them (plus one for Mc).
What's new from the SF Site reviewers? Browse through the list to see if any of your favourites are represented.
SF Site is host to:
and
and
SF Site Search Engine: it will find whatever or whoever you're looking for.
Have you seen our previous issues?
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Donnerjack by Roger Zelazny and Jane Lindskold
reviewed by Neil Walsh
The world of the future has been split: the virtual
reality of the worldwide computer network that has come to life.
Or is it the collective unconscious of humanity? Zelazny
makes us wonder.
Donnerjack is one of the novels Zelazny was working on
at the time of his death two years ago. It
is a return to the themes and ideals of some of Zelazny's greatest works, such
as Lord of Light and Creatures of Light and Darkness.
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Sewer, Gas & Electric by Matt Ruff
reviewed by Leon Olszewski
In the novel, set twenty-six years from now, you'll meet an outrageous cast of characters,
including a hurricane lamp that contains the holographic
image and personality of Ayn Rand and a cybernetic beaver.
Leon feels that readers who can take a joke will have a fun time.
August Book Releases
compiled by John O'Neill & Todd Ruthman
Our in-depth look at the SF, Fantasy and Horror titles released in August
includes Stephen King's fourth novel in his Dark Tower
series, Wizard & Glass, Winter Tides by the always-rewarding James P. Blaylock
the paperback release of A Game of Thrones by George
R.R. Martin and one with plenty of
bold new ideas, Peter F. Hamilton's The Reality Dysfunction, Part Two: Expansion.
Philip K. Dick Reading List
compiled by Rodger Turner
This is the sixth installment of a ten part series putting together a reading list of
Philip K. Dick's novels and short fiction.
Slippage by Harlan Ellison
reviewed by Thomas Myer
Good news and bad. Thomas found the stories are Grade-A premium quality,
filled with words both unusual and delightful.
But he also thinks these stories mark no departure for Ellison.
Blameless in Abaddon by James Morrow
reviewed by Steven H Silver
Morrow's satirical writings convey the sense of an author
who believes in some sort of divine creature (although
not necessarily religious) and who is trying, through writing, to understand.
Giant Bones by Peter S. Beagle
reviewed by Stephen M. Davis
Here, you'll find six stories written with a deft hand and a light touch. The
stories are tied together only by being part of Beagle's Innkeeper's Song world.
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
reviewed by Lela Olszewski
Klause looks at conflicts in ways true to the nature of her novel's werewolves
but they also remain true to the nature of teenagers.
Humpty Dumpty: AN OVAL by Damon Knight
reviewed by James Seidman
It is a story that exists on several
different levels of meaning. If you try this oddly stimulating
book, James suggests that you budget enough time to read it twice slowly.
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The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror: Tenth Annual Collection edited by Ellen Datlow & Terry Windling
reviewed by Lucy Snyder
Lucy finds these forty-odd stories spread out like a vast buffet of
refined gourmet dishes and exotic sweetmeats (and not a single bit of
cheese or corn to be found anywhere).
Ghost Story by Julian F.Thompson
reviewed by Margo MacDonald
Margo can't say that this is a book she would recommend.
What worries her is that young girls reading
this novel may go away with the wrong message.
Beneath the Vaulted Hills by Sean Russell
reviewed by Rodger Turner
Lord Eldrich, the last of the Mages, is on a tear and woe betide those
who stand in his way. The priests who want to end his life, the cult who want his secrets
and the minions who do his bidding all struggle to come to grips with
the end of an era.
Jack Faust by Michael Swanwick
reviewed by Steven H Silver
It begins as a highly innovative retelling of Johann Faust's
legend. Unfortunately, the momentum slows and Faust's descent
into amorality loses steam along the way. But it's worth reading, despite this.
Boddekker's Demons by Joe Clifford Faust
reviewed by James Seidman
Fed up with target advertising? Here is a
fanciful and humorous tale with an underlying
story which is a disturbingly plausible parody of
modern fame and commercialism.
Star Trek: Federation Travel Guide by Michael Jan Friedman
reviewed by Lela Olszewski
Lela plays tourist with this trip planner featuring such
exotic places as the Klingon homeworld, Cardassia Prime, and Vulcan,
Shiralea VI and Bajor.
Kar Kalim by Deborah Christian
reviewed by Steven H Silver
Christian does have ideas for interesting worlds and civilizations.
But Steven found the narrator so dislikable
he waited for Inya to receive her just desserts.
The Battletech Universe
a survey by John O'Neill
Giant battling robots? Virtual reality centers? Is this science fiction
or toy merchandising? John has an in-depth look at the rich universe that
has spawned over thirty novels, the MechWarrior computer games, and
even a trading card game.
Going Through the Gate by Janet S. Anderson
reviewed by Jennifer & Chris Goheen
Jennifer found it suspenseful and strange in a realistic way. Chris,
Jennifer's dad, thought it should go over well with younger readers
who enjoy fantasy and suspense.
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