Light by M. John Harrison
You know how it is, you hear for a year or more about how great a new record, book, or movie is, but it's not immediately available
where you live. Then, when you finally do get to hear, read, or see it... It's even better than you expected.
Stable Strategies and Others by Eileen Gunn
It's one of the virtues of science fiction that the short story remains alive and well. So alive, in fact, that a
writer like Eileen Gunn can have a career, and a substantial impact on the field, by specializing in short fiction. Of course, it
helps when the stories are as well-crafted and individually memorable as the stories in this collection.
Iron Sunrise by Charles Stross
It was a good year for space opera. Two of my top three, three of the top ten are modern-day space operas. It was also a good
year for Charles Stross. Iron Sunrise is only one of three books he published in 2004, all of which received much praise.
The Coyote Kings of the Space-Age Bachelor Pad by Minister Faust
The most fun I had in a book this year.
White Devils by Paul McAuley
An intense, near-future bio-thriller with literary allusions. While the references to Heart of Darkness at times
threaten to derail the story, in the end McAuley's artistry raises White Devils well above the average thriller, more like, say, SF.
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Heaven by Ian Stewart & Jack Cohen
Wild technology, inventive aliens, and a serious discussion on the rightful place of religion in society make Heaven a top-notch science fiction novel.
Forge of Heaven by C.J. Cherryh
Once you get past the info-dump that starts the book, what you find is another C.J. Cherryh novel with intensely portrayed
characters locked in a struggle not necessarily of their own making. Forge of Heaven builds on the universe
created in Hammerfall, and continues Cherryh's exploration of the relationship between individuals and political and
economic power structures, while adding a new insight; pop culture can also be a power center.
Crucible by Nancy Kress
While Cherryh explores the consequences of power, Kress continues her interest in strong, but flawed characters faced with difficult
moral decisions. Crucible brings a satisfying conclusion to many of the story-lines begun in Crossfire, it's a
prime demonstration of the fact that you can have your hard SF, and real characters, too.
Eastern Standard Tribe by Cory Doctorow
An original look at a near-future society becoming dominated by tribalism. The combination of corporate intrigue with characters who
feel loyalty not to a geographic locale but instead to the cultural aesthetique associated with a particular time zone
makes Eastern Standard Tribe feel like one of these SF novels that you could wake up one day and find yourself living in.
Banner of Souls by Liz Williams
Lix Williams' novel is a flawed look at a post-human future, but has a stylish atmosphere and characters that feel at home in a
future far removed from our time. Each of her novels has been truly different than the one that came before, and Banner of Souls
is further evidence that here is a writer who intends to keep exploring new worlds.
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