Reading Archive: 2008
December
2 Stars to Chaos Mode (Mode, #3) by Piers Anthony
Description
United in a world of parallel universes, Colene from Earth, Darius, the king of another planet and her lover, Seqiro the telepathic horse, and a tentacled creature named Burgess return to Earth to help Colene confront her troubled past. Reprint.
Review
No content provided.
3 Stars to Thrice Upon A Time by James P. Hogan
Description
SOS FROM A FUTURE THAT WILL NEVER BE It's amazing enough when Murdoch Ross's brilliant grandfather invents a machine that can send messages to itself in the past or the future. But when signals begin to arrive without being sent, Murdoch realizes that every action he takes changes the future that would have been...and that the world he lives in has already been altered! Then a new message arrives from the future: The world is doomed!
Review
No content provided.
2 Stars to Fractal Mode (Mode, #2) by Piers Anthony
Description
Five special people are the anchor points to a path across parallel universes. There is Darius, of the sympathetic magic…Nona, the ninth child of a ninth child…Seqiro, the telepathic horse…Provos, who remembers only the future…and Colene, the girl from Earth who learned that all dreams are possible. Held captive in Nona's home universe, Colene and her friends must help fulfill a dangerous prophecy—that one day women will take the power of magic away from the cruel men who control it. But first, Nona must cross the barrier to another universe…to that strange and unpredictable place called Earth.
Review
No content provided.
3 Stars to Virtual Mode (Mode, #1) by Piers Anthony
Description
Colene does not know what to think of the stranger she has rescued. Darius tells her he has traveled from "his reality" to find her. In proving to Colene that other worlds do exist, he uses up the power of the artifact that would allow them to travel back to his universe. They must try a slower, more dangerous method: the creation of a four-dimensional universe. Darius picks five anchor points in five different universes to set up a skew path, a "Virtual Mode," on which the anchors can walk. Thus begins a tale of romance, danger, adventure, and intrigue as the two travel through a myriad of alternate realities where anything is possible.
Review
Something niggles at me whenever I read Anthony. Something very unreal, very unsettling. Nonetheless, an interesting book, sets up a host of characters well (although not deeply), and makes one wonder where things will go next.
4 Stars to The Bourne Identity (Jason Bourne, #1) by Robert Ludlum
Description
Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here Who is Jason Bourne? Is he an assassin, a terrorist, a thief? Why has he got four million dollars in a Swiss bank account? Why has someone tried to murder him?... Jason Bourne does not know the answer to any of these questions. Suffering from amnesia, he does not even know that he is Jason Bourne. What manner of man is he? What are his secrets? Who has he killed?
Review
As hard as it may be to believe, I grew up reading this. Local libraries had ample supply of teen literature to interest the nine-year-old me, but good old Jason Bourne won out each time. When Wikipedia called it an "airport novel" I was scandalised and it was only with expanding literary tastes (and hopefully some semblance of maturation) that I was able to take the book from its pedestal. Most of Robert Ludlum's stuff is fairly heavy in action and detail, and this is no exception. I've read it in Braille, electronically and on audio tape (the best version I've ever heard was a narration by William Duffris). Funny to think that if I'd been that sort of teen, a mad American killer could've been my idle. makes me miss the days of the power rangers sometimes.
November
2 Stars to Year's Best SF by David G. Hartwell
Description
Hartwell has brought together only the best of this year's new SF from established pros and audacious newcomers, selecting only those that share the universal quality of great science fiction. Here are stories that go beyond space and time. Contents ix • Introduction: Science Fiction is Alive and Well • (1996) • essay by David G. Hartwell 1 • Think Like a Dinosaur • (1995) • novelette by James Patrick Kelly 29 • Wonders of the Invisible World • (1995) • shortstory by Patricia A. McKillip 45 • Hot Times in Magma City • (1995) • novella by Robert Silverberg 111 • Gossamer • [Xeelee] • (1995) • shortstory by Stephen Baxter 135 • A Worm in the Well • (1995) • novelette by Gregory Benford 169 • Downloading Midnight • (1995) • novelette by William Browning Spencer 203 • For White Hill • (1995) • novella by Joe Haldeman 261 • In Saturn Time • (1995) • shortstory by William Barton 283 • Coming of Age in Karhide • [Hainish] • (1995) • novelette by Ursula K. Le Guin 309 • The Three Descents of Jeremy Baker • (1995) • shortstory by Roger Zelazny 321 • Evolution • (1995) • novelette by Nancy Kress 353 • The Day the Aliens Came • (1995) • shortstory by Robert Sheckley 369 • Microbe • [Elysium Cycle] • (1995) • shortstory by Joan Slonczewski 387 • The Ziggurat • (1995) • novella by Gene Wolfe
Review
An enjoyable enough collection, chosen for me to read by my fiancee months ago and abandoned until now. Not quite my cup of tea, perhaps I'm not such a fan of Hard SF as I thought or those particular stories didn't quite strike me happy. Even so, interesting reads. My particular favourites? The Ziggurat by jene Wolfe, Coming of Age in Karhide by Ursula K. Le Guin, and Hot Times in Magma City by Robert Silverberg.
2 Stars to Triple Detente by Piers Anthony
Description
After a complicated truce is worked out between Earth and the planet Kazo, a third alien intelligence appears, making the balance of peace even more delicate
Review
though fascinating, this seems more a treatise on governance than a novel. The story is thin and the ending holds a flavour of deus ex machina. Scifi for the logician, maybe, but by no means hard by conventional parlance.
4 Stars to Inferno (Star Trek Deep Space Nine, Millenium, #3) by Judith Reeves-Stevens
Description
"Now begins the final battle of the Prophets and the Pah-wraiths within the nightmarish realm of nonlinear time -- as the greatest epic adventure in the saga of" Deep Space 9tm" -- reaches its staggering conclusion...." As predicted in ancient Bajoran texts, the Celestial Temple has been restored, ending normal space-time existence for all except Captain Benjamin Sisko and those trapped on the "Starship Defiant" and the Klingon warship "Boreth." But as apocalyptic war rages between the Prophets and the Pah-wraiths, one last chance for survival beckons -- a return to "Deep Space 9." Yet, in the realm of nonlinear time, it appears that there are "two" possible times at which Sisko and his allies can turn to the station: on the day of the Cardassian Withdrawal, or on the day six years later when "DS9" Was destroyed. But which choice will lead to the triumph of the Prophets? And which to eternal victory for the Pah-wraiths? With time literally running out and the fate of the universe in his hands, Sisko now must confront his own personal inferno-in order to change the past and restore the present, he must be ready to make the ultimate sacrifice ... his future....
Review
I've often wondered just how novels based on television shows can go for the whole epic, "world shall be destroyed" theme and have things fit in with the continuation of the televised stories later on. Of course therein arises the world of canon, to which the Star Trek novels do not belong. however from what little I know of Deep Space Nines history, these texts go a long way to enforcing in-universe integrity. it is clear that the amount of research put into them is great indeed. Minor things evident in the first novel only now resolve themselves, and as with most time travel jaunts, do so in a spectacularly mind-bending way. that's not to say that a reader is left confused, by any means; everything that happens is clarified and explained by the conclusion of the trilogy. I can still never quite shake off the yoke of "its time travel, and was erased from time, therefore it never happened". it's not a Star Trek thing per se (although Voyager's "year of hell" was one example), but it does crop up from time-to-time in fiction. Even so, this series takes DS9 from its very first on-screen showing, to years before, to decades after and back again, all from a post "what you leave behind" POV. I would recommend that if you are a serious fan and do care to know the ins and outs of everything, watch the end of the TV series first. Although you're probably two-thirds of the way through the trilogy or something by the time you're reading this, so alas I shall shut up.
4 Stars to The War of the Prophets (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Millenium #2) by Judith Reeves-Stevens
Description
The crew of Deep Space Nine becomes trapped in a future where the Pahwraiths have smashed the Federation and threaten to destroy the entire galaxy. Original.
Review
well paced and thought-provoking second part of the series. The end does leave you wondering somewhat, but that's ok as there's a third installment. Characterisation is superb here, you can really feel them.
3 Stars to The Fall of Terok Nor (Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Millennium, #1) by Judith Reeves-Stevens
Description
Deep within the bowels of Deep Space 9 is a secret. When it is uncovered, the very heart of the Federation will be ripped apart! Only the crew of Deep Space 9 can stop it but will they have time?
Review
First part of what seems to be turning out to be quite a complex trek trilogy. The writing is typical of the genre and authors, and that's not to say bad. I enjoyed it, not so much that I couldn't put it down, but enough to open the next one in the series up and start reading.
2 Stars to Blindness by José Saramago
Description
Blindness is the story of an unexplained mass epidemic of blindness afflicting nearly everyone in an unnamed city, and the social breakdown that swiftly follows. The novel follows the misfortunes of a handful of characters who are among the first to be stricken and centers on "the doctor's wife," her husband, several of his patients, and assorted others, thrown together by chance. This group bands together in a family-like unit to survive by their wits and by the unexplained good fortune that the doctor’s wife has escaped the blindness. The sudden onset and unexplained origin and nature of the blindness cause widespread panic, and the social order rapidly unravels as the government attempts to contain the apparent contagion and keep order via increasingly repressive and inept measures.
Review
Very freaky to read, being blind myself. It got the blindness organisations (particular the US ones) up in arms. Personally I can't see what their problem is, it's not a very flattering portrayal of blind people, but it isn't intended to be. A great literary work, though, perhaps.
3 Stars to Beneath the Skin by Nicci French
Description
Three very different London women discover they are being watched by a sadistic sexual predator, and become sisters closer than kin. As each woman receives threatening, macabre letters, each faces a horrible truth, and police must pry into each of their lives in hopes of finding the killer.
Review
First I've read of this author, pretty interesting. Set itself up well (with 3 different women and the viewpoints all very different and well-written). The ending flopped a little, I think; it was undeniably clever but not thrilling for me which sort of left me feeling a little cheated. Nonetheless, an enjoyable read. An almost perfect etext, the RNIB have an audio version which would probably be very well done.
2 Stars to Sabriel (Abhorsen, #1) by Garth Nix
Description
Sent to a boarding school in Ancelstierre as a young child, Sabriel has had little experience with the random power of Free Magic or the Dead who refuse to stay dead in the Old Kingdom. But during her final semester, her father, the Abhorsen, goes missing, and Sabriel knows she must enter the Old Kingdom to find him. With Sabriel, the first installment in the Abhorsen series, Garth Nix exploded onto the fantasy scene as a rising star, in a novel that takes readers to a world where the line between the living and the dead isn't always clear—and sometimes disappears altogether.
Review
It's not magic with a wand. Bells? of all the things, why bells? reading it made me think of yule tide celebrations and sweaty bell-ringers. an interesting story, though; I didn't fall into it as easily as Earthsea, Harry Potter, Pullman or Trudie Canavan or any of their ken. still, 2 more to go and at least the writing is good; they're on my 2 read shelf. Or were, at time of writing. I've probably spent a weekend in bed in the interim changing that fact or something...
3 Stars to Flashforward by Robert J. Sawyer
Description
FLASHFORWARD Two minutes and seventeen seconds that changed the world Suddenly, without warning, all seven billion people on Earth black out for more than two minutes. Millions die as planes fall from the sky, people tumble down staircases, and cars plow into each other. But that’s the least of the survivors’ challenges. During the blackout, everyone experienced a glimpse of what his or her future holds—and the interlocking mosaic of these visions threatens to unravel the present.
Review
I've always liked this author and Flashforward was the first of his novels I ever read, in an afternoon with Ken Grimwood's Replay, of all things. I enjoyed the first 90% of the title and the mystery of the killer was an intrigue. the technology was also fascinating, of course; this was written before Cern's LHC ever did anything, as far as I am aware. I could never really get on with the whole transcendence idea, though, so found the ending a little lacking for my personal taste. Blackstone Audiobooks have a good version of this, I read it as an OCR at the time and have only heard narrated portions.
2 Stars to Shift by Chris Dolley
Description
A serial killer in a world with more than three dimensions “Heart-pounding suspense and an inventive twist of science fiction” – SciFiChick A serial killer with multiple personalities. An astronaut who returns from higher dimensional space a changed man. And two unlikely detectives who have to get inside the mind of a killer ... literally. That’s Shift - an eleven-dimensional techno-thriller with a touch of out-of-body horror. REVIEWS “Shift is an exciting and shocking futuristic thriller. The characters are original, and the imagery pulls you in. Incorporating heart-pounding suspense and an inventive twist of science fiction.” SciFiChick “SHIFT is a great science fiction mystery that will have the audience wondering who the killer is. The story line is fast-paced but brilliantly driven by the strong cast.” Alternative Worlds “A very accomplished, intricate, and entertaining novel. There's lots of neat stuff in this, and the plot is clever and full of surprises.” Don D'Ammassa, Critical Mass “Shift is a really good science fiction story. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants something a bit different in their science fiction.” SF Signal
Review
First I've read of this author, and what a way to get introduced. The opening material reminded me of a James P. hogan novel, but this particular author seems to delight in mental processes far and beyond the grasp of a poor, uneducated youth like myself. A great story if you like that sort of thing: given that I've read thrillers and fantasies lately, a little sci-fi was a welcome refresher. Whilst I'm not averse to the aliens-might-be-taking-over theme, it was old by Heinlein's Puppet masters and no dressing the story up with mind games changes that. The two-people-against-a-world motif reminded me of Robert Ludlum or Greg iles' "Dark Matter" more than anything else. At least here, the sidekick proved useful. A nice read, maybe a little creepy in places, full of mental forces and strange aliens.
4 Stars to The Footprints of God by Greg Iles
Description
From acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Greg Iles comes a cutting-edge thriller in which the next phase of human evolution may not be human at all.... In a secret government lab, America's top scientists work on Trinity -- a supercomputer that could surpass the power of the human mind. As the project's ethicist, Dr. David Tennant works in a firestorm of limitless science and ruthless ambition. After a fellow scientist is murdered, David uncovers who the killer is. Desperate, he turns to Rachel Weiss, the psychiatrist probing the nightmares that have plagued him since joining the project, and both are forced to flee for their lives. Pursued around the globe, David and Rachel piece together the truth behind Project Trinity, and the apocalyptic power it possesses. But Trinity's countdown has already begun, and humanity is now held hostage by a form of life that cannot be destroyed. The only hope for survival lies in the shocking connection that exists between Trinity and David's tortured mind. Mankind's future hangs in the balance -- and the price of failure is extinction.
Review
The first Iles title I read, lying on my grandparents sofa in a hays of cigarette smoke in the early hours of a morning. I really enjoyed it the first time around - it had an interesting, technological plot and characters with quite distinct personas. I used the opening scenes as part of a movie-scripting exercise in a media course and found that quite entertaining. Our lecturer seemed impressed that a blind student would have such a comprehension of camera placement, angles, POV etc. I didn't have the heart to admit that where some people can hear a voice in their head when they read, give me enough stimulants and I get a Hollywood production...
2 Stars to Glory Road by Robert A. Heinlein
Description
E. C. "Scar" Gordon was on the French Riviera recovering from a tour of combat in Southeast Asia , but he hadn't given up his habit of scanning the Personals in the newspaper. One ad in particular leapt out at him: "ARE YOU A COWARD? This is not for you. We badly need a brave man. He must be 23 to 25 years old, in perfect health, at least six feet tall, weigh about 190 pounds, fluent English, with some French, proficient in all weapons, some knowledge of engineering and mathematics essential, willing to travel, no family or emotional ties, indomitably courageous and handsome of face and figure. Permanent employment, very high pay, glorious adventure, great danger. You must apply in person, rue Dante, Nice, 2me étage, apt. D." How could you not answer an ad like that, especially when it seemed to describe you perfectly? Well, except maybe for the "handsome" part, but that was in the eye of the beholder anyway. So he went to that apartment and was greeted by the most beautiful woman he'd ever met. She seemed to have many names, but agreed he could call her "Star." A pretty appropriate name, as it turned out, for the empress of twenty universes. Robert A. Heinlein's one true fantasy novel, Glory Road is as much fun today as when he wrote it after Stranger in a Strange Land. Heinlein proves himself as adept with sword and sorcery as with rockets and slide rules and the result is exciting, satirical, fast-paced, funny and tremendously readable -- a favorite of all who have read it. Glory Road is a masterpiece of escapist entertainment with a typically Heinleinian sting in its tail.
Review
This one seems to annoy heinlein fans who feel it encroaches on his more sci-fi works. I can see where they're coming from, but honestly, it's just a great romping read. Lying on the grass on a sunny afternoon with a cold drink and an hour or so to kill, in my case. Plot? what plot? it's your standard hero-on-an-adventure thing, with the beautiful woman thrown in for fun. somehow it's all tied together though, and made me want to carry on with it despite the sheer sillyness.
0 Stars to Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
Description
Anyone that has read NAKED and BARREL FEVER, or heard David Sedaris speaking live or on the radio will tell you that a new collection from him is cause for jubilation. His recent move to Paris from New York inspired these hilarious new pieces, including 'Me Talk Pretty One Day', about his attempts to learn French from a sadistic teacher who declares that 'every day spent with you is like having a caesarean section'. His family is another inspiration. 'You Can't Kill the Rooster' is a portrait of his brother, who talks incessant hip-hop slang to his bewildered father. And no one hones a finer fury in response to such modern annoyances as restaurant meals presented in ludicrous towers of food and cashiers with six-inch fingernails.
Review
mildly amusing, an interesting way to spend a few hours...
4 Stars to The High Lord (The Black Magician Trilogy, #3) by Trudi Canavan
Description
In the city of Imardin, where those who wield magic wield power, a young street-girl, adopted by the Magician's Guild, finds herself at the centre of a terrible plot that may destroy the entire world... Sonea has learned much at the magicians' guild and the other novices now treat her with a grudging respect. But she cannot forget what she witnessed in the High Lord's underground room - or his warning that the realm's ancient enemy is growing in power once more. As Sonea learns more, she begins to doubt her guildmaster's word. Could the truth really be as terrifying as Akkarin claims, or is he trying to trick her into assisting in some unspeakably dark scheme?
Review
Certainly the best of the 3, a great way to end the trilogy. Granted it got a little predictable, but overall it was a remarkable enjoyment.
October
4 Stars to The Novice (The Black Magician Trilogy, #2) by Trudi Canavan
Description
"Even if a magician's powers surface of their own accord, he will soon be dead if he does not gain the knowledge of how to control them." Alone among all the novices in the Magicians' Guild, only Sonea comes from lowly beginnings. Yet she has won powerful allies—including Lord Dannyl, newly promoted to Guild Ambassador. But Dannyl must now depart for the Elyne court, leaving Sonea at the mercy of the lies and malicious rumors her enemies are busy spreading ... until the High Lord Akkarin steps in. The price of Akkarin's support is dear, however, because Sonea, in turn, must protect his mysteries and a secret that could lead a young novice mage deep into the darkness. Meanwhile, Dannyl's first order to resume High Lord Akkarin's long abandoned research into ancient magical knowledge is setting him on an extraordinary journey fraught with unanticipated peril as he moves ever-closer to a future both wondrous ... and terrible.
Review
Despite the first of this series impressing me, there was still very much a "for kids" feel to it. It hasn't gone away with this installment exactly, because however you look at it, these books are published for teens or young adults. I can't and shouldn't expect complexities of more adult works; and this is partly why I read them, I suppose - to get away from all that. The story continues from where the first book left off, anyway, and this one is on the whole more enjoyable to me. familiarity with the characters means I understand more and can get into the story properly. The action is somewhat muted and there's no real climax as such, so I can only assume that things come to a head in the third installment. A good text copy with few errors.
4 Stars to The Time Paradox (Artemis Fowl, #6) by Eoin Colfer
Description
Alternate Cover Edition for ISBN: 9781423108368 After disappearing for three years, Artemis Fowl has returned to a life different from the one he left. Now he's a big brother, and spends his days teaching his twin siblings the important things in life, such as how to properly summon a waiter at a French restaurant. But when Artemis Fowl's mother contracts a life-threatening illness, his world is turned upside down. The only hope for a cure lies in the brain fluid of the silky sifaka lemur. Unfortunately, the animal is extinct due to a heartless bargain Artemis himself made as a younger boy. Though the odds are stacked against him, Artemis is not willing to give up. With the help of his fairy friends, the young genius travels back in time to save the lemur and bring it back to the present. But to do so, Artemis will have to defeat a maniacal poacher, who has set his sights on new prey: Holly Short. The rules of time travel are far from simple, but to save his mother, Artemis will have to break them all.and outsmart his most cunning adversary yet: Artemis Fowl, age ten.
Review
I think this is the best Artemis since the eternity code. Read an almost perfect OCR version, and awaiting nathaniel Parker's audio version in December.
5 Stars to Frameshift by Robert J. Sawyer
Description
Geneticist Pierre Tardivel may not have long to live―he's got a fifty-fifty chance of having the gene for Huntington's disease. But if his DNA is tragic, his girlfriend's is Molly Bond has a mutation that gives her telepathy. Both of them have attracted the interest of Pierre's boss, Dr. Burian Klimus, a senior researcher in the Human Genome Project who just might be hiding a horrific past. Avi Meyer, a dogged Nazi hunter, thinks Klimus was the monstrous "Ivan the Terrible" of the Treblinka Death Camp. As Pierre races against the ticking clock of his own DNA to make a world-changing scientific breakthrough, Avi also races against time to bring Klimus to justice before the last survivors of Treblinka pass away. Winner of the Seiun Award―Japan's top honor in science fiction―and a finalist for the Hugo Award, Frameshift is classic Robert J. Sawyer, combining a heart-wrenching human story and cutting-edge science into a pulse-pounding thriller that "delivers the real thing with subtlety and great skill" ( Toronto Star ).
Review
Absolutely fantastic - my favourite Sawyer work to date. Read a scan with only a few problems, there's also a Canadian Blind organisation's audio version available, I believe. Can be a little heavy on genetics, but I like that sort of thing and it's a truly heartrending story. Read whilst feeling fairly low and although it almost made me (a grown man, I must point out_ cry, also made me remember the purposes we can put life to.
4 Stars to The Magicians' Guild (The Black Magician Trilogy, #1) by Trudi Canavan
Description
"We should expect this young woman to be more powerful than our average novice, possibly even more powerful than the average magician." This year, like every other, the magicians of Imardin gather to purge the city of undesirables. Cloaked in the protection of their sorcery, they move with no fear of the vagrants and miscreants who despise them and their work-—until one enraged girl, barely more than a child, hurls a stone at the hated invaders...and effortlessly penetrates their magical shield. What the Magicians' Guild has long dreaded has finally come to pass. There is someone outside their ranks who possesses a raw power beyond imagining, an untrained mage who must be found and schooled before she destroys herself and her city with a force she cannot yet control.
Review
A fairly gripping fantasy thing, I suppose more of a young adult/teen than kids, although there's not much grim. Read with an eText of high quality.
4 Stars to Mortal Fear by Greg Iles
Description
By day, Harper Cole trades commodities from his farmhouse in the isolated Mississippi Delta. But at night, Harper serves as system operator for E.R.O.S., a highly exclusive, sexually explicit on-line service whose clients range from the glitterati of Hollywood to the literati of New York. Shielded by a guarantee of absolute anonymity, these clients pour their secrets into the digital confession box of E.R.O.S. Only "sysops" like Harper - the high priests of the system - know and see all. When six female clients inexplicably drop off the network, Harper suspects that something is amiss. But when a world-famous New Orleans author - and E.R.O.S. client - is decapitated in her mansion, Harper breaks the code of silence and contacts the police. They are as shocked as Harper to learn that all six women have been brutally murdered, each with a different weapon, and in a different city. And each time the killer has claimed the same bizarre trophy. Horrified to find himself the prime suspect in the murders he reported, Harper is swept into a secret manhunt led by the FBI's Investigative Support Unit. While the FBI uses the technology of the future and the psychology of the past to trap the brilliant killer, Harper realizes that he alone stands a chance of luring the elusive madman into the open.
Review
This has replaced Dark matter in my favourite Greg spot, despite its somewhat predictable ending. I got utterly absorbed - the technology described is a little dated (but it works so well for both the plot and in its own setting). It's classic murder, FBI vs Police VS our narrator, but with such a psychologically thrilling backdrop and insight into the mind that it's a book I just struggled to put down.
3 Stars to Rings of Ice (Avon SF, 19448) by Piers Anthony
Description
'Zena and the boys went ice-ring planing, Boys fouled up and Earth got a raining!' Gus and Thatch were desperately trying to drive the big mobile home up into the mountains, high above the floods rapidly drowning out the rest of the world. They even had some crazy notion about saving civilization from the waters - which was why they took along uptight Zena - who knew far more than she was telling about why that vast canopy of ice had suddenly surrounded Earth - and voluptuous Gloria - who turned out sometimes to be a man and sometimes a woman as well. And then they picked up Karen, and Floy, and Dust Devil, and Foundling - two latterday Noahs in a motorized ark. The trouble was, their little community wasn't the only one frantically trying to find dry land, food and fuel. And seeing robbery, looting, murder and cannibalism were now looked on as legitimate means of survival, the struggle for life was apt to become a little vicious at times.
Review
An interesting end-of-the-world plot, thin on character as it's fairly short. Still the characterisation that is there is top-notch, the facets explored are explored well. My second reading and although nothing leapt at me as particularly wonderful, a solid lazy read in the sun gets me gazing up at the clouds and wondering...