scifi

The Hyperboreans: A Subversive Sci-Fi Thriller
$14.95
For starters, let me state that i'm a working class fellow that generally doesn't get much time on his hands to pick up a good book as he would like. That said, when I spend my time on something, I am particularly picky about what I am doing..and in particularly what I am watching or reading.

Moving on, while a good book does have its language put together fairly well, the things that make a book really worth investing time and cash into generally involve characters, imagery..and plot. If you can pick up a book and be lost within the first two chapters..you know its going to be a great book. In this case, the Hyperboreans exceeds expectations. I have to be careful in what I say here, mainly because I do not want to spoil it for you, the readers. What I will say is that
right off the bat you are swept away into an entirely different world that could be..given the right circumstances..a future that we could well wind up sucked into.

The characters are easy to relate with, and their are approached with an air of realism. There is generally either something regarding a character, or the hint at something which tends to be delved upon as you continue reading. Progression of this sort is really well done..almost to the point where you could literally imagine yourself sitting across the table with any one of the characters and having a realistic conversation. Good guys..bad guys..the story relates well their thoughts and feelings in a way generally not seen very often unless you've read the works of Orson Scott Card or Heinlein.

The imagery is as real as if you were watching it in a movie. I noticed all sorts of hidden gems from cultural icons to religious symbolism to even celebrity corporations. I was amused to even see a talk-show reference in there or two..with the entire entire of painting a landscape of a possible future in this interesting new Sci-Fi world. You could more than likely see yourself walking the streets of this world, interacting with the inhabitants on a level as if you were one yourself.

Plot. Now, subversive styling has been done before..and in some cases people might even say done to death. However, this is a fresh face in the crowd. One not overhamped by bias but rather taking a realistic look on the possibility of this sort of world being created. While there are political views..they are the climate of *that* reality..and we are simply enjoying and pondering over them within our own. This is different from many types of subversive literature which all too often tend to try to force something down a fellow's throat..even more often with little tact and less respect. The Hyperboreans has none of that jazz, merely composing its own melody for the enjoyment of all. Pacing is done really well, again, almost as if it were a movie. You could translate it from book to movie rather seemlessly..in a way that i'm sure would even make George Lucas blink and blush.

To wrap it up and not bore you to tears, this book is more than definately a must-read. From its mysteries on Mars..to its characters..human, alien..and even robot..to the enigma that is The Stranger..it leaves you wanting..no, craving more.


I noticed that the author is apparently planning at least two more books. If they are half as good as the Hyperboreans, the authors of Harry Potter and the Twilight novels had better run for their money as they'll be having some serious competition on the market.

I give it a full five stars, and I look forward to future works by an upcoming and very talented author.

Sincerely,
~Phillip Schlicher

PS: One final note. Rather than calling it a Subversive Sci Fi Thriller..I would call it a Breathtaking Sci Fi Concerto. It fits more appropriately..sweeping you off your feet and carrying you for a ride you'll never forget.

Sex Rites: An Erotic Sci-Fi Novel
$15.95
Enough of these childish space operas! Finally, I can enjoy my science-fiction, as an adult, coupled with normal sexual action. For years, sci-fi writers have treated their readers as if they were grade school librarians. Hey, guys! We are beyond Buck Rodgers and Flash Gordon. Poor Dale, she never got Flash in bed! That's a crime against both Dale and adult readers. Now, a lot of modern science fiction books have joined "Sex Rites." If you run out of Fox, and want more, look at Ray Emerson's "The Riddle of Cthulhu" for more erotic science+sex-fiction. If you like more classical old time science+sex-fiction, enjoy Haggard's "She." Let's have more writers like Brandon Fox, Ray Emerson, and yes, even Haggard!

Behind the Sun
$21.99
With out of this world technology and picturesque landscapes, "Behind the Sun" left me thinking about what is really out there in our universe and beyond. For me this book was a cross between a history lesson, a sci-fi movie with an element of fantasy.

I love the way the author crossed from scene to scene, as I was always wondering what the other experts were up to.

I also enjoyed the way the author portrayed the various sights on Earth, it felt like I was there.

V: The Complete Series
$39.98
The television series kicks off on the one year anniversary of the ending of the war with the visitors. The Visitors manage to launch a second invasion of earth, an idea that is preposterous in its own right. They have been exposed as man eating reptiles, yet they're somehow able to successfully take back entire cities without interference from state and local law enforcement or the military.

Maybe we are to assume that military installations, etc, have been taken out by the visitors' overwhelming fire power and force. But we never actually see this happen thanks to the show's budget constraints.

No, what we see is visitors walking through parks fully armed and in full uniform, while kids play with a Frisbee, blissfully unconcerned that there are cannibalistic aliens among them. In the visitor infiltrated city of Las Angeles, life seems to be going on as usual.

Because of the budget limitations, there's no sense of this being an oppressive, overwhelming force that is threatening mankind with extinction. These visitors are about as threatening as your local organized crime syndicate. You never get the sense that mankind is threatened with extinction- it just feels like there are two forces inside the city of Las Angeles fighting for control of their turf. It could just as easily have been about the Bloods vs. the Crips.

Nonetheless, an interesting piece of nostalgia that has its moments. Die hard fans of the miniseries should check it out.