Sci-Fi Month 2022

I hope everyone had an absolutely splendid Halloween! We had a laid-back night of homemade macaroni and cheese and a horror movie. I had intended to post again before my favorite holiday of the year, but I did not end up reading the comic that I intended and didn’t have much to post about otherwise.

So here we are leaping into Science Fiction month!

Here is my game plan. Whether it happens or not, that’s a whole different story: Continue my quest of watching all of Battlestar Galactica for the first time, watch/rewatch Escape from New York (I can’t remember if I’ve seen it before) and pick up at least one Sci-Fi novel.

I’ve only read one book in Ridley’s presence, and it was while he was sick, so I still don’t know if he’ll try to eat it while I’m trying to read it. It will be a fun game!

Are you participating in Sci-Fi month or are you more of a Non-Fiction November type of person? Either way, what are your plans?!

Science Fiction Month 2021

Good morning aliens and astronauts! As per usual with my life lately, I cannot dive fully into science fiction as much as I would like but I’m still getting doses in here and there. I will take what I can get though, as it’s a much needed reprieve.

Reading:

Saga is always a delight. I don’t think I’ve complained about a volume yet and I need to catch up before the new one comes out.

H.G. Well’s The Time Machine is a buddy read with Ignited Moth for our joint blog Sugar and Scream.

Movies:

I stuck with a couple of great 90’s sci-fi movies that I knew wouldn’t fail me.

How is Science Fiction month going for you??

Sci Fi November 2018 in Review

Whew! It’s already December? How did that happen?? I hope everyone enjoyed NanoWrimo that participated! And if you didn’t get to the word count goal, you’re still a star because some progress in better than no progress and writing is hard! I dabbled myself a few years back and there’s always the hope that I’ll get inspired again.

Anywho, Science Fiction November! I think mine was pretty successful considering how busy I’ve been. I had hoped to convince Mr. Cupcakes & Machetes to watch some sci-fi TV shows together but that didn’t happen. We were fully involved in Netflix’s Mindhunter. (We’re always behind on the good things.) If you’re into True Crime, I highly recommend giving it a go.

Recap:

Parasite (Parasitology #1) – Book Review

After the Crown (The Indranan War #2) – Book Review

Foundation (Foundation #1) – Book Review

Gotham City Sirens Vol.3 Strange Fruit – Comic Review

Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse #1) – Book Review

Vox – Book Review

Did you participate in Sci-Fi month? If so, how did it go for you?

Foundation (Foundation #1) – Book Review

Published Date: 1951

Publishing Co.: Del Ray

Pages: 285

Goodreads Synopsis.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

When this began with the talk of mathematics and using it to predict the future, it almost lost me. Math has never been my subject, but luckily that part was short lived. There never came a point where I was absolutely hooked into the story but this is at the very minimum, one of the classics that I understand all the reasons why it is considered a classic. It still won’t be hopping on my favorite sci-fi list but it is one I would encourage other sci-fi fans to give a try. I like character driven stories and this is almost completely plot-driven and riddled with political intrigue.

The basis is that the Empire is going to fall in three hundred years and the scientists are attempting to save all possible knowledge on an unpopulated planet. The plan is to store the knowledge so that it is not forever lost and it can be redistributed to the galaxy. At least on the surface that’s the plan, in all actuality there is much more than just saving knowledge. There are mathematical projections and psychohistory theories about the challenges predicted to come and hidden messages to help the remaining humans of the empire along.

The story jumps from crisis to crisis in the first hundred years after the fall. Each crisis features a different character and details how they solve the problem presented to them.

I’m glad that I read it but I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series.

I did however end up with a copy of this from 1986 and had the gleeful pleasure of finding an old library card in the back from 1989.

After the Crown (The Indranan War #2) – Book Review

Published Date: December 13, 2016

Publishing Co.: Orbit

Pages: 416

Goodreads Synopsis.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Behind the Throne – Book Review

Short-tempered, foul-mouthed, ex-outlaw gunrunner Hail Bristol is just trying to run a Shiva-damned empire.

After a failed coupe, Hail is doing her best to run an empire that she had no intention of ever having to deal with. But at heart, she loves her country and would do anything to save it. That anything is proving to be dodging assassination attempts left and right. Not everyone thinks she has what it takes to lead the nation and they rather kill her than give her a chance.

Turns out, Hail isn’t so easy to kill. All it does is piss her off more and fuel her ruthlessness.

When yet another coupe has far greater success, Hail is once again running for her life. They’ve chased her off her own planet and have taken control of empire territories. Her small band of Indrana loyal military and friends are all she has to depend on while she develops a plan to put down the mutiny.

The plan? Take them out gunrunner style. This will mean large debts to crime lords she used to run with, but her enemy won’t be expecting that kind of help and they can’t handle the fire power and cunning that outlaws bring to the table.

When you’re patriotic duty is to outmaneuver hostile militaries, protect your people and take back your nation, you either run with the baddest dogs in the galaxy or you stay on the fucking porch and lose everything.

Hail Bristol is one of my favorite main characters. Despite my description of a ruthless bad ass (I mean she is), she’s also kind-hearted and doesn’t want to lose any of her people. She’s clever. She’s willing to owe great debts to dangerous people if it means saving everyone she loves and the people she’s vowed to protect. This series has quickly become one of my favorite space operas. It has just the right amounts of science fiction, drama, and character development that keeps you coming back for more.

Parasite (Parasitology #1) – Book Review

Published Date: October 29, 2013

Publishing Co.: Orbit

Pages: 504

Goodreads Synopsis.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Scientifically engineered or not, I never want a tapeworm living inside me.

In the near future, humans are weak because we have spent so long sterilizing our environment. Our immune systems don’t protect us properly because they’ve never had the chance to recognize a threat and develop a resistance. Everyone is need of multiple medications or procedures and specialist visits to keep living.

Along comes a research company who bio-engineers a new type of tapeworm. By swallowing one little capsule and releasing the worm into your digestive tract, all your health concerns disappear. The worm manages to cleanse you of all your health problems. Allergic to dogs? No more. Diabetic? No more. The high price of healthcare plummets and people regain regular lives with very few set backs all thanks to a worm that can you heal you from the inside out.

But what if the worms are sentient? What if they’re tired of being your little healthcare slave? What if the worms started a rebellion?

Here in lies the platform to our story, peppered with great characters; Sal, brain dead accident victim who’s family was about to pull the plug on her life support, saved by a tapeworm. Dr. Kim, Sal’s boyfriend, a leading parasitologist struggling to figure out why people are having sudden personality changes and becoming violent. Sal’s dad and sister who work for the government and are more than willing to throw Sal into jail if it helps get them answers about the pandemic. There are a couple of other characters I would love to mention but their identities are part of the surprise.

I was a bit surprised just how much I enjoyed reading this. I became more involved in the characters than I thought I would and the effects of a sterilized world where fascinating. It was a great start to Science Fiction month and I will definitely be continuing the series.

Join in the Fun, it’s Sci-Fi Month

I don’t know who started it, I don’t who currently hosts it, but November is Science Fiction month. I happily participate every year. I’ve already started my first read, Parasite and it’s been a good choice so far.

I won’t plan out which books I read any further than they’ll be in the Sci-Fi genre. I’m a mood reader and if I give myself too many rules when it comes to reading, I won’t enjoy myself.

Are you going to join in on the Sci-Fi fun??

From Spooky to Sci-Fi

September through October was my horror/paranormal marathon reading in honor of the Halloween season. November means it’s officially Sci-Fi month! I’m ready for the change but before we leap into a new genre, here’s a recap of a spooky two months of reading.

Book Reviews:

Fire & Ash

Gather the Daughters – Book Review

Curtsies & Conspiracies – Book Review

A Monster Calls – Book Review

The Witchfinder’s Sister – Book Review

Home Improvement: Undead Edition – Book Review

Kitty Goes to Washington – Book Review

A Season with the Witch – Book Review

Raven – Book Review

Recipes:

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Buttermilk Pumpkin Bread

I consider the season a success and I am ready to plunge head long into science fiction month.

Do you plan to participate in Science Fiction month? How so?

 

The Martian – Book Review

4 out of 5 stars

“My asshole is doing as much to keep me alive as my brain.”

Mark Watney has just been accidentally abandoned by his crew on Mars. The next mission to Mars won’t happen for another four years. It’s either find a clever way to survive until then or give up.

If that were me, I would have just shit my spacesuit.

But I’m not an astronaut, botanist or on my way to Mars for any reason, so for now spacesuits are safe from me.

At first, I was worried that I would get bored with the style of this book. It begins as a journal of Watney realizing he’s been left behind and trying to find a way to survive. A diary style novel is hit or miss with me. That protagonist better be damn entertaining if I’m going to read their every thought. Thankfully, Watney is sarcastic and humorous. Had the author written him any other way, I don’t think I would have kept on. It then shuttles back to Earth and gives us the point of view of NASA scientists doing everything they can to bring an abandoned astronaut home. And for a little extra space love, it also tunes you into Watney’s crew mates, who think they’ve left a team member dead on Mars.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the best science fiction has actual science in it. This has butt-tons. Metric butt-tons of science. So not only was this an enjoyable escape to read, I also learned more about rocket science and potatoes than I ever thought I would know.

Retribution Falls – Book Review

4 out of 5 stars

I have a GR friend who is always suggesting new books to me, we shall call him, Sir Lancer. I have this wonderful habit of adding said books to my TBR pile, or even purchasing them outright based on his suggestion. This wonderful habit evolves into myself not reading them for quite sometime, despite the recommendation. So this past week, I decided that it was time to break my own habits and crack open a Sir Lancer novel!

I am most pleased with that decision.

If you find these things fun: steampunk, swords, guns, cannons, smuggling, piracy, rebellion, daemonism, golems, people with mechanical body parts, airships, sky battles, and alcohol just to name a few things; then you should quit reading this and sign yourself up for adventure immediately!

The crew of the Ketty Jay are a mixed bag of nuts. All hiding from their pasts, all keeping their secrets to themselves, all while attempting to function as a decent crew.
But when they take a job that ends in unintended massacre, set up by an unknown enemy, they must come together quickly to clear their names for neither side in this brewing war believes them.

For most of the book, I enjoyed the other characters more than the MC. However, towards the end even the Cap’n was growing on me. The entire book was entertaining, spunky and at parts hilarious. If you happen to be stuck in a book rut, like I was when I picked this up, it will easily turn the tide for you.

Mighty fine suggestion Sir Lancer.