"Old Paint" by Megan Lindholm

First Publication:  Asimov's Science Fiction, July 2012

Cover Artist:  Tomislav Tikulin

“Old Paint” shows what happens in the future when cars become more computerized.  Everything works well until a group infects them with a virus that gives the cars sentience.


Megan Lindholm is another author I have not tried before.  Based on this story, I will be looking for more of her work.  It is reminiscent of Roger Zelazny’s “Auto-da-Fe” and “Devil Car” stories.  Lindholm had my attention as I started to see how she approached this material.  “Old Paint” is a car that belongs to a single mother and her family.  When the cars rebel, the government develops a “cure” to remove their free will.  The mother then has to decide whether or not to turn “Old Paint” in or let it go free.  It is a touching, well written exploration of family and memories of the past.  

Highly recommended.

"Donner Summit" by Harry Turtledove

First Publication:  Analog, July/August 2012

Cover Artist:  Vincent Di Fate

“Donner Summit” is a “Probability Zero” story from Analog.  It is a first contact story where, surprise, things go wrong.


The “Probability Zero” stories have been part of Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact for as long as I can remember.  They are very short stories that usually have some sort of twist at the end. 

“Donner Summit” is only the second Harry Turtledove story I can remember reading.  He tells it in a casual, conversational manner that is very easy to read.  Both the aliens and the humans seem to be the perfect race to meet for a first alien contact.  Everything is going smoothly until…  I will not ruin the ending for anyone who might want to read it.  

You will find it to be entertaining if you like stories that have a surprise ending.  

Beyond the Wall

Editor:  James Lowder

First Publication:  June, 2012

Source:  Netgalley

Publisher:  Smart Pop

Exploring George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire

Next to reading science fiction and fantasy fiction, I enjoy reading all types of non-fiction about the field.  In my teen years the first thing I read in the genre magazines was the book review columns.  Now I do not have to wait for the monthly magazines.  Between blogs and the numerous non-fiction books being published, my to be read list is growing faster than ever.

Editor James Lowder has put together a great collection of articles about Martin's wildly successful "A Song of Ice and Fire".  R. A. Salvatore starts the book off with a perfect forward for this edition.  One of the articles that caught my attention was Myke Cole's commentary on post traumatic stress in the series.  As a reader I did not stop to think about this syndrome.  I know the next time I read the series I will be keeping Cole's article in mind.  That is the sign of great non-fiction writing when the author shows you something you missed in a series.  

Highly recommended.

I read this as part of the "Once Upon a Time VIII" challenge.

Science Fiction the 101 Best Novels 1985-2010 by Damien Broderick & Paul Di Flippo

Title:  Science Fiction the 101 Best Novels 1985-2010
Authors:  Damien Broderick & Paul Di Flippo
First Publication:  2012
Cover Artist:  Luis Ortiz

From Amazon:
Inspired by David Pringle's landmark 1985 work Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels, this volume supplements the earlier selection with the present authors' choices for the best English-language science fiction novels during the past quarter century. Employing a critical slant, the book provides a discussion of the novels and the writers in the context of popular literature. Moreover, each entry features a cover image of the novel, a plot synopsis, and a mini review, making it an ideal go-to guide for anyone wanting to become reacquainted with an old favorite or to discover a previously unknown treasure. With a foreword by David Pringle, this invaluable reference is sure to provoke conversation and debates among sci-fi fans and devotees.

Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds

From Amazon:

One hundred and fifty years from now, Africa has become the world’s dominant technological and economic power. Crime, war, disease and poverty have been eliminated. The Moon and Mars are settled, and colonies stretch all the way out to the edge of the solar system. And Ocular, the largest scientific instrument in history, is about to make an epochal discovery…

Geoffrey Akinya wants only one thing: to be left in peace, so that he can continue his long-running studies into the elephants of the Amboseli basin. But Geoffrey’s family, who control the vast Akinya business empire, has other plans for him. After the death of his grandmother Eunice—the erstwhile space explorer and entrepreneur—something awkward has come to light on the Moon, so Geoffrey is dispatched there to ensure the family name remains untarnished. But the secrets Eunice died with are about to be revealed—secrets that could change everything...or tear this near utopia apart.

My first Reynolds story was "Great Wall of Mars".  It was a great short story.  I followed it up with "Revelation Space" and it was a fascinating first novel.  So when Reynolds released the first book in a new trilogy ("Poseidon's Children) this year I thought I would follow this one as it was published.  Did it hold up to his previous work?  Yes and no.

The ideas are right up there with the other stories.  The individual scenes on the moon and beyond are amazing.  Unfortunately I was disappointed with the  segments that took place in Africa.  I realize they were important to Geoffrey's character but I thought Reynolds dedicated to this part of the story.    My favorite scenes were the ones on the moon with his sister.  The culture that he develops there is very interesting.

If that was the only drawback I would have liked this story more.  Unfortunately the main, driving plot was pedestrian and disappointed me.  I expected better from Reynolds.    Arthur C. Clarke is one of his inspirations and I have found some of his books to be more of a travel log than a novel.  This suffers from some of the same shortcomings.  Hopefully books two and three will have a better plot.

If you prefer idea driven books, i would recommend this one to you.  If you like plot driven books, I would take a pass on this and pick up one of his other titles.