Excellent time-travel California smartass tragicomic SF.
925448
Excellent time-travel California smartass tragicomic SF. Book 2  of the Company series.

I thought the Chumash characters were particularly well done, very
*California* -- one of the the Humashup tycoons even has a
personal shaman. I don't know enough about the Chumash --
indeed, almost nothing -- to judge Baker's fidelity-to-history, but I
expect she's a trustworthy guide -- (but I do recall picking up
some very odd notions about science and history from voraciously
naive childhood reading, so comments from the Chumash-history
literate are welcome.)  I'm pretty sure coastal California culture has
featured wealth, ostentation, flash & showmanship for at least a
thousand years.... and, yes, there weren't many more clear, smog-free
days in the LA Basin even back when the dire wolves were
unwisely leaping onto prey mired in the La Brea tar pits....

Anyway.  I have a definite weakness for anthropological SF. "Sky
Coyote" might not be up to the best of Le Guin or Arnason, but it has
some very fine moments. We were out to the Central Coast (the
Chumash, and Baker's, homeland) a few months back, and it is
lovely country, lovingly portrayed here. And Baker has a nice
command of the tragedy:farce, dark:light transition? mood-swing? --
not quite the words I'm looking for, but she plays the reader's
emotions skillfully. Really quite an impressive writer.

You should probably read "Garden" first (also highly recommended),  but "Sky Coyote" would do fine as
a stand-alone.

Happy reading--
Peter D. Tillman
2772345
San Francisco is an amalgamation of identities. Within one borough you can find hippies, finance gurus, and tech pioneers all coexisting within the confines of the Bay. Diversity such as this is what makes Tracie Banisters Twin Piques such a fun cable car ride through the city.

Banisters book title is a play on the famous Twin Peaks neighborhood in San Francisco, but the story within its covers is about two sisters whos identities are  woven together despite their differences. Sloan is a forensic accountant for one of the citys most prestigious firms. Shes serious, driven, intense, and all about the facts. Willa is the ying to Sloans yang. She leads with her heart, has wacky style, and is a pet psychic (a job thats not so out of the box in the city by the bay).

Perhaps the largest difference between the two is that Willa is on the lookout for love and Sloan has zero interest, but both for the same reason; their father allegedly bailed on their mom before they were even born. Twin Piques chronicles this kooky and serious duo as they look for love and success in all of the wrong and right places. Banister even delivers a plot twist that this forensic reader (who can sniff out everything) never saw coming!

This book took me awhile to read, not by fault of Banisters writing, but because I have a toddler who sometimes requires a bit of attention. What was great about this book was that it was the type of story I could put down for a few days (okay, a week) and pick back up and not feel disconnected. With each chapter focusing on one sisters life, I was able to truly get to know Willa and Sloan and grow to love them.

Twin Piques was as refreshing as a boating trip around the San Francisco Bay, and I encourage you to check it you if you like light, funny stories that don't themselves too seriously.

I was provided with a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

www.bookwormblondie.com
2361776
For  anyone living and breathing  in San Francisco this novel is a lot of fun. The protagonist is unique as she muddles through the meandering of the plot and the characters. A  lot of what happens is almost accidental and so the tight plotting is quite cleverly executed. The ending suggests a follow up.  Good mystery of errors.
1135874
This is a fantastic read.  Charles Stross, along with John Scalzi, Cory Doctorow and Wil McCarthy are part of a new generation of hard SF writers who attack the genre with imagination and wit.  Stross' debut combines a well-imagined and thought out universe, engaging characters, and humor in a fast paced package.  The universe of the Eschaton is one you'll want to return to.
4045367
I really enjoyed this one.
That character could be me.
The science fiction quotes and references
were hysterically spot on.
3696421
This is the third volume in the trilogy that started with Mind Killer and continued with Time Pressure (which are collected together in one volume as Deathkiller).  However, the relationship is tenuous between this book and the other two, and for this particular work I'd actually recommend that you don't read the others prior, as I think it would negatively color your impression of this one.
Lifehouse represents a return to Spider's normal outrageous situations and punning humor, couched in a tale of two con artists, Paul and June, SMOFs (Secret Masters of Fandom), and time travelers.  Early in the story the SMOFs (in this case, a husband and wife, Wally and Moira, who have been fans and known each other so long they are almost telepathic with each other) are presented with a wild tale by a midnight visitor who arrives with a bang, minus clothing, and claims to be a time traveler who has unfortunately missed his target date by a few years. Naturally, the 'time traveler' would like  Wally and Moira to help in changing history just a little bit - ensuring that John Lennon does not get assassinated.  Of course, the Wally and Moira are also Beatles fans, and off we go on a pretty wild romp through the ins and outs of multiple con games, time and other paradoxes, manhunts, and puzzle solving the old fashioned way, by thinking.
Along the way, Spider maintains a humorous undertone, as noted by chapter titles like "Grok and Roll" and sentences like "They left and locked the car, and, since it was late at night, crossed Point Grey Road on foot without the customary side effect of dying." But much of the story is a serious investigation into ethics, morals (can con-men have morals? Can ethics impose absolute restrictions on the actions of time travelers?), and individuality versus the 'Group Mind' that true telepathy would make possible. The characters come across as highly intelligent, personable, and believable people caught in situations that are only partially due to their own actions, but must (and can) rely on their own wits to save the day.
Readers who have never attended a science fiction convention or been seriously involved in SF fandom may miss some of Spider's underhanded references, and some of the specified technology will seem absolutely ancient (which is merely an indication of how fast computing technology is changing). But these are fairly minor quibbles with what is generally a very readable story, one that occasionally made me laugh out loud, always kept me grinning, and provided some good food for thought when finished.
920914
When hapless Dickie Straight leaves his dreary, dead-end small town in Oklahoma to make a new life for himself in San Francisco, he ends up in the seamy Tenderloin neighborhood with the homeless and the hipsters. DS goes through waves of culture shock, and takes the reader along for the ride. In general, I only enjoy satire small doses,because too often it comes across as cold or condescending. This book is different. There's a lot of dark humor in #Tweeting The TL, but also warmth and compassion. I live in San Francisco, and it's clear the author really knows this city -- and loves it, despite (or because of?) all the colorful, crazy, contradictions of life here  #Tweeting The TL -- I rate it 3 boilermakers and a double shot of Fernet. Cheers! :-D
2179967
It was great fun diving back into all the pop culture of my childhood. The characters are earnest and sweet and they're geeks like me, though I can only wish I could be half as cool. A well-conceived and thoroughly executed universe. Kudos to Clone for taking me on this nostalgia trip into the future.
823344
Certain storylines of "Doctor Who" reverberated as distinct images in my memory during the years between my youthful enthusiasm in the 80's and my somewhat recent rediscovery of this wonderful show. They stood out clearly from the vague nostalgic haze that the many episodes had become in my mind. They were memorable. One of the more powerful of these without a doubt was "City of Death"--and the decades have done nothing to diminish its power. If anything, like a fine wine it has improved with age.

First off, this story is incredibly well-written, combining an ingeniously creative science fiction concept from Douglas Adams with suspenseful adventure along the lines of a Pink Panther detective tale or else the Da Vinci Code without the mystical edge. Once again Douglas Adams' dry, quirky sense of humor dovetails perfectly with Tom Baker's eccentric characterization of the Doctor, and this humor fits seamlessly into the story either as diversionary tactics by the Doctor in adversity or else simply to offset and counterpoint the enormity of the story's premise: A starship with the last survivors of a planet's race exploding as it attempts to take off in warp from the primitive Earth's surface, killing all but the pilot while sparking life on this planet--meanwhile, the pilot, Scaroth, is split into twelve fragments across the span of human history, where he/they work to impel human civilization forward technologically ultimately so that he can go back to that fateful moment and so undo his race's destruction (retroactively erasing the evolution of life on this planet in the process, of course).

All of that sounds a bit complicated in summary, but the dimensions of the tale unfold gradually and naturally in a finely crafted plotline also involving Scaroth's masterplan to fund his scientific research by selling seven Mona Lisa paintings to private collectors--one stolen from the Louvre, six (genuinely by Da Vinci, no less) in his basement. This in turn allows the writers to cleverly weave into this already masterful tale a subtle meditation on the uses (& misuses) and value of art. And Scaroth is played masterfully by Julian Glover, who brings a sinister sophistication and smooth cruelty to the role along with a wickedly dry sense of humor of his own. He is also a very believable villain whose motivations are understandable if reprehensible to us in their implications. Who wouldn't try to save his own people, after all?

Everything else about "City of Death" fits like a glove, too. The location shots in Paris are very nice indeed--sure, it's good to see that the Tardis can go somewhere on modern Earth besides merry ol' England, but the location of France's artistic capital is integral to the story, too, and thus much more than merely a neat but inconsequential backdrop. Lalla Ward's regenerated Romana has a natural rapport and chemistry with Tom Baker's Doctor that Mary Tamm, for all her fine abilities, just fundamentally lacked somehow, and that comes across especially strongly in this storyline. Even the special effects are excellent and 99.99% believable to the eye, and Scaroth's starship is convincingly alien and yet aesthetically cool in design and is utterly a showpiece of model-making on a slim budget. And the cameo appearance of John Cleese pontificating pretentiously on the artistic merits of the "afunctional" Tardis is a superb little touch.

In short, "City of Death" is a quintessential "Doctor Who" masterpiece, an unforgettable classic--why, it's practically a work of art itself.
2258955
Already Seen is a fast-paced, brilliant thrill-ride with a side of snark. Containing one of the best opening lines  The first time I killed my wife, I made a horrid spectacle of myself.   it combines humor, reminiscent of the TV show Chuck, with the multi-layered storytelling mechanic of Inception. I knew from the second I read its premise that I was going to love it, and Hughey didn't disappoint.

Nathan is a normal guy with an average life. Hes married, works as a cell phone salesman, and has a complex about his perfect brother-in-law. But all that changes when he discovers he has the ability to morph time. Triggered by a car accident that results in his wifes death, he suddenly finds he can jump back to a set point in the past, an ability that gives him unlimited do-overs.

But hes not the only one who can manipulate the future, and he soon discovers that having this skill makes him a target. Wade, the always perfect brother-in-law, also has the ability, but for once, hes on Nathans side. Theres an enemy greater than their petty rivalry, and she has Nathan in her sights. Determined to collect his reset point for her own, Alice kidnaps Nathans wife, setting him on a path that will take him as far out of his comfort zone as possible. But maybe, with Wades help, he just might be able to survive.

Loosely based on the idea of video game save points, Already Seen is a well-written, original take on the idea of time travel. With shades of superhero awesomeness, and infused with moments that are both heartfelt and poignantly human, this novella is easily one of the best things Ive read so far this year. The prose is effortless and laced with Hugheys signature wit. My only complaint was that it ended. That said, it is a self-contained novella, and the ending is definitely satisfactory.

I really cant recommend this one enough.

**Disclaimer: I was the editor on this project, but please note that I was not paid for my opinions, only my ability to use commas. All thoughts expressed are entirely my own and are uncolored by my contribution to the work. My review would be the same if I'd been merely a reader.**
4334160
I loved this book.
It's such a relief to read an intelligent, moving SF war novel that realistically incorporates the problems of relativity and time distortion. Objective centuries pass in a matter of subjective months,  and the world changes rapidly as Mandella seems to stay the same.  Put's  the seemingly rapid technological changes we've been trying to cope with  this past decade into perspective.
It was also great to see that the  author did not shy away from the fact that war is primarily long stretches  of boredom, punctuated by brief periods of terror.  From memory, Mandella  is involved in about 3 or 4 battles during the entire book, with one of  those ending abruptly and before combat.  Much of the rest of the time is  spent in an uncomfortable transit.
Sure, parts of this book are dated  eg.  Mandella's attitude to homosexuals would now be called 'homophobia'  (although, interestingly, the book need not be seen as anti-gay - it fits  in nicely with the postmodern belief that sexuality is socially  constructed) while the modern reality of AIDS and Hep B make UNEF's  free-love army even more unbelieveable (and it also seems at times that the  women in this UNEF army are glorified prostitutes).  However I don't think  these anachronisms, or the subtle paralells to Vietnam, necessariy detract  from the overall impact of the book.
2831794
All Our Yesterdays is a wonderfully intelligent time-travel story.  The time travel concepts are complex, but manage to not be (too) confusing.  When All Our Yesterdays begins, Em and Finn are locked up in adjacent cells for reasons unknown.  Both are subjected to torture and beatings, and it is clear that this isn't a run-of-the-mill prison.  Two men, referred to by Em as "the doctor" and "the director" are in charge, and both are vicious.  Em and Finn, with the help of a guard, stage a very unusual prison break - not just out of the prison, but through time, into the past.  They travel to the past not just to escape, but to prevent a catastrophic series of events that will throw the country into chaos.

All Our Yesterdays is told in dual times and from dual perspectives.  While the brave, resourceful Em narrates in the present, rich, spoiled Marina narrates four years in the past.  The two girls share a connection that seemed obvious very early on, although it's revealed in a matter-of-fact way a bit later.  Marina's world is one of luxury, and her biggest concern is getting her best friend, James, to fall in love with her.

James and Finn are great counterpoints.  Marina's friendship with James is sweet, but seems a bit indicative of her immaturity.  Em and Finn, meanwhile, have a relationship that's bound by mutual trust.  Not surprising, since their lives are constantly at risk.

While reading All Our Yesterdays, I couldn't help thinking forward to the end.  I was enjoying the story so much, and I dreaded an ending that would be falsely optimistic.  I think that would have destroyed the book for me.  In my mind, I thought I had the perfect ending, but what Cristin Terrill came up with was BEYOND perfect.

Note - I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
4566758
Connie Willis has done it again.

She has taken the elderly SF trope of telepathy, turned it inside out - exactly what it might feel like, encountered in a high tech, skeptical/materialist environment.

All Willis characters are vivid, have individual "voices" (the best Heinlein dialog but most directly rooted in the character, not a cardboard idea lecturing) and grow on you.  Profoundly decent people try very hard to cope with trying or even amusingly limited people who still drive you crazy (if you are too respectful to flame, walk away or just cold cock them).  The huge plot points and working with your large family, each of whom ignores every ordinary boundary, interweave so smoothly you turn pages quickly - except when you flip back to enjoy again a great line made greater by plot development.

This novel reveals most of the family members who seemed most infuriating, as the lovely narrator scrambles, are in fact part of a larger community with telepathic skills, so their more irritating traits turn out understated, spot on wisdom.  The true romance is foreshadowed but still vivid, suspenseful and flat-out charming - if you thought you were a stalwart, old school he-man girl-haters club person, after a few Willis novels you may start looking at the genre.

Not sure yet, but Crosstalk may rival Doomsday Book for haunting, pop into your mind fascination over many, many years. Bridget Flanagan is so personally charming that Kivren may have a right-hand BFF.
123800
I have loved Jonathan Lethem's work since Amnesia Moon. Like most of his books, with perhaps the exceptions of Fortress of Solitude and Motherless Brooklyn, Chronic City does not have a traditional type of plot or characters. Lethem's literary roots are in comic strips and sci fi, and the brilliance of his ideas has to grab you, as it does me, or you won't appreciate his work as much. Mines floating in space, e.g., are not so far-fetched, either, any more. As an irritant in the life of New York -- a city whose private mythology celebrates the ability to withstand constant irritation -- it's a futuristic version of highways that are constantly under repair and bottle-necked so that a fifteen-minute car trip can take an hour and that is considered normal. Now, being stranded in the upper atmosphere is par for the course.

I also lived in NYC for a good number of years. Lethem captures the flavor of the city and its creative types in hilariously apt and dark moments. It's not the NY I loved, but I recognize it, so anyone who wants a futuristic hipster's eye-view of NYC will probably like this book.
2181790
Nice semi-historic SF. This film had good acting and special effects.
4027544
Imagine a mash-up of MTV's iconic Beavis and Butthead meets gumshoe noir on a crazy trip through the set of Miami Vice (the Everglade years). This is one badass, non-stop thrill ride that will have you zigzagging all over the state of Florida. Who else can master dark comedy, crime thriller and state history better than Tim Dorsey? Electric Barracuda is a shining example of classic absurdist fiction. It focuses on the experiences of characters and their seemingly meaningless actions and events. By making use of dark humor, abasement of reason and bizarre philosophy, Dorsey opens a peep hole into American culture. The characters are amusing, fully-developed, inventive and most of all, the events are a fast-paced blast that will have the reader laughing until they weep (and then questioning whether the author was sober at any stage of the writing process). Of course, in this case, it's a good thing. An untamed ride ensues mingling past and present, which are in continual conflict. This instigates an appeal to the nature vs. nurture theory (I'll let readers chew on that for a while). To say this is just a satire is too simplistic and would be a crime against literature and possibly a felony against humanity. Did I go too far? True of most absurdist fiction, Electric Barracuda is deeply thematic and creatively communicative. The moral is not explicit and allows the reader to reflect and come to their own conclusion. The world is a dirty, gritty place and doing something wrong for the right reasons is so very forgivable and enduring. Tim Dorsey has earned his way onto my fan shelf. I'll be reading more twisted tales by this author soon.
4805822
In this dark comedy, four deceased teens steal a chance to go back in time and prevent their deaths. Mitchell has been in Hell for four years, since he was hit by a bus at the age of seventeen. He has a job as an intern in Hells accounting department, and hangs out with his best friend Medusa (nicknamed because of her wild hair), who fell off the Golden Gate Bridge in 1967, a Viking Prince who died in battle in 970, and a peasant girl who died in the Great Fire in London in 1966. They use a time-travel device Mitchell stole to go on a series of visits to the various eras and places. Things do not go according to Mitchells plan because his teammates have secrets and agendas of their own. In the end, Mitchell and his friends learn valuable lessons about life and death.

I found the novel to be both entertaining and thought-provoking. It has nonstop adventure, interesting characters (though they could have been more well-developed), a vivid setting, and comic humor. I especially liked the time travel aspects. Ideas about paradoxes and the logical consequences of changing the past are brought up. The ending had a fitting resolution; the only thing that was not explained was why the four likeable teens ended up in Hell rather than Up There in the first place.