The Drink Tank - The Hugo for Best Novel 2013 The Drink Tank 347 - The Hugo for Best Novel 2013

Contents Cover by Bryan Little! “Hugo not bound by Space and Time”

Page 2 - Table of Contents / Art Credits / This Stuff Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance “Contents” by Lois McMasters Bujold Page 3 On The Shortlist Page 19 - A Very Loosely Related Article by Steve Diamond (of Elitist Book Reviews) By Christopher J Garcia Art from Kurt Erichsen “Yeah, I’ve got nothing.” “I’ve read a lot of books...” Page 20 - A Review by Sara Dickinson “Insofar as suspense goes...” The Throne of the Crescent Moon Page 22 - 2 Reviews - by Saladin Ahmed By Liz Lichtfield Page 5 - A Very Loosely Related Article “This was entirely too funny for words.” by Christopher J Garcia By Kate “...some are hugely important symbols, while “Oh, this was funny...” others are just over-hyped chairs.” Page 6 - A Review by Juan Sanmiguel 2312 “It will be interesting to see were Ahmed will by Kim Stanley Robinson take us next.” Page 23 - A Very Loosely Related Article Page 7 - A Review by Mihir Wanchoo By Christopher J Garcia “The book’s size is definitely on the thinner “In 300 years, I will be 338.” side and this might be going against the norm...” Page 24 - A Review by Anne Charnock Page 10 - A Review by Nadine G. “...Robinson has written a humungous book...” “...just putting things in the desert doesn’t make Page 25 - A Review by Maria Tomchick a great book either.” “...the author could use a good editor...” Page 26 - A Review of Beth Zuckerman Blackout “I recommend this book even though it’s about by Mira Grant terrorism...” Page 11 - A Very Loosely Related Article By Christopher J Garcia Redshirts “...and over the radio system came a name - by John Scalzi Sunil Tripathi. “ Page 27 - A Very Loosely Related Article Page 12 - A Review by Beth Zuckerman by Christopher J Garcia “It’s obvious that Grant is a fan of Whedon’s “Gotta love that!” work;...” Page 28 - A Review by Beth Zuckerman Page 14 - A Review by Regina & Michelle “If you’r elooking for literature...” “Ugh, I am so sad this trilogy is over.” Page 29 - A Review by Juan Sanmiguel Page 17 - A Review by Catie “It all beings with Ensign Andrew Dahl...” Art by Michele Wilson “ Are you confused yet?” Page 30 - Biographies [email protected] On the Short List A Piece from Steve Diamond of Elitist Book Reviews

It’s that time of the year again. Hugo time. The ballots are officially open, and those that can vote are, hopefully, trying to make educated decisions on who they think should win. I take it pretty seriously, and I imagine most folks do as well. This is a big freaking deal. I get the email daily; who do I think is going to win for Best Novel? That email is usually followed by two more asking who didn’t get nominated that I think should have been. Both are loaded questions, and usually I have to think long and hard about it. I have this type of conversation with my reviewers all the time. I have this conversation with other authors. Oddly, this year those emails are incredibly easy to answer. I’ll start off by once again congratulating all those individuals who are nominated in all categories. I’m still a bit stunned over my own nomination, and I’m incredibly humbled and grateful. But again, this little article is about the Hugo for Best Novel. Who do I think is going to win this year? Scalzi wins it for REDSHIRTS. He just does. I personally think it was the best novel in the field. While every other novel in the category had its own strengths and weaknesses, REDSHIRTS is the one I enjoyed the most. It’s an opinion shared by my awesome reviewers at Elitist Book Reviews. It was an easy call. Whew. But see, I’m always much more interested in who didn’t get nominated. Every year after the shortlists are announced people go nuts about who wasn’t nominated, and why other people were nominated instead. I’ll admit I’m part of that crowd. When you read as many books as I do in a year, it takes something special to stand out. Now, before I go on, please don’t misinterpret what follows as my saying that those who were nominated shouldn’t have been. I’m not saying that. They are on that list for a reason. They write books that people read. More importantly, they write books that people like. End of story. I love that people question what is “Hugo Worthy”. Why? Because no one is wrong, and I love how much passion is displayed by the readers. All over the internet people are fighting tooth and nail about how their pick is the most worthy. That is dedication. That is fandom. I’ve read a lot of books, and as I turn the final page on each subsequent volume I realize more and more that the important thing is that we are all reading. Do you love the novels that are nominated for the Hugo this year? Great, now go share that enthusiasm with ten friends. Maybe you feel deflated because the novel that completely blew you mind isn’t anywhere close to the shortlist. Guess what? Take that frustration and excitement for your favorite novel of the year and go tell a hundred people about it. I love reading. I love the excitement and controversy the Hugo Awards bring because it’s another opportunity for me to share the books that have me thrilled to talk about them (whether on the Hugo ballot or not). Here are the novels that had me positively giddy this year: THE COLDEST WAR by Ian Tregillis – Holy freaking cow. I’m convinced that the only reason this isn’t on the Hugo ballot is because not enough people read it. Alternate history has 3 become a gold mine for incredible stories, and Tregillis tells one of love, lies, spies and gods in THE COLDEST WAR. The follow-up to it, NESSESARY EVIL, is amazing, and will be on my Hugo ballot next year. CALIBAN’S WAR by JAMES S.A. Corey – I’ve grown tired of Science Fiction. Again, my personal opinion, but there seems to be a serious lack in strong, character driven stories in SF. But I love CALIBAN’S WAR. Amazing characters, incredible adventures, real danger, excellent writing…man, this is the kind of novel that has my imagination doing backflips. THE KING’S BLOOD by Daniel Abraham – How can one guy tell a tale so effortlessly? I’m incredibly jealous. Abraham is gifted, and THE KING’S BLOOD is the kind of Fantasy that puts me in the world in a way that only Steven Erikson and George R.R. Martin can. THE KING OF THORNS by Mark Lawrence – When it comes to the gritty Fantasy that everyone seems to be doing now, it takes someone special to stand out. Like Joe Abercrombie, Lawrence has an uncanny ability to have his characters always to the thing most appropriate for the situation, no matter how terrible. His character’s make no apologies, and I’d ask for none. I can go on. I can list a dozen more books that people need to read, but that’s what my blog, Elitist Book Reviews, is for. It’s a pretty awesome review blog, if I do say so. Do yourself a favor and go read all the Hugo Nominated works. If you don’t like them, that’s OK. If you love them all, that’s awesome. Once you’ve finished those books, go read some more. Take my recommendations or those of your friends and family. And when you find that book or author that gets you excited, share that with everyone you know.

Art by Kurt Erichsen 4 The Throne of the Crescent Moon A Very Loosely Related Article by Christopher J Garcia

Funny things, thrones. There are many. A great This chair shows all the marks of having been many, and some are hugely important symbols, while around a long, long time. It was carved in 1297 by others are just over-hyped chairs. There are five Master Walter, whoever he was. Well, I guess he was Thrones that I always think of when I think of thrones, a carpenter, all evidence withstanding. Not all of the and no, none of them are a toilet! Throne we know today was there in the 13th Century. There are lions serving as the base that were put in in The Peacock Throne of the Mughals the 1700s, and you certainly can tell that they’re not This is the one I think of when I think of original. Like all good pieces of wood from centuries opulent. It was created for Shah Jahan in the 1600s, and past, it’s had graffiti carved into it and shows its age. You was covered in gold, rubies, diamonds, emeralds. In the can still see some of the original paint and gilding, but middle 1700s, it disappeared; maybe given to the Sultan mostly the old oak is showing through. of the Ottoman Empire, perhaps disassembled and As it should be. scattered to the winds. The Sun Throne of Muhammad Shah Qajar might have used parts of it. The thing is Maharaka Ranjit Singh’s Throne beautiful in every illustrations you can find of it, and it The V&A is my favorite museum in the world. makes me wonder how much more is out there. The It’s got so many incredible holdings including one of the Timur Ruby, not ACTUALLY a Ruby and now a part of most beautiful (and smallest) thrones in the world. It’s the British Crown Jewels, was supposedly incorporated Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s throne. It’s lovely, though sadly in it. That alone would make it a marvel. it’s never been on display when I’ve been there. Today, there’s the Nadiri throne at Topkapi The core of the throne is wood and resin. Oh Palace, which is beautiful and intricate. It’s behind glass, yeah, on top of that it’s sheets of gold! The carving is but you can get a really good look at it. incredible, you can see a lot of close-ups on-line, the lotus pattern motif is great, but the best part is that The Chrysanthemum Throne it’s comparitively tiny! Less than 3 feet tall, I believe. It’s Japan’s monarchy may seem strange to many based off designs of Mughal furniture, and is one of the today. Japan is the height of modernization, years ahead finest examples of 19th century design. of the rest of the world in many areas, so why does it still host an Emperor? It is difficult to say, but the The Iron Throne Takamikura throne is a marvel. It dates only to 1917, OK, I’ve seen this one too. This is the only one but it is a huge set-piece, an impressively built and I’ve sat in! It’s the perfect symbol for an empire. It’s designed throne that gives the impression that every an intimidating piece, and seeing it at WorldCon was Emperor wants to give off. While it is only used today in an awesome thing. The best though I had of the Iron Ascension ceremonies, it’s still the symbol of Japanese Throne was of Young MIss Rosie Gray, Anne and Brian Imperial Power. It’s probably the most beautiful of all Gray’s daughter, and how she wouldn’t sit on it because today’s thrones. it scared her. That’s exactly what a throne should do. Well, one of two things a throne should do. Saint Edward’s Chair The other is to command dedication and The only actual Seat of Monarchy I’ve ever seen. perhaps even love from your subjects. It’s in Westminster Abbey and it’s missing the Stone of Now, in a fictional universe, you can build a Score, which is the symbol of Scotland. The stone was throne that is specifically designed to instill those fears. given back to the Scots, and that’s OK, since they can I can’t think of a throne in the real world that is as still use it during coronations. visually striking as the Iron Throne. 5 The Throne of the Crescent Moon A Review by Juan Sanmiguel First appeared in Event Horizon (http://oasfis.org/eh_archive.php)

The world of Throne of the Crescent Moon is He is weak on some of the ways of the world. He a complete fictional setting much like Tolkien’s Middle questions whether the Falcon Prince is a hero or a Earth. Unlike Middle Earth, its real world influence is criminal. Raseed does not know what to make of not medieval Europe but the Middle East. This is world his feelings for Zamia. By working with Adoulla, he of ghuls (demons) and magic. This is also world with completse his education and becomes an effective ghul a corrupt and inefficient government facing a rebellion hunter. promising a new order. Zamia is the outsider. Even though she was Doctor Adoulla Makhslood is a ghul hunter in a protector for her people, they were wary of her Dhamsawaat, one of the great cities in Crescent Moon powers. Now that she has lost everything, she desires Kingdoms. In his sixties, Adoulla wishes for a quiet life, revenge but what is there after that? Can her friends but a request from a former lover demands he looks help her find a place in the world? into a ghul attack. He is assisted by a dervish (monk) Litaz and Dawoud are also experienced in their Raseed bas Raseed. During their investigation in the field. They are from the neighboring country, the Soo desert, they meet Zamia Badawi. Her tribe was wiped Republic. The political mood causes them to consider out by a pack of ghuls and has evidence which may returning to their homeland. There is a reactionary lead to source of these attacks. Zamia can assume movement as a result of the rebellious activities in the shape of lion and was the protector of her tribe. Dhamsawaat. There are people who wish to keep Adoulla and Raseed take Zamia back to Adoulla’s home things as they are and they see foreigners like Litaz and and are attacked by ghuls. Zamia is severely wounded in Dawoud as a bad influence. the fight. Adoulla and Raseed take her to their friends The Falcon Prince and his rebellion give the Litaz, an alchemist and her husband Dawoud, a magus. story a modern feel. In the last few years the Middle While Adoulla and his friends are dealing with their East has undergone great changes and the rebellion problems, the Falcon Prince, a thief and rebel, is fighting in Dhamsawaat reflects that. No one knows which to overthrow the corrupt Khalif. Adoulla cannot count direction the rebellion will take, or whether the Falcon on the authorities to help him. He and his friends have Prince is better than the Khalif. to figure out what is going on before it is too late. The point of view switches with the main Adoulla is man good at his trade, but wishes he characters. This allows for some parallel plot could retire. He has fought the good fight and seen development particularly during the action-packed horrifying things. His occupation has earned him a conclusion. It also lets the reader get into the heads of comfortable living and respect among his peers, but the characters. cost him a relationship. He continues his job because Ahmed has created an interesting world. It there are not many ghul hunters left and the threat has is rooted in the past but has ties to the present day. not diminished. It is interesting to see an older lead This is part one of a trilogy, and there are some big character in a fantasy story rather than the traditional developments in this first novel. It will be interesting young person finding their way in the world. to see where Ahmed takes us next. Raseed is book smart and is good with a sword. 6 The Throne of the Crescent Moon A Review by Mihir Wanchoo First appeared on http://fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com/

AUTHOR INFORMATION: Saladin Ahmed was OFFICIAL BLURB: born and brought up in Detroit, Michigan. He has a The Crescent Moon Kingdoms, land of djenn and MFA in Creative Writing from Brooklyn College and ghuls, holy warriors and heretics, Khalifs and killers, is at an MA in English from Rutgers University. Previously the boiling point of a power struggle between the iron- he has taught University level creative writing courses fisted Khalif and the mysterious master thief known as the for over ten years. He has been a finalist for the Nebula Falcon Prince. In the midst of this brewing rebellion a series Award for Best Short Story, the Campbell Award for of brutal supernatural murders strikes at the heart of the Best New Science Fiction or Fantasy Writer, and the Kingdoms. It is up to a handful of heroes to learn the truth Harper’s Pen Award for best Sword and Sorcery/Heroic behind these killings: Fantasy Short Story. His short fiction has also appeared Doctor Adoulla Makhslood, “The last real ghul in magazines and podcasts including Strange Horizons, hunter in the great city of Dhamsawaat,” just wants a quiet Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show, cup of tea. Three score and more years old, he has grown Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Apex Magazine, StarShipSofa weary of hunting monsters and saving lives, and is more and PodCastle. He currently lives with his wife & twin than ready to retire from his dangerous and demanding children in a suburb of Detroit, this is his debut. vocation. But when an old flame’s family is murdered,Adoulla is drawn back to the hunter’s path. Raseed bas Raseed, Adoulla’s young assistant, a hidebound holy warrior whose prowess is matched only by his piety, is eager to deliver God’s justice. But even asRaseed’s sword is tested by ghuls and manjackals, his soul is tested when he andAdoulla cross paths with the tribeswoman Zamia. Zamia Badawi, Protector of the Band, has been gifted with the near-mythical angelic power, but shunned by her people for daring to take up a man’s title. She lives only to avenge her tribe’s death. Until she learns that Adoulla and his allies also hunt the same killer. Until she meets Raseed. When they learn that the murders and the Falcon Prince’s brewing revolution are connected, the companions must race against time--and struggle against their own misgivings--to save the life of a vicious despot. In so doing they discover a plot for the Throne of the Crescent Moon that threatens to turn Dhamsawaat, and the world itself, into a blood-soaked ruin.

CLASSIFICATION: The Crescent Moon Kingdom series is a Arabian themed Sword & Sorcery series which combines the swashbuckling adventure aspect of the One Thousand and One Nights with rich prose and efficient characterization to give the reader a new series to be enamored of. 7 FORMAT/INFO: Throne of the Crescent Moon is read (a B/W version can be viewed here). It should 274 pages long divided over twenty numbered chapters be interesting to see how the author populates and and three numbered but untitled interludes. Narration displays the lands drawn within. The story of this is in the third person via Doctor Adoulla Makhslood, book focuses upon Dhamsawaat, the great city of Raseed bas Raseed, Zamia Banu Laith Badawi as the Abassenwhich is considered to be the crown jewel major POV characters while Lady Litaz Daughter-of- amongst all the cities. It is this very city which doctor Likamiand Dawoud Son-of-Wajeed are the minor POV Adoulla Makhslood calls home; he is one of the last few characters. There is a map of the crescent Kingdoms of a revered clan. The clan of Ghul Hunters which is present along with an author acknowledgements page. already lost most of its members to those very nemeses Throne of the Crescent Moon is the first book in the with whom they spar with. The prime thing about a Crescent Moon Kingdoms series. true Ghul hunter is his shining white kaftan that refuses to catch any dirt until the particular Ghul hunter loses February 7, 2012 marks the North American Hardback his standards or absolves himself of the vows. In the and e-book publication ofThrone of the Crescent current day Adoulla is particularly fascinated by his past Moon via DAW. Cover art is provided by Jason Chan. as he contemplates it over a cup of cardamom tea. His reminiscing is disturbed by a uniquely disturbing vision ANALYSIS: wherein he sees his beloved city overrun by Ghuls. I was first introduced to Saladin Ahmed’s writing Things soon take a further downward turn when his when his short story “HOOVES AND THE HOVEL OF assistant/partner the young DervishRaseed bas Raseed ABDEL JAMEELA” from the anthology Clockwork Phoenix 2, was featured on our blog. It was a story which particularly mined the rare Arabic mythological landscape and with Saladin’s background, it was easy to notice why it was so strong a story. That was nearly three years ago. Last year it came to my notice that his Sword and Sorcery novel was debuting early in 2012 and I wanted to see what his imagination had created. The world of the Crescent Moon Kingdoms while drawing upon certain middle Eastern kingdoms of yore is also unique enough to draw the reader in. While the map definitely shows off a nice landscape, not much of it is revealed in the first volume & so it is left as a tantalizing presence of future wonders to be 8 brings him a child survivor of a Ghul attack and one The book’s infectious energy & pace also help whose familial connections make it particularly difficult in making the pages fly faster and hence the reader for Adoulla to avoid not getting involved. will want to read it in as few breaks as possible. The On learning the details of the ghul attack and as author’s passion in presenting this tale is very much per their duty, they ride towards the attack spot only to felt through out these pages as while this book shares learn that what awaits them, is something unheard of. certain milieu characteristics with The Desert of Souls They also come upon a tribal girl with special powers by Howard Andrew Jones andRose of The Prophet of her own, Zamia is the girl on the hunt herself to trilogy by Margaret Weis & T. Hickman. It far outstrips avenge her tribe. Fortunately they return to the city these two and other books in this niche by bringing and find it in more of a upheaval due to the actions of a certain je ne sais quoi to its subject matter which Pharaad Az Hammaz, the Falcon Prince who is a Robin could be due to the author’s own genealogy or simply Hood like figure fighting against the oppressive rule of because the author wanted to write a different type of the Khalif. Set in the powder keg of the city wherein medieval fantasy set in a geographical location which political fighting masks the danger presented by the is usually caricatured. Whatever be the reason, the unknown Ghul master who is looking to topple the end result is that this book is definitely a special debut natural order of things. It will be up to Adoulla and his because of the excellence shown in the departments of allies to choose a side within the political battle and prose,characterization & plot matter. find out the mystery of the Ghul Hunter as well the Thoughts of the dissenting kind aren’t to be source of the power that the hunter covets. found as I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Maybe I could This debut was something special to read fault the book for being a bit too compact or not really about as instead of the usual medieval fantasy fare, the expanding on the magic & world scenario beyond what author has created a slightly unique scenario which is told in the story. However these couple of drawbacks really stands out amidst the debut fantasy field. The aren’t really that big a deal and I think it shouldn’t be prose is praiseworthy as the author brings life to this a deterrent for enjoying the book. The book’s size is remarkable world and the reader is easily transported definitely on the thinner side and this might be going to the dusty haven of the Crescent Moon Kingdoms. against the norm seen in current fantasy scenario The characterization is also above the ordinary as the wherein the breadth of the spine is thought to be a plus author does his best to fully showcase the characters point. This however doesn’t make it any less excellent and the dilemmas they face. The character cast features as the book in its compact avatar, packs a very strong a wide array of characters who range from the various punch. The magic system as well the world history is fantasy stereotypes of the young valiant warrior, old given out rather sparsely and perhaps could have been world-weary wizard, wild tribal girl, Old allies, etc. explained a bit more. This however is a dicey matter and but the author superbly subverts these by bringing one which almost always causes consternation among these characters to life via their readers as there’s no perfect ratio POV chapters. You feel Adoulla’s to be found. resignation to his fate, Raseed’s devotion to his craft,Zamia’s single CONCLUSION: minded vengeance and the Falcon Saladin Ahmed debuts his Prince’s enigmatic omniscient ways. take on Sword & Sorcery tales and All of this and much more is to be it is a particular fascinating one. found in this slim volume which Throne of the Crescent Moon is while being a series opener, gives a definitely going to be in my year well rounded tale with a complete end list and will be remembered by ending of sorts (of course with the many as a smashing, exciting debut. promise of more to follow). The I would encourage all readers to cover art by Jason Chan is also give it a try as Saladin is definitely stunning and follows the pattern an author to watch for. Grab the of that of The Codex Alera series Throne of the Crescent Moon and by Jim Butcher by being a part of lose yourself in this alluring tale. the actual story within. 9 The Throne of the Crescent Moon A Review by Nadine G. First appeared on http://sffbookreview.wordpress.com/

In my attempt to read all the Nebula nominated were not plot or mystery. It was Raseed fighting with novels this year, I have finally picked up this much praised himself and with his belief and what he has learned of novel by Saladin Ahmed. I had heard great things about the world. It was Zamia, who has lost everything, com- how it mixes fantasy with an Arabian setting and falls ing to terms with what lays ahead of her. And, of course, into the currently trending category of fantasy-that-is- their feelings towards each other. Partly because two not-medieval-Europe. I agree that it would be nicer to new viewpoints were introduced mid-story, I didn’t get have more diverse settings and characters in any genre, nearly enough of Zamia. I actually think (what I con- but just putting things in the desert doesn’t make a sider) the three main characters suffered for it. Neither great book either. In this case, it worked well. The hype, Litaz nor Dawoud are intriguing enough to replace Za- though? As usual, overdone. mia or Raseed’s storylines. I would have preferred to I went into this with expectations based most- have only the trio’s points of view, with Dawoud and ly on the cover image and what I’d heard in reviews. Litaz and side characters – a state above which they Which was Arabian Nights with zombies, more or less. never really rise, anyway. Sometimes I ask myself why I still bother having expec- Apart from my minor character issue, I also tations at all – most of the time they are not met, and I had a bit of trouble with the pacing. The beginning was am happy about that. In Throne of the Crescent Moon, fantastic, we are introduced to characters, the world we are introduced to the ageing ghul-hunter Adoulla and its magic at a reasonable pace. During the middle- and his assistant, the dervish Raseed. Adoulla is more part, there is a slump, a big zone of let’s-tell-this-one- than tired of his life of demon-hunting, spell-casting, and unimportant-scene-reeeeaaally-slowly, for which I saw generally living in danger. He is also somewhat foul- no reason whatsoever. Then again, at the end, the book mouthed and very likable. Juxtaposed to the zealot was impossible to put down. When action meets ac- Raseed, the novel created a great dynamic between tion, Saladin Ahmed is at his best. their points of view and I just loved how the author There are many little things wrong with the never lectures us on what to think. He merely pres- book. I was disappointed in the magic system and the ents people of very different beliefs and lets us choose revelations at the end, but despite all that, I enjoyed whose side we’re on. Or not pick a side at all. myself immensely. This is a fun adventure story with a For a while, Adoulla and Raseed, who go out cool setting where religion is involved in practically ev- to hunt a group of ghuls that killed a family, remain erything the characters do or say. It didn’t live up to the the two point of view characters. Until they meet the massive hype, but it was a book I’d recommend for a girl Zamia whom I absolutely adored. I loved how she quick, light fantasy read that isn’t an alternate medieval complicated the group dynamics even more, bringin in Europe. an entirely different way of life and culture. Seeing cer- tain scenes from each of their perspectives shone an THE GOOD: Great characters who face (mostly in- interesting light on them and moved the story along ner) conflicts that kept me interested. A cool setting even in the quieter moments. However, later on other and fantastic action writing. characters are introduced and they also get their own view point chapters. It’s probably a matter of taste, but THE BAD: Two unnecessary POV characters, drag- I felt disrupted and even a little betrayed. I loved the ging middle-part. focus on that trio of unequal heroes, I did’t want to see into other people’s heads. Characters can also be es- THE VERDICT: A fun fantasy novel in an Arabian tablished without having their own view point chapter, setting that suffers some first-novel-problems. Recom- after all. mended. To me, the most interesting parts of this book RATING: 7/10 – Quite good 10 Blackout A Very Loosely Related Article by Christopher J Garcia

Blogs are the future of journalism. exactly the kind of thing that I’m betting could end up Right? leading to the Feds wanting to lock things down, to get Maybe. Quite possibly. The world of journalism some form of control. Reddit’s users were acting as a is changing, and Mira’s concept of a tightly-controlled combination of journalists and detectives, and that’s the blogosphere with registration and so on was was kind of thing that major groups would LOVE to lock something I didn’t quite buy into the idea because I saw down, if possible. that the most obvious concept: large corporations will One thing that I didn’t know was on-line was the always find a way to turn any movement into a money- Boston Police radio network. It was kinda shocking that making process. they wouldn’t protect it, try and keep the voices out of Then Boston happened, and specifically the ears of the general public, but no, it’s out there. I get Watertown, and I realised it was a thinner possibility why, there’ve been people with scanners for decades, than I had thought, though that it might also have given I remember a couple of folks in my neighborhood had first push towards requiring the kind of registration one when I was little, we even listened to it some after that was featured in Newsflesh. the 1989 Earthquake. There was a lot of info going out Why? over the internet, and a LOT of us were listening. I was, Sunil Tripathi. no doubt, especially during the Cambridge-Watertown OK, let’s start with the bombing. Almost portion of the chase and standoff. It was after the immediately after the bombing, there was a flurry of photos of the Tsarnaev Brothers were published that activity. Twitter, Facebook, blogs, on and on. Everywhere they seemed to get agitated and things happened fast you turned, there was talk, nowhere more than Reddit. and furious. First off, it was messy, as there was all sorts Reddit is a social media site I know next to nothing of information flying around, and over the radio system about. They generate a lot of content, that’s for sure. came a name - Sunil Tripathi. Basically, Reddit turned into a sleuthing site. There Well, it was Sunil Tripathi and another man, but were Redditors who were doing everything they could his name was the one that stood out. He’d been missing to find the guy, examining and re-examining photos and for about a month, and though there wasn’t much to video of the bombings, posting things, asking questions tie him in with the bombing other then he had gone and even naming a few potential suspects… or at least missing, his name went over the wire and got passed persons of interest. around. I was one of ‘em, I have to confess. It was over The Law Enforcement Community didn’t take the police radio, it had to be right, right? them too seriously, though I understand that they took Right? a few of their ideas to heart,started a few investigations There’s the problem, and what I expect to get into people named there. It’s not the first time this has folks looking seriously at how to deal with these things. happened, there were USENET postings during 9/11, Twitter and Facebook are difficult things, though it’s not for example, but never to this level, or this organized, impossible to believe that there will be consequences in it seems. It was kinda like the Old West: a posse the larger arena, if not from this specific event, from the had formed and were lookin’ for the man who shot ones that are sure to follow. Imagine that it happens again, their pa, of a sort. I have to say that they got a fair maybe this time in another country. Is it unexpected that bit down the rabbit hole, I think I saw a photo of the these kinds of things could lead to the kind of regulation two bombers here first, though neither were identified that could lead to a Newsflesh sort of world? as suspects, though I wasn’t following closely. This is Well, without the zombies. 11 Blackout A Review by Beth Zuckerman

In my review of the first book in Mira Grant’s for Steve Irwin) specialize in poking sticks at dangerous exciting Newsflesh series, Feed, I quoted Andy Trembley things like zombies. (Irwins are often particularly fond as saying that it was “a political allegory in the form of live video feeds.) But like worthy reporters, these of a zombie novel.” Andy corrected me, saying it was characters are determined to pursue the revelation of really “a political thriller in the form of a zombie novel.” truth at any cost, even if it kills them. In this way, Grant I think, now, that all of these concepts are important conveys a sense of grand heroism. in our analysis of the Newsflesh series, and that the It’s obvious that Grant is a fan of Whedon’s whole thing is best described as “a political allegory in work; she names a major character “Buffy.” While I the form of a zombie thriller.” think she displays a real measure of skill in the ironic Because thrilling it is. This series truly keeps you on the edge of your seat, biting your nails for more. (Even though I’ve reviewed the first two books, Feed and Deadline, before, here I’m going to write a review of the series as a whole, because, without the rest of the series, Blackout would be very incomplete and rather meaningless.) While many find this sort of writing simplistic and formulaic, I admit a personal bias in favor of really thrilling stuff. But as thrilling as the thrills are, there’s much more to the Newsflesh series; the element of political allegory is even more important. Grant ridicules the hysteria behind the War on Terror, by turning the terrorists into zombies. We’ve definitely got legitimate zombie hysteria here; they’re a real threat. And Grant has an interesting technical explanation for how the zombie virus got started (the road to hell is paved with good intentions...). But the response of the CDC to the zombie threat, arming every doorway with mandatory blood tests that upload the results directly to the CDC (so that any threat can be neutralized almost immediately), is a clear example of obnoxious security overkill. In this fashion, with ironic detachment and deadpan humor worthy of Joss Whedon, Grant brilliantly satirizes the War on Terror. Grant also speaks to her readers about modern journalism. Her main characters are reporters for a news site called After the End Times. They are divided into three groups: Newsies, Fictionals, and Irwins. Newsies are sincere bloggers, reporting the news and their take on it. Fictionals put more of their own spin into the story, filling it with emotion. Irwins (named, yes, 12 detachment department, I don’t see that she brings us two books remain, and I can’t wholeheartedly endorse to quite the same emotional highs and lows as Joss, or these books without pointing out this major failing. even the melodramatic Marti Noxon. For one thing, the All in all, however, if you love satire, if you romantic relationships in these books just don’t work love ironic detachment, if you love page after page of right or ring true; they fall completely flat. But I think thrilling excitement, if you loved Buffy, you will love this the larger problem is that Grant’s work is almost too creative and exciting series. I can’t deny that, in spite ironically detached; while you care about the characters, of its major flaws, I hung on every word. I could barely it’s hard to get worked up about them in the same way wait for each of the subsequent volumes to become that you got worked up about Willow. I think this arises available, and I bumped this series to the top of my partly from the large number of characters, and the priority list each time a new book came out. If I put difficulty in distinguishing the different voices. aside all considerations of quality and judged books I could go on at great length about the narrative solely on the criteria of How Much I Enjoyed Reading voices in these books, and how the obvious flaw in Them, the Newsflesh series would be at the top of my it drove me absolutely freaking insane. I can think of Hugo list. I think I’ll put the flaws down to Mira’s being a several ways in which Grant could have easily eliminated relatively new writer (she won the 2010 Campbell) and the narrative voice problem. She didn’t, and the very look forward to her more mature work (with bated severe problem is there. While things get better in the breath!). final novel, the issues that bothered me about the first

13 Blackout (Newsflesh #3) A Review by Regina & Michelle First appeared at http://badassbookreviews.com/hot-new-release-review-and-giveaway-blackout/

Regina and Michelle’s Review: 5 Skulls; Deadline, which I loved and not as much as Blackout, Grade A+ which is my favorite. For me, Mira really hit her stride *excitedly received from Orbit and Netgalley in with Blackout. The alternating points of view were very exchange for a review* effective and I loved the blog posts from the various team members. The way Mira tells her story, both Rise up while you can. -Georgia Mason in first person point of view from various characters and in a journal format via quotes and blog excerpts, The year was 2014. The year we cured cancer. The really worked for me. It gave the story a multi-layered year we cured the common cold. And the year the dead feel. started to walk. The year of the Rising. Blackout was non-stop struggle, fight and chase The year was 2039. The world didn’t end when from the beginning. The action never stopped but it the zombies came, it just got worse. Georgia and Shaun was my favorite kind of action. I skim or close my Mason set out on the biggest story of their generation. eyes during fight scenes and car chase sequences but The uncovered the biggest conspiracy since the Rising and the action in Blackout had me hooked. I did not miss realized that to tell the truth, sacrifices have to be made. a word. I wondered about people’s motives, I worried Now, the year is 2041, and the investigation that that there would be unresolved issues and I worried began with the election of President Ryman is much bigger about my favorite characters. I shouldn’t have worried. than anyone had assumed. With too much left to do and Not everyone can live or survive in a world like this not much time left to do it in, the surviving staff of After the one, but the characters are dealt with fairly and I was End Times must face mad scientists, zombie bears, rogue satisfied with the outcome. government agencies-and if there’s one thing they know is A book about a zombie plague that affected the true in post-zombie America, it’s this: world’s mammal population and a future dytsopia setting Things can always get worse. is bound to have its unbelievable moments, but for me Blackout is the conclusion to the epic trilogy that this never happened. Mira Grant writes this book in began in the Hugo-nominated Feed and the sequel, Deadline such a way that it is believable. A lingering question at the end of every zombie book is –how did the zombie Michelle’s Initial Thoughts plague happen? Well, in Newsflesh Mira Grant lays it What I absolutely love about this series is that out for the readers. We know why it happened. She Mira Grant makes her world seem so believable. Her provides enough detail to readers so that the science is attention to detail is so extreme, that as a reader, I acceptable. Her world building is not just in boundaries almost forgot that it wasn’t real. My favorite little and political alignments, but is is also done with science. attention to detail- the hair being lighter due to the Political plots can be a real yawner. Ther are some decontamination. books with political plotlines that I liked (Kushiel’s Dart Shaun really grew up in this novel. He went and Game of Thrones are some examples), but I from being George’s sidekick to being a force to be prefer an action based plot or a character driven plot reckoned with. — Blackout manages to have both and has politics I loved the ending. I thought, considering all the intertwined and somehow is still. There is political possible ways she could have ended the series, she did intrigue, backstabbing and power hungry grabbers. But it so masterfully. there are other political elements as well. One of the political themes that I picked up on, is the idea that Regina’s Initial Thoughts citizens should not trust a government or authority I was in love with this book from the beginning. that derives its power from fear. Mira touches on this I should say upfront, I liked Feed but not as much as theme very subtly and effectively but does not hit the 14 reader over the head with it. But what I thought was Were you convinced (about George and her interesting, but questioning the government on the “resurrection”)? issue of fear and safety, she is calling into question the premise of the world she has constructed. Are those Michelle: Absolutely. Without going into the science multiple blood tests really necessary? Necessary or of the “resurrection”, I think Grant’s explanation is not, they play a key role in the books but there is a convincing. In fact, I quizzed one of our scientists here hint that these blood tests may be used as a method at work, and while she laughed at me regarding the of pacification and mollification rather than simply a entire “zombie” thing, she did say that in the future, this safety measure. type of cloning is possible (but unlikely). While reading the first two books I often wondered — what about the people who live off the Regina: I definitely was. But I struggled with the concept grid? Was that even possible? Mira takes the readers of is it George and I was sad that George was still off the grid in Deadline; we get to see people who dead. I guess it depends on if you are coming from the have walked away from the fences and the government point of view of whether we are all neural connections protection. While the first two books had more of a and impulses or if there is something more. That first dystopia setting feel by showing us the off-the grid folks George died and she never got to see whether her it was evident that the apocalypse was still going on. And struggle or her heroism paid off. that is downright scary. It really isn’t under control but what the government is doing to maintain the problem Michelle: I didn’t struggle which I thought was odd. I isn’t working. There are so many issues addressed in fully embraced the new George. I loved how the new this book — power, greed, love, desparation ….. George did not embrace the other versions (spoiler Ugh, I am so sad this trilogy is over. I would territory here). I think my reason is what are we but love to have more stories about these characters. I am a bunch of memories and our learned behavior from hoping Mira Grant considers returning to this world. those memories. Now if we are talking George’s soul, She has created something so unique in the zombie well, that will take another book. genre that deserves to be revisited. So what did you think? Regina: Ah, the other versions. How did I forget about those? You are right, there was no lamenting or sadness in her decision to do what she did at the CDC.

Is Shaun crazy?

Michelle: Definitely not. I think towards the end we see that his imaginary George conflicted with the real deal (can’t figure out how to explain my answer without being spoilerish) and how Shaun actually started to recognize that reality was where he wanted to be grounded in rather than in his imagination. I think imaginary George was a coping mechanism. With some people, when faced with a shocking trauma (and shooting someone you love is probably the worst type of trauma you can endure), you use drugs, alcohol, or even OCD type of behavior. With Shaun, he created 15 a security blanket for himself, – imaginary George. I the latter third of the book was not plotted out well thought it was brilliant. It was like a written journal that enough or it was all over the map. I see where they talked back! are coming from, but I respectifully disagree (you know who you are! ) The pacing never bothered me and I Regina: Haha, a written journal that talked back. That enjoyed the ride. I was doing some of those isometric is exactly right. I think he was kinda gone. He refused stomach clenches mentioned in the book during many to accept reality and refused to engage in reality . many scenes because I was so nervous, but to me it Mira wrote this so well. I loved how other characters was hectic because of what they were going through started wondering what “she” was thinking. and the flow was never jerky or unbelievable.

Michelle: I thought this was so brilliant. What do we do Michelle: I found the flow to be perfect. I loved it. I’ve when we can’t cope? The unsuccessful copers (is that never clung to every word in such a manner as I did in a word) use drugs and alcohol to forget, to not take this book, with this series! responsibility. Shaun had imaginary George. Absolutely brilliant. Regina: Me too. I was in engaged in this internal struggle to finish the book as fast as a could but also Regina: Yup — great point. And George noted that to make it last. they way she would have coped is suicide. Did the Bear live up to the hype? Becks (without being spoilerish) Regina: Hell yeah! That was Badass!

Michelle: OMG. I loved Becks. She is reality. Sadly, she Michelle: hahaha! That was. was reality when Shaun was in make-believe. When Shaun got out of make-believe, he no longer needed Gross or not Gross and I don’t mean the her. I think the way the story ended for Becks was zombie parts: (This IS A Spoiler) oddly beautiful. She was at peace with her decision and Regina’s: Mira wrote Shaun and George as a couple was doing what she did best. so matter of fact and so non explicitly that I accepted their relationship and was satisfied with it. I can see Regina: Becks was the “what if” aspect of Shaun’s life. where some readers may be frustrated that this theme What if he never met George? What if he was able keeps appearing in popular fiction right now. It wasn’t to move on after George’s death? Becks could be the gross or titillating in my opinion. answer for Shaun in both scenarios. Mira wrote her as the almost perfect companion, side kick and balancing Michelle: I never had a problem with Shaun and George. act for Shaun. Almost. And you made me think of I did not consider them siblings, at all. They were two something Michelle, Becks was reality where Shaun people used by two other adult people, that grew up was insanity — George did that for Shaun when she in the same household.. In my opinion, it would be like was alive didn’t she? He was having fun and goofing off, saying a guy and girl cannot get married because they but George was all business. I guess maybe Becks was played together as children. I don’t know. It just never less business and more fun than George but definitely bothered me. not less real nor less heroic. It kind of stings to read that he no longer needed her, but really, he didn’t. Regina: Great comparison. I also like what Mira said about it in her interview here. Michelle: Thinking of Becks makes me sad. She was such a great character. She deserved better, more. But So what do you think? yeah, she was used. Combined Rating: Regina: Okay, I am sad now.

Was it all over the place for you? Regina: I have seen some reviewers write that for them 16 Blackout (Newsflesh #3) A Review by Catie

I was over the top excited to read this final or how random the plot, or how convenient some of installment, but I admit that I was also nervous. I loved the scenarios. Grant really knows how to keep the Deadline, but I found myself balking a bit at what Alaric pace moving and her characters are each so unique and would call the “Mad Science.” I have no flipping clue full of personality. I loved the entire ensemble. how to review this and remain spoiler free but I am Still… something was missing in this book for going to try my hardest! me. I just didn’t feel the emotional gut-wrench that I’d And I guess that means that I can’t even really become accustomed to with the previous two books. summarize anything that’s happened in the previous The first two books in this series made my cry real two books. Ummm… there were conspiracies and tears – not just a few little prickles but full on crying. deaths (oh so many deaths!), high-stakes journalism and And, just to put things in perspective – this book has heroic bloggers, twists that we never saw coming, and just as much death as the previous two. But no tears. a few zombies thrown in for good measure. I laughed, Even in the climactic, endgame scene involving my I cried, I shook my fist in frustration. favorite character – I just didn’t feel it. Here’s what I absolutely loved about this I think the forward momentum in this book installment: I had so many doubts, but Mira Grant made really stalled out for the last third. Things started to me forget every single one. I got so swept up in the feel repetitive: run, fight, use witty banter as a coping first two thirds of this book. For the first two thirds, I mechanism, describe a posh hotel in intricate detail, couldn’t care less just how out-there the science was, run, fight, use witty banter as a coping mechanism, describe a posh hospital in intricate detail, run, fight, use witty banter as a coping mechanism, describe a posh laboratory in intricate detail... and so on. And the reasoning behind all of this running felt shaky at best. The witty banter, which I previously found funny, really started to wear on me by the end. I just wantedsomeone to show an honest emotion! Stop joking about it for like a second! Then, feel free to resume. However, all of these things were more like niggling doubts I had. The major thing 17 that prevented me from really loving this book was something very very spoilerific, so you’ll all have to excuse me if this gets really confusing. Remember at the end of Feed? When Mira Grant did one of the most courageous, bold things I’ve ever seen in fiction and just blew all of our hearts to smithereens? I felt like I actually grieved. But then, in this book… it really felt to me like all of that courage and bravery was just being undone. It felt like a major cop-out on her part. And I did love the scenes where she attempted to remind us all of that certain event, and that it had happened, and that it could never be changed. BUT, for all of this verbal reminding, I never felt like she showed us that it hadn’t been magically undone. If a hypothetical “development” walks, talks, and goes by the name of a duck, isn’t it essentially a duck? And I really didn’t want it to be a duck, at least not all of the time. I wanted it to have issues acting like a duck some of the time. I wanted it to forget how to quack or waddle or swim. I wanted its little duckie friends not to recognize it immediately. Otherwise, it just feels so shallow. It doesn’t feel real. It feels like a magic fairy tale solution. Are you all confused yet? Time to wrap this up then. In short, I still really liked this series. It’s fun; it’s fast-paced; it’s much better and more inventive than most. I had my issues with it but I think they’re more about personal preference. These books are well worth reading.

Perfect Musical Pairing Temple of the Dog - Say Hello to Heaven I have no idea why these books remind me of my favorite 90’s grunge bands, but there it is. Of course, I used a Pearl Jam song for George and a Soundgarden song for Shaun so... the only natural thing to do for this book is Temple of the Dog. *wink* This song really isn’t for either of them though. This was written by the remaining members of Mother Love Bone, after their lead singer Andrew Wood died. This is my song for the wall - for all the brilliant characters I mourned during the course of this series. 3.5/5 Stars

18 Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance A Very Loosely Related Article by Christopher J Garcia

Yeah, I got nothing. easily read some of their stuff, but the rest not nearly I knew this one would be tough because I don’t as easily. Folks like Carol Emshwiller, John Ringo, How- enjoy reading Bujold’s stuff, for the most part, and ard Hendrix, Frank Herbert, and probably most notably couldn’t even begin to get into Captain Vorpatril’s Alli- David Brin. I can gobble up a fair bit of Brin, and there’s ance. How am I to put together a Very Loosely Related a fair bit that I can’t even begin to read! Article on a book I can’t read? Well, maybe that’s the whole thing. Why can’t I get into Bujold? I’m not 100% certain I know. Of all her novels, I’ve tried to read about 7. I’ve finished one. A to- tal of one. I’ve made it 1/2 of the way through another three I think. The rest? I tried, got a bit in and dropped off. It happens. What is it that makes someone unable to con- nect with a specific writer. For example, I enjoy Connie Willis’ short fiction. I’d say she’s one of my favorites. I don’t much enjoy her novels. I’m not sure why, but I’ve never found her novels that great, though I enjoyed Blackout a bit more than any of the others I’ve tried to read. Scalzi has a similar problem. I like Old Man’s War, enjoyed Agent to the Stars, and even Redshirts, but most of the rest have either left me without an opinion, or actively angry; Zoe’s Tale being the prime example of that. I think for the Vorgosigan Saga, my big problem is that I don’t actually enjoy reading any of the charac- ters. Miles waffles between boring the hell out of me and actively annoying me. Ivan (aka Ivan You Idiot!) is such a slight character that to make a book about him is much like trying to give Rosencrantz and Guilden- stern their own play without the genius absurdism. It’s funny in that those are three who are known for their comedy. Scalzi can be very funny, same with Connie, and I’m told Bujold is the same. Maybe that’s it. I love VOnnegut, but have had trouble reading Sheck- ley over the years. Ron Goulart is another comedic SF writer who I just don’t dig. Maybe it’s comedy that turns me off, though I very much enjoyed Redshirts more than Scalzi’s more serious works. Weird. There are some other authors who I am able to 19 Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance A Review by Sara Dickinson

This is not one of Lois Bujold’s profound, heart- any hints in there about the events of this book. But tearing efforts--but it’s fun, and funny, and it’s a joy to see as it’s about Miles, and as it’s six years down the road, Ivan, who is usually overshadowed by his brilliant (and well...there may not be. It’s not as though the Vorkosigan crazy) cousin Miles, shine. Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance books were written in order, after all.) And, considering builds on the glimpses we had, in Memory and in Civil the light, fluffy fare of Alliance here, it’s really a very Campaign, of the real Ivan Vorpatril: a man who is just good thing that it’s not set after Cryoburn, as one as highly intelligent as his insane Vorkosigan relatives would expect any follow-up to THAT one to deal with but...less insane. He likes a quiet life. He likes a job that the bombshell dropped at its end. It’s fairly clear, too, does not require huge shots of adrenalin, or people that things will work out for Ivan, despite his romantic trying to kill him, or having to produce insane, last frustration as we last saw it in A Civil Campaign. Like minute plans to save everybody. He likes flowcharts, his uncle, he had better luck in marrying a galactic--and not practical applications of chaos theory. In short, Ivan unlike Miles, he had no trouble convincing her to stay Vorpatril likes order, organization, and keeping things on Barrayar. neat. Where his cousin(s) are masters of chaos and on- Some reviews I have seen found Tej to be a bit the-fly brilliance, he is a master of the orderly. mild and boring and unworthy of Ivan. I have to disagree, at least on the boring and unworthy-of-Ivan part. Beware of spoilers below!!! Granted, compared to most of the Amazons that Miles tended to hook up with--and even bearing in mind her Naturally, that gets shot to hell--in a small way- quiet nature, Ekaterin is still a warrior woman, albeit -in this novel. And Ivan proves that he is not without a of the Vor type--Tej is a bit “dull.” She is somewhat share of the family ability to produce insane-plans-that- amazonian in build, being (so I gathered) about six feet turn-out-brilliant-in-the-long-run: when placed into a tall (or very close to it) and with a distinctly generous situation that, on a smaller scale, greatly resembles some figure (hooray for another Bujold heroine who is NOT of Miles’s, he panics, and then produces a workable, spur skinny!). But one must remember that Ivan is NOT of the moment solution. It’s not a particularly original Miles. Ivan likes order, and stability, and organization, plan--in fact it comprises the plot of any number of remember? I think many of us (and I admit to falling romance novels, ie, marry the heroine in order to save for it myself from time to time) often forget that Ivan her from some worse fate/help her out of trouble. is not, in fact, an adrenaline junkie like Miles. To be sure, What turns this on its head a bit, however, is the fact he popped up in many of Miles’s insane adventures, that there is, overall, a notable lack of angst. To be sure, particularly early in their careers, and he pulled Ivan is faced with a little bit when he realizes that, through more than adequately. And no one can fault despite years of avoiding it, he quite likes being married, his brilliant method of dealing with depressed Miles in and to his wife in particular, and he ends up with a bit of Memory, when Ivan hauled Duv Galeni (an extremely worry over whether or not he can convince her to stay dubious and half-terrified Galeni) in to shock Miles put. She has some of the same angst, and like previous out of his funk. But Ivan has never, over the course of Vorkosigan saga heroines who are not Cordelia, she the books, stopped voicing his dislike of being dragged has Relatives, and they are a Pain. (Loveable, but a Pain.) into Miles’s messes. He still, more than a decade after Insofar as suspense goes, there really isn’t much the events of Brothers in Arms, loathes dark enclosed in the book. Because it’s set a good six years before wet spaces (and it isn’t claustrophobia, dammit! It’s a Cryoburn, we all know that Ivan gets out of any serious perfectly reasonable fear!). He still clings happily to his danger. (I’m racking my brain though--I’ve only read job as a “secretary” (albeit at this point its for the head Cryoburn once so far--and I don’t recall there being of Barrayaran Military Ops, arguably one of the single 20 most important positions in the empire)and does his damndest to avoid promotion (which brings with it jobs that do not entail organization and flowcharts). It makes sense, therefore, that Ivan would fall in love with a woman who comes from an extremely colorful family of overachievers but who herself would really like to be left alone to pursue quiet, calmer interests. In other words, Ivan’s love affair is NOT a case of “opposites attract” (which I always find a bit unbelievable) but rather a case of “Oh, hey, we share definitely compatible views on life and life-goals.” This is not the frankly unlikely plot of a romance novel, folks, despite it playing with romance novel tropes. It is, really, a pretty calm and realistic story of two people falling in love. Because it’s part of the Vorkosiverse, though, the manner in which Ivan and Tej meet, and various other events in their courtship/marriage, are pretty spectacular, ranging from an ImpSec sting (and hooray! Byerly Vorrutyer being snarky!) to ImpSec screwing up (Byerly again, as well as various other ImpSec “weasels”) and Ivan stepping in to prevent ImpSec from making a complete hash of his quiet life. Again. There are also Jacksonians, bounty hunters (mostly, as Ivan calls them, “bargain ninjas” who suck at their jobs), a pretty exciting treasure hunt and, in what is perhaps a disaster that might just top Miles’s Epic Failed Dinner Party, the hilarious Sinking of the ImpSec HQ building. More excitement than Ivan likes, but nothing approaching Miles Vorkosigan-levels of excitement--fortunately for position and does not want to risk getting reassigned Ivan’s state of mind. Overall, it’s a farce much like Civil or promoted somewhere less peaceful. And, over and Campaign: no empire-threatening plots, and no real above all of this, Ivan Vorpatril (despite being a jerk as casualties other than people’s pride or expectations. a very young man) is a nice man. He’s thoughtful, and (Simon Illyan’s pride being one of the most notable- helpful, and courteous to women. His so-successful -the man finally gets bored enough to screw up, and seduction technique? Making women laugh. And also Gregor is forced to quietly suggest to Lady Alys that playing the odds, and going to places where there are she take him on a long vacation. Off planet.) likely many women looking for company and therefore What I loved best about this book was the increasing his odds of success. When he is forced to fact that, at long last, we get to meet the “real” Ivan focus on one woman solely (his attempt to “rescue” Vorpatril. And no, he is not a superhero commando. He Tej at the start of it all), he actually crashes and burns is, more or less, exactly what he’s been trying to tell his fairly spectacularly. Also, as he points out to Byerly, his relatives he is all along: a highly capable Ops clerk who reputation as a “womanizer” has come at the cost of really loves flowcharts, organization, and QUIET. What many, many breakups--all of which, he also admits to he is NOT, however, is a feckless idiot, having outgrown himself, he has felt fairly keenly, regardless whether or that years ago. Alliance points out, much to my personal not he was the one doing the breaking up, or being delight, that just because he lacks the flashy, explosive broken up with. Because, after all, Ivan Vorpatril is not brilliance of his cousin Miles (or, indeed, his Uncle Aral) actually a rake (this being another trope the book plays this does not mean he is in any way stupid or incapable. with and turns on its head): he’s a Nice Guy. He even actively sabotages a superior’s glowing report And let’s face it: any woman with sense-- of his incredibly adept skills as organizer, expediter, and especially one who also wants a quiet life--goes after a general efficiency-guru because he likes his current Nice Guy. 21 Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance 2 Reviews Liz Lichtfield Kate

This was entirely too funny for words. ‘Budget Oh this was funny, and really, really enjoyable. ninjas’ will stick with me for quite some time, as will the I’ve never been one of those Bujold fans who have plot point of instant breakfast groats.The structure of this longed to hear more about Ivan Vorpatril, to be honest, book actually follows the Sharing Knife (Beguilement) he irritated me a little as he was obviously lazy and, series in miniature- romance, followed by reconciling well, he’s just Ivan “you idiot” Vorpatril.... with the two families, followed by mad adventure. Ivan’s But here, we get a whole book of him, and to POV is well done- honest to previous characterization be honest, Bujold has made him a far more rounded of his feckless youth but quite convincing of his very character where his motivations become clearer - es- real adult smarts and talents. His role as aide de camp, sentially he’s been all for an easy life because he’s got sorting out snakes, was particularly funny to me as I first hand experience of what happens if you dabble in myself was filling in as an aide de camp at the time I politics - his father having been gunned down in the read the book. Tej is a good partner for Ivan, and if her street the day he was born. characterization as the happily normal child in a family I loved the descriptions of the way Ivan’s mind of absurd overachievers parallels Ivan’s just a smidge works. For instance, his job is to prioritise information too closely, I chose to go with it. for his boss in the military, and he describes the mes- I particularly loved Ivan’s sages which arrive every day foreshadowed career path- using the metaphor of snakes Barrayar needs people who in various stages of venomos- can keep a lid on trouble just ity, aliveness and deadness, and as much as it needs its famous depending on the state of the manic fireman-in-chief. snake depends on what is dones My only regret is this with it (e.g the hissing, lively ven- book renders one of my favorite omous ones go *straight* to the fanfics ever no longer canon- boss). This is a great way to see feasible:http://archiveofourown. this sort of work prioritization org/works/4916 While By did and I have definitely got applica- have an excellent starring role in tion for it in my work life! CVA (no complaints!), I always So, I’m not going to give did see him as made for Ivan... any spoilers about what hap- pens because that would be a shame (although I will say that Ivan finally meets his match in a woman), but this book is a real laugh and I thoroughly enjoyed it

22 2312 A Very Loosely Related Article by Christopher J Garcia

In 300 years, I will be 338. fight disease, reverse some previously irreversible That’s a ripe old age, no? I mean, it won’t be by conditions. Cancer treatments, for example, have gone that point. There’ll be folks in their 350s, maybe even from almost unchanged for 500 years (tumor removal their 380s. Science will save us all, you know, right? I’ll has been around since the Middle Ages) and now, in be 338 years old, and there’ll still be folks I can call ‘Old less than 50 years, we have increased almost every Timer! aspect of our knowledge and ability to fight it. Recently, There have been old-timers, in the past. A few a mouse test was done, with various treatments, it lived of them may have even approached 300! While they more than 3 times its normal lifespan. That was largely may not have been fully true, it’s almost impossible for because of telemerose treatments, as I hear it. 300+ them all to be lies. Old Tom Parr only lived for 150+ years don’t sound like it’ll be impossible now, does it? years. Li Ching-Yuen is one of the most interesting Now, functional immortality is a difficult thing. cases of Longevity. He was supposedly over 197 years The fact, there’ll still be accidents, cancers of particular old, though other sources say he was over 250. He was kinds will likely both remain and arise, super-germs and seven feet tall, had funky curly fingernails. There’s no the like may well develop simply from the processes we question he was old and popular, but it’s also possible develop to increase lifespans. Hunger because of over- he was being mixed up with his Grandfather. Then crowding? Yeah, I can see that. Asteroid? That may well again, there were folks who said their grandfathers happen. Sun going nova? Well, of course. knew him and THEY said he had been old when they The big thing is that we’re gonna have to get were kids. You never know. Zuo Ci was 300. He was off this rock, and we’re gonna need people who were quite possibly a mythical figure, though there is some of Earth to go far off into the Dark, into possibility. evidence. He was a magician, according to tradition. That’s a bold move, and it’s looking more and more He eventually walked into the mountains, as often like Cryo ain’t gonna be an option for humans (plus, happens with bored immortals, no? Nestor of Rome it’s a GIANT energy drain), so extra-longlived persons lived for more than 300 years. So was Praotec Cech, are gonna be required. Human engineering’s gonna be aka forefather Czech, one of the legendary founders of the most important thing to get us off this rock and Czechoslovakia. Saint Servatius made it to 375, a good into the future. You put ten, twenty people who were long live by any standard. Trailanga Swami was said to alive a hundred years ago on a ship with a few hundred be somewhere around 350, though others say as young or thousand people of ‘natural’ lifespans, reproducing as 279. He certainly lived a long time, dying in 1887, naturally, and you’ve solved several problems of Society. and was widely known for at least 100 years. This one I You’ve found a way to carry-on traditions of Earth, to tend to think is the truth, though it defies explanation. bring cultures along. It’s a way to do things. Now, what will it mean to be 338 years old in Of course, keeping people alive for the Long 2312? Now that’s an interesting question. Run is resource intensive, so there’s that. Resources Medicine seems to have caught on to Moore’s are gonna be utterly important, and highly protected, in Law, and not only because of computer modeling and any long-term trip, so you can’t have a lot of ‘em, but a drug development. Well, maybe it’s largely because of few will be utterly important. it. The fact is, we’ve discovered ways to extend life, 23 2312 A Review by Anne Charnock

I have to admit that I haven’t read Kim Stanley aged 191 years at her death, was the linchpin of a Robinson’s fiction before and on the strength of 2312 conspiracy spanning the Solar System. I’ll read his Mars Trilogy, which established him as a big So what’s happening back home? Well, Earth hitter, with a literary bent, in the realm of hard SF. is almost ice-free; sea levels are 11metres higher. Truth is, I don’t really gravitate to otherworld Manhattan is the new Venice. science fiction. I suppose because I’m mainly interested “No, Earth was a mess, a sad place. And yet still in social science fiction I’ve tended towards Earth- the centre of the story. It had to be dealt with, As Alex had based scenarios. I’m now thinking I should reconsider always said, or nothing done in space was real.” this bias. And here’s Swan back on Earth: The main protagonist in 2312 is Mercury-born “She moved into the sun whenever she could. That Swan Er Hong, a well-regarded designer of artificial was the direct radiation of Sol, slamming into her naked worlds created in burrowed-out and terraformed skin. It was amazing to stand in the light of the sun without asteroids. Of all Earth’s mammals, 92% are endangered dying of it. This was the only place in the solar system where and they mostly live in these off-planet asteroids, which that could happen…” conveniently double as interplanetary transport systems Robinson has a terrific imagination and presents and food producers. Swan has shifted her career to a range of worlds where gender is blurred and where landscape art with some performance art thrown in. I individuals can chose to have brain implants – qubes – really dislike how Robinson gives generic terms for art and all manner of add-ons. Swan is particularly addicted installations (goldsworthies and abramovics) based on to these add-ons including one allowing her to trill two current artists – Andy Goldsworthy and Marina bird-song. But I found her qube, named Pauline, quite Abramovic. irritating (as did Swan, for that matter). But putting that aside, I was surprised that Robinson has written a humungous Robinson left it quite late (20% book and it’s set, time-wise, at a into the ebook) to give a specific point in human history when the description of Swan, through the balance of power is shifting from eyes of another character, Kirwan. Earth to Venus and the big moons. By this point I already had a picture I always like a novel that’s sited at a of Swan in my mind. cusp. And the action kicks in when Robinson alternates chapters the city of Terminator on Mercury with short lists and extracts, a is destroyed. Swan is distraught reasonable solution to the problem at the loss of her home and joins of giving readers the back story forces with Inspector Jean Genette to the novel. I looked forward to to investigate the catastrophe, these brief interludes and they which has shocked Earth and all helped to make the length of the the colonies. This disaster comes book a bit more digestible. In parts, shortly after the death of Swan’s the novel is rambling, with lengthy grandmother, Alex, who leaves and sometimes repetitive dialogue. secret messages for Swan to deliver But 2312 takes you on a fascinating to Earth and Venus. It seems Alex, journey all the same. 24 2312 A Review by Maria Tomchick

My first impression of this novel is that the au- American fiction: how self-reliant and self-actualized do thor could use a good editor, or needs to take up short- you really need to be? In the end, don’t you need other form poetry to sharpen his descriptive skills. Much of people--a connection to human society--as much or the book is repetitive and does little to propel the narra- even more than your personal, individual freedom? tive or bolster the main themes. For that, the book is worth the time it takes to And yet...I haven’t read a book in decades that read all of its 560 pages. And Robinson does provide reminds me of the best long-form science fiction of the many beautiful descriptive passages like this one of Silver Age (‘60’s and ‘70’s) like this book does. Robinson Titan, the terraformed moon of Saturn: “True sunlight looks forward to an era when humans have populated and mirrored sunlight crossed to make the landscape and terraformed Mars, Venus, and the moons of Saturn, shadowless, or faintly double-shadowed--strange to Swan’s when space-flight within our solar system is common, eye, unreal-looking, like a stage set in a theater so vast the and human lifespans have more than doubled. And, of walls were not visible. Gibbous Saturn flew through the course, the main theme of the novel is not just whether clouds above, its edge-on rings like a white flaw cracking that humanity can grow up as it grows outward, but what part of the sky.” I just wish the book were as condensed will humanity become--what will being “human” mean- and strking as this lively passage.} -when people can incorporate genes from animal species and alien bacteria into their bodies, and even implant quantum computers into their brains. In one passage that falls in the center of the book, Robinson riffs on the similarity between a linked group of quantum computers and the human brain. He asks: “if you program a purpose into a computer program, does that constitute its will? Does it have free will, if a programmer programmed its purpose? Is that programming any different from the way we are programmed by our genes and brains? Is a programmed will a servile will? Is human will a servile will? And is not the servile will the home and source of all feelings of defilement, infection, transgression, and rage?...could a quantum computer program itself?” The difference, of course, is that humans “programming” themselves with their own brains is how we might define “free will.” But Robinson nicely illustrates that our free will is limited by physical externalities: our physical bodies, the environment around us, the society in which we live, and the deceptively remote influence of historical forces. And so this big, sprawling work brings us back around to a question that lies at the heart of most 25 2312 A Review by Beth Zuckerman

I’m pleased to report my enjoyment 2312, Kim them for herself on purpose. There’s a lot of frustration Stanley Robinson’s latest work. I try to make a point here, and I think it reflects Robinson’s own frustration of seeing Stan at his annual appearance at SF in SF, and with the politics of climate change. always look forward to the opportunity to talk with him. For those of us who, like myself, love Robinson While I’ve enjoyed his last several books, the Science in in particular for his detailed space settings, there’s the Capital series andGalileo’s Dream, I haven’t loved plenty here to enjoy. The Solar System has been settled them as much as I loved the Mars series. Now, I won’t from Mercury to the Saturnian moons, and, separately go quite so far as to say that 2312 is quite as much fun and together, Swan, Warham and the other characters as the Mars series, but it’s the closest thing Robinson’s travel all over the system trying, in their own ways, to written in a while, and I recommend it. effectuate change. They have some exciting experiences I recommend this book even though it’s about along the way, facing threats that don’t exist in the terrorism, and I went on, in my review of Robert safety of earth’s atmosphere. There’s some good action Sawyer’s Trigges, about how utterly sick and tired I am here. of terrorism as a literary subject. But this is kind of a A noticeable percentage of 2312 consists of futurist space terrorism, not the ordinary, run-of-the- various interludes, describing how humanity dealt with mill presidential assassination attempt or blowing up (or didn’t deal with) the climate crisis on earth, Swan’s buildings sort of terrorism of which I am so thoroughly past experiences, the science in the book, etc. Some sick. This is a rather clever sort of terrorism that takes are more informative; others are more poetic. At first, most of the lengthy book to explain. I found the poetic interludes somewhat tiresome, but But while terrorism drives a lot of the plot, as the book went on, I came to delight in the manner there’s also much more to this book. Robinson returns in which Robinson has put together his words. This is a to his exploration, from the Science in the Capital series, much more literary work than most science fiction. of the potential effects of global warming. In 2312, the I would have appreciated it if Robinson warning signs of climate change were ignored on earth had drawn the plot a little more tightly. I liked Red until it was a little too late, and humanity was forced to Marsbetter than Blue or Green Mars, because I populate the other planets in the Solar System in a new thought the murder mystery element tied the whole diaspora. It turns out, however, that living in the sterile thing together more completely. 2312 suffers from the environment of space isn’t so good for human health, so same wandering of the plot as do Blue and Green Mars. space dwellers have to come back to the motherland However, I still loved Blue and Green Mars, and I liked every seven years just to dig their hands into some dirt 2312 quite a bit, too. Additionally, while I had sympathy and expose themselves to earth’s bacteria. With these for them, I did not exceptionally like the characters. I’m sabbaticals, and longevity treatments, humans are able sure Robinson intended for them to be difficult, and to live healthily well into their second centuries. this certainly doesn’t spoil the book, but, at the end, I In Robinson’s future, humans, long-lived or didn’t care for Swan and Warham the same way I cared not, are still humans, and subject to all of the usual for Anne and Sax. foibles. We see Swan and Warham handle their many With those caveats, I’ll say that, among the compromising situations rather imperfectly. Swan books I’ve read so far, 2312 is definitely among the seems to thrive on difficult circumstances, to create better works of 2012. 26 redshirts A Very Loosely Related Article by Christopher J Garcia

Star Trek. Wow. IT has a great impact on my life, are all sorts of problems with reality and science and even a starting from the fact that it delayed my birth. Dad was a hard few continuity problems, but those existed in TOS (and Next core Trekker, it was one of his greatest charms. He would Gen and DS9 and Voyager and Enterprise and on and on…) watch every time he was available to, and he had taken the and here, they’re spectacular because they make everything three days that my Mother was most likely to deliver off from more interesting. his job at the Ford plant in Fremont. They were in bed, around And for the first time in the movies, the comedy is 10am, and Mom announced that she had gone into labor. bigger and better. Now, typically, this would be a reason to go off to The Numb Tongue bit that Bones and Kirk do is the hospital, but ‘round these parts, there were two daily CLASSIC! It’s the kind of slapstick that works so well on the episodes of Star Trek on KTVU, one of which was at Noon, big screen, but only rarely on the boob tube. another at one. My Dad, in his wisdom, said that they’d go And part of that is the casting. Karl Urban as Bones after Star Trek. Mom, ever patient, agreed, though with some is probably the best bit of casting they’ve ever had in any of growing protest, and they stayed in bed until Star Trek was the versions. I think he has everything you need to be a real done. I’ve looked to see what episode it was. Dad always said ship’s doctor, as well as the perfect supporting needler that that it was Amok Time, but there’s no record in the local TV both Kirk and Spock needs. Zachery Quinto is also great as Guide. I know, I bought it off of eBay in 1999 and it just said Spock, he plays the role so well, and in the second film, Into Star Trek. Darkness, he gets his moment and makes the most of it. Chris Star Trek was the first science fiction TV I can Pine as Kirk? Good, at times very good, but overall, nothign remember. It was one of the first three TV shows I can to write home about. The scene in the first film where Kirk remember. I remember American Bandstand, I loved it when is in bed with a green girl (and as I understand it, this was I was a kid, I used to dance to it in the living room, often supposed to be a three-way with my friend Diora Baird as the waking up weekend sleeping Mom and Dad. There was The third!) and that scene was where he was best. He’s got a great 6 Million Dollar Man, and the Andre the Giant episode. Over smarmy Kirk thing going on! either of those, I remember watching Star Trek with my Dad; Zoe Saldana, who I’ve enjoyed at times since her turn Noon and 1pm, for all my early years. I watched a lot of Star in Center Stage, is OK, and Simon Peg and Deep Roy are both Trek TOS, and then I caught on with New Generation, and great. Roy is one of the best physical actors working today. rather enjoyed it. I had the argument with myself for years He was great all the way back in Dr. WHo & The Talons of over which was better, landing on Star Trek TOS as the more Weng Chi-ang. Now, I wasn’t much a fan of the guy they had iconic, but New Gen as the superior product. for the bad guy in the first new Star Trek, Eric Bana. He’s a Everything after those two, though, is pretty much decent actor, I really liked him in a little movie called Funny crap. Deep Space Nine had a few decent episodes, the People, but ultimately, he was a bit lightweight! Now, Benedict timeloop episode being one of my favorite of all the series, Cumberbatch from Into Darkness was THE BOMB! I mean and Voyager had some very good moments, but ultimately, he’s so great, all sorts of gravitas, and most importantly, you nothing came close to those two until the movies. believe he devotion and duty and pain. He plays it all so OK, I’m going to draw a line in the sand, and you’ll wonderfully. have to decide to either step across it and join me or turn The effects have a lot to do with it, of course, and and run, close your PDF reader and leave me stranded here. that’s the ultimate justification for all reboots: it allows a The JJAbrams movies are better than any of the new generation who has new expectations for technological series. filmmaking. The best example of that is when they rereleased Now, that’s a big statement, I know, but it also speaks so many silent films as talkies in the early 1930s. The volumes to the actual content. The Trek movies of the 1970s, argument that ‘kids should just learn to watch REAL movies’ 80s, and 90s (and I guess they did one in 2002 or so) were doesn’t hold much water when you look at what we (and continuations of the original concept, continuing storylines, the generations before me) rejected in favor of remakes. It but the reboot as a movie series with the original characters happens, and it works. That’s why the current wave of Star was something of a crapshoot. The characters were great, Trek movies are great; they move the technology ahead and TOS having the most colorful and larger-than-life characters, give us a lot of great stories. the kind that translate very well to movies. Yes, I know there Gotta love that! 27 redshirts A Review by Beth Zuckerman

John Scalzi’s latest novel, Redshirts, is another echoes of the Foundation series. This book is really just one of those books that is difficult to write much for fun, not for serious. about without spoilage. Surely you can guess, from the I thought the book had a major plot failing. We title, that the book is about extras on a science fiction are continually aware that the TV series isn’t very good, television show whose prognosis for longevity is rather and that the writer comes up with a lot of silly devices poor. It’s certainly a fun book. It’s funny, and I enjoyed for the convenience of the plot. But the book also has a reading it. Scalzi gives a lot of his exposition and plot fantastic coincidence (I’m talking about the motorcycle development in the form of dialogue, which just makes accident, here) that just happens to push the plot along things funnier. If you’re looking for a laugh, this isn’t a in the right direction. This irritated me. I’m willing to bad book. give Scalzi the benefit of the doubt here; it could have If you’re looking for literature, though, this been intentional. book shouldn’t be your choice. While the Old Man’s I felt a pang when I picked up Redshirts from Warseries was mostly humorous, it did have ask some the library, as I suddenly had the thought that it was real philosophical questions. Redshirts raises some the last book I could remember Mark telling me he philosophical issues about the nature of reality, but it was reading, before he went into the hospital. He was does so in a rather Matrix sort of fashion, with some somewhat embarrassed to admit it. It all made me sad.

28 redshirts A Review by Juan Sanmiguel

A stereotypical character that is killed shortly Redshirts is the opposite of an “idiot plot”. The after being introduced is called a “redshirt”. In the “idiot plot” is a plot that can only work if everyone classic Star Trek those in the Starfleet Engineering in the story is an idiot. This usually happens as way and Service Division wore red shirts. Many of the to create tension or jeopardy in the story. When the characters killed off in each episode came from this characters in Redshirts behave irrationally, it is because division. Sometimes the term “redshirts” has been of an outside force, the one that has to be dealt with. used either in the scripts of shows as Lost, Buffy the Once Dahl and the others realize what is going on they Vampire Slayer, and Warehouse 13. Redshirts explores rebel against the idiot plot, and gain control of their what would the lives of these characters would be like. lives. It all begins when Ensign Andrew Dahl is Scalzi is able to lighten the situation with assigned to the Universal Union starship Intrepid. He humor. There are a couple of times that Dahl’s team starts to notice odd things about the ship. Lower- has to take someone prisoner. In order to keep each ranking officers seem to have a tendency to die on away prisoner under control, they take their pants away. It missions in some unusual ways. Some crew members is very effective and funny to see the prisoner dealing seem to have figured out how to avoid the senior with being pant-less during an escape. This is really officers who appear to be connected to these deaths. necessary, since the situation is so dire. After narrowly surviving an away mission, Dahl seeks There are no real villains in the novel. No one to find the answers about the unusual nature of the has it in for Dahl and his friends. The force which is Intrepid. A fellow crew member has a theory which is working against Dahl is never fully explained. The beyond belief, but Dahl observes that the facts support solution is not the destruction of this force, but working this incredible theory behind Intrepid’s casualty rates. within the rules of the situation. If Dahl and his friends cannot find a solution, they may At the end of the novel everyone is more also find themselves next to die on an away mission. empowered than they were at the beginning. Dahl Dahl is not satisfied with the status quo. He and his friends are back in control of their fate. Their cannot accept living in fear, as many of the more actions are also able to liberate others. This is covered established members of Intrepid crew do. He thinks in three codas which focus on characters not directly outside the box and does not accept the theory connected with Dahl. The codas reinforce the need immediately. The events of the next mission prove it. for people to take control of their own lives rather He is willing to take a chance of a risky solution. Dahl than simply drift by or allow others to determine their would rather try to solve the problem than avoid it. destiny. 29 Biographies

James Bacon is the co-editor of The Drink Tank, Ex- erotica (especially dark erotica), and some historical hibition Hall, and Journey Planet. He’s awesome! fiction. However, if it is good, I’ll read it! I have an e-reader that I love and a Mp3 full of Chris Garcia. Yeah, well... audio books, I don’t mind waiting in lines, sitting for hours at doctor’s offices, or being stuck in traffic, it is Bryan Little did the cover! I loves it! He’s an awe- the perfect opportunity to get just one more chapter some artist and has the best mohawk in teh world in! (well, maybe other than Mette’s...) Catie is an amateur writer who lives with her family From BadassBookReviews in Northern Virginia. Regina I am a mom of 4 younger children and I work Anne Charnock’s journalism has appeared in New full time in corporate America. I spent 9.5 years in Scientist and UK national newspapers. She writes book college and graduate school reading what was assigned and exhibition reviews for The Huffington Post Her to me. My current career requires me to read other first novel is “A Calculated Life”. people’s writing, pick apart their arguments and find Anne writes regular blogposts at http://www. holes in what they are asserting. All. Day. Long. I need calculatedlife.com. to escape from all that! If you want a link to my novel: http://www. I read any genre, any type of fiction and non- amazon.com/dp/B00A67Z6BA or http://www.amazon. fiction – as long as it is on my e-reader or the audio is co.uk/dp/B00A67Z6BA loaded up on my MP3 player, then I will read it. I have a teenage daughter who loves young adult Steve Diamond is the editor of Elitist Book Re- themed dystopia and science fiction books; together we views, which is up against us for the Hugo for Best have fun picking out books to read and discuss. I also Fanzine! spend quite a bit of time reading middle grade and juve- nile aged chapter books to my three youngest children. Sara Dickinson was born in 1980 in Denver, Colo- And then there are the more adult focused books that rado, grew up in the South, and currently resides in her I read on my own – science fiction, urban fantasy, fan- ancestral homeland (otherwise known as the boonies tasy, speculative fiction, post-apocalyptic, historical and of Wyoming), where there isn’t a great deal to do other historical romance, contemporary romance, erotica, lit- than drink and read books. Since she doesn’t drink, she erary fiction, romantic suspense, and non-fiction. Here reads a great many books (and wastes more time than is my Goodreads profile and my Twitter profile. she ought playing computer games). She has a degree -AND_ in graphic design, but currently works in a field that has Michelle R absolutely nothing to do with what she spent all that When I’m not with the family, with the dog, at time and money in school for, but which pays the bills work, playing outdoors, or watching football, I’m read- and which has afforded her the opportunity to spend ing. I LOVE to read. In my dream world, I’m getting paid more time outdoors than she has in the last fifteen to read and I do it all day, everyday. In the real world, I years. She currently lives in an official ghost town with do it as a hobby but would love if it was my career. her parents and youngest sibling (because real estate is I’m the ONLY reader in my family and I’ve found damned expensive in Wyoming and student loans are that people CAN become jealous of books. I’ll read worse), four cats, three dogs, and assorted poultry. almost anything but prefer urban fantasy, paranormal romance, post-apocalyptic, horror, historical romance, 30 Nadine G. - Hello. I am Nadine (or Dina), an Austrian girl reading way too many sci-fi and fantasy books. I enjoy boy movies, thunderstorms, eternally bickering couples and anything made of chocolate.

Kate - what sort of bio do you want? A simple one is that I’m an English SFF fan (have been for twenty-mumble years) who has never found a non-genre novel which has given me quite the same thrill as a really good, mind-ex- panding SFF story.

Liz Lichtfield - As for a bio, I’m a book-obsessed For- eign Service Officer who hauled an award-winning romance novel collection to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and back. Sci-fi was my first love.

Juan Sanmiguel is a fan from Florida! You can find his work in Event Horizon,

Mihir Wanchoo is a physician and also a longtime reader of speculation fiction in all its forms. He is an avid book collector and contends that while e-books are fascinatingly easy to keep, he will not ever want to give up his physical collection. Mihir was born and brought up in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. As a child his favorite pastime was to be lost in books, comics and historical stories, since he was born into a culture rich in mythology and history therefore he contends his love with those is a thing of fate. His reading interests range from mystery/thrillers to epic fantasy to historical fiction and lastly to urban fantasy. His favorite mystery writers are Jeffrey Deaver, John Connolly and Douglas Preston, amongst fantasy he is fascinated by David Gemmell, J. K. Rowling and George R.R. Martin, lastly he also loves the works of James Clemens/Rollins, Jim Butcher, Ilona Andrews, Tad Williams among others. Mihir is also an avid fan of the Indian Cricket team and Chelsea Football Club, it would be safe to say Blue is his favorite color. He currently lives in Minne- sota with his patient and loving wife, and is ever looking forward to discovering new authors and old books. Mihir is a member of the Fantasy Book Critic team and Bastard Books blog. On both blogs he helps out with Reviews, Interviews and managing FBC’s Face- book page as well as the Twitter account.

Beth Zuckerman is a reader and a fan! Her reviews on Facebook are some of the best you’ll find! 31 Some words from 2015 bids First - Orlando from Meg Totusek

Everyone in fandom remembers that golden in the area. No, we’re not just talking about Disney and moment, however many years ago, when it hit them. Maybe it Universal...though, wouldn’t the pictures of John Scalzi was at a convention, maybe it was at a club meeting. Maybe it and Neil Gaiman on a rollercoaster be AWESOME? In was just coming home to visit after being away. Wherever it the greater Orlando area you can check out the Kennedy was, whenever it was, it was the same feeling: “This is it.” They Space Center (FOR SCIENCE!), Wonderworks, iFLY had found their people, their place. And it was awesome. Indoor Skydiving, Medieval Times, Cirque du Soleil…the We, the Orlando in 2015 bid committee, are big list goes on and on. There are also restaurants for every fans of that feeling. We want as many people as possible taste and style: six in the resort, plus room service, plus to get to experience it. That is why we are thrilled to be more in the Orlando area, and Disney is perfectly fine bidding for a Worldcon at Disney’s Coronado Springs with guests bringing in their own food, so those of you Resort at Walt Disney World, Florida, over Labor Day with food sensitivities and special diets can breathe easy. weekend in 2015.This location will allow us to uphold Speaking of members with special requirements, all of the wonderful Worldcon traditions, as well as start once again, Disney has you covered. Millions of people new ones, and pull in as many new attendees as possible. visit Walt Disney World every year, so Disney knows a Because none of us have won the lottery recently, thing or two about dealing with member services. We we’d like to keep this convention inexpensive. Times have are excited to work with them to meet the specific been tough for everybody. Thankfully, it’s pretty cheap to needs of our members. All Disney transportation get to Orlando. Because Disney and the various cruise services are wheelchair, scooter, and ECV accessible, and companies want as many people to get to Orlando as we’ve also asked for every single handicap accessible possible, they’ve done the heavy lifting for us and kept room in the resort in our room block. We want to flight costs down. Even a mere month and a half prior to make sure that your stay is easy for you as possible. Labor Day, flights to Orlando are about $350, no matter We could go on and on about how great we think where in the United States you start from. (Ideally, flights our facilities are, artfully arrange our committee resume, would be purchased a little sooner, and that means more and send you gloriously photo-shopped (by Disney) savings for you.) Flights from Europe (London, Paris, and photos of the area...or we could be straight with you. The Helsinki) average $910. And of course, once you get to location is fun for all ages and beautiful. We will be adding Orlando, you don’t have to deal with finding your bags and new exhibits and attractions that will help us reach more dragging them to a cab or a shuttle. Disney will pick you and and new fans from around the world. Dealers and artists your bags up (separately, unless you have an intense desire will be able to sell to Worldcon members as well as other to ride in the underside of a bus…), and you’ll both be Disney visitors, to make sure that the convention stays delivered to your room with no extra hassle--or expense. affordable for them, too. Transportation will be reasonable. You can also take the train or the roads to Orlando. Our committee is passionate and dedicated to Worldcon. We suggest not attempting Come with us and help those last two options us continue Worldcon’s from another continent. tradition of awesomeness. Google Maps mentions For more something about a kayak information about the and we’re not exactly sure Orlando in 2015 bid, the where you’d store those. facilities, the activities, On top of the amazing the restaurants, pictures, programming and social and much more, please opportunities that visit our website at Worldcon has a history of Orlandoin2015.org. presenting, you’ll also have the option to check out a bunch of really cool sights Answers in next issue! 32 And now... Helsinki from Crystal Huff

Some people start out in life with the knowledge Finns to be fluent in English (since apparently only .05% of of what they want to do. They want to become an the world’s population speaks Finnish?). astronaut, a teacher, a writer, an artist, a juggler in the I’ve since had a chance to learn a little bit of their Norwegian National Circus. Sometimes they want all of language, actually. I’ve gone to Finland twice so far this those things at once. Me? I wanted to work on science year, and am planning a third visit in October. I’ve learned fiction conventions. how to say “hello” (hei), “good night” (hyvää yötä), and Okay, that’s not the whole story, but what IS true “lightsaber” (valomiekka), thanks to Eemeli’s smart little is that, ever since I STARTED working on science fiction girl Lumi, who is featured on the first of what I only hope conventions, I have wanted to be involved with Worldcon. are several YouTube videos teaching Fannish Finnish: Worldcon, going to exciting international places! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emQI9X7JH6I Worldcon, where I can attend a tea ceremony hosted by a I didn’t sign on to the Helsinki in 2015 bid because wind-up cosplayer, play Live Action Angry Birds, and watch I wanted to learn Finnish, although that’s a nice side benefit. our youngest generation of fans write each other songs I signed onto the Helsinki bid because I want to see about superheroes and vampires that get along. (James Worldcon go new places, explore new possibilities. I hope Bacon will totally back me up on how terribly some of to see Worldcon gathering more European conrunners – the kids hogged the mic at Renovation, when we weren’t like Karo Leikomaa, Hanna Hakkarainen, Jukka Särkijärvi, digging each other out of the sofa fortress.) Johan Jönsson, and others. In 2011, I attended Smofcon in Amsterdam, and I As an American, I am prone to verbosity. The realized something I should have known all along – there Finns can be very understated, particularly in comparison. were lots of European fans wanting to be more involved It was therefore really astonishing to me when, during my with Worldcon, too. I met some crazy folks with foreign- spring visit to Helsinki and Aland, my friends presented me sounding names like Gareth Kavanagh and Spike. Well, with an official adoption certificate. On May 11, 2013, I okay, and then there were Eemeli Aro and Jukka Halme, the was officially adopted into Finnish fandom, along with three first Finnish fans I’d ever met, who newly-Finnish siblings. I even have stayed up all night drinking beer two self-declared fairy godparents, with us and talking about Finncon, in accordance with Finnish tradition. their crazy huge convention that I have promised to do my is budgeted so well as to be free utmost to help my recently-acquired to attendees. All of them, even family win the Worldcon vote for the year that Finncon had 15,000 2015. As all good intentions are members. rewarded with hard work, I have A Worldcon in Helsinki is recruited them to help run two something I think they dreamed areas at LoneStarCon3 this summer. of, even then, although they didn’t It’s my hope that our hard work will mention it at the time. We talked be rewarded. I hope you, reading this about corporate sponsorships note, will go to www.helsinkiin2015. (Rovio of Angry Birds fame should org and look at the Worldcon we donate games to our convention!) have been assembling. The Finns and how Finncon utilizes cultural organize excellent conventions, grants (and the government and Helsinki is a fantastic setting in knows about it, and approves of which to have a Worldcon. Please the emphasis on science fiction!). vote for Helsinki in 2015! I learned how common it is for 33 My God, It’s Full of Finns!

We realize that Helsinki can seem, well, kind of foreign. So we’ve decided to help out by putting it into a familiar context. We took the titles of 19 familiar novels and replaced one word with the name of a Helsinki neighborhood. (How familiar are the novels? Why, so familiar that each one won the Hugo Award! The author and the year of the award are given in parentheses after each title.) If you write the word that got replaced in the blanks to the left of each title and then circle the indicated letter (e.g., the third letter of the five letter word removed from the Connie Willis novel that won the 2011 Hugo), and put umlauts over the first three a’s, you’ll get a four-word phrase that any good Finnish science fiction fan should know. You should be able to find it by searching the web...or ask us what it means!

_ _ _ _ _ [3] Blackout/All Munkkiniemi (Connie Willis, 2011) _ _ _ _ _ [1] Lord of Kaivopuisto (Roger Zelazny, 1968) ______[1] Pukinmäki Gods (Neil Gaiman, 2002)

_ _ _ _ [4] A Fire Upon the Santahamina (Vernor Vinge, 1993) _ _ _ _ [2] Harry Potter and the Goblet of Salmenkallio (J. K. Rowling, 2001) ______[4] The Man in the High Katajanokka (Philip K. Dick, 1963) ______[4] The Left Hand of Tammisalo (Ursula K. Le Guin, 1970) ______[3] The Meilahti Age (Neal Stephenson, 1996) _ _ _ _ [2] Rendezvous with Laajasalo (Arthur C. Clarke, 1974) ______[3] The Eira Girl (Paolo Bacigalupi, 2010)

______[1] Suomenlinna Strange & Mr Norrell (Susanna Clarke, 2005) ______[6] Pitäjänmäki’s Edge (Isaac Asimov, 1983)

______[1] Karhusaari Dance (Lois McMaster Bujold, 1995) _ _ _ _ _ [3] Where Late the Sörnäinen Birds Sang (Kate Wilhelm, 1977) _ _ _ _ [2] The Ulkosaaret Queen (Joan D. Vinge, 1981) ______[6] Tapaninkylä Station (C. J. Cherryh, 1982) ______[1] Stranger in a Ultuna Land (Robert A. Heinlein, 1962) ______[4] A Käpylä for Leibowitz (Walter M. Miller, Jr., 1961) ______[1] The Talosaari Policemen’s Union (Michael Chabon, 2008)

Want to see these Finnish neighborhoods in person? Vote for Helsinki in the Worldcon Site Selection this summer! Visit www.helsinkiin2015.org for more info! ANSWERS NEXT ISSUE!

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