News from Murder One
Science Fiction:
Alastair Reynolds, Chasm City/Revelation Space (signed copies).
Revelation Space. Last year saw the debut of one Britain's most exciting
Science Fiction authors. When I read Revelation Space I enjoyed that
feeling that is all too rare, the delicious discovery of an author whose
talent and inventiveness make you giddy with delight. The story spans
centuries as well as the universe, and Reynolds manages to marshal his
characters' narratives with a skill that is usually the benefit of years
of writing. Driven scientists, an ancient alien artefact, and
intellectual-political manoeuvring combine to make a story of immense
scope. I really cannot praise this book highly enough and have been more
than happy to recommend it all year. What makes the paperback
publication more exciting is the nomination it has received for the
Arthur C. Clarke Award (to be announced tonight- more on this next
week), which I believe is not only justified, but further proof, if any
were needed, of how special this book is. UK paperback, #6.99.
Chasm City is set in the same universe as it's predecessor and concerns
itself with the mysterious locale of the title. A once high-tech domed
habitat on the desolate planet Yellowstone, it has suffered the ravages
of time and a nano-virus. Into this dark and dangerous place comes
Tanner Mirabel, hunting for the fugitive Argent Reivich. Reviewers are
fond of labelling authors, particularly with other authors names; you
will find those of Banks, Simmons, Baxter, and Hamilton on the back of
this one, but I am happy to say that this book is as good as 'Alastair
Reynolds'. If you have not read Revelation Space, then do so, and
afterwards, read this. UK hardcover/trade paperback, #17.99/#10.99.
Jon Courtney Grimwood, Pashazade. A bumper week this, as we have the
latest from an author who is regarded as one of Britain's up-and-comers,
but who with this book is set to cement his position in both critical
and public opinion. With four previous books behind him Grimwood started
well and has steadily improved, honed, and entertained. You could call
his early works post-cyberpunk with a twist, but Pashazade is less punk
and more noir, with a twist. The action takes place in El Iskandryia,
North Africa's greatest city, in a world where Germany won the Great War
and the Ottoman Empire is still in power. The story is about Ashraf Bey,
or it could be Zee Zee, newly arrived and soon in the frame for the
murder of his aunt. Ashraf, or is it Raf, is many things, and as he
discovers the city and the ancient rules that govern it, he and we learn
more about who he is.
This is the first of a trilogy, and due to this, Grimwood has given
himself the luxury of time. Time to develop both the setting and those
who inhabit it. Handled poorly this could lead to a dull work, but I
very happy to say that the pacing of this book is near perfect. Moments
of breathtaking excitement sit comfortably with the subtle building of
the larger narrative. Ashraf, Zara the young woman he is supposed to
marry, Hani his much younger niece, and the supporting characters are
satisfyingly concrete, but it is the intricacies of the city itself that
are equally well depicted. I am lead to believe that each book is to be
a self-contained story whilst contributing to the whole, and if this
first instalment is anything to go by, the future holds at a least a
couple of very good books. UK hardcover, #12.99.
Harry Harrison, 50 in 50. From two of the new spuds to one of the old
boys. Harry Harrison has given us Slippery Jim diGriz (otherwise known
as the Stainless Steel Rat), Bill the Galactic Hero, the Eden series,
plus oodles more. What's more, I had the pleasure of meeting him once
and he came across as a really good bloke. This book collects 50 of his
short works, one for each year of his illustrious career. Arranged
thematically the stories cover such things as alien races, earthly
overcrowding, marvellous inventions, the uses of psychology, plus, well
oodles more. An essential collection from the Golden Age to the Modern
Age. US hardcover, #25.99.
James White, Beginning Operations. The Sector General series is one of
the most asked about in Murder One and sadly for fans nearly all the
books are out-of-print. Thankfully, Orb has seen sense and omnibused the
first three. A further omnibus is due, we just don't know when, so don't
ask and content yourself with these delightful tales of 'E.R. in space'.
US trade paperback, #15.99.
Regards,
Paul
Nick Waterman. Senior Systems Administrator, So-Net, Sony UK
mailto:nick-sig@ http://www.nilex.co.uk/~nick/
AX25:G7RZQ@#32.GBR.EU #include <stddisclaimer> Team *AMIGA*!
Alastair Reynolds, Chasm City/Revelation Space (signed copies).
Revelation Space. Last year saw the debut of one Britain's most exciting
Science Fiction authors. When I read Revelation Space I enjoyed that
feeling that is all too rare, the delicious discovery of an author whose
talent and inventiveness make you giddy with delight. The story spans
centuries as well as the universe, and Reynolds manages to marshal his
characters' narratives with a skill that is usually the benefit of years
of writing. Driven scientists, an ancient alien artefact, and
intellectual-political manoeuvring combine to make a story of immense
scope. I really cannot praise this book highly enough and have been more
than happy to recommend it all year. What makes the paperback
publication more exciting is the nomination it has received for the
Arthur C. Clarke Award (to be announced tonight- more on this next
week), which I believe is not only justified, but further proof, if any
were needed, of how special this book is. UK paperback, #6.99.
Chasm City is set in the same universe as it's predecessor and concerns
itself with the mysterious locale of the title. A once high-tech domed
habitat on the desolate planet Yellowstone, it has suffered the ravages
of time and a nano-virus. Into this dark and dangerous place comes
Tanner Mirabel, hunting for the fugitive Argent Reivich. Reviewers are
fond of labelling authors, particularly with other authors names; you
will find those of Banks, Simmons, Baxter, and Hamilton on the back of
this one, but I am happy to say that this book is as good as 'Alastair
Reynolds'. If you have not read Revelation Space, then do so, and
afterwards, read this. UK hardcover/trade paperback, #17.99/#10.99.
Jon Courtney Grimwood, Pashazade. A bumper week this, as we have the
latest from an author who is regarded as one of Britain's up-and-comers,
but who with this book is set to cement his position in both critical
and public opinion. With four previous books behind him Grimwood started
well and has steadily improved, honed, and entertained. You could call
his early works post-cyberpunk with a twist, but Pashazade is less punk
and more noir, with a twist. The action takes place in El Iskandryia,
North Africa's greatest city, in a world where Germany won the Great War
and the Ottoman Empire is still in power. The story is about Ashraf Bey,
or it could be Zee Zee, newly arrived and soon in the frame for the
murder of his aunt. Ashraf, or is it Raf, is many things, and as he
discovers the city and the ancient rules that govern it, he and we learn
more about who he is.
This is the first of a trilogy, and due to this, Grimwood has given
himself the luxury of time. Time to develop both the setting and those
who inhabit it. Handled poorly this could lead to a dull work, but I
very happy to say that the pacing of this book is near perfect. Moments
of breathtaking excitement sit comfortably with the subtle building of
the larger narrative. Ashraf, Zara the young woman he is supposed to
marry, Hani his much younger niece, and the supporting characters are
satisfyingly concrete, but it is the intricacies of the city itself that
are equally well depicted. I am lead to believe that each book is to be
a self-contained story whilst contributing to the whole, and if this
first instalment is anything to go by, the future holds at a least a
couple of very good books. UK hardcover, #12.99.
Harry Harrison, 50 in 50. From two of the new spuds to one of the old
boys. Harry Harrison has given us Slippery Jim diGriz (otherwise known
as the Stainless Steel Rat), Bill the Galactic Hero, the Eden series,
plus oodles more. What's more, I had the pleasure of meeting him once
and he came across as a really good bloke. This book collects 50 of his
short works, one for each year of his illustrious career. Arranged
thematically the stories cover such things as alien races, earthly
overcrowding, marvellous inventions, the uses of psychology, plus, well
oodles more. An essential collection from the Golden Age to the Modern
Age. US hardcover, #25.99.
James White, Beginning Operations. The Sector General series is one of
the most asked about in Murder One and sadly for fans nearly all the
books are out-of-print. Thankfully, Orb has seen sense and omnibused the
first three. A further omnibus is due, we just don't know when, so don't
ask and content yourself with these delightful tales of 'E.R. in space'.
US trade paperback, #15.99.
Regards,
Paul
Nick Waterman. Senior Systems Administrator, So-Net, Sony UK
mailto:nick-sig@ http://www.nilex.co.uk/~nick/
AX25:G7RZQ@#32.GBR.EU #include <stddisclaimer> Team *AMIGA*!