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Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 4:47 pm
by Edminster
Khazd wrote:... [T]he story went from a neat political sci-fi to a war sci-fi, staggered drunkenly back towards political issues, tripped back over the war then collapsed, sobbing, into a sci-fi drama.
I really want to read that book, because it sounds way more awesome than Freehold.

Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 1:04 am
by smiley_cow
So I just finished Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve. The first think I had ever read by this author was the Larklight series, which is a steampunk series and probably one of the fluffiest series' I had ever read, so I was a little surprised to find that this book was actually quite dark.

The basic premise is that it's thousands of years in the future and mankind had already nearly destroyed themselves once with poweful weapons and half robot soldiers made from dead people called Stalkers, and a principle called Municipal Darwinism had taken over, many cities were now mobile and they would "consume" smaller or weaker cities. They also seem to be at war with non-mobile cities.

All in all I actually really enjoyed the story, it was well written, the characters were interesting, the story was original and the main female love interest was horribly disfigured, which is pretty unusual.

Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 9:10 am
by Cirtur
I really like the Mortal Engines series too, however the friend that got me into it will extol its virtues to anyone.

Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 7:30 pm
by smiley_cow
I've been made aware that there are sequels, but it took me so long to find the first one that I don't see myself getting the next one for a little while at least. Are they good?

Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 9:50 pm
by Cirtur
Yes the series is very good. It's probably the most original fantasy work out there.

Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 10:58 pm
by Feedbacker
Although it's already been stated, I'd just like to re-enforce that you really can't go wrong with Ray Bradbury.

Also Cat's Cradle and Slaughterhouse-Five, both by Kurt Vonnegut.

Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 12:40 am
by rhcpxc
Khazd wrote:Also John Ringo, who's books usually are borderline porn, wrote a really kickass sci-fi series with David Weber.. cant remember the name of the series even though i have the e-books saved on my drive. Too lazy to look..
March Upcountry, March to the Sea, March to the Stars, and We Few.... very good series, especially for anyone who's a fan of military Sci-Fi. Enough action and political intrigue to keep me interested throughout the whole read.

My favorite so far have been the first half of "Brave New World" (the 2nd half was not very entertaining in my opinion), "1984", and the short story "Harrison Bergeron". For fun reading I would also recommend the Area 51 series and almost any book by David Weber. I also loved "Rant" as well as everything from Palahniuk (with the exception of "Diary").

Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 12:05 pm
by Sahan
I have read some shorts from Ray Bradbury, from the Illustrated Man,a nd also from Fahrenheit 451. That book was a real eye-opener for me, but I forget why now. I think that means I should re-read it some time.

Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 2:05 pm
by Frostbite
Fahrenheit 451 is quite the enjoyable book.

Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 4:12 pm
by smiley_cow
I think I've already proclaimed my love of Ray Bradbury here in the fantasy thread (naturally) but it's worth restating here. I've read and loved both The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451.

Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 5:27 pm
by Frostbite
I honestly found the Martian Chronicles to be overrated. While I did enjoy it for the most part, (especially the martian psychologist, best part in the book), it was for me, not all that great. Just pretty good.

Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 7:51 pm
by mountainmage
I think my favorite part of Fahrenheit 451 is the way everyone keeps books alive.

Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 8:09 pm
by Lethal Interjection
mountainmage wrote:I think my favorite part of Fahrenheit 451 is the way everyone keeps books alive.
I really do need to read that one again. It was the only distopian book that I read in highschool that me and my sister didn't still have kicking around the house.

Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 8:15 pm
by mountainmage
Addendum:

It reminds me of the way bards would memorize long epic poems to recite them for the people of the village. It's just an amazing way to preserve the history that is being destroyed 1 book burning at a time.

Re: Works of Astounding Science-Fiction

Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 9:58 pm
by FengharTheNord
Farenheit 451 was, I believe, the first assigned book from school that I read all the way through and really really enjoyed. Ray Bradbury is god. I also thouroughly what I've read of "Something Wicked This Way Comes"(My sister got it from the library and I didn't read it all before she returned it).