science fiction Archives

SciFi Month (2024) – Aliens!

On February 2, 2024

For Science Fiction Month (2024), I went with an alien theme. You can probably guess at least four of the films on the list. Keep in mind that most movies I watch are on my media server (unless I own it on Blu-ray or 4k disc). Therefore, at some point, money was exchanged for the film to be in my possession. Which means I enjoyed the movie enough to own it.

I’m also going to do something a little different this year for my monthly movie binges. Instead of just telling you what the movies are, I’m going to also do a short film reflection where I will mostly explain what I like about the movie. So let’s get started.

MMT: Science Fiction Month (2023)

By Biggs

On February 1, 2023

In Monthly Movie Theme, Movies

Last year I didn’t start writing posts about my monthly movie themes until April so I didn’t get to talk about Science Fiction Month. Science Fiction is one of my favorite genres of film. Since I didn’t get to talk about my 2022 selections, I will cover those first and then cover my 2023 selections.

January 2022 Selections

Book Review: Redshirts

By Biggs

On June 23, 2021

In Book Review, Science Fiction

Redshirts by John Scalzi
My rating: [rating=4]
(Click here to see the Goodreads review)

I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while but something else always came up first (mostly the Dresden Files books). I’m glad that I finally got around to reading it. I knew the premise of the book going in and avoided all of the spoilers. I will try to remain spoiler free of my Redshirts book review.

Also, some interesting trivia about the author, John Scalzi. He was a creative consultant for the Stargate Universe live action television series.

Those Recurring Star Trek Themes

While I am a huge Star Wars fan, I still have respect for the Trek. I’m quite familiar with all of the Star Trek tropes so I was looking forward to reading this book. It’s a parody of the classic “Red Shirt” Star Trek theme (i.e. the red shirt always dies). The premise here is that Andy Dahl, a “red shirt”, stumbles on to this suspicious coincidence and he’s determined to figure out why it’s happening. Hopefully, before his inevitable demise. What he discovers is far more unbelievable then he ever imagined, and convincing his other red shirt friends is even more difficult.

The way in which the author addresses this common Star Trek theme is a lot more meta than I was expecting. In fact, at first I wasn’t sure if I liked it. However, as I kept reading I began to understand the allegory of it. I did enjoy this book and that last chapter, the one right before the first CODA, is the best. Chapter. Ever! It definitely breaches the fourth wall but it’s probably one of my favorite chapters of ANY book. I recommend this book to any Star Trek and/or sci-fi fan. It’s a fun read; just keep in mind it’s a parody and try not to get too hung up in it’s conundrums.

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/LLAP

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss

Olympus Union: Jovian Wars: Omnibus [Book Review]

By Biggs

On March 18, 2018

In Book Review, Science Fiction

Olympus Union: Jovian Wars: Omnibus by Gary Bloom
My rating: [rating=5]
(Click here to go to Goodreads)

This book is Science Fiction at its best. It’s an interesting blend of Tom Clancy and George R. R. Martin (GRRM). I feel like Bloom captures the essence of Clancy in that he brings the political depth and tumult to the science fiction genre. He also brings quite a cast of characters, like GRRM, (without murdering every character to which you have become endeared). Olympus Union Jovian Wars begins by describing the political landscape of Earth’s solar system. The Jovian Moons (aka Jupiter’s moons) have been populated by man and each has a minister, a ruling representative from the overall governing body, the Olympus Union. As robust as the system seems, rumors begin to circulate about a group wanting to secede.

War is Visceral

Conflicts involving emancipation inevitably lead to war. Those hidden members of the Jovian Free League emerge and announce their declaration of independence from the OU. Now the mercenaries of the JFL face off against the Ares Elite, the well-trained guerrillas of the Olympus Union.

The first half of the book sets up the conflict, so that is where you are going to get a lot of your politics. I know sometimes politics can feel like it slows a book down, but I did not feel that way. Besides, war is visceral and when you reach that half way point, you will become fully engaged. Bloom does well to keep you guessing whose side a character might be loyal to but there are a lot of characters to keep straight. The Olympus Union website is a great companion to help you keep characters sorted out (a lesson GRRM should have learned), so make good use of it.

I would definitely recommend this book especially to Sci-Fi fans and if you enjoy books similar to Tom Clancy. This is a book I will re-read, mostly so I can revisit the politics leading up to the conflict. I think this will be especially useful because I don’t think this is the end of the conflict between the OU and the JFL. I will also be adding more of Gary Bloom’s book to my “want-to-read” list.

View all my reviews

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
– Dr. Seuss

Book Review: Extracted (Extracted Trilogy Book 1)

By Biggs

On April 7, 2017

In Book Review, Science Fiction

Extracted by R.R. Haywood
My rating: [rating=5]

As a member of Amazon Prime you have access to download a free book from a couple new release’s a month in advance through the Kindle First program. Every month I select a new book that sounds interesting; Extracted is a book I picked up for free in February. For some mystical reason it was the book I choose to read next and I am pleasantly surprised. Before I get into my book review of Extracted, let me quickly lay out the premise for you.

In the year 2061 a scientist invents a time machine to try to change a tragedy in their past. During a test run of the machine, a startling discovery is made: the end of the world. Now the time machine is being used to form a team of three individuals, all from a different point in time but each with extraordinary survival abilities. These three are the best chance to prevent the end of the world, but there are forces acting against them. Some mysterious group or entity that wishes to have control of the time travel device.

Another Book Selected at Random

I really enjoyed this book. The last book I enjoyed this much on a random selection was Pulitzer prize-winning A Confederacy of Dunces. Haywood does an excellent job building the characters and you’re suddenly invested in their fate. He doesn’t get hung up on the complexities of time travel nor does he lay that burden on the reader. By the end not only are you finding it difficult to put the book down, but you want to jump immediately into the next book. Unfortunately Book 2 will not be available until June 6th.

Time travel is such a difficult concept to master. It’s so nebulous because there are many theories as to how it might work. The closest, realistic theory we have in modern-day science is string theory (which is actually referenced in the book). If you enjoy good science fiction, that reads well, and will not lose you in the scientific details of time travel, you should read this book.

View all my reviews

Book Review: Star Wars Aftermath

By Biggs

On December 7, 2016

In Book Review, Science Fiction, Star Wars

Aftermath by Chuck Wendig
My rating: [rating=5]

I have been trying to get back into Star Wars books for a while now; I just kept finding other great books to read (*cough* Kubrick’s Game *cough*). Star Wars Aftermath is the first post-Return of the Jedi book that takes place within the new canon, therefore it’s pretty high on my list. I know some Star Wars fans are probably surprised that I would prioritize this book so high. Disney stepped on quite a few toes when they declared all other canon defunct (post-ROTJ). This is something I discuss in a separate post. Be that as it may, I’m one of those open-minded fans and I was willing to give this book a chance.

I try to avoid mentioning any spoilers; I prefer that people use my book reviews as an aid on deciding if it’s a book they would like to read. The point I am about to make isn’t really a spoiler but it is noteworthy. If you are expecting a book about where the Jedi go after the Emperor is destroyed, that isn’t what this book is about. In fact the Force has very little to do with any of the characters. The author takes us on a journey through the eyes of several different characters during the aftermath of the Battle of Endor.

A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

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SciFi Month (2024) – Aliens!

MMT: Science Fiction Month (2023)

January 2022 Selections