4 Jul, 2024
The End of History
Robert Zubrin’s 1996 The Case for Mars is an ostensibly non-fiction book in which he makes a case that not only are (comparatively) inexpensive crewed missions to Mars possible, so are much more ambitious plans.
2 Jul, 2024
The End of History
The ISFDB says that Phyllis Eisenstein’s 1997 Spec-Lit is the first of two Spec-Lit anthologies. I’d argue they are closer to magazines. I base this on vibes and also because the copyright says, “This magazine is copyright © 1997 by Phyllis Eisenstein.” The two Spec-Lit books/magazines are, as far as I know, the only examples of Eisenstein’s editorial work.
But first! Background.
27 Jun, 2024
The End of History
1990’s Tehanu: The Last Book of Earthsea is the fourth of at least six volumes in Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea secondary-universe fantasy series.
As a young woman, Tenar was a priestess to the Nameless Ones. She chose to flee. Tenar was offered a place in cosmopolitan1 Havnor. She chose backwater island Gont instead. Adopted by the old mage Ogion, Tenar was offered a chance to learn magic. She chose to marry a farmer named Flint instead2.
Tenar did not choose to become a widow living alone. Time chose that for her.
20 Jun, 2024
The End of History
1992’s Two-Bit Heroes is the second book in Doris Egan’s science fantasy Ivory trilogy.
Theodora is smitten with sorcerer Ran Cormallon and Ran is smitten with Theo. Therefore, despite the manifest imprudence of Theo returning to Ivory — planet of magic!1—Theo does just that.
Ran accepts a seemingly easy assignment: vet a would-be groom.
21 Mar, 2024
The End of History
R. Garcia y Robertson’s 1991 The Spiral Dance is a stand-alone historical fantasy.
Outraged by Tudor excess, Anne Percy, Countess of Northumberland and her vacillating husband Thomas Percy, the 7th Earl, launch what will be later known as the Northern Rebellion. Leading a rabble comprised of a poorly organized cross-section of the ungovernable north, the aristocratic couple march south to replace hateful Elizabeth with Mary, Queen of Scots. A great victory is assured!
But first, there’s the matter of the mad woman claiming to be Anne Percy, Countess of Northumberland.
14 Mar, 2024
The End of History
Lawrence Watt-Evans’ 1992 Crosstime Traffic is a collection of short stories1. It is not to be confused with Harry Turtledove’s Crosstime YA series, although booksellers sure did their best to flog the second to me when I looked for the first.
The edition I am reviewing is the original Del Rey, not the more recent FoxAcre, which seems to differ slightly in content.
28 Dec, 2023
The End of History
Carol Severance’s 1991 Reefsong is a stand-alone science fiction novel.
Although her family has long since been driven off the mountain land they love by the nigh all-powerful World Life Corporation, UN Warden Angie Dinsman still labors to keep one of the last remaining wildernesses on Earth intact. She has no intention of ever leaving.
Wildfire and the World Life Corporation costs Angie her precious post.
23 Nov, 2023
The End of History
Michael Scott Rohan and Allan J. Scott’s 1992 A Spell of Empire: The Horns of Tartarus is an alternate-history fantasy novel.
Apprentice alchemist and hobbyist musician Volker barely survives his master’s exploration of forbidden forces. Now without a master or home, the half-elf discovers that his magical talents and his musical skills aren’t good enough, or impressive enough, to secure employment … until Volker meets tone-deaf Ulrich Tragelicht of Worms, dealer in wines and spices. Volker is just the employee that Ulrich needs.
But first, some history.
19 Oct, 2023
The End of History
Marcia Martin and Eric Vinicoff’s 1992 The Weigher is a stand-alone first-contact xenoanthropology science fiction novel.
Slasher’s people are touchy apex predators, inclined to see each other as threats and competitors. Nevertheless, the Kodiak-bear-sized beings have a civilization of sorts, facilitated in large part by the tireless efforts of Weighers like Slasher, who work to find equitable, non-violent solutions to conflicts.
Slasher’s successful career is doomed as soon as the demons appear.
31 Aug, 2023
The End of History
1991’s Polar City Blues is the first volume in Katharine Kerr’s Polar City space opera series.
During the interval between humanity’s collective triumph over Einstein (spaceflight) and the collapse of the terrestrial biosphere, humans were able to establish extraterrestrial colonies, of which Hagar is one. Now unified as the Republic, the human polity is overshadowed by its two neighbors, the Alliance (dominated by the Master Race) and the Confederation (dominated by the carlis). Remaining neutral and unconquered by aliens demands an ongoing balancing act.
Murdered consular personnel could unbalance the diplomatic teeter-totter. Polar City Police Chief Bates now must deal with a murder with far-ranging political implications.