Book Review: The Planet Explorer

Book Review: The Planet Explorer by Murray Leinster This “novel” is more of a story cycle, a set of four novelettes about the career of Bordman, an officer of Colonial Survey (“Colonial Survey” being the title this collection was first published under.) It’s set in a future where humanity is constantly expanding through the galaxy.… Continue reading Book Review: The Planet Explorer

Book Review: The Mutant Weapon | The Pirates of Zan

Book Review: The Mutant Weapon | The Pirates of Zan by Murray Leinster It’s time for another Ace Double, those fun paperbacks that are two books in one, with two covers upside down from each other. In this case it’s two short science fiction novels by Murray Leinster (pen name of William Fitzgerald Jenkins (1896-1975))… Continue reading Book Review: The Mutant Weapon | The Pirates of Zan

Magazine Review: Judge Dredd Megazine #417

Magazine Review: Judge Dredd Megazine #417 edited by Matt Smith I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned before that Judge Dredd, the breakout character from 2000 AD was so popular that the publishing company spun off a monthly magazine featuring him and his world, which has lasted a remarkably long time. It’s still primarily featuring stories tangentially… Continue reading Magazine Review: Judge Dredd Megazine #417

Book Review: An Oath of Dogs

Book Review: An Oath of Dogs by Wendy N. Wagner Kate Standish (she prefers “Standish”) is looking forward to her new job as a communications technician on the colony world of Huginn. After the traumatic accident, open space is no longer a place she feels comfortable in, and the frequent cloud cover will help her… Continue reading Book Review: An Oath of Dogs

Magazine Review: Galaxy Science Fiction July 1951

Magazine Review: Galaxy Science Fiction July 1951 edited by H.L. Gold Galaxy lasted from 1950 to 1980 as a digest-sized science fiction magazine.  Originally published by an Italian firm trying to break into the American market, the magazine was noted for its emphasis on stories about social issues and its comparatively sedate covers.  (“Fourth of… Continue reading Magazine Review: Galaxy Science Fiction July 1951

Magazine Review: Science Fiction Stories January 1960

Magazine Review: Science Fiction Stories January 1960 edited by Robert A.W. Lowndes Science Fiction Stories was a minor SF magazine published as Science Fiction starting in 1940, then under a couple of different titles until 1943 when it and its stablemate Future Fiction were cancelled due to paper costs.  It was revived in 1950 and ran until… Continue reading Magazine Review: Science Fiction Stories January 1960

Book Review: Windswept

Book Review: Windswept by Adam Rakunas Padma Mehta used to work for The Man.  That is, WalWa, one of the Big Three megacorporations that own most of Occupied Space.  She was good at her job, too, despite the shabby treatment she often got.  Then Bad Things happened, and Padma Breached, breaking her indenture contract to… Continue reading Book Review: Windswept

Book Review: Rayla 2212

Book Review: Rayla 2212 by Ytasha L. Womack It is the year 2212, and the once utopian Planet Hope has fallen under the dictatorship of The Dirk.  Rayla Illmatic, aka Rayla Redfeather, daughter of a missing astronaut, has joined the resistance.  When rebel leader Carcine, who Rayla likes a lot, disappears on a mission to… Continue reading Book Review: Rayla 2212

Book Review: One of Our Asteroids is Missing | The Twisted Men

Book Review: One of Our Asteroids is Missing | The Twisted Men by Robert Silverberg (writing as Calvin M. Knox) and A. E. Van Vogt, respectively. This is another Ace Double, two books in one, upside down from each other.  According to Larry Niven, during the 1960s Ace Books was known for being particularly skinflint… Continue reading Book Review: One of Our Asteroids is Missing | The Twisted Men