Newton’s Wake – Ken Macleod
369 pages
published in 2004
I was a bit worried after finishing Engine City, as it wasn’t up to Ken Macleod’s usual standards; it read as if he had to force himself to finish it. Fortunately, Newton’s Wake is much better, basically a space opera trilogy complete in one book.
Singularity Sky – Charlie Stross
313 pages
published in 2003
Singularity Sky is a clever book masquerading as broad farce. Charlie Stross’
starting point seems to have been “what if 1905 Tsarist Russia had experienced a full Vingean
Singularity”. Don’t expect the same density of ideas as in his short stories; this is an almost
traditional space opera. Almost.
A Question of Blood – Ian Rankin
440 pages
published in 2003
Continuing the Scottish theme, this is the 14th Inspector Rebus series and one of the
better efforts. Rebus is a hardbitten, hard luck cop in Edinburgh, who this time gets called in to
investigate a school shooting. He’s also in trouble again, to great surprise, this time for possibly
being involved in the violent death of a small time crook who was harassing a friend.
Year’s Best SF 7 – David G. Hartwell & Kathryn Cramer (editors)
498 pages
published in 2002
The best short science fiction stories of 2001, according to the editors. Some good stories, but
their taste in science fiction is definately not mine. There’s a lot of chaff amongst the wheat.
The Great Siege: Malta 1565 – Ernle Bradford
256 pages, including notes and index
published in 1961
History written as if it was an adventure story, this tells about the siege of Malta by the great
Ottoman Emperor Soleyman. Ernle Bradford’s sympathies clearly lie with the besieged, the Knights of St. John, but he still manages to be objective. Worth a look if you can find it.