Books I've read recently

[dagibbs]

Kiln People by David Brin. An interesting and well-done sf novel about a society where people can create short-term "duplicates" of themselves to handle unpleasant or uninteresting tasks. (2002)

The Viscount of Adrilankha by Steven Brust. Well, this was in three volumes: The Paths of the Dead, The Lord of Castle Black, and Sethra Lavode. This is the third "book" in the trilogy started by The Phoenix Guards (and continued in 500 Years After). It tells of the ending of the interregnum, and fills in some interesting gaps in the back-history of the environment and people Vlad Taltos (Jhereg, etc) lives in and with. It is, of course, written in the expected style, the somewhat loquacious translation of Paarfi. A good and fun read. (2002-2004)

Infernal Devices by K. W. Jeter. An interesting and enjoyable steampunk novel -- strange, bizarre, twisted, but fun. (1987)

Manhatten Transfer by John E. Stith. A very campbellian tale -- humans are faster/stronger/brighter/more dangerous/more clever or whatever than anyone else out there, and triumph cause of it. Yup, here the humans are kidnapped by advanced aliens, break out, and figure out within a few days how to fight with the aliens technology better than the aliens themselves could. Yeah right. Oh ya, there's a romance between the super-competent military-leader guy and the super-competent translator/anthropologist gal, but it's pretty poorly done too. Bleah. (1993)

[edit]Warning: Spoilers for Kiln People and Earth have appeared in the comments.[/edit]

Comments

[concordantnexus.livejournal.com]

are you coming to visit Montreal when you get back from Michigan & K-W?

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Actually, I'm already home -- see my Jan 5 post. :)

I've actually got another Michigan trip planned this month -- going back for Confusion. I'm getting over a cold now, so not likely to travel 'til then.

I would like to get up to Montreal sometime, though. It's looking likely for February -- depending on work travel.