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A Librarian Reads Starbound & Earthbound

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

StarBound and Earthbound by Joe Haldeman

Carmen Dula is back in books two and three in this excellent introduction to science fiction adventure.

In the first book, Marsbound, Carmen was a young teen whose family was a part of the colonization effort on Mars. Soon she meets a race of Martians only to discover that the Martians were placed on Mars by an ancient and powerful alien race. The Martians are used as an advanced warning system for developing civilizations, in this case humanity.

In Starbound Carmen and a small crew are sent on an interstellar voyage at near light speed to meet with the ancient race. The meeting however does not go well. And now Earth must face drastic consequences the ancient aliens’ tests.

In Earthbound Carmen’s adventures continue on the planet she used to call home. Earth has been decimated by the aliens and left a pre-19th century state where no electricity or advanced technology works. Now humanity is faced with it’s own worst enemy, themselves, as people fight and kill over scarce resources. The whole while the ancient aliens are watching how humanity behaves and judging if humans have the privilege to exist.

The Carmen Dula books are highly engaging, short, and most of all fun sci-fi series. I recommend the series to anyone who loves sci-fi or those who are new to the genre. The series is marketed at adults ( although has some YA appeal), so there are references to physical intimacy, and mild language. Therefore it is generally appropriate for ages 16 and up.

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A Librarian Reads Fuzzy Nation

Monday, June 27th, 2011

Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi

Note: This is a reboot of H. Beam Piper’s Fuzzy Series, sort of in the same vein of how the Star Trek universe was rebooted in its latest movie.

Jack Holloway is one of many independent prospectors employed by a large corporation, ZaraCorp, to discover anything of value within the ground of Zara XXIII, a planet that whose mineral and oil rights belong to ZaraCorp. Holloway is a loner, a recluse, and most of all a jerk. On his latest expedition, Holloway discover a lucrative sunstone seam. However he had to blow up most of a cliff to get at it. His actions are against environmental regulations and promptly gets him fired, but when he explains to his boss about the sunstones he is rehired and given a bigger cut of the potential payout. Holloway is easily going to be set for life.

But a problem awaits for him back at his home. A small, fuzzy, native creature has somehow figured a way in the house and is causing all sorts of terror. Holloway and his dog corner the creature and soon he is luring the animal out with gifts of food. But something about the creature rubs Holloway wrong. The animal was smart, maybe even smarter than a dog. The next day the creature is back and has brought his family. Soon Holloway is considering the creatures may be sapient, which means the are intelligent and self-aware like humans. If the creatures are people so to speak, then Holloway can kiss his new sunstone seam goodbye. Colonial regulations call for ZaraCorp to stop exploiting all of the planets resources and leave in order for the resources to be used by the planets native sapient species. But Holloway isn’t quite willing to walk away from lots and lots of money. And Zaracorp would stoop as low as genocide to keep their profits.

Can a jerk be redeemed? Can Holloway discover a way to make money and protect his new fuzzy companions? Or will Holloway idly watch as genocide occurs because he is making tons of money?

Fuzzy Nation is an excellent fun, and humorous sci-fi romp. I highly recommend it for anyone who like classic sci-fi, or someone looking for an sleek adventure story with an environmental twist. Fuzzy Nation is appropriate for all ages, but can be found in adult sci-fi.

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A Librarian Reads Marsbound

Monday, June 28th, 2010

marsboundMarsbound by Joe Haldeman

Carmen Dula isn’t your typical high-schooler. Her family has been chosen to go to Mars and live underground in the human colony there. But the future isn’t so far off from life today. She still goes to school, but through VR (virtual reality), tries to be independent, and explores dating (which is hard to do on a space ship with very few people). After the 6 month trip to Mars, life is pretty much the same, except the colony leader really dislikes children and particularly Carmen. So whether you are on Earth or the frontier of Mars life is pretty humdrum.

That is until you go for a midnight stroll by yourself, fall into a hidden chasm, and are saved by Martians.

Now Carmen is at the center of the first contact with an aliens, and her life will never be humdrum again. So not only the colonists, but all of Earth, want to meet the potato shaped life-forms with four legs. And the Potato people of Mars want to meet the people of Earth too because they have a message. The Martians have been watching us for a long time, and they were on Mars first. Carmen will have to unravel the mystery of the Martians because the future of humanity may hang in the balance.

Marsbound is a great introduction to sci-fi adventure. It isn’t quite hard sci-fi, but has enough science behind it to help add depth to the adventure. This book is recommended for anyone who needs a good start in traditional space adventure stories. Appropriate for ages 16 and up due to some mature themes, such as sex and relationships.

Postscript:

Just finished the sequel book, Starbound. It is just as excellent as the first!

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A Librarian Reads Everything Matters!

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

everything-mattersEverything Matters! by Ron Currie, Jr.

Junior has been hearing a voice in his head as long as he can remember, even when he was in his mother’s womb. The voice tells him things about life, the people around him, and especially how the world will end. According to the voice a stray comet will impact the Earth on June 15th, 2010 killing all life on the planet.

How do you live your life knowing that when you turn 36 life will end not just for you but everyone? Do you try to save mankind? Do you try to blow up the comet? Do you tell people? Do you keep it a secret? Will you be kind? Or will you live your life just for yourself? Because if everything will die then what do any of your actions mean? Does anything matter at all?

Life only gets harder for Junior. His brother is a teen junkie, his mother an alcoholic, and his father works two jobs and barely spends time with his family. When Junior meets Amy, a new girl to the gifted class he has been placed in, he falls in love. But Amy has problems of her own with bruises that are more then just skin deep.

And always the clock is ticking away; time slowly and inevitably slipping into the future oblivion that awaits us all. Junior gets to experience the highs and lows of life unlike anyone else in human history, because the comet is coming, and he is the only one who can do anything about it. But he will have to answer a question: Is life worth saving? Is it even worth living?

This is an excellent and unique coming of age novel. It has a sci-fi twist but is full of real life drama.  Highly recommended for those who like to dwell on life’s deeper mysteries, and appropriate for ages 16 and up.

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A Librarian Reads Orphan’s Triumph

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

orphans-triumphOrphan’s Triumph by Robert Buettner

Every journey has to come to an end, and in Jason Wander’s case the fate of all humans throughout the entire galaxy rests in his hands. In this latest adventure humanity has finally developed a weapon to kill the main slug brain. The first problem is that they don’t know where in the galaxy the main slug brain lives. The second problem is that their only source of fuel for their war ending mega bomb has been stolen by the vile slugs. So Wander sets off not only to find a mini slug brain to interrogate, but also to the lone human world that has a chance of having fuel for the bomb. The problem is that this world is run by fascists who are committing genocide on a daily basis. Will Jason make a deal with the devil and turn a blind eye on humans who slaughter their own? Or can he find another path to victory?

If you have read the previous books in the series you know what to expect: Jason Wander’s quirky military antics in fighting the Slug War, superior action, and an overall healthy dose of fun. Highly recommended and appropriate for those 14 and up.

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