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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Jul 2, 2020  
Love, love, love this great excerpt from the science fiction novel GATES OF MARS by Kathleen McFall and Clark Hays. Come read it on my blog (https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2020/07/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-gates-of.html) and enter the #GIVEAWAY to #win a first edition copy of A Very Unusual Romance or all four books in the Cowboy and the Vampire Collection by McFall and Hays. (Seriously, they are super talented writers, so whomever wins will be in for a treat!)

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
IN THE AGE OF SURVEILLANCE, HOW CAN A PERSON GO MISSING?

The year is 2187. Crucial Larsen, a veteran of the brutal Consolidation Wars, is working as a labor cop on Earth. The planet is a toxic dump and billions of people are miserable, but so what? It’s none of his business. He’s finally living a good life, or good enough. But then Essential, his beloved kid sister, disappears on Mars. When Halo—the all-powerful artificial-intelligence overseeing Earth and Mars on behalf of the ruling Five Families—can’t (or won’t) locate his sister, Crucial races up-universe to find her.

In the Choke, the frigid, airless expanse outside the luxury domes, Crucial uncovers a deadly secret from Essential’s past that threatens to shatter his apathetic existence … and both planets. Blending science fiction with the classic, hard-boiled detective story, Gates of Mars is a page-turning, futuristic thrill-ride featuring a gritty, irreverent anti-hero, Crucial Larsen. The first book of the Halo Trilogy, Gates of Mars is the eighth novel by award-winning authors, Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall.
     
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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Annihilation (2018) in Movies

Mar 15, 2018 (Updated Mar 15, 2018)  
Annihilation (2018)
Annihilation (2018)
2018 | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Natalie Portman's acting can't be faulted (0 more)
Plot (0 more)
Last scene was the only good scene
I may be able to speak for many who saw this film and thought what the heck was that about? Natalie Portman, a biologist, ventures into unknown territory after her husband, played by Oscar Isaac, mysteriously reappears after a year completely oblivious to where he had been. In a bid to seek answers, she teams up with a group of women for what can only be described as a suicide mission.

This may have gone far past Philip K. Dick territory in bizarreness. Most of the film felt inconsequential, with strange atmospheric music, and confusing sequences of events. It definitely seemed like the director tried incredibly hard to create an intelligent science fiction thriller in the same vein as @Solaris (2002) or @Arrival (2016), but the weak plot just seemed to refract his overall intention (see what I did there?)

The last few scenes were probably the most gripping, and rather unnerving. But unfortunately two scenes does not make a film.
  
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IA: The Origin Novels (Books 1-3)
IA: The Origin Novels (Books 1-3)
John Darryl Winston | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The IA novels are one of the strongest 'young adult' science fiction series I've read, and this edition combines the trilogy so far plus a novella. Since the reader will want to keep reading from the first page though all 3.5 books this seems like an opportunity that's hard to pass up.

The origin story involves Naz, a teenage boy who lives with his sister and aunt in the Exclave, a ghetto suburb of a large city. Naz is unusual in two ways - he can't remember anything before two years ago and he sometimes hears voices in his head. He doesn't like to draw attention though so keeps his head down and looks after his sister.

After an incident on the way to school, things start to change. He grows as a person and also begins to discover his past, and his potential for the future. Just perhaps one person can make a difference. As he continues on his journey it becomes clear that he may not be entirely on his own.

The stories are set in a near future, with the Exclave being a rather grim backdrop for a tale that concentrates on character. There are light touches of what could be termed science fiction throughout, both with Naz's backstory and in the world around him. The hero shows very real weaknesses and flaws as well as strengths as he battles through bullying, fitting in to new environments, love and loss.

Winston is an extremely talented author and these stories demonstrate why novels termed 'young adult' are frequently worthy of being read by an older audience. The character development shows a strong arc for all the main players - and even the bit parts are memorable.

If you are looking for a strong series of books that will keep you thinking and entertained long after you have finished the last page, this fits the bill to a tee.
  
Blade Runner (1982)
Blade Runner (1982)
1982 | Sci-Fi
10
8.5 (75 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Sci Fi Film Noir Masterpiece
When film scholars debate whether Alien or Blade Runner is director Ridley Scott's best film it is hard to make an argument against each as both are masterpieces It's funny that although they are both science fiction films, they are completely different in tone, style and action.

The art direction and cinematography are almost unmatched even under today's standards and then consider this movie is from 1982 and it is just astonishing. I won't argue with someone who says the film is slow developing or style or substance; however, I do not consider that a negative whatsoever. Consider it just another way to tell a story. Why do movies always have to follow the same formula to be considered a acceptable?



It is hard to believe the film only managed US box office of $27 million upon its original theatrical release. It's cult status was almost immediate along with the rise of home video and eventually DVD. The various cuts of the film and the vast and minor differences between them can make the meaning of the film quite different depending on how you interpret it.

The argument whether or not Deckard is a replicant could really depend on which version of the film you have seen or what you choose to believe.

Nevertheless, the film still stands the test of time as a sci fi classic and one of the most visually stunning films ever made!

  
A Paradox of Fates (Prevent the Past #1)
A Paradox of Fates (Prevent the Past #1)
Rebecca Hefner | 2020 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A PARADOX OF FATES is the first book in the Prevent the Past series and if you're looking for a science fiction/time travel with hot romance, then you've definitely got the right book.

Now, I'll be honest here, I love science and respect the hell out of anyone who can understand it. Me? Not so much. It's too much for my head to get around and when we start talking about paradoxes and how many times this has looped before? My eyes start glazing over. This is in no way caused by the author's writing. That was gripping stuff, full of humour, betrayal, loss, you name it.

This is absolutely character-led and I am invested in each and every one of them. I'd only read about a quarter of the book and I was looking to see who came next and how the trilogy finished. I was already that invested!

Did anyone mention plot twists? Cause there's more than a couple here! Honestly, I loved how it kept me on my toes. And can I just say - I've never cried so hard over a cat!

This isn't a genre I normally read but after reading Etherya's Earth series and loving Ms Hefner's style of writing, I thought I'd give it a go. And I'm so very glad I did! I am hooked on this series and can definitely recommend it.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 26, 2023