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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Solaris in Books

Dec 1, 2017

Solaris

Stanislaw Lem | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry

7.3

(4 Ratings)

Book Rating

High-brow science fiction

Solaris is a perplexing, impossible world - endeavouring, somehow, to exist and endure in the presence of binary stars with a toxic and corrosive atmosphere constantly enveloping its ink black ocean of intrigue. Hovering above the waves is Solaris station which is an armoured and secluded human outpost, a crumbling and half-forgotten castle in the air.

Scientist Kris Kelvin comes upon an unusual scene in which one of the researchers at the facility has apparently killed himself, another appears to have lost his mind and Snaut, who has a shred of humanity left, is still deeply suspicious. Soon after we discover that apparitions seem to be tormenting them, though they appear to be manifestations or projections of their own deepest, darkest feelings, created by the mystery that is the living ocean of this world. Testing their minds to the limits, we see if they can truly overcome their repressed memories.

It is a haunting novel, and almost parallels the mental health issue of post traumatic stress disorder, and that it can be present in anyone in varying degrees. A visionary science fiction novel.

Kudos

Peter Shephard (2822 KP) rated Terraforming Mars in Tabletop Games

May 28, 2019

Terraforming Mars

2016 | Business / Industrial, Economic, Environmental, Science Fiction, Territory Building

8.7

(33 Ratings)

Tabletop Game Rating

Massively replayable (0 more)

Quite simply, my favourite game. Being able to play from solo, to five players, with hundreds of different technologies and businesses, means you will never have the same game twice. If I go away with work, I pack this before my clothes.

While the game can be a little difficult to play in the first game, the second, third etc games will be played much quicker, easier, and more enjoyable. Every one will be different, too. It typically takes about 90mins to 2h to play, in our experience, but there have been longer games - there is an element of luck with both the cards drawn, and what everyone else does! Holding on to a card because it needs the Temperature below -8 degrees, then seeing everyone else pumping the temperature from -12 to -6 means the card is (probably) worthless.

The science is obviously science-fiction but is based heavily in reality, albeit simplified, and very interesting on it's own right.

Expansions do add further flavours and variations, but the base game is absolutely able to stand on it's own two feet.

Kudos

ClareR (5879 KP) rated Light Years in Books

Nov 13, 2018

Light Years

Kass Morgan | 2018 | LGBTQ+, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

A new YA Science Fiction series

This is a new YA Science Fiction series, following 4 students at the Quatra Fleet Academy - an academy that has only just allowed students from planets other than the main Tridian planet. This book centres around themes of friendship, prejudice and subterfuge.
Students are split in to teams, where they man their own practice craft, and there is someone from pretty much each of the planets in their system: Cormack is from Deva, and has taken his dead brothers place, unbeknownst to the academy; Vesper is the daughter of a Tridian Commander and teacher at the academy. She is finding it difficult to live up to her mothers expectations; Arran is from Chetire, and is very intelligent, something that caused him untold trouble at home; and Orelia, who says she's from Loos, but hides a greater secret.
This is a great start to a new series, lots of diversity, excitement, and a fast read. It sets up the next book really well, with a very interesting ending - what a cliffhanger!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for my copy of this book to read and honestly review.