Difference between revisions of "Bookbag's Science Fiction Picks"

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Who doesn't love immersing themselves in another world? The best sci-fi books have a grand scope, that involves the reader and inspires fantastic thoughts. They can make us look at our own lives with fresh eyes, or they can be rip-roaring adventures with robots and aliens. There's something here for everyone. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites? We're always looking for new reviewers, so if you'd like to review a classic sci-fi novel and join our team, please [[Reviewer Vacancies|get in touch]].
 
Who doesn't love immersing themselves in another world? The best sci-fi books have a grand scope, that involves the reader and inspires fantastic thoughts. They can make us look at our own lives with fresh eyes, or they can be rip-roaring adventures with robots and aliens. There's something here for everyone. Why not [mailto:sue@thebookbag.co.uk tell us] about your favourites? We're always looking for new reviewers, so if you'd like to review a classic sci-fi novel and join our team, please [[Reviewer Vacancies|get in touch]].
  
 
__NOTOC__
 
__NOTOC__
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|author=Kevin Brooks
 
|author=Kevin Brooks
 
|title=Being
 
|title=Being
 
|rating=5
 
|rating=5
 
|summary=Frighteningly good writing, a tense plot, existential questions and vivid emotions make this Blade Runner themed book a five star volume, not to be missed.
 
|summary=Frighteningly good writing, a tense plot, existential questions and vivid emotions make this Blade Runner themed book a five star volume, not to be missed.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0141381442</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=0141381442
 +
|genre=Science Fiction
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|author=Charles Stross
 
|author=Charles Stross
 
|title=Halting State
 
|title=Halting State
 
|rating=4
 
|rating=4
 
|summary=Some time in the near future the virtual world and Edinburgh reality collide with some serious collateral damage. It won’t appeal to everyone – a very specific sense of humour is required – along with the ability to accept you won’t necessarily understand a fair chunk of what you’re reading. It’s still funny.
 
|summary=Some time in the near future the virtual world and Edinburgh reality collide with some serious collateral damage. It won’t appeal to everyone – a very specific sense of humour is required – along with the ability to accept you won’t necessarily understand a fair chunk of what you’re reading. It’s still funny.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1841496650</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=1841496650
 +
|genre=Science Fiction
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|author=Cherith Baldry
 
|author=Cherith Baldry
 
|title=The Reliquary Ring
 
|title=The Reliquary Ring
 
|rating=4
 
|rating=4
 
|summary=A masterly combination of fantasy, science fiction, alternate history and politics. The lead characters are beautifully and subtly drawn. The relationships between them, especially that of the genic Gabriel and his master Leonardo, are complex and bitter sweet. The characters as a whole have that illusive but essential quality of being recognisable, their actions and reactions always believable.
 
|summary=A masterly combination of fantasy, science fiction, alternate history and politics. The lead characters are beautifully and subtly drawn. The relationships between them, especially that of the genic Gabriel and his master Leonardo, are complex and bitter sweet. The characters as a whole have that illusive but essential quality of being recognisable, their actions and reactions always believable.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0330492071</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=0330492071
 +
|genre=Science Fiction
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|author=Richard Matheson
 
|author=Richard Matheson
 
|title=I Am Legend
 
|title=I Am Legend
 
|rating=5
 
|rating=5
 
|summary=Part of the Millennium SF Masterworks series, ''I Am Legend'' is the inspiration for many subsequent books and films. It's a groundbreaking novel and a must read for any fans of the genre, despite some superficial characterisation among the minor cast.
 
|summary=Part of the Millennium SF Masterworks series, ''I Am Legend'' is the inspiration for many subsequent books and films. It's a groundbreaking novel and a must read for any fans of the genre, despite some superficial characterisation among the minor cast.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1857988094</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=1857988094
 +
|genre=Science Fiction
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|author=Frederik Pohl
 
|author=Frederik Pohl
 
|title=Gateway
 
|title=Gateway
 
|rating=4
 
|rating=4
 
|summary=''Gateway'', by Frederik Pohl, is very much in the grand tradition of 'hard SF'. Whereas much of what gets put in the science-fiction section of bookshops is actually little more than fantasy with lasers instead of swords, ''Gateway'' is part of the Arthur C Clarke, Bradbury and Asimov school that seeks to extrapolate fantastic worlds from real current science, and examines how science and technology could affect the peoples of those worlds.
 
|summary=''Gateway'', by Frederik Pohl, is very much in the grand tradition of 'hard SF'. Whereas much of what gets put in the science-fiction section of bookshops is actually little more than fantasy with lasers instead of swords, ''Gateway'' is part of the Arthur C Clarke, Bradbury and Asimov school that seeks to extrapolate fantastic worlds from real current science, and examines how science and technology could affect the peoples of those worlds.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0575078995</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=0575078995
 +
|genre=Science Fiction
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|author=Ken MacLeod
 
|author=Ken MacLeod
 
|title=The Execution Channel
 
|title=The Execution Channel
 
|rating=5
 
|rating=5
 
|summary=A near-future catastrophe novel that is tense, well-drawn and sneakily, sneakily clever. The muted SF elements and subtle opinionating give the book a number of levels and made a patsy of this reader right up to the very last pages. Highly recommended.
 
|summary=A near-future catastrophe novel that is tense, well-drawn and sneakily, sneakily clever. The muted SF elements and subtle opinionating give the book a number of levels and made a patsy of this reader right up to the very last pages. Highly recommended.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>184149349X</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=184149349X
 +
|genre=Science Fiction
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|author=Philip K Dick
 
|author=Philip K Dick
 
|title=Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
 
|title=Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
 
|rating=4.5
 
|rating=4.5
 
|summary=World War Terminus is over, and Earth is in ruins. While most people have emigrated to Mars, some continue to live their lives on Earth while radioactivity slowly impairs their brain and reproductive function. Upon emigrating to Mars, all citizens were given a highly sophisticated android servant, and now six have escaped from captivity and fled to Earth, killing all in their path. Rick Deckard is the bounty hunter commissioned to track down and destroy these androids, almost indiscernible from humans, in return for a fee.
 
|summary=World War Terminus is over, and Earth is in ruins. While most people have emigrated to Mars, some continue to live their lives on Earth while radioactivity slowly impairs their brain and reproductive function. Upon emigrating to Mars, all citizens were given a highly sophisticated android servant, and now six have escaped from captivity and fled to Earth, killing all in their path. Rick Deckard is the bounty hunter commissioned to track down and destroy these androids, almost indiscernible from humans, in return for a fee.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0575079932</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=0575079932
 +
|genre=Science Fiction
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|author=Jeff Somers
 
|author=Jeff Somers
 
|title=The Digital Plague
 
|title=The Digital Plague
 
|rating=4
 
|rating=4
 
|summary=This future-noir styled thriller features a returning hero with a troubling world collapsing round his shoulders.  Trying to get revenge on the people who made him the very cause is harder than he thinks, in this lively and pacy action read, which we recommend.
 
|summary=This future-noir styled thriller features a returning hero with a troubling world collapsing round his shoulders.  Trying to get revenge on the people who made him the very cause is harder than he thinks, in this lively and pacy action read, which we recommend.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1841497045</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=1841497045
 +
|genre=Science Fiction
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|author=Jim Crace
 
|author=Jim Crace
 
|title=The Pesthouse
 
|title=The Pesthouse
 
|rating=4.5
 
|rating=4.5
 
|summary=A book about a future American dystopia that is surprisingly gentle, kind and optimistic if unlikely. Lovers of language will find Jim Crace addictive, but his prose poem style may prove a stumbling block for some.
 
|summary=A book about a future American dystopia that is surprisingly gentle, kind and optimistic if unlikely. Lovers of language will find Jim Crace addictive, but his prose poem style may prove a stumbling block for some.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>0330445626</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=0330445626
 +
|genre=Science Fiction
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{topten
+
{{Frontpage
 
|author=Iain M Banks
 
|author=Iain M Banks
 
|title=The Algebraist
 
|title=The Algebraist
 
|rating=5
 
|rating=5
 
|summary=A grand sweep of a novel, exciting, tantalising and engaging for a reader who makes an effort to try and work out what's going on. The vision is truly massive, the politics complicated, the science totally implausible, the human characters believable and engaging, and the social set-ups suitably varied; while the main alien race of the Dwellers are something else altogether.
 
|summary=A grand sweep of a novel, exciting, tantalising and engaging for a reader who makes an effort to try and work out what's going on. The vision is truly massive, the politics complicated, the science totally implausible, the human characters believable and engaging, and the social set-ups suitably varied; while the main alien race of the Dwellers are something else altogether.
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>1841492299</amazonuk>
+
|isbn=1841492299
 +
|genre=Science Fiction
 
}}
 
}}
  

Latest revision as of 09:50, 11 February 2024

Who doesn't love immersing themselves in another world? The best sci-fi books have a grand scope, that involves the reader and inspires fantastic thoughts. They can make us look at our own lives with fresh eyes, or they can be rip-roaring adventures with robots and aliens. There's something here for everyone. Why not tell us about your favourites? We're always looking for new reviewers, so if you'd like to review a classic sci-fi novel and join our team, please get in touch.


0141381442.jpg

Review of

Being by Kevin Brooks

5star.jpg Science Fiction

Frighteningly good writing, a tense plot, existential questions and vivid emotions make this Blade Runner themed book a five star volume, not to be missed. Full Review

1841496650.jpg

Review of

Halting State by Charles Stross

4star.jpg Science Fiction

Some time in the near future the virtual world and Edinburgh reality collide with some serious collateral damage. It won’t appeal to everyone – a very specific sense of humour is required – along with the ability to accept you won’t necessarily understand a fair chunk of what you’re reading. It’s still funny. Full Review

0330492071.jpg

Review of

The Reliquary Ring by Cherith Baldry

4star.jpg Science Fiction

A masterly combination of fantasy, science fiction, alternate history and politics. The lead characters are beautifully and subtly drawn. The relationships between them, especially that of the genic Gabriel and his master Leonardo, are complex and bitter sweet. The characters as a whole have that illusive but essential quality of being recognisable, their actions and reactions always believable. Full Review

1857988094.jpg

Review of

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

5star.jpg Science Fiction

Part of the Millennium SF Masterworks series, I Am Legend is the inspiration for many subsequent books and films. It's a groundbreaking novel and a must read for any fans of the genre, despite some superficial characterisation among the minor cast. Full Review

0575078995.jpg

Review of

Gateway by Frederik Pohl

4star.jpg Science Fiction

Gateway, by Frederik Pohl, is very much in the grand tradition of 'hard SF'. Whereas much of what gets put in the science-fiction section of bookshops is actually little more than fantasy with lasers instead of swords, Gateway is part of the Arthur C Clarke, Bradbury and Asimov school that seeks to extrapolate fantastic worlds from real current science, and examines how science and technology could affect the peoples of those worlds. Full Review

184149349X.jpg

Review of

The Execution Channel by Ken MacLeod

5star.jpg Science Fiction

A near-future catastrophe novel that is tense, well-drawn and sneakily, sneakily clever. The muted SF elements and subtle opinionating give the book a number of levels and made a patsy of this reader right up to the very last pages. Highly recommended. Full Review

0575079932.jpg

Review of

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K Dick

4.5star.jpg Science Fiction

World War Terminus is over, and Earth is in ruins. While most people have emigrated to Mars, some continue to live their lives on Earth while radioactivity slowly impairs their brain and reproductive function. Upon emigrating to Mars, all citizens were given a highly sophisticated android servant, and now six have escaped from captivity and fled to Earth, killing all in their path. Rick Deckard is the bounty hunter commissioned to track down and destroy these androids, almost indiscernible from humans, in return for a fee. Full Review

1841497045.jpg

Review of

The Digital Plague by Jeff Somers

4star.jpg Science Fiction

This future-noir styled thriller features a returning hero with a troubling world collapsing round his shoulders. Trying to get revenge on the people who made him the very cause is harder than he thinks, in this lively and pacy action read, which we recommend. Full Review

0330445626.jpg

Review of

The Pesthouse by Jim Crace

4.5star.jpg Science Fiction

A book about a future American dystopia that is surprisingly gentle, kind and optimistic if unlikely. Lovers of language will find Jim Crace addictive, but his prose poem style may prove a stumbling block for some. Full Review

1841492299.jpg

Review of

The Algebraist by Iain M Banks

5star.jpg Science Fiction

A grand sweep of a novel, exciting, tantalising and engaging for a reader who makes an effort to try and work out what's going on. The vision is truly massive, the politics complicated, the science totally implausible, the human characters believable and engaging, and the social set-ups suitably varied; while the main alien race of the Dwellers are something else altogether. Full Review

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