Science Fiction – Page 6 – Ryan's Book Blog

Speaker for the Dead

March 23, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Speaker for the Dead is the book following Ender’s Game and, according to the author, the real story he wanted to tell by writing Ender’s Game. Published in 1986, it is the story of another world where there are sentient beings nick named “piggies” who the humans have been studying. Over 3000 years after the events of Ender’s Game, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin is still alive due to the time dilation of light speed travel. Traveling with him is the hive queen who is the last of her kind and wants to establish a new colony. Will this world be the right one for both of them?

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the book but not as much as Ender’s Game. After thinking about it, there just isn’t much hope put into the future of humanity. I’d guess I like the optimism of the Star Trek universe over the possible future of ever-increasing factions and biases. Still, it was a good story and I will read the next book.

Recommendation

I’m on the fence with this one. If you are a more casual reader, I would say, skip it. Reading it has committed me to the next book and it may lead me to disappointment.

The Time Traveler’s Wife

March 9, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2003 and made into a movie in 2009, The Time Traveler’s Wife is a book about a man who keeps jumping forward and backward in time.

My Thoughts

The premise was an interesting literary device but that’s really all the good I have to say about the book. The science was ridiculous, the language was foul, and there wasn’t a lot of morality in the characters. There wasn’t much that I could identify with so in short, I didn’t like it.

My wife asked me if I had heard about this book before and I hadn’t so I decided to read it. I had no idea they made a movie until I did the background searching after reading it. Such a sad surprise…

Recommendation

The worst book I’ve read in a while.

Ender’s Shadow

March 8, 2021 by Ryan

Background

Ender’s Shadow was written somewhat to give some depth to the screenplay for Ender’s Game. Originally published in 1999, it followed the other book by a full 14 years.

Ender’s Shadow is the story of of Ender’s Game from the perspective of one of the main characters, “Bean”. It shadows Bean through his upbringing and how they used him to help Ender to his goal.

My Thoughts

I didn’t even know this book existed but I read the postscript after Ender’s Game stating why it was written. Having read “Speaker for the Dead” and “Xenocide” before, it was part of the Ender saga story I hadn’t been exposed to as of yet.

It was a good book but not amazing. It makes sense why it was written and why it was important to give some perspective to the movie. Having known this beforehand I think I liked the book better than I would have otherwise. I will wait till I finish all the books before I see the movie but I’m more excited having read this.

Recommendation

This isn’t an important read but I enjoyed it.

Ender’s Game

March 7, 2021 by Ryan

Background

First published as a short story, Ender’s Game was published as a novel in 1985 but was first published as a short story a decade before. It is a science fiction story of an Earth in the future which has been invaded by aliens. These aliens were repelled but the humans want to be ready for the next time. Thus they build there military arms and look for the commanders of tomorrow. Ender Wiggin might be one of those commanders if he can survive the training.

My Thoughts

Such an enjoyable book. We teach a course using it at the Marine Corps University to spark discussion about tactics and such. I first read it when I was 10 or so and enjoyed it even then. Now, several decades later, I was still able to get into the story and enjoy it again.

I particularly enjoyed the post script in this version of the book with Orson Scott Card telling the story of how the movie came to be. That was worth the read and gave me a lot more respect for the author. I resolved to read the rest of the series based on that feeling.

Recommendation

A must read for every young man

The Martian

December 6, 2020 by Ryan

Background

Andy Weir’s original book published in 2011 and made into a movie shortly thereafter. It follows an unfortunate astronaut who is stranded on Mars and does his best to survive.

My Thoughts

With no offense to Matt Damon, the book was indeed better than the movie. There is so much more detail in the book and I really enjoyed it. I was very taken into the character and pulled into the drama of surviving against all odds.

Recommendation

Great book! There was a reason it took the world by storm and became a movie so quickly.

Attack Surface

October 16, 2020 by Ryan

Background

Published in October of 2020, “Attack Surface” is a science fiction novel by author and activist Cory Doctorow, which explores the relationship between technology and social justice. The book follows the story of Masha Maximow, a former government cybersecurity expert who becomes disillusioned with her work and begins to use her skills to help oppressed communities around the world. As she becomes increasingly involved in these activities, Masha is forced to confront the ethical and political implications of her work, and to navigate the complex landscape of global power and technology.

My Thoughts

This is one of those stories which will make you look over your shoulder and 2nd guess everything you do with your cell phone. It forces you to think about everything your gadgets know about you and who might be listening in.

However, it also has this girl power vibe to the whole thing. I didn’t care for the tone and the underlying theme of the story. Too much forced drama…

Recommendation

I didn’t like it.

Brave New World

June 25, 2020 by Ryan

Background

Originally published in 1932, Brave New World is one of the first dystopian novels and has been the subject of discussion for almost 90 years. Set in some distant future, people are encouraged to forgo their family ties and live only for the good of the whole. They are conditioned to be obedient to authority and are encouraged to pursue cheap pleasures to distract them from anything uncomfortable. They use drugs whenever they feel any need to question or just want to escape. They are repeatedly told, “Everyone is happy” and everyone acts that way or they might have to see the psychologists…

A “savage” from the Indian reservation in Arizona is brought to this world. He was raised by the “old” beliefs of family, religion, and individuality. He finds their world strange but they find him even more so.

My Thoughts

This book effectively makes the argument of there being no real happiness simply by pursuing pleasure and suppressing pain. One can’t know the good from the evil if there is no concept of either. It is particularly interesting to put this work in the context of history as “the war to end all wars” had concluded, the Bolshevik Revolution had occurred and Stalin ran unchecked. The discussions on what constituted an ideal society were being had everywhere and nations were starting to become entrenched in their doctrine.

The book was ahead of its time in many ways. There are some dated references but it could have easily been passed off as something written 50 years later or more. As American society is trending more populist, it is very interesting to read the words of those who went before. Can we learn from the past or do we even bother to listen since so many people give their “revisionist histories” these days.

Recommendation

An important book. It’s worth the time to read it but you may have to plow through sections.

The Death Cure

April 21, 2020 by Ryan

Background

This is the last book in the Maze Runner series (chronologically) published in 2011. There are two books which were written after which became prequels to the series.

This book picks up right after the last and the reader learns the final fate of Thomas and his friends along with WICKED.

My Thoughts

First off -Spoiler Alert- he killed off my favorite character. Newt shouldn’t have died. I’m not happy about that…

The book is overly harsh. It was entertaining but overly harsh. It was a rough read.

Recommendation

Honestly, if you need closure, I can understand why you would want to read it. However, I don’t know it gave me much closure, and they left it wide open for the next book. I can’t really recommend it.

The Scorch Trials

March 11, 2020 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2010, The Scorch Trials is the sequel to The Maze Runner. This book picks up right where the last left off taking Tomas and the other “Gladers” into their next series of events. They quickly learn they are not out of peril yet…

My Thoughts

Good book all and all. It was a pleasure to read a novel again after doing a lot of more technical material.

This book was very similar to the first in that it does a good job of getting into the mind of a teenager who is trying to cope with a world that doesn’t make sense. However, it has some of the downfalls as the first book as well. The kids get over the death of their friends remarkably quickly. This is somewhat explained by their involvement and being “chosen” to participate in the trials. However, it felt pretty unrealistic.

Recommendation

It was worth the time. I didn’t get bored and was interested throughout the book.

Dune

February 22, 2020 by Ryan

Background

Written back in the 60’s, Dune is a dystopian look at a possible future where humans have made it to other planets and continue their wars and contentions.

My Thoughts

I had seen the 1984 movie and was still young enough to get that it was a big deal while only catching the broadest points the plot. I hadn’t seen it since then. Not to sound cliche but, the book was better.

There were some plot holes and the like but I thought Herbert did a great job. (Particularly since it is 60 years old.)

Recommendation

This was one of those books that I put off doing other things to continue. I would highly recommend it if you enjoy fantasy.