Rancid

Echo of Worlds by M.R. Carey My rating: 2 of 5 stars M.R. Carey's "Echo of Worlds" serves as a powerful and satisfying conclusion to his "Pandominion" duology, following the intriguing setup of "Infinity Gate." While the author's broader works certainly explore diverse realms, this novel masterfully ties together the threads of this particular multiversal conflict. The story immediately plunges readers into an epic war across countless dimensions. On one side stands the organic Pandominion, pitted against the chilling machine-intelligence known as the Ansurrection. Both factions are escalating their destructive capabilities, threatening to unleash an extinction-level event called the "Scour," which could wipe out thousands of planets. At the heart of this desperate struggle is the artificial intelligence, Rupshe. Convinced that the "Scour" is inevitable without intervention, Rupshe assembles a captivating and unlikely team fr...

The Long Cosmos by Terry Pratchett My rating: 2 of 5 stars Having just finished "The Long Cosmos," the final installment in the "Long Earth" series—a collaboration Stephen Baxter completed after Terry Pratchett's passing—I found myself a bit disappointed by the number of loose ends left unresolved. I think a core challenge in classifying this series as traditional science fiction lies in its fundamental premise, which sidesteps the real-world physics limitations of interstellar travel. Knowing the near impossibility of venturing beyond our solar system due to light-speed limits, the authors cleverly engineered the parallel Earth concept as their vehicle for cosmic exploration. Instead of launching spaceships, the characters simply "step" into new worlds. This ingenious workaround allows for adventure without grappling with conventional astrophysical constraints. While "The Long Cosmos" does bring humanity's journey across the infinite ...

The Long Utopia by Terry Pratchett My rating: 3 of 5 stars In The Long Utopia, a novel in the Long Earth series, the artificial intelligences Agnes and Lobsang embark on a unique endeavor: adopting a human child, Ben, and attempting to build a normal pioneering life on one of the seemingly infinite parallel Earths. However, their peaceful existence takes a dramatic turn with the human pioneers discovering a peculiar species dubbed 'silver beetles'. These insects exhibit an unusual behavior of 'stepping down' to lower-numbered Earths. As the pioneers observe them, a terrifying realization dawns: the silver beetles are not merely migrating; they are systematically transforming their chosen parallel Earth into a colossal Dyson Motor, a structure designed to harness the star's energy. Lobsang, with his advanced analytical capabilities, understands the catastrophic implications. These silver beetles can step sideways to other parallel Earths, potentially converting an...

The Questor Tapes by D.C. Fontana My rating: 3 of 5 stars The Questor Tapes: A Genesis of Android Dreams - A Nostalgic Revisit" I recently had the opportunity to revisit "The Questor Tapes," a 1974 television film that left an indelible mark on my childhood. You can find it on the Internet Archive, a treasure trove for those seeking to rediscover classic television. As a child of the 70s, watching it again brought back a wave of nostalgia, though it's important to remember that the special effects are very much of their time. As a Gene Roddenberry creation, "The Questor Tapes" holds a special place in the science fiction landscape. In hindsight, it's clear that Questor, the incomplete android, serves as a fascinating precursor to Commander Data from "Star Trek: The Next Generation." This connection highlights Roddenberry's enduring fascination with artificial intelligence and its potential for sentience. The film, beyond its 70s aesthet...

The Long Mars by Terry Pratchett My rating: 3 of 5 stars "The Long Mars," the third installment in the Long Earth series, continues to expand the already vast canvas of Pratchett and Baxter's creation. While the concept of "Joker Mars" – echoing the familiar "Joker Earths" – is intriguing, it's just one of three distinct narrative threads woven throughout this book. We follow Sally Linsay on a journey across the Martian Stepped worlds, unraveling the mysteries her father, Willis, seeks. This exploration of the alien landscapes of the Long Mars is certainly compelling, but personally, it was the storyline involving "The Next" that truly captivated me. Joshua Valiente's arc, which delves into the emergence of these post-human children, is where the book really shines. It's a powerful exploration of prejudice, fear, and the potential societal clashes that arise when faced with the "other." The authors masterfully tackle ...

  "Miss Scarlet" Season 5: A Detective's Triumph and a Welcome Shift "Miss Scarlet" Season 5 marks a significant and, in my opinion, successful evolution for the series. While the departure of "The Duke" (Stuart Martin) was a major change, this season truly shines as one of the show's best, allowing Eliza Scarlet to step fully into her role as a formidable detective. Unlike previous seasons where the show sometimes felt weighed down by overt feminist messaging, Season 5 strikes a more balanced tone. It delves deeper into the intricacies of Victorian England, offering a richer portrayal of the era's social dynamics without feeling preachy. The mysteries themselves take center stage, allowing Eliza's sharp intellect and investigative skills to truly shine. The introduction of Detective Alexander Blake (Tom Durant-Pritchard) has been met with mixed reactions, but I found his presence refreshing. He offers a different kind of dynamic with Eliza...

Having just finished Ultraman Orb, I can confidently say it's a shining example of why Japanese science fiction, even in a series aimed at children, often surpasses much of what's currently being produced elsewhere. In a landscape saturated with lackluster entertainment, Orb delivers a compelling narrative, memorable characters, and top-notch special effects. While yes, it's a children's show, Ultraman Orb transcends its target audience with a depth of storytelling and character development that resonates with viewers of all ages. This 2016 entry in the long-running Ultraman franchise stands out for its innovative approach and engaging narrative. The Power of Fusion and Character At the heart of Orb's appeal is the "Fusion Up" concept. Gai Kurenai, a wandering warrior with a mysterious past, utilizes the powers of past Ultraman heroes to transform into various forms, each with unique abilities. This dynamic mechanic keeps the action fresh and visually stun...

The Long War by Terry Pratchett My rating: 2 of 5 stars Just finished The Long War, the second book in the Long Earth series, and I'm finding it leans heavily into fantasy rather than hard sci-fi. Pratchett's influence is clear, with the inclusion of familiar characters like the Kobolds and the Beagles (sentient dogs). Honestly, I'm only continuing because 1) it was recommended, and 2) I foolishly bought the whole set at once. Here's hoping The Long Mars brings the science back! The Long War itself isn't your typical military conflict. It's more of a sprawling, societal struggle sparked by "stepping" – the ability to instantly travel to parallel Earths. This opens up a practically infinite frontier, leading to a scramble for resources as people flee the overpopulated "Datum Earth." Competition and clashes are inevitable, not just for land and materials, but also between emerging ideologies. Some embrace technology, others a simpler life, a...