Steve Gibson
This anthology contains 8 short stories. All these stories are set after the collapse of modern technical society. Most of these stories are set in an alternate future about 100 years in the future, where people use horses, spinning wheels, bows and arrows. This future primitive fiction is set in a time that does not have technology advanced beyond use of wooden tools, equipment, and structures. Some are set in the Southwestern United States. Other stories are set in India, Egypt, and one in Korea. In this future world, librarians have access to information in old books. Librarians have seized much of the political power.
The first story is Kalapati's Tool. Kalapati's Tool is set in California after the events of Feeling a Way. Kalapati, the independent archer, takes on a task for the San Jose Librarian. She must rescue a group of adults and children. She accompanies a woman to the coast and determines if women and children need her help. She will use her wits and the authority she can assert to enforce her will.
Future's Fate is set in California, and involves another mission for the librarians. A graduate student teams up with a library scout. They must travel to find and disable a long hidden weapon from before the Collapse. They are being chased by dangerous criminals. This story is set around the time of Feeling a Way.
Zuni Stash is set in Pecos, New Mexico. Mona and her assistant Susanna find themselves thrust into a search for treasure. They must decrypt ancient maps and messages to lay their hands on a long-buried cache of cultural artifacts and valuables. Mona translates the languages of Zuni with her expertise in Native languages of the Southwest. This story is set before the events of In the Horde's Way.
War Tools is set in Korea. A female samurai travels from Japan to investigate strange happenings in the Korea royal court. She must navigate the cultural differences and avoid causing an international incident. This story is set after the events of Pratima's Forbidden Book. Chizuko had earlier traveled to India and helped Pratima in that book.
Out of the Sands is set in Egypt. Egypt has risen after the Collapse, and the reopened Bibliotheka Alexandrina has hired Aaliyah to survey the archaeological riches of the nation. Hiring an aerialist, Sunil, recommended by the library seems simple for Aaleyah's mapping of the pyramids until they are aloft and an attack causes all manner of trouble for the pair. Before Aaliyah can make her way back to her ministry of antiquities she'll find help from a desert patriarch and face the fact that something quite nefarious is afoot with the royal house of Haker. Once on the track across the desert sands, Sunil uncovers within himself something he never realized he was capable of. Joined by Chike, a librarian scout, Sunil and Aaleyah are pulled into an adventure none had foreseen. Both Aaleyah's knife, a Kard antique, and Chike's sword will flash and defend the royal house in this post-apocalyptic setting. Sunil will stand loyal for the King, the artifacts of the past, and the Bibliotheka Alexandrina. Win or lose, the trio must cross hundreds of kilometers to save the past and guide the future.
Burning Library is set in the Protected Books. World civilization as we know it has ended, not with an apocalyptic bang but with an insidious virus. In a future where technology is lost, libraries have taken power. Scouts enforce the library rules and keep the peace. Go on the dangerous journey with librarians. In this short story libraries in California are providing a book for those in New Mexico. Readers of A Dangerous Way may recognize the events that led up to this adventure. A library courier has an important mission for the Southwest in this future world with no modern technology. Lindy must deliver the book against impossible odds. It falls on her to save the future of the Southwest.
Lakisha Decides is a story that is part of Asante's Gullah Journey. Asante's Gullah Journey is set in the Carolinas of the future United States where Gullah people have power and live free of interference by others. Lakisha is a young girl who has been brought to a library and has become involved in the defense of the library against attackers. She rises to the occasion, demonstrating bravery and brains. This story is set before the time of Gullah Girl in the Bayou.
Pratima's Engines is set in India. Pratima goes on an undercover mission for the library. Pratima, a new investigator for the libraries, must disguise herself as an expert, and walk into a heavily armed compound to discover the dangerous plans afoot to challenge the leaders of India. Pratima was introduced in the book Pratima's Forbidden book. Her adventures are in Northern India. This story is set after Pratima's Forbidden Book, and before the After the Collapse books.
Another exciting installment to the story of our intrepid adventurers. This time they find themselves in entirely new surroundings. They must learn what they can, fast, to survive and help the locals. We take another deep dive into fantasy action with orcs, wizards and a dragon. New friends, foes, and frenemies. I especially enjoy characters who seem like friends, but can't be trusted. Or seem like enemies, and turn out to be helpful. The author creates an immersive world with new creatures and complete civilizations. This story is quite a wild ride full of surprising emotional twists and turns. I found myself attached to the characters and wondering what would happen next. The book raps up great, but I still want to know more about those characters' future adventures. I recommend this book, for readers who enjoy fantasy adventures.
This Dice Maddox story is certainly a departure from a regular detective mystery. Dice is working to solve several mysteries here. First, she must find who is trying to kill her. The other mysteries I'll leave to the reader to unearth. Her life and case take wild detours when she teams up with a stranger who wants to keep her safe. She will see odd things and have fantastic experiences. This story takes the reader on a wild roller coaster ride. You should try this book if you are willing to take a journey that promises a different kind of adventure. Needs some grammar review. Lovers of science fiction and mystery will enjoy this series.
I enjoyed reading this fantasy romance story. Katie felt like an individual I was interested in following. She starts off with little special, in our world, except some martial arts training and an ability to sense auras. But her life dramatically changes as she is carried to another world. A facinating world has been built with Katie having an important role to play. She finds purpose, a life to live, enemies, allies, and a romantic interest.
Readers looking for fantasy and romance will find a near perfect read in this story. Be prepared to want to read the next in the series.
The Korpes Agenda is an epic story of future humanity. Reminds me of the Golden Age of science fiction stories. Authors like Asimov and Clarke covered wide sweeping panoramas of future worlds. In Rogers' story, we learn about conspiracies, rich powerful individuals with dark dreams, and individuals trying to live and love.
This vast sprawling tale is tied together by a focus on Nash Korpes. Nash is a deeply flawed human whom I cared about and anxiously agonized over. Each life event for Nash is a challenge for him, his friends, and his enemies. As a brilliant scientist, he brings an almost unstoppable power into his struggle for survival and justice after he and his loved ones were wronged by the rich and entitled rulers of his world.
This epic has more elements than can be listed in a short review. You will likely enjoy this read if you want to read science fiction that has new technology. You will read about the interactions of different groups and species. It contains power struggles between powerful individuals, groups, and the not so powerful. I would recommend reading the first book first. This second book deals with mostly new topics, but the background of Nash and this society of the future is helpful. If you enjoy science fiction with epic scope and interesting characters you should read this book. I recommend it, and look forward to reading the next one.
After a slow start this mystery carried me to a satisfying conclusion.
The story brought some interesting characters onto a cruise ship. The day-to-day operations on the liner added to the flavor of the story and mystery.
This should be an enjoyable read for folks seeking a clean murder mystery with a female POV character.
Mimsy is a feline that is an officer on a space station. When tragedy strikes, Mimsy must search for her missing crewmates.
This novella contains mystery, adventure and surprise friendships. I enjoyed this science fiction story with a message. The story is suitable for young middle school and up. Readers who love cats will be entertained by this one.
This fantasy story, retells a mythic tale of a magic boy from El Salvador. We follow his crazy and funny adventures. He travels around the world having part fantasy, part realistic adventures. This is a great read for those who want a magical-realism trip with a Salvadoran folk-telling favor. This story is not for children, except for advanced ones. There is some adult language and themes. I recommend this book for readers who want a taste of Salvadoran myth making.
Thus book is an interesting take on future Earth. I am interested in this type of novel where loyalties across species is conflicted and complex. The alien race that controls Earth is both benevolent and untrustworthy. I was very sympathetic to the young woman who is destined to be the figurehead for the human race. We see her struggle to avoid her enviable fate.
Set about 300 years into the future, Earth is unrecognizable. Humans are divided into the isolated communities they live in. The plot is mostly driven by the secret contact between those separated groups, and how they struggle independently and sometimes together to deal with the alien overloads. The surprise ending was satisfying and gives suggestions of where the story can go in future sequels.
Told in past tense with multiple 3rd person POVs, the story does a good job of explaining the complicated world that has been built. I love this type of story where we see villains and heroes having differing ideas of right and wrong. One minute I was routing for one character, later I had my doubts. The moral ambiguity and uncertainly makes for a fun read. I recommend this book to middle school and up readers who enjoy science fiction.
This story about Dai and Julia is set in an alternate history where ancient Rome holds onto England into the present time. This short mystery story is filled with the Roman world and Roman names. I love the mix of old tech and modern ways. Some aspects of life is primitive while tech is available, like phone communication and limited air travel.
This book is best at creating a solid mystery and giving a sense of danger and strangeness. I enjoyed the story, especially the interplay of the main characters. This is the second Dai and Julia story I've read, and look forward to reading more. I recommend this book for middle-grade readers on up. You will probably love it too.
A fascinating story that crosses time and space. This book combines two main plots together into a novel filled with action and danger.
The story begins with characters working the lunar colony when a comet threatens the Earth. The science in this sci-fi book is realistic. It offers an exciting alternative future for readers.
Mother Moon is a well-written story with fully-developed characters with two engrossing plots. By the final chapter, I understood the meaning of the title. I recommend this book for all readers middle-school and up who enjoy solid science fiction. This is comfort food for sci-fi readers.
I enjoyed this engrossing novel. The story transported me to another world, and kept me entertained. The reader is immediately plunged into the search for the Elder Stones, and soon a band of champions who will take on the quest.
Theros, Dominar, Sharka, Kiriana and Nal'drin carry out the quest and face almost insurmountable obstacles. They battle goblins and other monsters on their path. The tension and danger increases rapidly and never lets the characters or reader relax.
A complete world has been built, with a history and multiple races and nations and boundaries. The story moved along at a fast-pace as action scenes quickly appeared one-after-another.
There is a spiritual undergirding of this story that comes through clearly. There are elements of Christianity woven into the story in allegorical clues and clear analogies. This aspect of the stories does not distract from the entertainment value of the novel, but will contribute to the enjoyment of some readers.
The characters must confront challenges that test their abilities, strength, and faith. They will be tested and reach rock bottom in their final confrontations. The story does a good job of showing the character sinking to near defeat in the course of the battles. I appreciate when characters meet obstacles that they cannot easily overcome.
I recommend this book to all readers. I read one other book from the author. I would say reading the previous one is helpful but not completely essential. This book is suitable to high school on up, I would say. Give it a try, I think you might find a new fantasy author to follow.
A wonderfully entertaining ghost story. I think it was very well executed, I finished it in a little over a day. I cared about the characters and could understand their angst. The story takes place over several months and involves a twisted romantic triangle. One of the best short stories I've read. Suitable for middle grades on up.
This is a very entertaining short story about an exorcism. We learn about the secrets of demon possession. Exorcisms are not what we think they are. The priests are interesting and do their best to counter alien invaders. I loved every minute of the rousing devilish dangerous mission. Warning, an exorcism is messy, disgusting event. Be prepared for gore.
This story is a fun, yet heart-tugging adventure of young women and men on another world with dragons and competing military forces using sailing ships, swords, and gunpowder. The mystic forces from dragons infuse some humans in this world.
I enjoy the small unit actions in the story. The technology level is sword and gun with a touch of magical power. Part of the story is how the nations without mystic power fight against such a power. This is a page turning book with strong women and men in conflict. Check it out!
Escape from Samara is a wacky comedy. Barry Harris who still lives with his mom believes he is an awesome ninja. While gardening for a living he seeks to unravel the mystery of his father's and sister's disappearance.
I found this story to be a crazy journey into a dark and funny world. Recommended to readers who might enjoy wild off-kilter humor. Turn off your brain, and give this a try. You may appreciate the author's strange sense of humor in this fantasy story.
We follow the story of Martin Calder. Martin obsesses over a TV show called The Meta's. He plans to get autographs from the two stars, Dana and Van. Those two actors are more than they seem.
A very fun exploration of alien visitation and super powers. Martin has a good attidute to help him handle impossible situations. Interesting events and twists in this story. This story will be enjoyed by lovers of science fiction from middle grades on up.
This was a fun story that included inter-dimensional travel and magic. We follow Paul through difficult and confusing changes until he masters powers beyond the normal. The he finds love and confronts demons and challenges from magical realms. This story takes you from world to world and keeps you anticipating the next twist. I say it's an enjoyable story for fantasy fans from middle grade on up.