17. The Midwich Cuckoos–John Wyndham

Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: Very Good

Made into the movie Village of the Damned.

A small town of no known importance is suddenly blocked off from the rest of the world, and all its inhabitants are cut down. At first the authorities assume they are all dead. Instead they discover the people and animals and every living thing in Midwich is asleep. After 24 hours, everyone awakes and all appear to be fine.

But then it is discovered that every woman of child bearing age who has been hit by the DayOut is with child.

Very intriguing take on alien invasions. Quite different from the movie, of course.

16. Waystation–Clifford Simak

Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: Quite Good

Originally published in 1963.  Hugo Award winner and deservedly so.

Enoch is a quiet man. He keeps to himself and gives his neighbors no reason to be upset with him. He has little to do with anyone other than getting his mail and buying supplies now and again.

The neighbors do notice, however, that he has lived far longer than is normal, but well, he’s no trouble and nice enough so no one wants to make waves about weird goings on.

No one guesses that this quiet man is keeper of an intergalactic way station where aliens arrive most days, say awhile to rest, then continue on their light year journeys.  Until, that is, a deaf mute girl local girl seeks his help from her abusive family. 

The rest, as they say, is history.

Told in a very quiet, simple way, with an intriguing premise and interesting characters.

15. The Iron Jackal – Chris Wooding

Genre: Steampunk, SFF

Rating:  Very Good

Third episode in the Tales of the Ketty Jay series, our ‘heroes’ are feeling pretty smug. For a change, things are going fairly well. That is, until Frey decides to do a train job. From their things definitely get buggered.

Pirates, thieves, outcasts, former slaves, and a demonologist on the run make up the crew of the Ketty Jay. Lots of shades of Firefly in many parts, particularly The Train Job!

I love the characters. Everyone is a mess, and doing their best to make do with what they are, and somehow remain part of a crew.

Frey, leader of the crew, is shallow, narcissistic, and knows it. But for the first time in his life, he’s beginning to actually feel responsible for his crew and aware of his limitations. And is trying to do better.  We’ll see if he can manage it!

15. The Dreaming Void – Peter F. Hamilton

Genre: Space Opera

Rating: Very Good!

It is the far future and humankind have spread across the stars, and met a host of alien species. Wars are over, and things are going pretty well. Except for this massive thing sitting in the middle of the Galaxy. At first it is thought to be a black hole devouring the Galaxy, but then it becomes clear it is something else entirely.

Then one man, an astrophysicist who is studying it, begins to dream.  Through the existing tech that connects the worlds, his dream is broadcast across the stars and people begin to believe that within the Void humans live and are happy and prosper. This spawns a religion around the Dreamer, Inigo.

But after several centuries, the Dreamer disappears. Has he died? Or has he simply pulled out of society and hidden himself somewhere.

Then, suddenly, there is a second Dreamer. This sparks the Living Dream, the religion spawned around the first Dreamer, to suddenly awaken from its slumber and call for a pilgrimage into the Void.  But many scientists, and all the alien species, rise up in alarm, afraid such a thing will cause the Void to speed up and begin, once again, to destroy worlds and civilizations as it chews its way through the Galaxy. The pilgrimage must be stopped!

Hamilton does a great job at creating a Galactic civilization, Religion, and people who are complex and intriguing. The societies are various, with different worlds having quite different problems and opportunities, not to mention goals. Some people, the wealthy of course, live for centuries, and have augmented bodies and minds, and a mental connection to the mass of humanity through the vast gaianet that lets thoughts and dreams spread across worlds and peoples.

I’m excited to read the next outing. Oh, and Fifty Shades doesn’t hold a candle to the future folks and their versions of sex and erotica.

13. Foxglove Summer – Ben Aaronovitch

Genre: Urban Fantasy/Police Procedural

Rating: Excellent

Peter Grant, city boy down to his tiny toes, has to trek off to the wilds of the British countryside, when two little girls vanish.  Just due diligence, just to make sure there wasn't any supernatural critter involved in the abduction.

'The Starling' as he finds himself called, learns a whole lot on this jaunt:  about bees, about himself, about his boss, and about the aspects of magic in the countryside. Not to mention the unicorn and castle.

Excellent addition to the series.

Decline and Fall – Evelyn Waugh and Beauvallet – Georgette Heyer

Evelyn Waugh’s first novel, written in 1928, a satire of the British public school system, with our hero having been sent down, landing a job at a public school of questionable value. Not as good as some of his later books, but quite funny nonetheless.

 

Written in 1929, Heyer’s 5th novel, follows the adventures and romances of a pirate, Beauvallet, and the Spanish lady he captures when he attacks a Spanish ship. He decides he must have her, even if he has to risk his neck by going to Spain to get her.

Lots of intrigue and adventures even if  Nick has all the fun and poor Dominica has to just wait to be rescued.  Not my favorite Heyer, but it does have its virtues.

9 and 10 Books for the Year.

9. Pride and Prejudice – Jan Austen

Not much to say. My umpteenth reread of it.  Great fun.

 

10. The Weed That Strings The Hangman's Bag - Alan Bradley

Genre: Historical Mystery

Rating: Very Good!

I know a lot of people find Flavia DeLuce annoying, but I think she’s utterly hilarious and I envy her dreadfully for being so interesting and complex.

Terrific characters, and intriguing world.

Wonderful series I’ll happily continue.

8. Willful Child – Steven Erikson

Genre: Sci Fi Parody

Rating: Good

This is an all out over-the-top parody of Star Trek. Take all the silliness of the original series, stir, and and a biting wit, and you get The Willful Child.

If you adore Star Trek, don’t read it. Unless, of course, you can admit that the series was fun rather than an example of serious Sci Fi.