review – Page 91 – Queer Sci Fi

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REVIEW: Autonomous, by Annalee Newitz

June 20, 2018 by scott

Our friend Trevor Barton is stopping by with a guest review for Autonomous, by Annalee Newitz. Title: Autonomous* Author: Annalee Newitz Genre: Science Fiction / Cyberpunk LGBTQ+ Category: Several Publisher: Orbit Pages: 304 Blurb: Earth, 2144. Jack is an anti-patent scientist turned drug pirate, traversing the world in a submarine as a pharmaceutical Robin Hood, fabricating cheap medicines for those who can’t otherwise afford them. But her latest drug hack has left a trail of lethal overdoses as people become addicted to their work, doing repetitive tasks until they become unsafe or insane. Hot on her trail is an unlikely pair: … Read more

FOR WRITERS: Through the Looking Glass

April 24, 2018 by scott

FOR WRITERS Today’s writer topic comes from QSFer Fletcher Delancey: We all know that readers bring their own experiences and expectations to our work. Do you find that some readers apparently read a completely different book than the one you wrote? How do you come to terms with that, particularly if their review is based on this “looking glass” version? Join the chat

REVIEW: Samuel R. Delany’s Memoir ‘The Motion Of Light In Water’

March 11, 2018 by scott

I wish I could say that I discovered Samuel R. Delany as a book-hungry teen, like I did with so many of the other sci-fi legends. I wish I could say that I’ve been reading his books for years, or that I’ve always given him due credit as one of the fathers of modern speculative fiction, or that I’ve been lobbying for an HBO adaptation of Dhalgren. But the truth is, I’d barely heard of Samuel R. Delany before I picked up a battered, third-hand copy of his memoir, The Motion of Light in Water: Sex and Science Fiction Writing … Read more

FILM REVIEW: Justice League

November 18, 2017 by scott

“Justice League” is great fun. Directed by Zack Snyder (with an uncredited assist from Joss Whedon) from a screenplay by Chris Torres (with a credited assist from Joss Whedon), the film pleasantly and effectively blends fast-paced action sequences, frequent doses of comedy, and enough engaging drama to cover the exposition needed to launch the next several movies in the DC Universe. The plot kicks off when Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck), still feeling guilty about the death of Superman (Henry Cavill), battles a mysterious winged creature that seems to feed on fear. At the same time, after handily thwarting a terrorist … Read more

REVIEW: What If the Moon Didn’t Exist? and What If The Earth Had Two Moons?

October 27, 2017 by scott

QSF’s own Jim Comer reviews two great books for sci fi world builders. Worldbuilding for writers and gamers means not only making imaginary worlds, but having a working knowledge of the laws by which worlds are built and operate. Knowledge of science is necessary in order for worlds to make any kind of sense. But one of the confusing parts of discussing worldbuilding is the lack of a convenient jargon. Referring to a ‘wet Mars’ or a ‘cold Venus’ is only so useful; the fictional (“M-type”, in Star Trek, or the six-digit planetary profiles from the RPG Traveller)jargons have the … Read more

Renewal Gets a Fantastic Review

September 14, 2017 by scott

Just got a fantastic review for “Renewal” from Rainbow Book Reviews: The first thing I’d like to say is that with the breadth of topics and themes covered, everyone interested in any of the four genres should be able to find something of interest in this collection. It is divided into groups of stories per genre, so it’s easy to find the type of tale you’re looking for – and to at least sneak a look at one or more of the sections you might not usually look at. Horror is not something I enjoy reading, but I found quite … Read more

GUEST REVIEW: Adrift, by Isabelle Adler

April 14, 2017 by scott

One of our QSF folks, Christina, wanted to share a review of an MM sci fi book she really enjoyed. Bonus points, Christina, for the QSF shirt!!! Captain Matt Spears learns this the hard way after a mysterious employer hires his ship to hunt down an ancient alien artifact but insists on providing his own pilot. Ryce Faine is handsome and smart, but Matt has rarely met anyone more obnoxious. With tensions running high, it isn’t until they are attacked by the hostile Alraki that Matt grudgingly begins to respect Ryce’s superior skills, respect that transforms into a tentative attraction. … Read more

Overview: Clexacon

March 15, 2017March 15, 2017 by scott

In-depth fan discussions about pop culture often happen online but last weekend in Las Vegas, the discussions were held face to face. ClexaCon, modeled after Comic Con, Dragon Con, etc., was held March 3-5 at Bally’s and was billed as the first entertainment and media convention organized for queer women by queer women. The convention’s name comes from the popular lesbian couple Clexa, comprised of Clarke and Lexa, from the CW show “The 100.” Show runners killed off Lexa, in an episode fans only refer to ominously as “307” because it’s the exact episode number when Lexa’s death occurs, that … Read more

REVIEW: Logan

March 11, 2017 by scott

LOGAN, the latest and last (for now) solo Wolverine movie, was not kidding around when it opted for Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” as its trailer music. It’s not just the severity of the title, but the elegiac lyrics, and the dying man as guiding spirit / inspiration. Some trailers lie but this one spoke world-weary truth. This is exactly the kind of movie James Mangold, who also directed the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line, delivers. Wolverine’s mutation were never those iconic claws, which were a science experiment to weaponize him, but his ability to instantly heal which also slows down his aging … Read more

Review: “Transcendent” – Boogieman In Lavender

February 13, 2017February 12, 2017 by Jeff Baker

“Transcendent,” edited by K.M. Szpara, is the latest “Best Of” collection from Lethe Press. The question arises, would there be enough Transgender-related speculative fiction for a full anthology, let alone an annual series? The answer, judging from the fifteen stories assembled here, is “yes.” The stories display a surprising variety, never straying from Trans characters, (some not obvious) or themes. Transformation is an obvious recurring motif in the stories but when it occurs, it is often in subtle and startlingly different, and entertaining ways. “The Librarian’s Dilemma,” by E. Saxey, features a group “seeding” an archive, The Hairad Collection, which … Read more