Fiction – Page 3 – Lee J. Russell, Author

“Hellstrom’s Hive” – Frank Herbert

I’ve just enjoyed reading Frank Herbert’s 1973 novel “Hellstrom’s Hive”. Originally published (in 4 parts, I think) in Galaxy Magazine, the book is a written version of the 1971 film ‘The Hellstrom Chronicle’ directed by Walon Green (easily found on YouTube). Film-Book crossovers, and visa versa, are often unsatisfying experiences, but this novelisation by HerbertContinue reading ““Hellstrom’s Hive” – Frank Herbert”

Sci-FI author Ray Bradbury talking about love…

I just stumbled upon this wonderful quote about love from legendary sc-fi author Ray Bradbury… “The only thing you’re ever going to own in your life is your work… we belong only by doing, and we owned [things] only by doing, and we loved only by doing… if you want an interpretation of life andContinue reading “Sci-FI author Ray Bradbury talking about love…”

“Extinction Game” – Gary Gibson

There are more sci-fi books published every year than any reader could comfortably read in their lifetime. It is impossible to keep up with them all and I find myself discovering gems like Gary Gibson’s “Extinction Game” long after they were first released. ‘Extinction Game’ was first published in 2014 by Tor, but being onlyContinue reading ““Extinction Game” – Gary Gibson”

“How the masters do it…”

I was recently re-reading some books in my collection to see “how the masters do it”. I totally enjoyed Matt Reilly’s fast moving and tightly plotted “Ice Station”. Then I started Clancy’s “Red Storm Rising” and got so engrossed it was hard to put down! Eventually managed to do that that last night and nowContinue reading ““How the masters do it…””

“Hospital Station” by James White – first published in 1967…

Just finished reading “Hospital Station” by James White – first published in 1967, an auspicious year! I had a strong sense of déjà vu from the first short story in this collection, but the others were new to me. What stands out in this sci fi book is that although it is set in space,Continue reading ““Hospital Station” by James White – first published in 1967…”

“… if you’re stupid enough to be biased against SF you will read SF stupidly…”

An insightful quote from Chris Gavaler on theguardian.com : “… when readers who are biased against SF read the word ‘airlock’, their negative assumptions kick in – ‘Oh, it’s that kind of story’ – and they begin reading poorly. So, no, SF doesn’t really make you stupid. It’s more that if you’re stupid enoughContinue reading ““… if you’re stupid enough to be biased against SF you will read SF stupidly…””

the international diversification of sci-fi…

I enjoyed this interesting article from the BBC about the international diversification of sci-fi: http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20181203-what-our-science-fiction-says-about-us Nothing ever stays the same and it is very good for the genre to bring in new ideas and new voices. On the other hand we are seeing an increasingly aggressive China and Russia exerting themselves militarily in several regionsContinue reading “the international diversification of sci-fi…”

“Day Four” – Sarah Lotz – book review…

I don’t often take the time to simply read a book, mostly because I’m usually after working at my day job or writing my own stories. I’m even less likely to be reading a ‘ghost story’ because they tend to lodge uncomfortably in my imagination. So it has been very pleasing to pass a coupleContinue reading ““Day Four” – Sarah Lotz – book review…”

James Phelan – “The Spy” and “Dark Heart”…

This is my second review of James Phelan’s “Jed Walker” stories. Last time out I wrote about “The Hunted”, which was an Ok read. That story was reasonably well drawn but did feel a bit average (scoring 3 / 5 on the ‘Cloak & Dagger’ scale.). So how did the next two books I readContinue reading “James Phelan – “The Spy” and “Dark Heart”…”

Online Science Fiction Book Club: Robert Heinlein Society Panel interview, June 2018…

I’m feeling very pleased and honoured to have had one of my questions about the science fiction writer Robert Heinlein answered in a recent panel interview organised by the Online Science Fiction Book Club (https://www.facebook.com/groups/130411676997908/ ). Heinlein is one of my all-time favourite writers with published work spanning from 1947 to 1987, and posthumously inContinue reading “Online Science Fiction Book Club: Robert Heinlein Society Panel interview, June 2018…”