Despite a long history of affection for the good Doctor, it was not until I picked up a copy of the 50th Anniversary reprint of Dan Abnett’s 2011 novel that I ever read a Doctor Who novel.  I first found out about the 50th Anniversary novel re-releases on SF Signal when they posted all the cover art for the novels, one for each of the various incarnations of the Doctor.

The Silent Stars Go By is a great novel to read at this time of year.  The Doctor (as played by Matt Smith) is taking Amy and Rory home to England to celebrate Christmas, but as things are wont to do in the Doctor Who universe, things go wrong and they end up in a very wintery place, but unfortunately not present day Earth.  Instead this snowy land exists in a far distant future where humanity has went to terraform another world and in so doing have come across creatures that are threatening their very existence.

I had read many positive things about Dan Abnett’s Warhammer novels and when I saw that he had penned this Doctor Who novel I felt it was the perfect opportunity to try out both his work and a novel in the series.

Good call.

The Silent Stars Go By is not only a seasonal joy but it captures the spirit and voices of the Doctor and his companions perfectly.  The story is interesting but, as in the television show, it is the characters that truly shine.

My Rating: 8/10 stars

Continue reading The Silent Stars Go By ~Dan Abnettt →

Lois McMaster Bujold’s Hugo Award and Locus Award winning novel, Barrayar, opens after the events of her first novel featuring the adventures of Captain Cordelia Naismith and her would-be husband, Lord Aral Vorkosigan. I first read Shards of Honor last year and although I felt it had a few minor structural issues I was thoroughly impressed with the way in which Bujold was able to weave a strong romantic thread into this feudal tale set firmly in a science ficitonal universe.  I commented at the time that I felt Bujold was able to accomplish things with this story that felt authentic because they were being told by a female author through the point of view of a female character.

It is apparent in Shards of Honor that in Cordelia Naismith Bujold has developed a fully rounded character, and that trend continues in this gripping second novel.  It was easy to see early on why Barrayar captured the attention of the science fiction community back in the early 90’s.

The story opens after the marriage of Cordelia and Lord Aral and their return to his home planet of Barrayar.  In spite of their plans to settle down and live a quiet life, Lord Aral is tapped for public service as a guardian of the child Emperor Gregor, a task that quickly goes from burdensome to dangerous as other factions vie for power.  Adding to that danger is the fact that Cordelia Vorkosigan is with child and is carrying it within her body, according to Barrayan custom, rather than being handled externally as is done on her scientifically advanced Betan Colony.  As threats to her husband, her friends and then her child increase, Lady Cordelia Vorkosigan must marshal all her strength, stubbornness and intelligence to keep herself and those she loves alive.

My Rating: 9/10 stars. One that will appeal to fantasy and science fiction readers who like strong character-based drama.

Continue reading Barrayar ~Lois McMaster Bujold →