Podcast » Cybermage

March started low on the reading and watching but picked up in later weeks. I also started writing a new series of articles about Trends in Current Science Fiction that seems to have gone down well.

Most popular posts have been First look at Felicia Day in RED that got some 3000 hits, followed in popularity by Major Casting Change in HBO’s Game of Thrones, Interesting TV Pilots Round Up, New Science Fiction Books in April 2010 and 18 Science Fiction Podcasts.

Reading has been good, though I am a bit behind in my review writing as you can see. Of the books I enjoyed Oath of Fealty, Shadow Prowler, The Crucible of Empire and Gardens of the Sun best, in that order. None of the books where really bad, though I was a bit disappointed with Trade of Queens it didn’t give as much closure as I wished for.

Books read in March 2010 in reading order:

The Quiet War by McAuley, Paul (The Quiet War & Gardens of the Sun Series)
The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
Earth Strike by Ian Douglas (Star Carrier 1)
This Paper World by Jeff Lane
Shadow Prowler by Alexey Pehov (Chronicles of Siala 1) *1st review copy ever
Oath of Fealty by Elizabeth Moon (Paladin’s Legacy 1)
The Crucible of Empire by Eric Flint & K. D. Wentwoth (Empire 2)
Coyote Destiny by Allen Steele (Coyote Chronicles 2)
Trade of Queens by Charles Stross (Merchant Princes 6)
Gardens of the Sun by Paul McAuley (The Quiet War 2)
The Myriad by R. M. Meluch (Tour of the Merrimack 1)
Wolf Star by R. M. Meluch (Tour of the Merrimack 2)

I took on myself to write down some of the idle observations I make while I read Science Fiction and call it an article Series on Trends in Current Science Fiction. So far I have written three articles, and I plan on writing about one a week until I run out of trends.

Arrived or shopped books is always interesting. You can always check out my latest arrivals if you like. You should also know that I didn’t receive any free books for review this month (I reviewed one I received in February), I put my money where my Science Fiction is.

The Crucible of Empire by Eric Flint & K. D. Wentworth
Oath of Fealty by Elizabeth Moon
Coyote Destiny by Allen Steele
Gardens of the Sun by Paul McAuley
Trade of Queens by Charles Stross
Geosynchron by David Louis Edelman
Xeelee an Omnibus by Stephen Baxter (Raft, Timelike Infinity, Flux, Ring)
Shadow of the Scorpion by Neal Asher (an agent Cormac novel)
A Thousand Words for Stranger by Julie E. Czerneda (The Trade Pact Universe #1)
Ties of Power by Julie E. Czerneda (The Trade Pact Universe #2)
To Trade the Stars by Julie E. Czerneda (The Trade Pact Universe #3)
Dust by Elizabeth Bear
Chill by Elizabeth Bear (sequel to Dust)
The Myriad by R. M. Meluch (Tour of the Merrimack #1)
Wolf Star by R. M. Meluch (Tour of the Merrimack #2)
Servants of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard (Obsidian & Blood 1)

It’s been a good month, I haven’t finished quite all I would have liked to do but it is a good start.

Next month will have quite a few more books, you can see what I ordered in New Science Fiction Books in April 2010. I also have some Elizabeth Bear, David Louis Edelman, Aliette de Bodard and more to look forward to.

Don’t forget Walker of Worlds upcoming Sci-Fi Appreciation Month starts April 1. I have made a contribution and will let you know when it’s there.

I will also guest blog a few reviews for Temple Library Reviews starting April 6th with my review of Gardens of the Sun by Paul McAuley.

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I got this audio book podcast in a comment to my list of Science Fiction Podcasts and immediate liked the story. This Paper World refer to a thought experiment, if we lived in a two dimensional world like a paper and a three dimensional being visited that world we would perceive it as supernatural.

A supernatural thriller with action and suspense, podcast weekly and read by the author Jeff Lane. Jim Hunt, is an average 18 year old college student…

or he would like to be. He dreams of a door

This is a free podcast you can download from the authors homepage. Each episode is followed by a commentary by Jeff where he discuss the comments from the listeners.

The protagonist of this story is Jim Hunt a college student. He starts to have strange dreams about a door locked with many locks, a door he is not sure he wants to open. There is memories he can’t remember from his childhood. After a fight outside a bar the dreams start to get more menacing and he is not sure he can confine in his roommate Eric. Maybe he should talk to Parks, his neighbor back home.

Then he goes home over Christmas meets a girl and have a talk with Parks. Here its get a bit tricky, I don’t want to spoil the secret. But Jim learns what he is and is given a list of contacts and helpers to learn by heart and destroy before leaving home.

A little warning for chapter 4 the warnings in the beginning of each episode is mostly about this chapter. We get an example of the fight going on concerning saving a little girl that is being tortured.

Jim’s list get stolen and to Jim’s horror it’s used to kill and murder the people on the list. Parks is kidnapped and Jim has to save him.

The characters use inner dialogs a lot which helps to get to know what motivates them. The story has a good pace and the buildup to the end is great with lots of action and resolution.

I was surprised with the good quality of the podcasts not that I know things like that but I felt the music was added really professional and Jeff Lane has a good voice and story telling ability that adds positively to the story.

This Paper World is a free online supernatural thriller about the fight between good and evil and about a young boy coming of age to participate. I would recommend it to anyone who like supernatural action.

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Abaddon & Solaris Books Podcast, the

So far this year there has been a cast in January and March. I liked the interviews.

The Abaddon & Solaris Books podcast blasts out of yout earphones each month with fresh insights, general nonsense and the latest releases from our favorite Science Fiction and Horror publisher. With regular features, guest authors, and book readings. Warning: Ensure socks are firmly secured against being knocked the Hell off before listening.

Adventures in Scifi Publishing
(Farpoint Media)

Used to be a regular, but I haven’t seen any casts in 2010.

Adventures in Scifi Publishing began in October 2006 when creator Shaun Farrell decided to try something his hand at podcasting. Our first shows featured exclusive interviews with Ray Bradbury, R.A. Salvatore, Harry Turtledove, and Michael A. Stackpole. How could we stop after a lineup like that! We interview authors, editors, agents, publishers, artists, and a variety of other professionals from the science fiction and fantasy publishing industry. We have covered exciting events such as Comic-Con, the Clarion Writers Workshop, WorldCon, World Fantasy Convention, Condor, Conjecture, and live book readings. Occasionally we step outside the world of books and brave the frontiers of media, and on our website you will find interviews with Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis stars, musician Bear McCreary, and the filmmakers behind Ray Bradbury’s Crysalis. Whether you’re a writer or just love to read, you’ll find insight and entertainment in AISFP.

In addition to our podcasts, visit our website for book reviews, editorials, features, videos, news, and listener generated content.