Check out the SF Literature Forum's Bookstore!
Science Fiction for February 1998  by Henry Leon Lazarus  One thing I've noticed lately is that fantasy and science fiction are mixing together. Elements from the fantastic are finding their way into purported science fiction. Rigorous background elements seem to make up much of the fantasy that I enjoy reading. This must make for confusion in the bookstores that try to separate fantasy and science fiction, but it means that the field is healthy and alive to me. Consider Elizabeth Ann Scarborough's The Godmother's Web (hard from Ace). Like the other books in this series, Ms. Scarborough mixes myths and fairy tales into modern times by adding a magical figure.  This time the figure, Spider Woman, is a mythical figure out of Hopi and Navaho legends.  However, instead finding simple fairy tales, Ms. Scarborough uses the myths to show us the reality of Hopi and Navaho tribal cultures as they attempt to survive today in the third world of today's southwest America. David Zindell completes his four part series with War in Heaven (paper from Bantam Spectra) by showing us the undersides of start-up religions, in the far future when the creation of real (computer) Gods is not only possible but common. Danlo returns to a Neverness stricken by privations because of the war over the potential God that the religion, that worships his father, is building out of several moons in the system. In facing his past as a primitive and his beliefs in non-violence, Danlo comes to understand his beliefs in divinity. L. E. Modesitt, Jr. continues the story of The Soprano Sorceress (paper) by telling how, as regent, she puts down the revolt of the southern lords of her country and stops another country from seizing part of hers in The Spellsong War (hard from Tor).  The gritty details of this world make it as real as any science fictional one.  As usual Mr. Modesitt's use of balance in the use of power makes the fantastic background more plausible.  Gregory Benford has his scientist researcher bend reality almost to the fantastic when her use of uranium in an atomic accelerator creates a mini-universe, or Cosm (hard from Avon). This fun tale is as much about the politics of real science as about the big bang and life of the universe, though that is covered to the depth that you would expect a scientist/writer to create.  There's enough action silliness to satisfy any reader. Peter F. Hamilton finishes off his fun tales of telepathic detective Greg Mandel.  This time he is on the hunt for the creator of The Nano Flower (Hard from Tor), a flower with DNA that couldn't possibly exist in this world and offers exciting technology for those greedy enough to pursue the clues that lead Greg and his friends eventually to a hollowed out asteroid.  I thought the ending a bit silly, but really enjoyed the ride getting there.  I also enjoyed Mark  Sumner's Insanity, Illinois (paper from Ace), the latest News from the Edge in which Savvy investigates an island in which the population has gone nuts and faces not only the nuts but the C.D.C. before she solves the very mundane mystery. To top of next column  QuickLooks Archives	Graham Joyce examines growing up in England in the 60's with a boy who can see a very impish The Tooth Fairy (hard from Tor). He and his two friends survive the antics of boyhood antics, the horror of murder, and the dark side of drugs before he can find a way to banish the male/female creature. Patrick O'Leary has a tale teller on a ship telling a dark story of wizards and death after a dead woman has been dragged up in their nets in, The Gift (hard from Tor). This was fascinating, but didn't work as well for me. I read Deborah Chester's The Alien Chronicles: The Golden One (paper from Boulevard) in a hospital bed, glad for reading I couldn't put down.  This is the first of nine presented by Lucasfilms about a culture mixed with a number of alien species.  The heroine begins life as a pet of the heir to the throne of the ruling species and will eventually overthrow this species.  I can only hope that Ms. Chester writes the whole series. I also enjoyed the latest tale of the second century equivalent with magic by Harry Turtledove which puts Fox and Empire (paper from Baen) on opposing sides.  Add in a four-year-old half god who likes to pee on people as he flies overhead and Fox's half working magic and you have the usual humorous fun this series always has. Collections this months include Virtual Unrealities (trade from Vintage), with some of  Alfred Bester's best tales (but not, alas his dental story), The Pure Product (hard from Tor) a collection of John Kessel's tales, and More Than Honor (paper from Baen) which is a must for fans of David Weber's Honor Harrington's novels.  I loved the tree cat story and liked the background details of the series, but could live without the stories written by others.  Paperback reprints this month include the third in Robin Hobb's Farseer series, Assassin's Quest (Bantam Spectra) which disappointed me a little. Charles Sheffield's tale of how a man goes to the end of time, Tomorrow and Tomorrow (Bantam Spectra), Gregory Benford's enlargement of Isaac Asimov's classic, Beyond the Fall of Night (Ace), Chris Bunch's raunchy fantasy, The Seer King (trade from Aspect), William Barton's dark and raunchy tale of a star ship mechanic with his own starship, Acts of Conscience (Aspect) which I didn't fully enjoy, but which has been nominated for the John Campbell award, and the third Serpent War, Raymond E. Feist's Rage of a Demon King (Avon Eos).   The Philadelphia Science Fiction Society meets monthly, with a guest speaker for each meeting. Guests are welcome to attend this, the second oldest science fiction club in the country.  Return to the SF Literature Forum Page
Many of the books in this column are available through the SF Literature Forum's bookstore. in association with Amazon.com.  Some even right here...	Currently Featured in the SF Literature Forum's Bookstore: The Godmother's Web by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough  War in Heaven, by David Zindell  Insanity, Illinois, by Mark Sumner  The Tooth Fairy, by Graham Joyce  Virtual Unrealities, Alfred Bester