Title: Aftershock
Author: Jean Rabe & John Helfers
Publisher: Roc/Penguin
Copyright: July 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is a stand-alone read in the Shadowrun series. A group of runners, in the process of completing their mission, get more than they bargained for. They have been betrayed and are being hunted for the merchandise they stole. An interesting one-time read.

Title: Agent to the Stars
Author: John Scalzi
Publisher: Subterranean Press
Copyright: 2005
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A good library read. The aliens are fun and humorous and the storyline is engaging. This is the author's first attempt at writing a book. He originally posted it as a free read on the Internet until his other books took off. His publisher asked him for more material and he gave them this.

Title: Alpha
Author: Catherine Asaro
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Copyright: September 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A female android designed to be the ultimate killing machine is falling in love with her target. A very good sequel to “Sunrise Alley.” This story is a fast-paced, truly enjoyable read which provides an interesting view of the possible interaction between humans and artificial intelligence. Also has an interesting exploration of the possibility of immortality.

Title: Beast Master's Quest
Author: Andre Norton and Lyn McConchie
Publisher: TOR/Tom Doherty Associates
Copyright: June 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: #3 in the Beast Master series. The main character, Laris, and her telepathic alien cat friend, Prauo, both orphans, are trying to find the cat's people. Laris recently inherited a space ship to use in their search. Well-written, good read, just like any Andre Norton book.

Title: Boundary
Author: Erick Flint and Ryk E. Spoor
Publisher: Baen/Simon & Schuster
Copyright: March 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Hard science fiction. A paleontology expedition on Earth finds the remains of an alien along with the dinosaurs the alien killed. The clues they find in their excavation site lead them eventually to Mars and the remnants of alien civilizations. I liked the relationships as they build between characters in spite of their occupations -- such as between a paleontologist and a technophile.

Title: The Cause of Death (BSI: Starside #1)
Author: Roger MacBride Allen
Publisher: Bantam/Random House
Copyright: March 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Hard to follow. Too convoluted for my taste. A lot of political infighting, which really does not interest me. An okay one-time read.

Title: The Cobra Trilogy
Author: Timothy Zahn
Publisher: Baen
Copyright: September 2004
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is a series of three books compiled in one volume. A volunteer elite group of space commandos encounter difficulties and adventures after the war ends. The story has a well-developed main character and is a very enjoyable read. An interesting view into the intrigue and duplicity that is sometimes associated with the political maneuvering of military units. I rate the first two books as a 4 and the 3rd book as a 3.

Title: Code Noir
Author: Marianne de Pierres
Publisher: Roc/Penguin
Copyright: 2004; July 2006 in U.S.
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Interesting second book in the Parrish Plessis series; best to read in order. 3 1/2. When Parrish takes over as a warlord while infected with an alien symbiont, the Cabal gives her the task of finding out who's stealing the shamans.

Title: Engaging the Enemy (Review #1)
Author: Elizabeth Moon
Publisher: Del Rey/Ballantine/Random House
Copyright: 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Military science fiction. Strong characters, interesting interactions, and really interesting plot twists. An embattled survivor of a shipping clan must turn to privateering to combat the pirates who have destroyed her family. This is #3 in the Vatta's War series which began with "Trading in Danger".

Title: Engaging the Enemy (Review #2)
Author: Elizabeth Moon
Publisher: DelRay
Copyright: April 2006
Reviewer: Venus
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is the latest adventure of Kylara Vatta. Picking up after the capture and executive of the family traitor who instigated the destruction of the Vatta family and much of its holdings, this novel chronicles the survivors efforts to protect what is left, reorganize their remaining forces and start the difficult task of hunting down the rest of the pirate fleet. The book ended too soon for me because now I'm back waiting for the next in the series to come out!

Title: Fallen Angels
Author: Stephen Kenson
Publisher: ROC/Penquin
Copyright: March 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is #3 in the new Shadowrun series. There are a lot of older, out-of-print Shadowrun books, but you don't have to read them to enjoy this new series. The first one is "Born to Run" and the second is "Poison Agendas." I give the whole new series a "5" rating. It's really science fantasy. Kellan Cost is back, and this time she's on the trail of her heritage, trying to find out more about her mother, her father, and the mysterious magical amulet that was given to her. She has to escape from deep inside enemy territory. She makes her way through the shadows, trying to accomplish her mission and avoid being betrayed at the same time. A lively and entertaining case of characters--including the people who might or might not be villains.

Title: Fleshworks
Author: Lucien Soulban
Publisher: Black Library/Simon & Schuster
Copyright: 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Necromunda #5. Each book in this series features a different character, so they are stand-alone reads. Storm is an undercover operative who is given a mission to retrieve stolen bio-implants, but he doesn't realize he's being set up to be betrayed. Enjoyable, entertaining read.

Title: The Ghost Brigades
Author: John Scalzi
Publisher: Tom Doherty Assoc.
Copyright: March 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The sequel to "Old Man's War." The continuing story of humanity's fight against encroaching aliens and our urge to expand through space. It's also a tale of how political decisions can nullify or complicate military actions. Very good read.

Title: In Fury Born
Author: David Weber
Publisher: Baen/Simon & Schuster
Copyright: April 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Military science fiction. This is an expanded "Path of the Fury", which was published in 1992. I always liked this story and it just got better. It's one of the few times I've ever read a rewrite of something I'd already enjoyed in which the author actually made major improvements in the new version. I bought the hardcover for myself after reading the library copy four times. I hope he makes this stand-alone read into a series.

Title: Jumper
Author: Steven Gould
Publisher: Starscape/Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
Copyright: 1992
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Sci fi fans take note: this will be appearing as a movie in 2007, so read it now and avoid the rush. This compelling story of a boy who discovers he has the ability to teleport makes a good read for older teens and adults. Sadly, I've seen it marketed for elementary school age children, which is totally inappropriate in light of a scene in which a gang of truckers attempt to rape Davey while he's on the run from his alcoholic father. This is a growing-up story of self-discovery, survival, adventure and learning to love. The sequel is titled "Reflex."

Title: Lost and Found
Author: Alan Dean Foster
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A man and dog are kidnapped by aliens. This story has a talking dog in it, and I still didn't like it. That's bad. I didn't like the development of the plot, the characters, or the author's writing style (too pompous). I know he can write better than this. What happened? Needless to say, I won't be reading the sequel.

Title: Lt. Leary Commanding
Author: David Drake
Publisher: Baen Books
Copyright: June 2001
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is the second book in the Republic of Cinnabar Navy series, which began with the title "With the Lightnings". Fast, fun read. Military space opera. Lt. Leary has to overturn a conspiracy and stop an invasion.

Title: The Musashi Flex
Author: Steve Perry
Publisher: Berkley/Penguin
Copyright: January 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Tells of the beginning of the 97 steps and the founding of the resistance to the Confederation.

Title: Old Man's War
Author: John Scalzi
Publisher: Tom Doherty Assoc.
Copyright: January 2005
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Good character development; interesting story. A quick and very enjoyable read. A space adventure with lots of action and a love story with a twist.

Title: On Basilisk Station
Author: David Weber
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: First book in the Honor Harrington series, which is military SF. Very good main character. One woman is able to bring victory out of an impossible set of circumstances.

Title: Other Times Than Peace
Author: David Drake
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Copyright: August 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: 3 1/2. This is a good collection of short stories, some previously published in books and magazines. I liked most of the stories but not all. I recommend this for anybody who likes military science fiction. You will find something to like.

Title: Path of the Fury
Author: David Weber
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Space opera. A retired commando survives an attack on her home world, and will do anything for revenge.

Title: Perfect Dark: Initial Vector
Author: Greg Rucka
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Copyright: October 2005
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A fascinating story based on a video game. A female bounty hunter is tracking down the people responsible for a world-wide plague. I would really look forward to reading another book with these characters.

Title: The Quantum Connection
Author: Travis S. Taylor
Publisher: Baen/Simon & Schuster
Copyright: April 2005
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The sequel to Warp Speed. I've read them both 3 times each in the past month. I loved the new characters, and I really like how they start kicking butt on the aliens.

Title: Reflex
Author: Steven Gould
Publisher: Tor/Tom Dohertry Associates, LLC
Copyright: 2004
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This sequel to "Jumper" was disappointing. Of course, anytime one enjoys a novel, it's interesting to see what happens next to its characters. In this case, "Jumper" is a stand-alone read, so it isn't necessary to read "Reflex" as a follow-up if you don't care to. On the whole I thought "Reflex" was rather boring and pointless. It will probably also be made into a movie at some point, so if you prefer to read the books first, you may still want to pick this one up just so you can compare the film version to its original.

Title: Rogue Clone
Author: Steven L. Kent
Publisher: Ace Books/Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Copyright: October 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The continuing story of Lt. Wayson Harris as he deals with both the knowledge that he’s a clone and the deteriorating political and military climate that he finds himself in. It’s a good read with lots of action but it’s kind of difficult to follow some of the plot twists. Sequel to “The Clone Republic;” must be read in order.

Title: The Solar Queen
Author: Andre Norton
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Copyright: December 2003
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is an omnibus edition of two previously published books, "Sargasso of Space" (c.1955) and "Plague Ship" (c.1956). These are the first two stories in a four book series. A second omnibus includes the next two books, "Postmarked the Stars" and "Voodoo Planet." This is classic space opera which set the standard for future writers of this type. Everybody who likes science fiction should read it. It's stories like these that got me hooked on science fiction.

Title: Some Golden Harbor
Author: David Drake
Publisher: Baen
Copyright: September 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Fun, fast read in the RCN series. I enjoyed the way the characters overcame obstacles presented to them. Leary's success has created enemies in the upper ranks, and they have conspired to give him an impossible mission: to stop a planetary war with little or no resources.

Title: Star Corps
Author: Ian Douglas
Publisher: EOS/Harper Collins
Copyright: April 2003
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This first book in the Legacy Trilogy is a good work after his previous Heritage trilogy. Military SF. Marines are sent to deal with aliens who keep humans as slaves. A fast read.

Title: Starfist: Flashfire
Author: David Sherman & Dan Cragg
Publisher: Del Rey Books/Random House Inc.
Copyright: 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Eleventh in the futuristic military series beginning with "Starfist: First to Fight". Many good, interesting characters; well-written.

Title: Von Neumann’s War
Author: John Ringo & Travis S. Taylor
Publisher: Baen/Simon & Schuster
Copyright: August 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Contemporary soldiers try to defend against invaders who are taking over the solar system. Interesting collaboration between two of my favorite authors.

Title: Warp Speed
Author: Travis S. Taylor
Publisher: Baen/Simon & Schuster
Copyright: December 2004
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Really interesting concepts about space travel and the ways technology can be used. Loved the story and the characters. Fast-paced and a really fun read. Rednecks rock!!

Title: WebMage
Author: Kelly McCullough
Publisher: Ace Books/Berkley/Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Copyright: August 2006
Reviewer: Joe
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This science fantasy story features a really interesting magic system which uses computer programs to cast spells. Ravirn is a computer hacker, which also means he can do magic. He is asked by one of the Fates to fix a spell (i.e. a program) she created. He refuses because he finds out the spell would take away all free will. Now he has to deactivate the spell before anyone else fixes it, and he has to survive the Fates being mad at him. Fast-paced. Novel and interesting interaction with mythical characters.