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Science Fiction

Children of the Mind
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Good
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:The last installment in the first Ender series, Children of the Mind asks us to once more pull for struggling races on the planet Lusitania. This time, in addition to the humans and the alien races we have grown to know over this series, Card puts Jane, Ender's nebulous computer friend, at risk as well. Just as compelling and fabulous as the earlier books in the series.

Cryptonomicon
Author: Stephenson, Neal
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Good
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:The nerd in me loved this book. It has tons of nerdy technical details: cryptography, math, computers, what more could you want. A crypto/sci-fi thriller, chock-full of techno babble. But it's short on plot and only mediocre in character development. This book is typical Stephenson, elaborately geeky, but not exactly great literature. I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Ender's Game
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:I can't even begin to give justice to how good this book is. Card has created a masterpiece to last the ages. Fun, adventurous, intriguing, intense. Ender Wiggins, as a young boy, is sent off to battle school in space. He trains to battle an alien race with other school children. It sounds simple, but it's magnificent.

Ender's Shadow
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:Card has managed to rediscover the magic that created Ender's Game. In this book, he retells the story of Ender's Game, but this time from Little Bean's perspective. A delightful look at the original story from a different point of view, sheds new light on the days at the space battle station

Snow Crash
Author: Stephenson, Neal
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:This book is a must read for any science fiction fans. A thrilling adventure from beginning to end. This book explores the dichotomy between reality and virtual space long before we had any clue what virtual reality was. It draws from the classics, primarily Sumerian mythology, and weaves technology with ancient stories to create a compelling universe and fascinating story.

Speaker for the Dead
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Good
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:The sequel to Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead takes place 3000 years after the end of the first book. Ender, due to space flight, is still alive. Dealing with the consequences of destroying an alien race, Ender dedicates his life to speaking for the dead and learning about a new alien race found on a colony planet. This riveting tale cuts right to the human compassion in all of us. Card is a master at creating compelling characters and has great insight into what makes us so human. Quite different from Ender's Game, this book stands on its own as a sequel.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Author: Adams, Douglas
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Excellent
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:Douglas Adam's is the master at creating funny scenarios. A very witty and always entertaining adventure.

The Worthing Saga
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Good
Last Read: January, 2004

Review:This book is really two books: the first a novella, the second a collection of short stories. Card wrote the short stories early in his writing career and some are rough around the edges. The novella was written long after the short stories but were loosely based on the short stories. A fascinating read, lots of good ideas, and great insight into how Card developed as a writer.

Xenocide
Author: Card, Orson Scott
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: Good
Last Read: Prior to 2004

Review:Continuing with his theme of extinction, Card puts three races (humans, the buggars and the pequininos) at risk in this installment of the Ender series. It's up to one bright girl to figure out a way to save them all. This book is another riveting tale of humans being humans.