#S.N. Dyer

[tediousreviews]

Asimov’s Science Fiction (March 1998)

So I'm back from vacation. Blech.

Oh, this part's fine. I gripe about the books and stories I review, but I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't enjoy it. It's my day job I don’t like going back to. Although actually, one of the better things about my day job is that it's ok for me hate it. Before I gleefully dived into voluntary underemployment, it felt like the world expected me to be grateful for the miserable job that I hated and was consuming my life and ruining my health.

And why talk about soul-crushing misery in the intro to a review?

You did see that this was an Asimov's Science Fiction review right?

Three novelettes and five short stories this time.

Novelettes

The Eye of God, Mary Rosenblum

Humanity has access to other worlds. But there's a catch. Another species controls that access. That's apparently extremely demoralizing.

But the story's mostly about a lesbian woman working through the death of a former lover she'd grown estranged from because of a child and a man. In the process she falls in love with her lover's alien doppleganger, learns more than she was supposed to about alien biology, and makes casual assumptions about alien sex and gender like an anthropocentric bag of dicks.

Transit, Stephen Dedman

The story above was at least partly about a human reacting oddly to a species with non-binary sexual biology. This one hits similar notes in a completely different melody.

In a future where humans have access to other worlds, thanks to a method that's controlled by aliens, a young genetically engineered human hermaphrodite falls in love with a muslim girl who is passing through on the Hajj.

It's a shame both of these stories were in the same issue. There's both good, and not very similar at all, but bound together they invite comparison and in my opinion this one comes out ahead.

Getting to Know You, David Marusek

Oh, it's an early story about Alexa.

Not creepy enough.

Short Stories

The Here and Now, Steven Utley

What good is time travel if you can't change anything?

Well, it lets you drag tourists into old wars.

Radio Praha, Tony Daniel

Expats talk and drink with each other all the time. It's probably not that unusual for them to tell each other stories about magical time-freezing radios and ex-girlfriends who become technoghosts.

Datableed, Pat Cadigan

Apparently recursive virtual reality is addictive. Which sounds to me like a wonderful way for a game developer to cheaply leech even more money from their customers. I wonder if Blizzard has patented it yet.

Scientifiction, Howard Waldrop

Reviewing this from memory nearly a month after I read it, I'm not sure whether it's about sentient roaches dealing with the leftovers of nuclear war, or about sentient roaches dealing with cracks in the drywall.

Wild Child, S.N. Dyer

Oh good, I was worried that this issue of Asimov's wasn't horrific enough. A short story where a lack of access to birth control leads to feral children roaming the streets and being treated like stray cats, right up to the same kind of adoption.

Final Thoughts

Eh, not bad. Mostly decent stories. A few chances to look at the world from a different perspective.

[elfuegodeluka]

Narrativa estadounidense: Sharon N. Farber

Sharon N. Faber. Es una autora de California, que regularmente escribe sobre ciencia ficción y fantasía. También, escribe bajo el seudónimo de S. N. Dyer. Vuelto a nacer

Había olvidado la negrura absoluta de un camino vecinal por la noche. Arriba, entre los árboles se divisan las estrellas. Por lo demás, es como estar ciego. Totalmente diferente del hospital donde acababa de terminar mi…

[catalog-drowsy]

William Dyer, "The Royal Art of Foretelling Future Events and Contingencies" (s.n., 1978)(199 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. + 11 microfiches.)

[wickedbabesblog]

Release Blast for Shaded With Love: a coloring book for a cause Volume 5

#ReleaseBlast #ShadedWithLove #ColoringForACause Shaded With Love: a coloring book for a cause Volume 5 is here!! This coloring book, featuring 95 designs inspired by your favorite authors, bloggers & Editors, is ready to become of your stress relief. Or your gift to someone who needs a smile! All proceeds will benefit RAINN which is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. Find out more about RAINN by visiting their website. https://www.rainn.org/ Amazon Purchase Links: US: http://amzn.to/2FSLsiO UK: http://amzn.to/2HvQcrA ~~ Contributing Authors/Bloggers/Editors ~~ 2 One-Click Addicts ~ A Page to Turn Reviews ~ Amanda Leigh ~ Amber Addison ~ Amber Lacie ~ Amelia Wilde ~ Andrea Johnston ~ Ashlynn Monroe ~ Author L.A. Ozz ~ Barb Shuler ~ Betty Shreffler ~ Blooming Books ~ Brandi Aga ~ Bree Dahlia ~ C.J. Lazar ~ Cassie Graham ~ Cayce Poponea ~ Chelle C. Craze ~ Cheryl McMahan ~ Cora Kenborn ~ D. M. Earl ~ Dani René ~ Danielle Wright ~ Darlene Tallman ~ Deneale K. Williams ~ Diana Marie DuBois ~ Dirty Fairytales ~ DL Gallie ~ Dylan Allen ~ Dyllan J. Erikson ~ Eden Rose ~ Elizabeth York ~ H.M. Sholander ~ Harloe Rae ~ Jack Jameson ~ Jaime Russell ~ Jas T. Ward ~ Jennifer Vester ~ Jiffy Kate ~ Jo-Anne Joseph ~ Jordan Bates ~ K. Renee ~ Kaitlyn Ashley ~ Kathleen Kelly ~ Kathryn Kelly ~ Kay Maree ~ KC Enders ~ Kelsey Elise Sparrow ~ Kenzie Rose ~ Kim Deister ~ Kristie Leigh ~ Lane Martin ~ Lauren Firminger ~ Leddy Harper ~ Lexi C. Foss ~ Lilly Avalon ~ Lisa Shelby ~ Little Shop of Readers ~ LK Farlow ~ M.A. Foster ~ M.C. Webb ~ M.E. Carter ~ M.R. Leahy ~ Mareta L. Miller ~ Martina Marie ~ Michele Shriver ~ Mila Waters ~ Misha Elliott ~ Mitzi Carroll ~ Nicky Fox ~ Nicole Banks ~ Nikki Ash ~ Phoebe Alexander ~ Reading After Dark ~ Reagan Hollow ~ Rebecca Gallo ~ Renee Dyer ~ Roux Cantrell ~ S. Van Horne ~ S.N. Garza ~ Samantha A. Cole ~ Scott Hildreth ~ Socially Awkward Book Nerd ~ Steffy Rogers ~ Susan's Books I Like ~ Sylvie Stewart ~ Taryn Steele ~ The Bookworm Box ~ Tracie Douglas ~ Tracy Millosovich ~ V.P. Ortiz ~ Verlene Landon ~ Vicki Green ~ Vivian Wood ~ Xana Jordan ** Previous Volumes are available on Amazon! ** Shaded With Love - Vol 1 (http://amzn.to/2Ft6YIc) All proceeds will be donated to Free2Luv Shaded With Love - Vol 2 (http://amzn.to/2F58NNN) All proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Shaded With Love - Vol 3 (http://amzn.to/2FvqHHg) All proceeds will be donated to The American Foundation For Suicide Prevention Shaded With Love - Vol 4 (http://amzn.to/2F2JSdx) All proceeds will be donated to BACA: Biker's Against Child Abuse! Tour Sponsored by Paging Through The Days Promotions http://pagingthroughthedays.blogspot.com http://facebook.com/pagingthroughthedays

  Shaded With Love: a coloring book for a cause Volume 5 is here!!   This coloring book, featuring 95 designs inspired by your favorite authors, bloggers & Editors, is ready to become of your stress relief. Or your gift to someone who needs a smile!   All proceeds will benefit RAINN which is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.   Find out more about RAINN by visiting their…

[writergirl74]

#CoverReveal #ShadedWithLove #ColoringForACause This coloring book, featuring 93 designs inspired by your favorite authors, bloggers & Editors, will release on March 15th. All proceeds will benefit RAINN which is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. So get your one-click finger ready! Find out more about RAINN by visiting their website. https://www.rainn.org/ ~~ Contributing Authors/Bloggers/Editors ~~ 2 One-Click Addicts ~ A Page to Turn Reviews ~ Amanda Leigh ~ Amber Addison ~ Amber Lacie ~ Amelia Wilde ~ Andrea Johnston ~ Ashlynn Monroe ~ Author L.A. Ozz ~ Barb Shuler ~ Betty Shreffler ~ Blooming Books ~ Brandi Aga ~ Bree Dahlia ~ C.J. Lazar ~ Cassie Graham ~ Cayce Poponea ~ Chelle C. Craze ~ Cheryl McMahan ~ Cora Kenborn ~ D. M. Earl ~ Dani René ~ Danielle Wright ~ Darlene Tallman ~ Deneale K. Williams ~ Diana marie DuBois ~ Dirty Fairytales ~ DL Gallie ~ Dylan Allen ~ Dyllan J. Erikson ~ Eden Rose ~ Elizabeth York ~ H.M. Sholander ~ Harloe Rae ~ Leddy Harper ~ Jack Jameson ~ Jaime Russell ~ Jas T. Ward ~ Jennifer Vester ~ Jiffy Kate ~ Jo-Anne Joseph ~ Jordan Bates ~ K. Renee ~ Kaitlyn Ashley ~ Kathleen Kelly ~ Kathryn Kelly ~ Kay Maree ~ KC Enders ~ Kelsey Elise Sparrow ~ Kenzie Rose ~ Kim Deister ~ Kristie Leigh ~ Lane Martin ~ Lauren Firminger ~ Lexi C. Foss ~ Lilly Avalon ~ Lisa Shelby ~ Little Shop of Readers ~ LK Farlow ~ M.A. Foster ~ M.C. Webb ~ M.E. Carter ~ M.R. Leahy ~ Mareta L. Miller ~ Martina Marie ~ Michele Shriver ~ Mila Waters ~ Misha Elliott ~ Mitzi Carroll Copy and Line Editor ~ Nicky Fox ~ Nicole Banks ~ Nikki Ash ~ Phoebe Alexander ~ Reading After Dark ~ Reagan Hollow ~ Rebecca Gallo ~ Renee Dyer ~ Roux Cantrell ~ S. Van Horne~ S.N. Garza ~ Samantha A. Cole ~ Socially Awkward Book Nerd ~ Steffy Rogers ~ Susan's Books I Like ~ Sylvie Stewart ~ Taryn Steele ~ Tracie Douglas ~ Tracy Millosovich ~ V.P. Ortiz ~ Verlene Landon ~ Vicki Green ~ Vivian Wood ~ Xana Jordan ** Previous Volumes are available on Amazon! ** - Shaded With Love - Vol 1 (http://amzn.to/2Ft6YIc) All proceeds will be donated to Free2Luv - Shaded With Love - Vol 2 (http://amzn.to/2F58NNN) All proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Shaded With Love - Vol 3 (http://amzn.to/2FvqHHg) All proceeds will be donated to The American Foundation For Suicide Prevention - Shaded With Love - Vol 4 (http://amzn.to/2F2JSdx) All proceeds will be donated to BACA: Biker's Against Child Abuse! #TourSponsored by Paging Through The Days Promotions http://pagingthroughthedays.blogspot.com http://facebook.com/pagingthroughthedays

[mariyangtagabarrio]

Yeehaw! Im starting the year with my fourth #bookchallenge 🎉🎉🎉 Day 1 of #PJMonthofMagic : January #tbr Day 2 : Thorri the Poet's Saga by S.N. Dyer and Lucy Kemnitzer for #nationalscifiday #asimov #scifi #fiction #book #bookstagram #booklove #booklover #pinoybooklovers #bicolanabookworm #bookporn #booknerd #reader #bookworm #bibliophile #bookselfie #bookishpinoys #fictionaddiction #ipromotereading #necroscope #brianlumley #maryjanicedavidson #supernatural #horror

[tediousreviews]

Asimov’s Science Fiction (March 1997)

Another issue of Asimov's that's centered a bit more around the shortish side of the story spectrum. Five novelettes and three short stories this time, no novellas.

Novelettes

Inside Out, Brian Stableford

A mental patient being treated for PTSD turns out to be part of an interdimensional something war something psychic powers and you lost me already...

Eh, it's fine. I guess. It's just not my cup of tea.

Noble Mold, Kage Baker

Turns out that time travel and immortality have their uses. Like giving white people even more ways to steal shit from indigenous peoples.

The Babe, the Iron Horse, and Mr. McGillicuddy, Ben Bova & Rick Wilber

You know, this story absolutely screams out that it isn't meant for me. Anyway, dead baseball people play baseball and something about league rules and some nonsense about sportsmanship and whatnot leads to Babe Ruth getting what is apparently supposed to be a marginally better afterlife?

The Undiscovered, William Sanders

What if Shakespear had been abducted, forced to serve on a ship, and then shipwrecked and ultimately adopted by Cherokees? Well apparently he'd have died of indignation after they correctly interpreted Hamlet as a comedy.

After Kerry, Ian McDonald

A man goes looking for his disappeared sister after the mother that drove her away dies. The person he finds wears her skin but isn't her. Strangely the multiple personalities stuff in the middle of the story has nothing to do with that.

Short Stories

The Nostalginauts, S.N. Dyer

More Time Travel. Yay. This one features time travel of the inexplicably useless variety despite being shown in story to be quite capable of passing information to the past.

Also it's the sort of nerd revenge fantasy that strikes me as being both pointlessly cruel and deeply pathetic. You've won. You're rich and famous and powerful and the kids who bullied you in school are none of those things. So why are you still holding on to so much resentment?

I mean I was a smart, socially awkward, periodically bullied child and then teenager. I can count the shits I give about 'getting even' with people I haven't seen in decades on no fingers.

Tour de Force, Stephen Dedman

Ancient alien vessels, a rushed Indiana Jones plot, and a punchline that falls flat.

Beluthahatchi, Andy Duncan

So what does happen to all of those musicians who are talented enough to win challenges with the Devil?

Final thoughts

It wasn't a bad issue. It was an easy, quick read and nothing was unpleasant. But it wasn't anything I especially enjoyed either.

Sometimes I feel like Asimov's is telling me that I don't actually like science fiction. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of specific science fiction books and series and authors I like. But except in rare cases I'm realizing more and more that that enjoyment has little or nothing to do with the story being science fiction.

[tediousreviews]

Asimov’s Science Fiction (April 1996)

I didn’t do anything special for my last review of 2016, so it shouldn’t surprise you that I’m not doing anything special for what will pass as my second anniversary review for this series. It’s a pure coincidence that it lined up with an anniversary issue of Asimov’s

Unless, of course, you count reviewing a fairly mediocre issue of Asimov’s Science Fiction as special. To add insult to injury that author credit for Isaac Asimov isn’t for a story, it’s for a short collection of letters. I suppose it could have been worse. They could have gotten permission to reprint Death of a Foy.

We’ve got a characteristically cheerful sciffy future Novella, noblesse oblige with clones the Novelette, and a quartet of short stories. Also Silverburg’s getting a touch maudlin about the coelacanth in his essay.

Novella

Human History, Lucius Shepard

Ok, so we’ve got a vague post-apocalyptic-ish setting involving the descendants of the underclass on a spaceship. We’ve got giant, horrible, gratuitously child-raping apes (because this is published in Asimov’s, so of course we do). We’ve got giant horrible murder tigers. And we’ve got hyper-advanced benefactors of humanity descended from the privileged crew members of the ship who seem to just sort of be there.

From that setting we get a older man cheating on his wife because he’s found true love between the thighs of a twenty-something year old woman, getting in arguments with his teenaged son, and somehow turning their family drama into the plot hook for a revolution justified by the completely obvious revelation that humanity’s benefactors aren’t.

There’s something that just annoyed me about this. Or several somethings. But at heart it was probably the way that most of the story seemed like it was there to dress up the main character saying “But I had to divorce my wife for a younger woman. I mean sure, I admit it was just about sex at first but now we’re definitely in love. It’s not at all like the other three times I thought that. Anyway my ex wife is a psycho. I mean she’s genuinely murderous and in desperate need of therapy, and I totally didn’t actively make things worse at all by going out of my way to have her walk in on me having sex with a younger woman while she was going through the middle of a life-shaking crisis.”

Novelette

Advance Notice, Kathleen Ann Goonan

A rich artist from Mars visits Bangkok, which is apparently kept poor and miserable in the future for the express purpose of letting rich people indulge in misery tourism. She gets caught up in some intrigue involving one of her clones, who may or may not have been plagiarizing her work but has definitely become a revolutionary figure of sorts. Ultimately, after she inadvertently gets her clone killed, she takes up the mantle of subversive artist revolutionary.

One of the many troublesome things with using science fiction to talk about modern issues is that it’s easy to screw up the underlying logic of the situations you’re talking about and completely screw up your messaging. There’s an argument to be made for people from wealthy nations using their resources and connections and relative safety from reprisal to raise awareness of issues in communities they don’t actually belong to. There are arguments to be made against it too. I don’t want to get into that here. But in the story, the basic reason Bangkok continues to be miserable and poor and dangerous is that those characteristics make it a tourist destination. ‘Raising awareness’ in this situation is kind of like trying to bring down Disney World by writing screeds about how sinful it is for one place to be that fun.

Short Stories

The Soul Selects Her Own Society: Invasion and Repulsion: a Chronological Reinterpretation of Two of Emily Dickinson’s Poems: a Wellsian Perspective, Connie Willis

You could read this story. Or you could check out lol my thesis. But maybe you should do the second and then do the first.

Early, in the Evening, Ian Watson

A society where life advances technologically and culturally through the eras every day falls apart when people stop doing their morning chores.

Mortal Clay, S. N. Dyer

A riff on the story of the Golem, culminating in a visual pun with tragic consequences. From a certain point of view.

Popeye and Pops Watch the Evening World Report, Eliot Fintushel

I’m just a bit tired right now, having worked a late shift yesterday followed quickly by an early shift today. So I’m in no mood to wade into the weirdness it would take to adequately describe this. Particularly not when I actually read the story a couple weeks ago.

Here’s the inadequate version:

Aliens, televisions, marriage, and the wrath of a woman disrespected in her own home as a form of fuel for teleportation.

Final Thoughts

Not horrible I guess. But I’d probably skip this one if I were you. I’d recommend the Connie Willis one if that flavor of humor is your thing.

[tediousreviews]

Asimov’s Science Fiction (December 1996)

Ah Asimov's there's always that mix of dread and anticipation every time I pick you up.

Four novelettes this time and three short stories. Not a bad set for the most part. But this is Asimov's so the lone exception gives us a particularly unpleasant main character with a 'No means Yes' attitude towards sex.

Novelettes

Yesterdays, Mary Rosenblum

A man who makes a living tracking down family photos and other bits of nostalgia from a time before forgery could be done electronically finds himself with a sister he never knew he had. After a very 90s hacking plot, he finds himself without a sister but possibly with a new business partner.

'Everything that isn't in hard copy is hackable' is both naive and not really compatible with 'no important documents are backed up in hard copy'.

The First Law of Thermodynamics, James Patrick Kelly

College plus LSD plus time equals a 90s high school teacher.

As a 90s high school student, that seems about right.

The Angel's Share, Sonia Orin Lyris

Imagine you could pay someone else to go on a diet, or go through a cancer treatment for you while you live in their body instead. Now imagine you have terminal cancer and while you can't pay someone to die for you, you can always pay them for something else and just steal their body.

I don't mind spending pages in the mind of a horrible person. I just want there to be a reason for us to be there. Some sort of payoff beyond 'let's all watch a rapist and attempted murderer rape and attempt murder'.

The Tragedy of Solveig, Ian Watson

Acting troupes, magic, snake-like aliens, and metamorphosis. Lies and intrigue and betrayal and death.

It's fun.

Short Stories

In Coppelius's Toyshop, Connie Willis

A jerk has a very bad day babysitting a prospective girlfriend's child. A day that ends in what is apparently decades of torment.

I'm not a huge fan of disproprotionate punishments.

Whoever, Kit Reed

The prize of the collection. A teenager who knows she was adopted and is convinced she is someone special finds out she was right. Horribly horribly right.

Gifts, S.N. Dyer

Being loved by the gods is wonderful. And a bit awkward considering that the gods aren't up to date on what you might actually want from life.

Final Thoughts

Not great and not terrible.

[writergirl74]

#CoverReveal #ShadedWithLove #ColoringForACause This coloring book, featuring 93 designs inspired by your favorite authors, bloggers & Editors, will release on March 15th. All proceeds will benefit RAINN which is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. So get your one-click finger ready! Find out more about RAINN by visiting their website. https://www.rainn.org/ ~~ Contributing Authors/Bloggers/Editors ~~ 2 One-Click Addicts ~ A Page to Turn Reviews ~ Amanda Leigh ~ Amber Addison ~ Amber Lacie ~ Amelia Wilde ~ Andrea Johnston ~ Ashlynn Monroe ~ Author L.A. Ozz ~ Barb Shuler ~ Betty Shreffler ~ Blooming Books ~ Brandi Aga ~ Bree Dahlia ~ C.J. Lazar ~ Cassie Graham ~ Cayce Poponea ~ Chelle C. Craze ~ Cheryl McMahan ~ Cora Kenborn ~ D. M. Earl ~ Dani René ~ Danielle Wright ~ Darlene Tallman ~ Deneale K. Williams ~ Diana marie DuBois ~ Dirty Fairytales ~ DL Gallie ~ Dylan Allen ~ Dyllan J. Erikson ~ Eden Rose ~ Elizabeth York ~ H.M. Sholander ~ Harloe Rae ~ Leddy Harper ~ Jack Jameson ~ Jaime Russell ~ Jas T. Ward ~ Jennifer Vester ~ Jiffy Kate ~ Jo-Anne Joseph ~ Jordan Bates ~ K. Renee ~ Kaitlyn Ashley ~ Kathleen Kelly ~ Kathryn Kelly ~ Kay Maree ~ KC Enders ~ Kelsey Elise Sparrow ~ Kenzie Rose ~ Kim Deister ~ Kristie Leigh ~ Lane Martin ~ Lauren Firminger ~ Lexi C. Foss ~ Lilly Avalon ~ Lisa Shelby ~ Little Shop of Readers ~ LK Farlow ~ M.A. Foster ~ M.C. Webb ~ M.E. Carter ~ M.R. Leahy ~ Mareta L. Miller ~ Martina Marie ~ Michele Shriver ~ Mila Waters ~ Misha Elliott ~ Mitzi Carroll Copy and Line Editor ~ Nicky Fox ~ Nicole Banks ~ Nikki Ash ~ Phoebe Alexander ~ Reading After Dark ~ Reagan Hollow ~ Rebecca Gallo ~ Renee Dyer ~ Roux Cantrell ~ S. Van Horne~ S.N. Garza ~ Samantha A. Cole ~ Socially Awkward Book Nerd ~ Steffy Rogers ~ Susan's Books I Like ~ Sylvie Stewart ~ Taryn Steele ~ Tracie Douglas ~ Tracy Millosovich ~ V.P. Ortiz ~ Verlene Landon ~ Vicki Green ~ Vivian Wood ~ Xana Jordan ** Previous Volumes are available on Amazon! ** - Shaded With Love - Vol 1 (http://amzn.to/2Ft6YIc) All proceeds will be donated to Free2Luv - Shaded With Love - Vol 2 (http://amzn.to/2F58NNN) All proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - Shaded With Love - Vol 3 (http://amzn.to/2FvqHHg) All proceeds will be donated to The American Foundation For Suicide Prevention - Shaded With Love - Vol 4 (http://amzn.to/2F2JSdx) All proceeds will be donated to BACA: Biker's Against Child Abuse! #TourSponsored by Paging Through The Days Promotions http://pagingthroughthedays.blogspot.com http://facebook.com/pagingthroughthedays