The early eighties were remarkable, to me anyhow. Not only did my fascination with science fiction grind into high gear, but there was an explosion of new and modern genre films that hit the scene at around that time, in particular, Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner many having been influenced by film-makers from a bygone era, and more importantly, by novels penned by hardcore science fiction authors, such as Philip K Dick, just a decade earlier.
Continue reading “PKD”
Whenever Joe Haldeman author puts out something, I read it. So, when each of these following novels came
No one keen on hard science fiction should skip this novel. There is a reason it has garnered all those awards and accolades since it was published.
The reason: It tells a ripping story.
William Mandella is a school teacher who’s drafted to fight in an interstellar war against the alien Taurans. He survives battle after battle, but due to time dilation and space travel, hundreds of years go by between each mission. During this time, he experiences humanity morph into something he and his fellow veterans don’t recognise. All he hopes for is to survive the war and be reunited with his wife. But each battle is an evolution of warfare, becoming more deadlier than before.
This novel has it all. You care for Mandella. The battles are as gripping whether they take place on some outpost planet or in deep space. The finale is as satisfactory as one would want it, considering our journey through space and time.
This will turn you into a fan.
The premise revolves around two alien beings, both shape-shifters but of a different variety, who have been on Earth for aeons and whose futures are interlocked. The protagonist alien’s character develops with each page turn. The pace in which the story unfolds is gripping, so too is the action, and there is mounting excitement and tension as the decades pass and the two diametrically opposed mimic’s paths intersect. (Highlander) tropes abound as both have embedded themselves into human history, making do with their special shape-shifting abilities.
All this was very cool.
Now, if it weren’t for the central human character and his middle-age crisis story arc, and the ‘tired and contrived’ (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) ending, this could have been an outstanding work of SF. The evil alien antagonist wasn’t helping either. Where there was scope to explore some genuine villainy, instead the character delved into the cliche world of Nazi bad guy strudel.
I enjoyed this read immensely but it remains for me a major ‘if only’ science fiction novel.
Was it worth the read? Yes, with a smidgen of disappointment.
Haldeman fans will forgive, others may not.
This novel was my first introduction to the Haldemans.
Carl Bok is a student of
On the Earth leg of the excursion, he gets involved in prise fighting, unintentionally roping in his roommates. They fight tournament after tournament, but even though he loses in the end, Carl learns a lesson in fealty.
Next, they visit a planet called Hell. This is where sovereign governments go to fight their conventional, regulated wars. Carl and his colleagues, who are now his friends, are kidnapped and forced to serve in a mercenary army.
Then they travel to The Construct, an ancient alien artefact that has become a hub for hundreds of alien species who’ve set up shop to trade information.
The best aspect of this book is Carl’s growing friendship with the other students. They are each funny and charming in their own way, as they band together to face a brave new universe.
This will resonate with fans as much as any other of his work.
The biggest threat to mankind is not climate change. It is not war. It is anarchy.
Prime Executive Jorge Wilson
Speech made just prior his assassination.
I stand before you to address a matter of utmost importance—an issue that has the potential to overshadow the most pressing challenges facing humanity. While climate change and war undoubtedly pose significant threats, the greatest danger we face is anarchy.
Anarchy, the absence of a centralized authority or system of governance, may seem like a remote concept to some. But history has shown us that when societies descend into chaos, the consequences can be catastrophic. Anarchy leads to a breakdown of law and order, creating a breeding ground for violence, injustice, and suffering.
When anarchy prevails, society loses its cohesion and the fundamental values that hold us together. The very fabric of our civilization unravels, leaving a void that is swiftly filled by chaos and self-interest. Without the structures and institutions that regulate our behavior and resolve conflicts, our collective well-being is endangered.
Consider the consequences of anarchy upon our daily lives. Our streets would become battlegrounds, as lawlessness and violence run rampant. Communities would fracture, as people retreat into enclaves of self-protection, eroding the bonds of trust and cooperation. The rights and freedoms we hold dear would be undermined, as tyranny and oppression fill the vacuum left by the absence of governance.
Moreover, anarchy threatens our progress as a species. It undermines our ability to tackle global challenges collaboratively. Without a framework for international cooperation and diplomacy, we would be left to fend for ourselves in a world that is increasingly interconnected. Climate change, poverty, inequality—these pressing issues demand collective action and global cooperation. Anarchy undermines our capacity to address them effectively.
However, it is crucial to understand that anarchy is not the same as dissent or calls for change. We must not conflate anarchy with the pursuit of social justice or the desire for a more equitable world. Indeed, peaceful protests and movements for change have played a vital role in advancing our societies. But anarchy, with its inherent chaos and absence of governance, poses a threat that must not be underestimated.
To address this looming danger, we must strengthen our commitment to the rule of law, to democratic institutions, and to the principles of justice and fairness. We must invest in education, critical thinking, and civic engagement, nurturing responsible citizens who understand the importance of social cohesion and cooperation.
It is our responsibility to reject the allure of anarchy and to work tirelessly towards building inclusive societies, where the rule of law prevails, where every individual is afforded dignity and protection, and where the rights and freedoms of all are safeguarded. We must uphold the values that have guided us thus far—values of unity, compassion, and respect for one another.
Let us recognize the profound threat that anarchy poses to mankind. Let us recommit ourselves to the principles that have allowed us to progress as a society. Together, we can build a future where justice prevails, where the rule of law is upheld, and where anarchy remains a distant memory. It is within our power to shape the destiny of humanity, and I implore each and every one of you to join this crucial endeavor.
*first published on writerscafe
“I am pleased to announce that we have slain the dragon.”
All the enthusiastic MercurEx employees gathered around the trading oval and cheered. James Tucker had hoped for this type of reaction.
He needed them to know how much he valued their support.
He wanted them to trust him again.
He wanted to trust them back.
“The hypergoblin incursion has been neutralized. It seems we have become experts at killing these things.”
Continue reading “Black Market”
After I published “A Hostile Takeover” I was exploring ideas for a second book. At some point, I entertained the thought of adapting one of my screenplays that had been sitting on the shelf, collecting dust for over a decade. How easy. The basic story and material were there. All I had to do was tweak this, rewrite that, so I committed to writing it, setting a target to keep it short and simple.
The screenplay was called ‘The Bad Samaritan’ and it was turned into a guerilla film back in 1999 by me and a few associates. Its one and only release was at the 2001 Melbourne Film Festival, and it’s been buried ever since. I felt it was a natural step for a novel to come out of it.
In hindsight, I was naive about how easy it would be. In my writing experience, nothing goes down as planned. With me stories evolve, ideas get bigger, themes dig deeper. And when I decided to turn what was originally a serial killer horror thriller into a serial killer science fiction horror thriller, I entered a world of hurt.
The original story idea still resonated with me, enough for me to decide to revisited it again. The challenge being; how do I take this to another level?
Hence, The Blood Ring was born.
