Archive for the ‘Reviews of books’ Category
Exhalation
{5/5} “The universe began as an enormous breath being held. Who knows why, but whatever the reason, I am glad that it did, because I owe my existence to that fact. All my desires and ruminations are no more and no less than eddy currents generated by the gradual exhalation of our universe. And until […]
Star Trek: The Next Generation — Q-Squared
{5/5} “Then Guinan did something extraordinary. She actually vaulted over the bar, her long red robe swirling around her. She did it effortlessly, as if gravity had little or no interest in her. She stood toe-to-toe with Trelane, and Beverly started to take a step forward. Without looking at her, Guinan put out a commanding […]
Star Trek: TNG — Triangle: Imzadi II
{5/5} “I suggest you read the works of Shakespeare… preferably in the original Klingon. You will find Romeo and Juliet, in particular, most instructive. Warring houses, murder, suicide… I tell you, Alexander… it makes you proud to be a Klingon.” Star Trek: TNG — Triangle: Imzadi II by Peter David, published in 1998 After the […]
To Be Taught, If Fortunate
{5/5} “As an astronaut, you know conceptually that you’re going to another world, that you’re going to see alien life. You know this, and yet there is nothing that can prepare you for it. It’s going to the zoo and seeing an animal you’ve never heard of. It’s seeing footage of a deep sea jelly […]
Star Trek: The Next Generation — Crossover
{4.5/5} “Pausing dramatically, the governor waited for a response from the crowd — the sort of approval that greeted him earlier in the proceedings. But this time, silence was his only answer. And in that silence, Spock believed he saw the eventual end of the Romulan Empire.” Star Trek: The Next Generation — Crossover by […]
Star Trek: The Next Generation — Imzadi
{5/5} “‘Saying things like “I think it’s clouding up” was always a good way to ease yourself into talking about something a bit more uncomfortable.’ Guinan inclined her head slightly toward the viewport. ‘But look at that. Not much to say, is there? “Hmm… looks like a vacuum today. And they predict more of the […]
Shorefall
{4.5/5} “Humankind is most innovative at turning innovation to the cruelest ends. Power alters the soul far more than any innovation I could imagine, even at the height of my privileges… Eventually I came to realize, Sancia — you can’t make laws or policies or dictums to constrain this impulse… You must overwrite all the […]
The Pursuit of William Abbey
{4.5/5} “I have witnessed sunrise in the frozen steppes of Asia: symphonies of azures and silvers, punched through with snowy whiteness as if the sun was sending sharpened heralds to announce its progress. I have watched dawn on the China Sea, the water a mirror of slippery gold that burns the sky to puffy white. […]
This Is How You Lose the Time War
{4.5/5} “It occurs to me to dwell on what a microcosm we are of the war as a whole, you and I. The physics of us. An action and an equal and opposite reaction. My viney-hivey elfworld, as you say, versus your techy-mechy dystopia.” This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar […]
Star Trek: TNG — Dragon’s Honor
{4/5} “‘We have no desire to disturb your sacred traditions,’ Kakkh assured him. ‘Fear instead the wiles of the Federation, and strike now before they corrupt your Empire as they have contaminated so many other worlds before you. You must take action — for honor’s sake.’” Star Trek: The Next Generation — Dragon’s Honor by […]