JT Lawrence

A really good short story about a murder, through the mind of the detective investigating it.

It's written in a kind of freeze frame style, like each paragraph is describing an image, a feeling, a thought.   Each a separate entity, pieces in the puzzle.   A little strange at first as it's different from the normal narrative flow we get so used to expecting, but once you get used to it it really works.

This is my first read of Janita's work and i have to say that i like it and i'm looking forward to reading more.… (mehr)

Deep Ocean Blues -- Yudhanjaya Wijeratne

An interesting little novella based in a deep ocean thorium mine with a human, an AI and a bunch of OctoPods as workers: OctoPods are cyborg octopuses in case you were wondering.

It mostly explores the same theme as Blade Runner, as in, what is it to be me.

I am left thinking that there's at least a full length novel in this deep underwater world and the onshore world that supports it and squabbles over the rights.   There's certainly a lot of interesting space for a novel or three to explore and fill.

Melting Shlemiel — Jason Werbeloff

An interesting allegorical novella that has as a good metaphorical dig at those who build walls of exclusion around themselves.

Set in a very pious Jewish area of Jerusalem, during 2054, it's pretty obvious who the author is pointing at and why.   The Jewish state first build walls to separate and defend their country, then it's walls to separate and defend each town, then each district, then each house, until each person has their very own impregnable, permanent second skin.

Can also be read as a fun little dystopian/cyberpunk thing if you don't want to think too much.… (mehr)