Book Description
Widely regarded as the one essential book for every science fiction fan, The Year's Best Science Fiction (Winner of the 2002 Locus Award for Best Anthology) continues to uphold its standard of excellence with more than two dozen stories representing the previous year's best SF writing. This year's volume includes: Ian R. MacLeod, Nancy Kress, Greg Egan, Maureen F. McHugh, Robert Reed, Paul McAuley, Michael Swanwick, Robert Silver-berg, Charles Stross, John Kessel, Gregory Benford, and many other premier authors of SF, as well as thorough summations of the year and a recommended reading list.
Customer Reviews:
Sci fi stories, without the science?.......2004-06-28
In the introduction to this collection, editor Gardner Dozois bemoans the popular perception that sci fi is a genre that is dying. But with weak selections such as these, it's a miracle the genre isnt dead already.
If this is the best sci fi can do, then the genre is in alot of trouble. Its a sad day for science fiction when the best stories of the year, contain pitifully little science. In most of the stories, science is none existent, or has a negligable role in the plots (and this even from some so called 'masters' of hard sci fi). Although there were a (very) few gems in this collection, most of the stories are pointless, aimless, lack any kind of meaningfull conclusion, and leave the reader thinking (to paraphrase Simon Cowell) "Well, so what?".
Not up to some of the earlier offerings........2004-03-03
Some years I've finished Year's Best Science Fiction within a week of it being published. This year's edition took me seven months to plod through. That word, "plod," captures the problem I had with the book. Some of the stories in this collection ("A Flock of Birds," "The Potter of Bones," "V.A.O.," and "Turquoise Days") are over far too soon. Others end up dragging on for weeks (real time). There often just wasn't a spark in them that captured my interest. The overall effect, unfortunately, is a bit leaden. It is, as always, a must for anyone looking for a thorough survey of the year's short SF, but overall I found Hartwell and Cramer's _Year's Best SF 8_ to be a much more enjoyable take on the year.
Always a good read.......2004-01-22
I consider this THE definitive anthology for science fiction short stories, and I make it a point to get it every year. There are always some stories that don't necessarily blow my socks off, but I can appreciate why they were selected, and value the variety the editor always includes in these volumes. There are some quiet stories, some far-ranging space adventures, a novella or two, and always something for everyone. Before each story, the editor gives a little synopsis of the writer's career, and never fails to mention some other works that you can pursue if you like the author's style. That's how I've found some of my favorite sci-fi authors. Definitely worth getting.
For sophisticated, refined reading.......2003-11-08
I can't tell you what a letdown this anthology is. Almost every story is either too self-consciously literary, plotless, or more concerned with creating atmosphere than providing a compelling reason to continue reading. I read every story - some more than once - but few were particularly memorable.
Of course that's only my opinion; more sophisticated readers and graduates of writing seminars and workshops will love the "crafted imagery" and "inspired strangeness" of Dozois' choices.
"BREATHMOSS." On a virtually all-female world, a young girl comes-of-age and recognizes her destiny.
A long, slow story, dense with made-up words with almost no clue or context, and descriptive paragraphs that go on and on, Breathmoss is more of a fantasy novella than a science fiction story. Atmospheric? Yes. Interesting? No.
"STORIES FOR MEN." Seventeen-year-old Erno lives in in a female-dominated moon colony where males are prized mainly for the ability to pleasure women - and yet he's not happy.
This is one of better stories. It's a novella, with a plot, memorable characters, things happening, lives and societies hang in the balance - in a way. The ending was timid, to put it mildly. And maybe I'm too sensitive - but is there some law out there requiring all science fiction stories have strong, intelligent females putting up with weak, spoiled boys?
"TURQUOISE DAYS." Naqi and her sister are scientists on the isolated water-world of Turquoise where the ocean is more aware of outsiders than they realize.
It's a very low-key story of love and loss and so placid that I could hardly stay awake the two times I read it. An evil man comes to this peaceful world with evil intentions. Good ending, though, if you can reach it.
Those three stories account for over 25% of the book. There are 26 stories in total and they're not all so dreary as the novellas, although they do try.
"THE PASSENGER." Maris Delgado and her space-salvage crew find a passenger in a long-abandoned vessel who is more than she appears to be.
Good short story, in comparison to all those "I'm a writer creating atmosphere" stories, but let's face it: the mysterious stranger picked up by a ship isn't a new idea and there's no one moment here that adds much.
"COELACANTHS." Evolution of humanity into several species of brave, self-reliant women burdened with bumbling boys, and cartoonish males.
Four parallel stories with humanity living in some hazy far distant and distinctly unrecognizable universe where they may be no more than a sort of virus or vermin. There's this naked over-the-top male narrator ranting about humanity's advances and I don't know what it all adds up to and I don't care. Stories like this, I think, are more likely than not, jokes on the readers.
I'd just finished reading "The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, vol. 1 1929-1964" and what a contrast! The old-fashioned writers were amazingly entertaining. There are dozens of outstanding memorable stories there.
When I compare "Coelacanths" with James Blish's "Surface Tensions" I see the great gulf between writers trying to show off for other writers and a writer like Blish telling a riveting story.
This anthology is writing seminar and writing workshop stuff. I wince when I think of a casual reader who wants to find out if science fiction is for him or her, and unfortunately finds this book. It's poison.
Eh, just buy it already........2003-10-17
Wow, lots of bad comments.
Here's the thing... this book is a bargain if nothing else. You get Dozois' introduction, the Reynolds, the Egan (you don't have to like it, but you have to read it anyway), and about five other fairly good stories. The rest, well, you just pick around and eventually pick up something else. Don't like a story? No problem, you can just skip it and move on to something else. Then there is always the ritual of hoping -- like someone rooting for the Cubs -- that next year will be better. That's plenty of value for the money.
Wait! The Sterling! Come on, that's a darned terrific story! It's not even sci-fi! It's just pretty! And it's by Bruce Sterling!
(Calms down...)
Average customer rating:
- Disappointing
- Amazon is failing to respond.
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Gen 13: Best of a Bad Lot (Gen13)
Gail Simone
Manufacturer: Wildstorm
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ASIN: 1401213235 |
Book Description
Superstar artist Jim Lee (BATMAN: HUSH) joined forces withup-and-coming artistJ. Scott Campbell (DANGER GIRL) to create GEN13, one of the best-sellingcomic books of the 1990s, which starred a group of super-powered teenagers. Now, the classic teen team is reimagined for a new generation by writerGail Simone and artist Talent Caldwell.The life of a teenager can be a strange experience, but when super-powersare added to the mix things get a whole lot more confusing. Meet Caitlin,Sarah, Roxy, Bobby, and Eddie -- outcast teenagers from different parts ofthe country who quickly learn they all have something in common: abilitiesfar beyond those of their classmates.Discover the secret to theirwonderful and scary powers and what role the nefarious Tabula Rasa andInternational Operations play in their lives.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing.......2007-09-08
Unfortunately, the best thing Gen 13: Best of a Bad Lot has going for it is an excellent cover penciled by J. Scott Campbell, who gained superstar status as penciller on an earlier incarnation of the series. This collection is billed as a reworking of the Gen 13 origin mythology, and tries unsuccessfully to reimagine the team's origins in today's era. Unfortunatley, the verve of the original Brandon Choi/Jim Lee/J. Scott Campbell Gen 13 is utterly absent from this effort. The writing fails to capture the fun-loving nature of the original series, and the art falls short of Campbell's brilliance. We are unable to sympathize with the characters at all, and even the villains seem throwaway. And the stalwart Mr. Lynch, poorly reimagined as a turncoat secret agent, fails to get a reaction from the reader when he makes his appearance.
Why Gen 13 - which is less than 15 years old - needed its origin to be reimagined in the first place is beyond me. While an entertaining series, it is not like a Superman, Batman, or Spider-Man - that is to say, a mythologized classic in need of reinterpretation. If this new incarnation is an attempt to make Gen 13 accessible for today's readers, one might think that the still-in-print collected editions of Gen 13's original storylines Gen 13: Who They Are and How They Came to Be... (Gen 13) and Gen 13: Starting Over (Gen13) ought to still fit the bill. Things have not changed so drastically in the 10+ years since Gen 13's inception that it needs to be decoded and rewritten.
Amazon is failing to respond........2007-08-23
I would gladly review the book if Amazon have send it or at least comformed that they send it four or more days now since I asked about it and I am getting a zero.
Shame on you Amazon.
Customer Reviews:
The beginnings of Gen 13 started here!.......2006-09-26
Gen 13 Collected Edition reprints the entire 5 issue mini-series hit of 1994 (written/co-created by Brandon Choi, Jim Lee, and J. Scott Campbell; with wonderful art by Campbell and inker Alex Garner) that was originally published by Image Comics, when Wildstorm Productions founder, superstar writer/artist Jim Lee was still at Image Comics (in 1998, Lee would leave Image Comics and sell his Wildstorm Productions to DC Comics, due to his career as a publisher having mostly precluded art jobs, which he desired to return to his roots as an illustrator, while being free of his time running the business aspects of publishing). Anyways, Gen 13 makes for a fun, great read, which I really enjoyed. This was the first teenage superhero team in the Wildstorm Universe, and there are just some funny moments between characters, plus some great action scenes going on. A definite must read for any comic book reader in my opinion. This was one of the better books being published from Image Comics at that time (and from Wildstorm Productions). This Gen 13 mini-series would spin-off an ongoing monthly series afterward, which ran at 7 years from 1995-2002 at 77 issues (and countless more spin-offs in various mini-series and specials). Another (short-lived) second series ran from 2002-2004, at a total of 17 issues (issues #0-16). In 2006, Wildstorm is trying another run at a regular Gen 13 series revival.
Enter the Next Generation.......2006-08-22
Released at a time when new Image titles were literally a dime a dozen, Gen-13 quickly jumped ahead of the pack to become one of the hottest comics around.
Gen-13 (originally titled Gen-X before Marvel's lawyers stepped in) was the first teen hero title in creator Jim Lee's Wildstorm Universe. All Wildstorm titles tie in to the saga of Team 7, an elite military unit who were unwittingly given super powers by government orders. The men of Team 7 were known as Gen-12, and Gen-13 features their offspring.
Like their fathers, the stars of Gen-13 (Fairchild, Freefall, Burnout, Rainmaker, and Grunge) all had their powers activated by a secret government agency. This trade paperback details the team's origins and their escape from government control. Gen-13 isn't too far removed from the early Lee/Kirby X-Men story - 5 teenagers with powers they never asked for, fighting for their lives under the guidance of an older mentor. In this case, the role of Professor Xavier is played by former Team 7 commander Jack Lynch, who I always thought was one of the more interesting Wildstorm characters.
The story may be pretty basic, but the characters are interesting and the dialogue is fresh (at least it was in 1993). The real highlight is the artwork, which was provided by newcomer (and future superstar) J. Scott Campbell. Campbell's dynamic style was bold and exciting, and he could draw stunning female characters like no one else.
Gen-13 became a massive hit for Wildstorm, and it all starts here. This trade paperback collects the entire 5-issue Gen-13 limited series, plus some sketchbook material by Campbell and Lee.
Customer Reviews:
Gen-oops.......2006-08-26
The "Gen13" comic series had a couple things going for it -- two of them notably exposed through the oft-torn costume of team leader Caitlin Fairchild -- but the series ultimately fizzled and lost reader interest. Rather than build on the title's strengths and improve the stories, WildStorm opted to kill off the entire team (except for Fairchild, who was much to cheesecakey to die) and start fresh with a new batch of teens.
Enter "September Song," an ill-conceived notion from day one. The book introduces us to Quick-Step, an appealing young heroine on the run, then kills her dead before the issue ends. Then we meet the new gang, but none of them seem all that interesting -- certainly not worth naming them or listing their lame and/or derivative powers.
"September Song" collects about half of the short-lived series. If you enjoy seeing a handful of teens suddenly get powers and react predictably while forming a team, this book is for you.
by Tom Knapp, Rambles.NET editor
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Gen 13: I Love New York (Gen13)
John Arcudi
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ASIN: 1563895439 |
Customer Reviews:
A Great Read.......2006-03-09
I've always loved Gen13, and I was very delighted with this volume, which contains issues 45-50. The writer, Scott Lobdell, is pretty decent, trying to revamp the series by bringing it back to its comedic roots. He succeeds more or less, but while the dialogue is actually quite funny, Lobdell overkills it by narrating each issue way too comedically. Every page has a narrator box with some sort of joke and it is a bit too much. My other main complaint was the lack of story and plot, and villains. The villains were poorly introduced and I never was scared for Gen13 for a minute. I guess Lobdell was trying to lighten the series, but I think he needs to learn from Brandon Choi (the original writer) how to balance comedy with action and suspense. I was expecting issue 50 to be full of action and high stakes, but it was a total letdown in my opinion. That aside, Lobdell does do a good job developing the kids of Gen13, and I like a lot of the conversations the characters had with each other.
The art is a huge plus for buying this book. Ed Benes pencils #45-49, and the first 13 pages of #50, and his art is spectacular. He is quite talented, and seems like a J. Scott Cambell prodigy. Unfortunately the pencils for the rest of issue 50 are not so hot, but whatevs.
All in all, this deserves 4 stars because I enjoyed reading it, and I was entertained with the art and laughed quite a few times while reading it. If you like Gen13, this is for you.
Good Comic.......2005-01-15
This is issues 26 - 29, and though it is my first Gen 13 I've read, i have to say it's pretty good. Was confused at first as to why they are hidding, but will have to find out more by picking up the previous TPB's.
The story seemed good, when your hiding out, don't go out and get peoples attention, good point. The art is great, well done.
I gave it 5 stars because i liked the story and art, and really have no outer Gen 13 books to compare it to. If your new to Gen 13, i would not recommend begining with this book as i did. I'm still trying to find a list for the order the comics are in.
AWESOME!!.......2002-05-11
This is, without a doubt, the funniest comic book in existance. Gen-13 is exactly what would happen if a bunch of young people got super-powers. This isn't some high-and-mighty Justice League of America, nor is is some sniveling X-spinoff with the characters too sorry for themselves to do anything.
These are kids trying to have a good time in life, and be superheroes second.
For those of you just browsing for the Gen-13 comic books, this is one of the fully-illustrated and not one of the cheesey novels.
The jokes alone are worth the money. The battle with one of Moore's old characters, Tao, was a laugh-and-a-half. Check this: what happens when a villian who depends on twisting logic through complex sentences meets up with Grunge? The painful illogic and Who cares? attitude of the grunge-man end in a headache for Tao. Grunge is definately the humoroius focal point. In the one when Grunge is "transformed into a giant, hairy monkey," the running gag response is "'transformed?'"
Buy it and enjoy. I know I did.
Awesome art, terrible argument.......2001-11-04
Gen 13 was always good because of the characters and art. Don't imagine anything more than that in this book.
The history is previsible and very lame.
Customer Reviews:
Not Drawn By Warren.......2006-12-30
Although Amazon lists this album as created by Adam Warren, only the text is by Warren, while the pictures are drawn by a host of rather mediocre artists. Most of the time, I found myself thinking how hilarious this could have been if drawn by Warren himself, but now most gags fall to the ground with a thud.
With many different artists, the graphical style is changing too much, and none of them manage to produce anything above the mediocre. The stories are as good as you would expect them from Warren's hand, but the whole album just demonstrates how important it is to have a talented artist rendering the author's vision.
This book is a lot of wated potential.
Meanwhile.......2005-01-18
This TPB is issues 66-70, and has issues 43 & 44 added. The first part, isses 66-70 art work is done well, the story line is well written, well the last part of the book, isses 43 & 44 was well writen and entertaining, the art work had much to be desired.
The first part, Caitlin has to help Ivana to idetify a new Gen Active. Interesting play into the story from the radio, kind of cute.
The second story can be a bit confusing, it was about Roxy and Grunge, and had lots of flashbacks.
The thrid story is about, Sara and and has to do with her past and her Uncle, a nice story.
The fourth is about a pop song that grows to dominate all media outlets, and is driving Caitlin crazy.
I gave it 3 stars as the stories were good, i think they were just average.
Customer Reviews:
Good collection marred by poor paper quality........2001-10-29
Collecting the first seven issues of the Gen13 regular series this book has excellent artwork and entertaining stories. The big disappointment is the poor quality paper used. Worse than that used by most comic books, the paper is grey and makes all the colors murky. And whoever decided to print the original covers of the issues at 80% size and rotated so that the corners are cut off should be fired.
One of the Best Wildstorm Graphic novels of all time!.......2001-10-10
One of the Best Wildstorm Graphic novels of all time! This particular Gen13 Tradepaperback reprients the first Seven issues of Gen13: the regular series. It takes place where the first Gen13: miniseries left off. This one of Brandon Choi's Best writtem works! Brandon Choi, Jim Lee, and J Scott Campbell created this superhero team of Gen-active teens! These young people are lead by the mentor, Lynch or I/O from the WildCats: miniseries. the Gen 13 team leader is Fairchild,former college student who discovered she had more abilites then just brains! Then their is Burnout who is like Wildstorm's human torch! Grunge and Freefall, Gen-active teans who love to party! They have a love and friend relationship which is essential to the story! The RainMaker is the native-American superheroine who is also a Lesbian! She finally admitts to her sexual perference after having an on and off relationship with Bobby Lane aka Burnout! This book has wonderful characterizations and art and is considered one of the best Wildstorm titles ever made. With an acclaimed story by Brandon Choi, Jim Lee and Campbell, Art drawn by J. Scott Campbell with Alex Garner, This is a great read with Beautiful art! Also, Jim Lee and Scott Willaims apply the artwork for issues #6 and 7! Buy it! If you love comic books I know you will want this!
The best graphic novel of all time.......2001-05-31
EXCELLENT,EXCELLENT,EXCELLENT, This graphic novel has the best artwork and the best stories and has humor (something rarely seen in most except for Young Justice). It should have had a few fold out wall posters of the girls too. I guess you can't have everything. This is just a little better than Young Justice because it's a little more adult and the girls are breathtaking. Too bad their not based on real women. If Image kept J. Scott Campbell for all of Gen 13 and not just the beginning they would have sold a lot more comics. Too bad he now works on Danger Girl which isn't near as fun to read as Gen 13. Art alone cannot always sell a comic book.
Great book, great price.......2000-05-07
Gen 13. When I think of this title, I think of J. Scott Campbell's gorgeous artwork and Alex Garner's amazing inks. This book is still going strong today, even though the dynamic duo of Campbell and Garner have gone on to work on the comic Danger Girl. This book is a good place to pick up a nice part of the Gen 13 story, and is good reading material on a rainy day. Pick it up!
Customer Reviews:
Warren Stands Out.......2006-12-30
In this book, Warren has drawn one of the issues contained within, and it's the only story that stands out. In his usual meta-textural, pop-cultural style, Warren treats us to the retrospective story of Gen 13 done as a TV documentary. Not only are the drawings just as amazing as Warren always does thiem, but the story has a lot of gags and is quite funny.
The rest of the stories are not drawn by Warren (only written by him), but the mediocre artists so distract from the story-telling that here, a couple of days after reading the book, I can't remember what they were about.
Gen 13 returns to its roots: cheesecake........2003-01-28
It's possible that someone reading London * New York * Hell, the Gen 13 collection by Warren Ellis and Steve Dillon, might suspect the book of catering to readers who want an intelligent plot in their comics. Adam Warren dispels that notion with Superhuman Like You, the next collection of Gen 13 books.
Don't get me wrong, Warren knows his audience. No one subscribes to Gen 13 for awesome storytelling; that thing with Ellis was an aberration. The book is about skin, and that's why readers always come away from a Gen 13 book knowing what color Fairchild's undies are.
Customer Reviews:
The third story is worth it...........2007-01-09
This is an average book but the third (and last) story is quite funny and was worth the purchase...
Books:
- A Bridge of Years
- Akiko and the Alpha Centauri 5000 (Akiko)
- Alternate Generals III (Alternate Generals)
- Ammonites and the Other Cephalopods of the Pierre Seaway: Identification Guide (Fossils & Dinosaurs)
- Banner of Souls
- Barlowe's Guide to Extraterrestrials: Great Aliens from Science Fiction Literature
- Barrayar
- Bending the Landscape: Original Gay and Lesbian Writing: Science Fiction
- Black Storm Rising
- Bright Messengers: A New Novel Set in the Rama Universe (A Bantam Spectra Book)
Books Index
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The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-First Annual Collection (Year's Best Science Fiction)
The Year's Best Science Fiction: Nineteenth Annual Collection (Year's Best Science Fiction)
The Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-Third Annual Collection (Year's Best Science Fiction)
The Year's Best Science Fiction, Eighteenth Annual Collection
The Year's Best Science Fiction, Seventeenth Annual Collection
