1st video, and after watching, I became a new subscriber. I love your picks, and it's funny, I have quite a few of them. Unfortunately, I've been n a serious reading slump, but after watching your video, I'm itching to choose one of the books you talked about and start reading!! Thank you for that inspiration!!
Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky somehow makes the idea of having one’s biology converted into alien matter into a heart warming uplifting story against adversity, where every other author would have gone produced a story of soul screaming body horror.
THANK U!!! I hadnt heard of fortress sol, they did a terrible job marketing that! I havent really decided about exodus because it is not his universe- its a tie in…. Have u read it yet? What did u think?
Loved Lost Ark Dreaming. Happy to see it getting love. It reminded me, a little, of George Turner's 'Sea and Summer' mixed with 'The Deep' by Rivers Solomon.
3:05 - Does that mean that you don't like Zamyatin's _Us,_ Orwell's _Eighteen Eighty Four,_ and _Animal Farm,_ Huxley's _Brave New World,_ Pohl & Kornbluth's _Space Merchants,_ Le Guin's _Disposessed,_ _The Word for World is Forest,_ _Left Hand of Darkness_ or _Four Ways to Forgiveness_ (among others... I didn't think so 😀
Hi. I agree about Tusks of Extinction, an interesting -quick- read. Like you I’m also on the fence about Mercy of Gods. I just could not care less about this group of people. In that’s it’s the opposite of what I loved about The Expanse…
This is why I always go back to Audible - to continue an audio book series I started years ago 😂 Wasn't too impressed by the last Bobiverse book, hopefully the new one is more to my taste. Thanks for these vids, this is something I enjoy because I still have a backlog of classics and older books and I'm not necessarily following what's going on now.
Brava thou!! Your handling of the Keanu Reeves catastrophe was tact wrought to its uppermost, as they say. I got Saturation Point, despite my AT reservations, based on your recommendation. I'm sure it will be fabulous to the nth. Keep on Rocking!!
3:30 - For fans of Iain M. Bank's _Culture_ series, do read _Murderbot Diaries._ Perhaps at first you won't see many similarities, but when you encounter the SecUnit's new home, The Preservation Alliance, then the Pansystem University of Mihira and New Tideland and finally their "Asshole Research Transport" (as Murderbot calls it) _Perihelion,_ you will see what I mean. BTW, this also has a "political agenda", one on corporate greed and the possibility of anarchist society.
Small correction: “System collapse” is not a novella. It’s a rather short novel, but it’s longer than a novella, and it’s described as a novel on Martha Wells’s website and in Wikipedia.
Another fun video! But note to editor: at 5:15, 20:24 and 26:42 the transition is not smooth. At 34:35, it's the The Divide series, not the Lost Fleet series (that's Jack Campbell).
I recently read Alien Clay, and I was amazed by what happened at the end. ------spoiler------ But now I wonder you will never know if you got mad or enlightened 🤔 Anyways I really liked the idea of unity and being interconnected.
@@secretsauceofstorycraft oh yeah it’s all good - I’m at the scary age where I have realised I’ll never read all the books I want to before I die so what’s another 15 to the TBR 🤣. Intrigued for next week!
@secretsauceofstorycraft have to read it yet. The amazon listing initially had the blurb for seveneves on it, way before it was published, that's why I assumed it was 7eves related. 🤷♂️
Thanks for saying something. If you could be more specific it would help. Like you mean i talk too much (vids too long) or you mean i give spoilers on the books? This type of info helps! Thanks again! 😌
Interestingly enough I think she's just giving out enough without spoiling what's going on. I also don't like it when I feel booktubers talk too much a out there actual plot and I feel like she's hitting the sweet spot, at least for me.
The second sun eater book in my opinion was not good and I dnf it. There is a large time gap and it is a different character that I did not care about. The pacing was not great also.
Wow really? Howling Dark is my favourite of the first few. There is a big jump, you're right, he does that with each book. While that was jarring at first, it makes sense in the broader context of Marlowe's maturing character. Give it another go!
You could at least attempt to say the names of the African authors (Suyi Davies Okungbowa and Tlotlo Tsamaase), or maybe leave their names on screen long enough to read...
I just read Lost Ark Dreaming. The premise was incredibly weak. The characters were stock. Their character evolution over the course of a single day was unbelievable. What started out as science fiction ended as pure magical fantasy. Disappointing, but it was short, so I finished it in an afternoon. At least the writing was decent. I started reading The Stardust Grail. The premise was much more interesting than Lost Ark Dreaming, but I got so tired of being told every few pages that the main character used to be a thief who has stopped stealing. Ugh. And every character in the novel -- no matter their position -- appeared to be exactly the same age (except the alien). The story and writing were so bad that I finally gave up after 60 pages. I even picked up a new book by John Ringo, Beyond the Ranges. I've read quite a lot from Ringo that I thoroughly enjoyed. This one failed miserably. It was all infodump as far as I read (50 pages), and even farther as I skimmed ahead. ALL INFODUMP. The characters were not disoriented after being held in stasis for 2 million years, accepted their new situation without question, and were remarkably all competent and hit the floor running. No one seemed to care that earth had been destroyed. It's a first in a new series, so at least I know what *not* to read in the future. Still looking for new science fiction authors -- or at least new science fiction novels. I'll look for a few others from your list.
Oh no! Sounds like you are having a hard time of it…. I’m not sure what you are looking for or I could help you more…. Have u tried Mountain in the Sea? It is first contact more hard scifi. I also recently loved Flicker Men… about developing a test for consciousness. Maybe one of those might interest you? Maybe not given this track record….
Sorry 2024, you gotta get in line with all the other years that I have a million books to read.
Hahahahah….. i hear you….
You’re doing something incredible!
Aw thank you!!! 😊
1st video, and after watching, I became a new subscriber. I love your picks, and it's funny, I have quite a few of them. Unfortunately, I've been n a serious reading slump, but after watching your video, I'm itching to choose one of the books you talked about and start reading!! Thank you for that inspiration!!
Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky somehow makes the idea of having one’s biology converted into alien matter into a heart warming uplifting story against adversity, where every other author would have gone produced a story of soul screaming body horror.
Agreed! 👍🏻
You may want to check 2 good novels on humans changing into other life-forms - Larry Niven's 'Protector' & Jack Chalker 'The Web of the Chosen'.
The premise of Jack Campbell's new book sounds so intriguing. I loved his Lost Fleet series, and his related Midway books.
I also loved lost fleet!!
Great list!👍👍👍🤖🚀🐲 A few of these are going on my tbr📚
Fantastic! Hope u find some good ones!!
Love murder bot. Only read 1st two, but loving them. Short and fun.
🔥 they r all good
Glad you got to read Alien Clay! Thanks for your recommendations.
Anytime! Liked alien clay alot!
19:48 - Stephenson has already such series - 'The Baroque quintet'.
Yes - i have quicksilver
Exodus - The Archimedes Engine, by Peter F. Hamilton and Fortress Sol by Stephen Baxter are two of the biggest releases of 2024.
THANK U!!! I hadnt heard of fortress sol, they did a terrible job marketing that! I havent really decided about exodus because it is not his universe- its a tie in…. Have u read it yet? What did u think?
@@secretsauceofstorycraft No I haven’t read either. Just added them to my Audible. Currently listening to Void Trilogy.
Loved Lost Ark Dreaming. Happy to see it getting love. It reminded me, a little, of George Turner's 'Sea and Summer' mixed with 'The Deep' by Rivers Solomon.
Ooh i havent read those!! But i really liked it-- so will have to check them out
3:05 - Does that mean that you don't like Zamyatin's _Us,_ Orwell's _Eighteen Eighty Four,_ and _Animal Farm,_ Huxley's _Brave New World,_ Pohl & Kornbluth's _Space Merchants,_ Le Guin's _Disposessed,_ _The Word for World is Forest,_ _Left Hand of Darkness_ or _Four Ways to Forgiveness_ (among others... I didn't think so 😀
12:07 - Much like a forgotten TV show 'Charlie Jade'...
🔥
I was hesitating on Alien Clay because I read Cage Of Souls earlier this year so I'm really glad you mentioned that the vibes are different!
I was worried about it myself! Glad i could help
Wait what he has novellas this is why I love your content patreon please.
🔥 i dont know how to feel about patreon these days- will consider
I’m amazed how many standalones and novellas are on this list! Excellent video! ✨😊
Awww thanks!
Hi.
I agree about Tusks of Extinction, an interesting -quick- read. Like you I’m also on the fence about Mercy of Gods. I just could not care less about this group of people. In that’s it’s the opposite of what I loved about The Expanse…
Yeah I get that! The Expanse was soooo good… and im still not sure what their goal was with TMOG
Great list of books. I'm adding several more to my to be bought list. Great video Whitney
🔥 😎
This is why I always go back to Audible - to continue an audio book series I started years ago 😂
Wasn't too impressed by the last Bobiverse book, hopefully the new one is more to my taste.
Thanks for these vids, this is something I enjoy because I still have a backlog of classics and older books and I'm not necessarily following what's going on now.
I totally understand! And we all have limited time so good to know what you might like vs what you wont…
Brava thou!! Your handling of the Keanu Reeves catastrophe was tact wrought to its uppermost, as they say. I got Saturation Point, despite my AT reservations, based on your recommendation. I'm sure it will be fabulous to the nth. Keep on Rocking!!
💜 🚀 hope u love it!! Hahah
3:30 - For fans of Iain M. Bank's _Culture_ series, do read _Murderbot Diaries._ Perhaps at first you won't see many similarities, but when you encounter the SecUnit's new home, The Preservation Alliance, then the Pansystem University of Mihira and New Tideland and finally their "Asshole Research Transport" (as Murderbot calls it) _Perihelion,_ you will see what I mean.
BTW, this also has a "political agenda", one on corporate greed and the possibility of anarchist society.
🔥
Taking note... thanks love😉
Haha anytime…. 🔥
Small correction: “System collapse” is not a novella. It’s a rather short novel, but it’s longer than a novella, and it’s described as a novel on Martha Wells’s website and in Wikipedia.
👍🏻
Another fun video!
But note to editor: at 5:15, 20:24 and 26:42 the transition is not smooth.
At 34:35, it's the The Divide series, not the Lost Fleet series (that's Jack Campbell).
Oof 😅
Red Side Story was excellent ❤
🔥 yess!!’ Im glad other folks read it too
Did you read Livesuits after The Mercy of Gods? If not, I highly recommend it.
I did! Not same character… not sure how i feel-- u musta liked it??
@ I devoured it. I think it totally reframes the series.
I'll read Alien Clay soon.
🔥
I think I'll be rereading some Jack Vance and Gordon R Dickson until the end of the year, at least.
At least you have ur plan!
Still trying to finish off the 1960s....the 50s were a great read.
🔥 That is a great goal!!
Wait what, Keanu Reeves?!?
Yep!!! 👍🏻
You...are the best!
Awww! ☺️ thanks! U too!!!
I recently read Alien Clay, and I was amazed by what happened at the end.
------spoiler------
But now I wonder you will never know if you got mad or enlightened 🤔
Anyways I really liked the idea of unity and being interconnected.
Me too it was fun!!🤩
Another great video but I am going to have to stop watching your videos as you keep increasing my TBR 😂😂😂
Hahaha! 😂 thats good right?? Dont worry u will like next week
@@secretsauceofstorycraft oh yeah it’s all good - I’m at the scary age where I have realised I’ll never read all the books I want to before I die so what’s another 15 to the TBR 🤣. Intrigued for next week!
25:56 - Might be more interesting if they both lived in the same body, like a female 'Venom'...
Haha
@@secretsauceofstorycraft There's a reason to assume she did (the pic of the alien), but was told it's too similar.
Polostan was a grave disappointment, i was convinced it was going to be a sequel to Seveneves. Sigh. I did still buy a copy, got it cheap!
Ugh! 😩 it was probably one od my worst books of year…. So sad. I had heard it was seveneves sequel also- guess rumor mill dreaming
@secretsauceofstorycraft have to read it yet. The amazon listing initially had the blurb for seveneves on it, way before it was published, that's why I assumed it was 7eves related. 🤷♂️
In my opinion, you give out too much detail. However, I always check out what you have to say--thanks
Thanks for saying something. If you could be more specific it would help. Like you mean i talk too much (vids too long) or you mean i give spoilers on the books? This type of info helps! Thanks again! 😌
Interestingly enough I think she's just giving out enough without spoiling what's going on.
I also don't like it when I feel booktubers talk too much a out there actual plot and I feel like she's hitting the sweet spot, at least for me.
The second sun eater book in my opinion was not good and I dnf it. There is a large time gap and it is a different character that I did not care about. The pacing was not great also.
Wow really? Howling Dark is my favourite of the first few. There is a big jump, you're right, he does that with each book. While that was jarring at first, it makes sense in the broader context of Marlowe's maturing character. Give it another go!
Oh no!!
You could at least attempt to say the names of the African authors (Suyi Davies Okungbowa and Tlotlo Tsamaase), or maybe leave their names on screen long enough to read...
Haha last time I attempted everyone yelled at me. Sometimes I have to stop when Im ahead 🤪 but names on screen is doable!
Sigh... Overall, doesn't seem too great year.
😣
I just read Lost Ark Dreaming. The premise was incredibly weak. The characters were stock. Their character evolution over the course of a single day was unbelievable. What started out as science fiction ended as pure magical fantasy. Disappointing, but it was short, so I finished it in an afternoon. At least the writing was decent.
I started reading The Stardust Grail. The premise was much more interesting than Lost Ark Dreaming, but I got so tired of being told every few pages that the main character used to be a thief who has stopped stealing. Ugh. And every character in the novel -- no matter their position -- appeared to be exactly the same age (except the alien). The story and writing were so bad that I finally gave up after 60 pages.
I even picked up a new book by John Ringo, Beyond the Ranges. I've read quite a lot from Ringo that I thoroughly enjoyed. This one failed miserably. It was all infodump as far as I read (50 pages), and even farther as I skimmed ahead. ALL INFODUMP. The characters were not disoriented after being held in stasis for 2 million years, accepted their new situation without question, and were remarkably all competent and hit the floor running. No one seemed to care that earth had been destroyed. It's a first in a new series, so at least I know what *not* to read in the future.
Still looking for new science fiction authors -- or at least new science fiction novels. I'll look for a few others from your list.
Oh no! Sounds like you are having a hard time of it…. I’m not sure what you are looking for or I could help you more…. Have u tried Mountain in the Sea? It is first contact more hard scifi. I also recently loved Flicker Men… about developing a test for consciousness. Maybe one of those might interest you? Maybe not given this track record….
@@secretsauceofstorycraft -- I'll try to find Mountain in the Sea. That's sounds more in my wheelhouse. Thanks.
Why can't you breathe?
??? I dunno? 🤷🏼♀️
@secretsauceofstorycraft At the beginning of the video, you look without air, like someone who has just sprinted