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Science Fiction and Fantasy News

for May 2008 (Sci-Fi/Fantasy News Archive)

Locus Awards Finalists Announced

Eaton Science Fiction Conference to Feature Ray Bradbury, Frederick Pohl

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Posted: 04/22/08
Science fiction icons Ray Bradbury and Frederick Pohl, other science fiction authors and international scholars will explore the role of Mars in science fiction literature in the Eaton Science Fiction Conference May 16-18 at the University of California, Riverside. Other celebrated science fiction authors on the program include Gregory Bear, Gregory Benford, David Brin, Howard Hendrix, Geoffrey Landis, Larry Niven, and Kim Stanley Robinson.

“Chronicling Mars” is the theme of the conference, which is being resumed by the UCR campus after nearly 10 years. The Eaton Conference program will include the presentation of the first Eaton Award for Lifetime Achievement in Science Fiction to Bradbury, as well as academic papers and panel discussions, a Science Fiction Poetry Association poetry reading, films about Mars, and exhibitions and receptions. Other events include a donation ceremony of the archives of the Science Fiction Poetry Association to the Eaton Collection, and an award ceremony for the winners of the first University of California Science Fiction Short Story Contest.

Bradbury, author of more than 500 published works including “The Martian Chronicles” and “Fahrenheit 451,” will be honored for his life’s work on Saturday, May 17. He will be introduced by Dana Gioia, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Conference registration is $125 for all three days, $75 per day, or $25 for students with a valid student ID. Registration information is available on the conference Web site, http://eatonconference.ucr.edu. For information, call 951-827-3233. Space is limited. Special conference rates are available at some downtown Riverside hotels.

A highlight of the conference will be the “Science Fiction Heritage” panel discussion with Bradbury and Pohl, award-winning author of the “Heechee” series, moderated by George Slusser, professor of comparative literature emeritus and curator emeritus of UCR’s Eaton Collection of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Utopian Literature. Mars has figured prominently in the writings of Bradbury and Pohl.

A book-signing opportunity with Bradbury on Saturday, May 17, will be limited to one book per person. Other conference speakers also will be available to sign their books.

Scholars from across the United States, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Australia will present papers in sessions ranging from scientific and mythical uses of Mars to 21st century possibilities for fiction about Mars.

There also will be a tribute to Sir Arthur C. Clarke, author of “2001: A Space Odyssey,” who died in March. Clarke was to have participated in the Eaton Conference via teleconference from Sri Lanka.

The idea to focus the conference on Mars originated with Slusser, who served as curator of the Eaton Collection for more than 25 years, said Melissa Conway, conference organizer and head of Special Collections at the UCR Libraries.

“Mars has always been important to science fiction writers, and perhaps even more so today,” she said. “We’ve been to the moon. Mars is the next frontier.”

Science fiction has moved from being regarded as the realm of ephemeral literature to being appreciated as an important literary genre, Conway said.

“There’s great imagination in science fiction literature and respect for the reader,” she said. “The intelligence of the reader is engaged. The more you know about science the more you’re intrigued by science fiction. There’s a flexibility to the minds of these authors. They open vistas to possibilities and what the future can be, good and bad. The confluence between science fiction and reality is exciting.”

The resumption of the Eaton Science Fiction Conference has been a major priority of the UCR Libraries for more than a year, said Ruth M. Jackson, university librarian. Given the world-class reputation of the Eaton Collection, the conference represents a vital component of the Libraries’ commitment to supporting scholarly and popular exploration of science fiction writing, publishing, study, and research as a literary genre, she said.

"In the reality of things, science fiction has often been at the helm of later scientific discovery and exploration," Jackson said.

The College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences is pleased to co-sponsor the Eaton conference, said Dean Stephen Cullenberg.

"The Eaton Collection and the long-standing presence of science fiction studies on campus, led by Professor George Slusser, make UCR the logical choice for the conference," he said. "The fact that National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia will be attending to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Ray Bradbury is testament to the importance and reach of this conference."

Science fiction studies has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts in recent years and is now a respected genre in literature, film and creative writing, Cullenberg said.

"Indeed, our college is making a major investment in science fiction studies this year by hiring Rob Latham from the University of Iowa, who is currently co-editor of Science-Fiction Studies, the leading journal in the field," the dean said. "We will also be hiring two more faculty in science fiction studies next year, hopefully a writer and someone with a film background. So, we are making a major investment in science fiction studies, and we are planning to make UCR the leading university in the world to study science fiction."

UCR Libraries’ Special Collections is the home of the Eaton Collection of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Utopian Literature, the largest in the world. The collection embraces every branch of science fiction, plus fantasy and horror, and contains the largest holdings of 16th- to 21st-century utopian and dystopian fiction in North America.

The collection, which attracts scholars from around the world, holds more than 100,000 volumes of English-language science fiction, fantasy and horror published in the 20th century and a wide range of works in Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and a dozen other languages.

Watch Dark Wraith of Shannara Trailer

My 2007 Book List

Spirit Gate by Kate Elliott

I got hooked on Kate Elliott with the Crown of Stars series, so I was looking forward to this book and the start of a new series for her.

Unfortunately, I found it a little slow moving. For me, it didn't have nearly the action, intrigue or strength of characters of the Crown of Stars series. To be honest, it took more than 100 pages for me to get into it, and then she switches to a completely different set of characters. Interesting cultures, set in an alternative China/Far East.

Will I read the next book in the series? Probably

Armageddon's Children by Terry Brooks

As a long-time fan of Terry Brooks and one who's read all of his books, I always look forward to the start of a new series. I am a fan of both the Shannara books and the Word & the Void books. This new series seeks to combine the two, to provide a bridge between the two worlds. I was intrigued by the concept and interested to see if Brooks could pull it off.

Brooks fans will not be disappointed. As usual, pacing and action are well done, and this book provides a fast, easy read. If you've been reading these books all along, I recommend this one. If you're new to Terry Brooks, then you're better off starting at the beginning.

Will I read the next book in the series? Yes

A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge

One of the best pure science fiction novels I've read in a long time. I can clearly see why this one won the Hugo award (1993). Vinge creates very believable, very original alien societies. The Tines, dog-like creatures whose souls and minds are made up of multiple members, are a race I won't soon forget. Also a very original take on the structure of the Galaxy--with its Slow Depths, Beyond and Transcendence--physical areas that correspond to (and indeed allow for) the technological level of its occupants. Ending seemed kind of a letdown, with almost no explanation for how the difficulties of cosmic proportions were resolved. But still highly recommend this one.

Will I seek out more Vernor Vinge? Most definitely

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik

I found His Majesty's Dragon to be well written and fairly engaging. It was a quick, easy read and provides an interesting take on the concept of dragons and their riders. Perhaps the most interesting part is the alternate history approach. The novel is set during the Napoleonic Wars and centers on goody-two-shoes English navy Captain Will Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire. Much of the novel deals with the relationship between Laurence and his dragon. At times, I found this relationship to be EXTREMELY sappy and awkward. I sometimes found it hard to believe in Laurence as a man.

Will I read the next book in the series? Probably

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

This novel delves into the lives of thieves and scoundrels known as the Gentlemen Bastards. The book provides Very good, gritty and believable dialog for these characters; Very inventive ways for the Gentlemen Bastards to get into and out of trouble; and very colorful (albeit often gruesome) ways for certain characters to meet their demises.

The World is built on the ruins of an ancient civilization, which seems to be there just for the "gee, that's cool" effect. The reader sees evidence of the ancient civilization, but the reviewer wonders why that stuff is even in there, since it has no relevance on the novel. Structures are built out of "Elderglass", which glows softly in the evening. Other than making the reader sure this is a world entirely different from his own, there doesn't seem to be much of an author's reason for this. As a reader, I expected the relevance of these ancient substances to become more prominent in the novel, but they seem to be just decoration.

The system of magic (or at least the implications of it) seems underdeveloped, and the balance of power doesn't seem to reflect what's described. The bondsmagi seem to be extremely powerful--there are very few of them, and they charge exorbitant amounts for their services. At the same time, they seem to have no scruples, and they'll work for anyone. If that's the case, why work for money at all? If you're willing to kill people to get paid, why wouldn't you just steal the money yourself?

There are many hints at a character who never shows up (Locke's supposed love interest). We learn her name, but very little more. She isn't involved in this novel, and we don't even know why she left. I like when an author hints at things that are to become important later. But when he teases me with them and then just withholds the information, I feel like I'm being picked on by an older sibling.

Despite some clear shortcomings, I liked this novel a lot for its originality.

Will I read the next one in the series? Yes, but not necessarily right away.

The Android's Dream by John Scalzi

This novel begins with a really in-depth and extravagant fart joke, which gives you an idea of Scalzi's sense of humor. The novel is both lighthearted and serious. The main characters include an intergalactic diplomat, an enormously talented computer hacker and a woman whose DNA includes portions of the DNA of a very important breed of sheep (hence the title, which is a reference to the classic Philip K. Dick novel).

This one has humor, action and odd alien tough guys. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Will I seek out additional Scalzi works? Yes.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

See the full review here.

Will I read the next book in the series? Maybe

A March into Darkness by Robert Newcomb

This is the fourth book in the series, and I've read the previous three. If you like a lot of action and you don't mind the occasional violent or gruesome scene, this series is for you.

Newcomb pretty much follows the formula of the first three books here. Not much original new stuff. Just more of the same. So, if you liked the first three books, you'll probably like this one too.

Will I read the next one in the series? Probably, but more because I'm this far into it than because I'm extraordinarily motivated.

Shaman's Crossing by Robin Hobb

see the full review here.

Will I read the next book in the series? Yep, I already did (see below).

Forest Mage by Robin Hobb

Forest Mage picks up where Shaman's Crossing left off. It still has many of the same flaws as the first book, especially its dreadfully slow pace and the continual urge to slap the main character Nevarre, who sort of lets life happen to him without making any decisions of his own.

On the positive side, Robin Hobb is one of the best world-builders out there.

Will I read the next book in the series? Eventually.

The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell

Very interesting historical fiction about Uhtred, an English-born boy who is captured by the Danes in 9th Century England. The tale is about Uhtred's growing up amid the Viking invasions and attempts to conquer England.

Throughout the novel, Uhtred's loyalties are tested, and while he feels like a Dane and understands them better, he finds reasons to fight against them.

I enjoyed it thoroughly, and I'm glad I picked it up.

Will I read the next book in the series? Probably.