Recent content by ryanseanoreilly

I found Harry Turtledove's "The Guns of the South" to be enjoyable. It's the only book of his I've read so far.

Yeah, it was fun. PKD usually is. You must enjoy Harry Turtledove as well. I believe he is known for his alternative history works.

A near-perfect adventure story bolstered by a well-researched study of the occult; full of daring, cunning and romance. Dennis Wheatley writes quickly and keeps the stakes high. He masterfully balances the provision of vital information and background with stake raising in the plot game. Most...

A tale told by a crackling, comforting fire while the bitter northern winds gust dangerously against the window panes outside. This book starts a bit slowly at first, but then kicks up into high-adventure and keeps this pace to the end. Pullman’s writing is very good and he manages to capture a...

A story of subtle nuances containing picturesque fables that compound reality in philosophic deep strokes. This story is told from seven different points of view which include the unlikely characters of: a judo instructor; an antique dealer; a publisher; and a craftsman. Not what you would...

A carnal visage of thrill-based plotting that is both fast and to the point…that being the tip of a meat hook. This tale is told from differing points of view. The story’s initial character, Frank, is wrought with hedonistic addictions that can no longer be satiated through earthly delights...

A refreshing philosophical exploration into high-concept esoteric questions draped in all the brilliant colors of science fiction. This is a tale rooted in the exploration of hubris in its broadest sense. Whatever array of the political spectrum you subscribe too, the story will speak to you...

A moody morass rallying against the gray walls of reality, in perfect tone. This book lilts like a weather-beaten gravestone, sunk in a forest cemetery littered amongst the broken fragments of classic science fiction tropes. Originality shines through in the story line and voice of the authors...

A meandering gothic tale of wormish fiends, overshadowed by a giant kite and frequent supper respites. Written just before the author’s death, many reviewers have speculated that the writing suffered horribly as a result. There are seemingly random point-of-view switches (not set off by...

Interesting concepts that provide creepy fun for the whole pod to enjoy. The author loosely develops a fascinating concept that later provided a veritable sandbox of inspirations and interpretations for years of analysis. This book has been combed over for allegorical meanings through the...

Thought I'd add my review to this thread: A journey of self that is both compelling and crushing in its introspection. Charly Gordon is a middle-aged, mentally-challenged man who has been selected as a test subject for the first human to undergo a procedure that will significantly increase...

A chilling tale of horror that descends into madness one step at time. Ira Levin’s suspenseful tale of horror is both a commentary on society as well as a character study into the descent of sanity. His prose is sparse and vernacular with poignant ideas that are supported by masterful suspense...

An early collection of short stories touching on cold-war era fears, and other weird pseudo-realities. Philip K. Dick is known fairly well for toying with reality in his fiction and meta-fictional stories. His ideas negotiate the fuzzy edges of existential questions. He pushes boundaries in his...

Review: "Nineteen Eighty-Four" by George Orwell (5 Stars) Ages like a fine wine with a dark, full-bodied harbinger of doom, increasing with relevance as each year goes by. What can be said about this book that has not already been said? Orwell’s despondent view of an evil utopia hits all the...

140 million leagues under the blackness of space, Jules Verne is reborn…this time with a sense of humor and irreverent references to pop culture. Through a series of journal entries, the protagonist of this story relays a first person account that chronicles the trials and tribulations of being...