Three John Scalzi Reviews by Jon Moss

Back in 2013, KaCSFFS held a 50-Word Review Contest, soliciting reviews for the Blog by KAXFEN and friends of KaCSFFS. The winner of that contest was the prolific and well-read Jon Moss--but after the contest ended we didn't manage to publish all of her reviews. 

Now we are seeking reviews of books or other materials that fall into Hugo Award categories, and we specifically want reviews for works that are eligible for the 2016 Hugo Awards. These, of course, will be presented at Kansas City's own MidAmericon II. 

Please consider this a long-overdue tip-of-the-hat to the inimitable Jon Moss, and a challenge to consider writing and submitting your own review of something published during the year 2015. We'd love to hear from you. 

Now let's hear from Jon Moss, on three popular novels by John Scalzi: 

Old Man's War (2007-4 stars) 

A good story, regardless of genre, and an especially great military science fiction tale.

For me, the best parts of this story were the relationships. They were sparse but gripping. Perry's memories of his wife and marriage. The familial bonding among the Old Farts and the grief of their passing.

I recommend this to anyone who loves military science fiction, with a good dose of wit and sarcasm, flavored with a gentle touch of what it means to be human in an insane non-human galaxy. 

The Ghost Brigades (2007-4 stars) 

The first half of this sequel to Old Man's War immersed us in Special Forces, as experienced by Jared Dirac, a very unusual recruit to the Ghost Brigades. Jared's squad leader is none other than Jane Sagan. 

The second half reveals more of the politics driving the war and fight to colonize in this corner of the galaxy. Jane and Jared discover ever more frightening information regarding the aliens.

I enjoyed this novel at least as much as the first one. If you've read Old Man's War, you won't be disappointed in this sequel.

The Last Colony  (2007-3.5 stars)

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the plot twists, and the conundrum of The Last Colony. I couldn't keep from reading it, even while attending an all-day technology conference. No one looked at me strangely between sessions, since we were all geeks and I was reading a Scalzi novel, for goodness sake.

On an interesting side note, I now understand why John Scalzi is listed as a creative consultant to the Stargate:Universe television series. The fate of the stranded, lost people trapped on the Destiny mirrors many of the challenges and situations faced by the members of the colony Roanoke.

IMAGES: Many thanks to MidAmericon II for their logo; and to Amazon for the cover art of Old Man’s War, to SF Reviews for the cover of The Ghost Brigades, and to Cephus’ Corner for the cover of The Last Colony.

SF Grin for the Day: Bygone Hardships

Ah, the good ol' days . . .

IMAGE: Many thanks to ETS Only, for this image.

It's not too early to start Reading!

Do you have your copy?

The November Selection for the SF&F Literati is (Windswept by Adam Rakunas)

The meeting is Monday evening, Nov. 23, 2015 at 7:00 p.m., at the Oak Park Barnes & Noble Booksellers #2352, 2^nd Floor, 11323 W 95th Street, Overland Park, KS 66214, but it's not too early to start reading NOW! 

IMAGE: Many thanks to Adam's Facebook Page, for the cover image.

Get on the Line October 26!

Date: October 26, 2015-7:00 p.m.

Title: Linesman

Author: S. K. Dunstall

Publisher: Penguin Publishing

Available from: Fine booksellers, including Barnes & Noble

Meeting Location: Barnes & Noble #2352, 2^nd Floor
11323 W 95th Street, Overland Park, KS 66214

Overview from Barnes & Noble:

First in a brand new thought-provoking science fiction series.

The lines. No ship can traverse the void without them. Only linesmen can work with them. But only Ean Lambert hears their song. And everyone thinks he’s crazy…

Most slum kids never go far, certainly not becoming a level-ten linesman like Ean. Even if he’s part of a small, and unethical, cartel, and the other linesmen disdain his self-taught methods, he’s certified and working.

Then a mysterious alien ship is discovered at the edges of the galaxy. Each of the major galactic powers is desperate to be the first to uncover the ship’s secrets, but all they’ve learned is that it has the familiar lines of energy—and a defense system that, once triggered, annihilates everything in a 200 kilometer radius.

The vessel threatens any linesman who dares to approach it, except Ean. His unique talents may be the key to understanding this alarming new force—and reconfiguring the relationship between humans and the ships that serve them, forever.

Didn't read it? Come anyway! The conversation is always good.

IMAGES: Many thanks to the author's website for the cover image.

Creative Corner

Here's what Creative Friends of KaCSFFS are doing!

Rachael Mayo, our local dragon-drawing phenomenon, is delighted to finally be able to announce that her new coloring book Dragon Adventure is now available from Kaliedoscopia, via Amazon. 

"We'd been waiting on the 'look inside' feature to become available so people could see the drawings," she explained. "It's fully functional now!"

Adult coloring books are the new stress-management trend. What better book to choose, for the lover of SF and fantasy, than Rachael's intricate and gorgeous drawings? See lots more of Rachael's artwork on DeviantArt. 

Lawrence-based Holly Messinger's soon-to-be published novel The Curse of Jacob Tracy just received an outstanding advance review in Publisher's Weekly. This is a highly promising local writer whose novel will be published in December by Thomas Dunne Books (NOTE: before the end of 2015. Thus it is Hugo-eligible and Campbell-eligible for MidAmericon II!). 

Read the review (and pre-order) with this convenient link! Or better yet, pre-order through your favorite local bookstore!

James K. Burk just signed a contract with WolfSinger Publications for his action-adventure novel The Long Way Home, first in the new Recon 9 Series. It will be published in 2016. Check Creative Corner for further updates!

Author James K. Burk

Susan Satterfield would like to remind everyone that the MCC-Longview Literary Festival is this coming Friday at the Longview Campus of the Metropolitan Community College in Lee's Summit, MO. 

Three KaCSFFS members will be among the writers at the Literary Festival. Bryan Thomas Schmidt will be a Featured Speaker; M.C. Chambers will be a Featured Author, and Aaron Hollingsworth will be featured as a panelist for several discussions throughout the day.

Bryan Thomas Schmidt invites everyone to a reading and book launch for Mission: Tomorrow, inside the KU Student Union at Jayhawk Ink, 2nd Floor, 1301 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS. 

Hugo-nominated Editor Schmidt, and authors James Gunn, Robin Wayne Bailey and Chris McKitterick will be reading selections from the new Baen hard sf anthology, and signing copies.

The event is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16, from 5:30-7:45 p.m. Refreshments will be served. 

IMAGES: The cover for Dragon Adventure is courtesy of Amazon. The cover for The Curse of Jacob Tracy is from Publishers Weekly. The image of James K. Burk is courtesy of the author himself. The cover for Mission: Tomorrow is courtesy of Bryan Thomas Schmidt. Thanks to all!

SF&F Literati Announce Fall-Winter Selections

L-R: October, November, and January Selections (remember: none for December)

The SF&F Literati met September 28 and chose the lineup of selections for winter reading. Time to start reading!

The SF&F Literati meet at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month (except December and May) at Barnes & Noble #2352 at the Oak Park Mall, 2^nd Floor,11323 W 95th Street, Overland Park, KS 66214. They always welcome new readers.

IMAGE: Many thanks to the SF&F Literati Facebook Page for this photo.

Get your SCARY on, for the KaCSFFS Halloween Meeting!

Susan Ives and Carol Doms in 2013

What: Halloween KaCSFFS Meeting

Where: The WritersPlace

3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111

When: Saturday, October 17, 2015

5:30 Board of Directors—open meeting

6:00 Doors open for setup and pre-meeting socializing.
6:30 Start of Meeting: Speaker April Roy from KC Public Libraries
7:00 Party begins!

Special Guest Speaker

April Roy, manager of the Lucille H. Bluford Branch of the Kansas City Public Library, will join us at the beginning of the meeting, to discuss the value of past KaCSFFS work with the Library, and the potential for future cooperation.

Halloween Costume Party

Each year, we celebrate our annual Halloween party meeting with creative decorations, costumes, and makeup. This year, we hope to make this a party to remember. Setup begins as soon as the doors open. 

Part of a lineup of creative costumes at our 2014 party.

Don't Forget the Food!

One of the party's highlights is the tasty and creative food our members bring. This year's contest will have recognitions for Scariest Food, Tastiest Food, and People's Choice.

Food is always an important part of the party! Here with Adele Tyhurst and Tracy Majkol in 2014.

IMAGES: Many thanks to Jan Gephardt and Ty Gephardt for the photos used in this blog post.

Laser Rangers 2015 October Meeting

Supernatural Old West

Date: October 10, 2015
Time: 4:50pm
Location: David Sooby’s home theater with 51-inch Samsung HDTV, a 5.1 Surround Sound Dolby Digital sound system, a full set of audiophile-grade speakers, and upgraded seating for about 15 people without crowding.
Captain Laser: Corey B.
Food: Barbecue, Grilled, Beans, Western
Costume: Western/Halloween

To learn more, please visit our Facebook Event Page.

Short features will be shown before each feature. Don't miss them!

Purgatory

(1999, 94 minutes) Directed by: Uli Edel

Starring: Sam Shepard, Eric Roberts, Randy Quaid, Brad Rowe, Donnie Wahlberg, J. D. Souther, Amelia Heinle

After outlaw Blackjack Britton (Eric Roberts) and his gang hold up a bank, they escape through a dust storm and wind up in the sleepy town of Refuge. Finding its inhabitants and sheriff (Sam Shepard) unusually passive and genteel, Blackjack and his bunch begin to take advantage, causing all manner of trouble. The gang can't fathom the town's lack of fight until they learn that Refuge is actually a purgatory for famous dead gunfighters who must resist the violence that marked their lives.-IMDB

Watch the trailer here!







~~~~~
After the first feature, please join us for a potluck dinner. Bring something to share. It can follow the theme, or be something you prefer.
~~~~~

Feature Presentation!
High Plains Drifter

(1973, 105 minutes) Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Starring: Starring Clint Eastwood, Verna Bloom, Marianna Hill

In this Western, a drifter with no name (Clint Eastwood) wanders into a small town, where his gun-slinging abilities are in high demand. When the drifter rides into Lago, he is met with incredulity and disapproval by the townspeople. But once he shows his skills with a pistol, the locals realize he may be able to help them fend off a band of criminals who have been terrorizing the town. He agrees to help the townspeople, but does so with his own secret agenda.-IMDB

Watch the trailer here!







The home of the Laser Rangers is located about four miles north of the Kansas Speedway, NW of the intersection of I-70 and I-435 on the Kansas side of the Greater Kansas City area.

IMAGE CREDITS: The information for all of these shows come from the invaluable IMDB. The movie posters come from Wikipedia or the movie's respected distributors. 

The movie screen frame image used for the Laser Rangers contact information is courtesy of Psychology Today Online. Many thanks to these websites!