Tag: spec-fic

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Review: Martian Chronicles

Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

I give this book a 4.

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When reading this book for the first time, one has to take into consideration the period in which it was written. Bradbury’s creativity and ingenuity for space travel politics, cultural qualms, and concerns of human adaptation to space travel more than make up for the lack of technical terms and factual depictions of Mars.

These are individual accounts of trips to Mars all pulled together and retold as one chronicle of the human experience on Mars. We are giving a chance to view the human effect on Mars from multiple points of views including: disgruntled Martians, welcoming Martians, eager exploratory humans, refugees, and so much more.

This isn’t just another fast paced invasion story. The Martian Chronicles deals with of the philosophical concerns of visiting other planets and the effects of encountering an alien race. As much as I adore this story and enjoy the kooky spin the Martians and their world bring to theses matters, this story could have been told using any number of indigenous tribes right here on earth, but then there wouldn’t be as grand a feeling of exploration or adventure.

Reading story after story of how the human and Martian worlds have collided, reminded me of how it felt to watch The Twilight Zone when I was a kid. Some of it is a bit scary, but mostly it’s mysterious and thought-provoking. This is one I’d definitely recommend to any sci-fi fan and maybe even a few fantasy readers.

While there is truly something here for everyone, I don’t know that everyone would be up for it. In any case, I’d say this is a family-friendly read that dad would thoroughly enjoy.

This review has been posted to GoodReads.

If you’d like to obtain a copy of this book, try these link.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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EC: Giovanni's Angel Sample Sundays

Sample Sunday 38

samplesunday

Here is approximately 100 – 150 words from a randomly selected original piece for your enjoyment. These samples can include excerpts from my all my WIPs and my Eternal Curse Series, but only as works in progress (not the final products). These samples of published and unpublished works are protected under the U.S. Copyright agreement.

Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel chapter 5.3 (wip)

In the roomy bed she’d been provided, Mira quickly became relaxed and was very comfortable. The sheets were soft and cool and the mattress was just the right firmness. After a few hours of blissful rest and sleep, a strange sound, like wings flapping or flags blowing in the wind, woke Mira from her slumber. The sound was coming from outside, so she ran down the hall to the indoor/outdoor room to gain access to the deck. There she saw what looked like an enormous white bird; the most regal she’d ever seen. It looked to be the size of a man with wings white like snow. It flapped its wings over the apple orchard as it ascended up into the sky. It was the most beautiful thing Mira had ever seen, or maybe imagined.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

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EC: Battleground Sample Sundays

Sample Sunday 36

samplesunday

Here is approximately 100 – 150 words from a randomly selected original piece for your enjoyment. These samples can include excerpts from my all my WIPs and my Eternal Curse Series, but only as works in progress (not the final products). These samples of published and unpublished works are protected under the U.S. Copyright agreement.

Eternal Curse: Battleground chapter 5 (wip)

We all sat in the cold darkness of the laboratory and listened to Dad talk about the glory days of Mom and his nights out on patrols. I guess by the time I came along, a lot of things must have changed, just as he’d said. I never knew about these patrols he and Mom went on until that moment.

Reliving the past was helping and enlightening us all in so many ways, but Dad’s reaction was the most obvious. Slowly, little by little, Dad was beginning to transform. I escaped up stairs briefly, through an old lift system that ran straight through Sheldon’s quarter and even onto the third level of the domicile, to gather up Dad’s things so we could help him dress. We were all optimistic that he might’ve actually been able to make his public appearance at the service later on.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords