Books matching: survival and ethical dilemmas
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- #1
Save:The Borders of Infinity is a collection of three novellas set in the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold. The stories follow the adventures of Miles Vorkosigan, a Vor Lord in the Barryaran Imperial Space Service, as he navigates through various challenges ranging from solving a murder case to surviving a prisoners of war camp. The book is praised for its engaging plotlines, rich character development, and the emotional depth it evokes in readers through a mix of humor, mystery, and human drama.
The writing style in The Borders of Infinity is described as brilliant and polished, with a focus on psychological warfare, female empowerment, and Miles's strategic thinking in challenging situations. The author, Lois McMaster Bujold, showcases her storytelling prowess by weaving together complex narratives that keep readers engaged and entertained while exploring themes of honor, sacrifice, and resilience in a futuristic space setting.
“You have a visitor, Lieutenant Vorkosigan.” A little glassy panic twitched in the normally matter-of-fact corpsman’s face. He stepped aside to let the man he escorted enter Miles’s hospital room. Mil...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Vorkosigan Saga ) - #2
Save:Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn is a dystopian novel set in the year 2050, where climate change has ravaged the world, and survivors must seek refuge in climate-controlled cities known as 'Inside.' The story unfolds through various characters connected to Jacqueline Millender, a powerful billionaire and women's rights advocate who leads the New York project. As readers delve into Jacqueline's enigmatic personality, they discover the darker sides of her intentions and the challenges posed by her unchecked power.
The writing style is sharp and engaging, reflecting Korn's background as a journalist. Her prose paints vivid images of a deteriorating world while exploring complex themes of feminism, power dynamics, and relationships. The narrative is both immersive and thought-provoking, drawing inspiration from classic dystopian works. Yet, it also sparks debate about gender politics and societal structures, ultimately leaving readers questioning the nature of empowerment in a flawed world.
- #3
Save:In a not too distant future when climate change has made Earth almost uninhabitable, humans have figured out faster than light travel and they've found a distant planet that has good conditions for human habitation. Women's rights have eroded, and even though there are many women who are highly qualified to fly in space, a group of men is going to be the first to go to the new planet. However, a crew of women steal the spaceship and plan to go to the planet first. The mastermind behind this plot is a rich entrepreneur imagine a female Elon Musk. The book is narrated by her adopted daughter, Naomi, who has dreamed of space flight her whole life and has worked hard to achieve that goal. The book is the story of their spaceflight, interspersed with flashbacks to the deaths of Naomi's parents, being raised by her adoptive mother, and her difficult space career. Naturally the crew of the spaceship start to encounter difficulties they're in big trouble on Earth for stealing a spaceship, they discover that there's a cryogenically frozen crew of men on board, the ship's life support systems have problems and these create some moral dilemmas for the crew. This is an engaging thriller, with just enough foreshadowing to keep you guessing. The two main characters are very well developed. The other characters are a bit flat, but the book is really about the psychological tension between Naomi and Valerie.
Goldilocks is set in the future where women are being forced out of their jobs to stay home and take care of the one child they can have before paying a steep child tax on any additional children they may have. The climate is ravaging the earth and scientists best guess is that Earth may have another 30 years before it has been completely exhausted of resources and mankind most likely will not survive. Naomi is a botanical researcher who specializes in growing plants that can survive on other planets. She is working in Scotland when her estranged mother,Valerie Black, the owner of a prestigious science company that is making a ship to travel to Cavendish. A planet in what is knows as the Goldilocks zone. An area that isn't too hot or cold and has potential to be a new home for the human race. Valerie wants to steal the ship Atalanta with 4 other women scientists and travel to Cavendish. When things start going wrong once they are in space Naomi starts to question Valerie's motives on what she hoped to accomplish on this journey. Overall I really enjoyed this story. The characters were well developed and the world building was believable and quite scary. The way the world was being run by governments is eerily similar to what is going on in the world today. If you liked The Martian or dystopian books like The Handmaid's Tale will enjoy this cautionary tale about the delicate balance of our planet and the choices we have to make.
There would be picnic blankets laid out on the parched dirt, legs oily beneath smears of sunblock, faces shadowed by hats and hidden behind sunglasses. They’d lift their filter masks long enough to ni... - #4
Save:"After the Flood" by Kassandra Montag is a post-apocalyptic novel set in a world where rising floodwaters have submerged most of the land, leaving only scattered settlements on high peaks and people living on boats. The story follows Myra, a mother trying to survive with her daughter Pearl, as they embark on a dangerous journey to find Myra's older daughter, Row, who was kidnapped years ago. The book is praised for its fast-paced writing style, strong character development, and a plot filled with adventure, survival, and emotional depth.
The novel explores themes of family, survival, trust, and resilience in the face of disaster. It follows Myra's desperate quest to reunite with her lost daughter, navigating a treacherous world filled with marauders, challenges, and unexpected alliances. The gripping narrative, well-developed characters, and vivid world-building make "After the Flood" a compelling read that delves into the complexities of human nature and relationships in extreme circumstances.
Seagulls circled over our boat, which made me think of Row. The way she squawked and waved her arms when she was first trying to walk; the way she stood completely still for almost an hour, watching t... - #5
Save:"The Indifferent Stars Above: The Harrowing Saga of a Donner Party Bride" by Daniel James Brown portrays the tragic journey of the Donner Party as they attempt to make their way to California. The narrative delves into the mistakes made, the suffering endured, and the remarkable physical and mental endurance displayed by the survivors amidst starvation, freezing temperatures, and death. Brown's writing style is described as engaging, well-researched, and informative, turning what could be dry history into a gripping page-turner that sheds light on the harrowing events of the past.
The night before Sarah left Illinois for California, a full moon—as plump and promising as a pearl—hung over Steuben Township. Down in the bottomlands, the Illinois River slid silently past Franklin W... - #6
Save:"Glow" by Amy Kathleen Ryan is a science fiction novel that follows the story of Waverly and Kieran, who have lived their entire lives on a spaceship traveling to New Earth. When their ship is attacked, the girls are kidnapped while the boys are left behind to survive. The plot is filled with twists and turns, exploring themes of human nature, cult-like behavior, and reproductive rights. The writing style is described as unique, clear, and engaging, with a storyline that keeps the readers on the edge of their seats.
The other ship hung in the sky like a pendant, silver in the ether light cast by the nebula. Waverly and Kieran, lying together on their mattress of hay bales, took turns peering at it through a spygl... - #7
Save:'Behemoth: B-Max' by Peter Watts is a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel that explores a world on the brink of ecological collapse due to human actions. The story follows a group of specially engineered humans living miles below the ocean's surface, dealing with the aftermath of an apocalyptic event unleashed by an unknown organism. The plot delves into themes of evolution, biology, computer science, and chaos theory, creating a unique and original narrative that blends hard science fiction with a post-apocalyptic setting. Watts' writing style is described as detailed, terrifying, and engaging, with a focus on creating a world that is both alien and familiar, rich in history and complex characters.
It wasn't only the blind. Anyone, torn apart in life, dreamt the dreams of whole creatures. Quadruple amputees ran and threw footballs; the deaf heard symphonies; those who'd lost, loved again. The mi...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Rifters ) - #8
Save:In "The Broken Room" by Peter Clines, the story follows Hector, an elite assassin who meets Nat, a 10-year-old girl who has escaped from a government project conducting bizarre experiments on her. Together, they form an unlikely duo, navigating through a world filled with bloodcurdling violence, gunfights, and supernatural elements. As they race against time to save not only themselves but also other children subjected to cruel experimentation, the plot unfolds with non-stop action, suspense, and cinematic chase scenes reminiscent of blockbuster films like Bourne and Matrix.
The book seamlessly blends genres of science fiction, horror, and spy fiction, offering a unique and thrilling reading experience. With complex characters like Hector and Natalie, deep relationships, biting political commentary, and subtle connections to Clines' other works, "The Broken Room" captivates readers with its fast-paced plot, witty humor, and a touch of the supernatural that keeps them on the edge of their seats till the very end.
- #9
Save:'Empty World' by John Christopher is a post-apocalyptic story focusing on the survival of young people during a deadly plague that kills anyone above 14. It follows the protagonist, Neil, as he struggles to survive in a barren world and the encounters he has with other survivors. The narrative delves into themes of survival, loneliness, selfishness, and the difficult choices faced by the characters in a silent and desolate world.
Despite being set in a dystopian world, the book explores the emotional and psychological aspects of the characters' survival rather than focusing solely on the catastrophic events that led to the apocalypse. The writing style is thought-provoking, evoking reflections on faith, morality, and the essence of humanity amidst the emptiness of the world around them.
THEY WERE DRIVING ALONG THE motorway on a bright sunny morning, everyone happy. While Neil’s father drove, his mother was telling him something about a dance at the golf club. Amanda and Andy were arg... - #10
Save:"Wired" by Douglas E. Richards is a fast-paced thriller that delves into the intriguing concept of human intelligence enhancement and the societal implications that come with it. The story follows ex-military man David Desh as he is called back for a mission to track down the wanted scientist Kira Miller, who is believed to be involved in dangerous activities. With a plot full of espionage, gene manipulation, and military covert actions, the book keeps readers engaged with its intricate storyline and well-developed characters, leading to unexpected twists and turns that keep the readers on the edge of their seats.
The writing style in "Wired" is a blend of action-packed scenes with philosophical and scientific discussions, creating a thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of immortality, human evolution, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding advanced intelligence. The book seamlessly weaves together elements of science fiction, thriller, and speculative fiction, providing readers with a compelling and engaging story that challenges them to think beyond the traditional boundaries of the genre.
