Tag: Orion reads

How I Would Vote Now: 1993 Hugo Awards (Best Novel)

The Nominees

China Mountain Zhang by Maureen F. McHugh

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson

Steel Beach by John Varley

A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge

Doomsday Book by Connie Willis

The Actual Results

  1. A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge
  2. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
  3. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
  4. China Mountain Zhang by Maureen F. McHugh
  5. Steel Beach by John Varley

How I Would Vote Now

(abstain)

Explanation

I didn’t hate any of these books, but I didn’t love any of them either—which is fairly typical for me of 90s era Hugo Awards. Let’s go down the list.

Doomsday Book is often held up as Connie Willis’s best, but I thought it lost the plot a bit when the time travelers had to simultaneously face a pandemic in their own future time while also having to rescue the lost apprentice time traveler from the black death in medieval England. If you’re reeling from a pandemic, what the heck are you doing sending time travelers back as if it’s a normal day on the job? Also, Connie Willis really has no love for the medieval era, and it shows. Blackout and All Clear were much better, partially because of how much Connie Willis clearly loves WWII-era Britain.

If there’s one book in this list that I should try again, and probably will, it’s A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge. It’s the kind of science fiction that’s right up my wheelhouse, and I’ve enjoyed Vernor Vinge before (Rainbows End is the best so far). But this book is so freaking huge, and I never latched on to any of the characters… oh, and the central conceit of the aliens, that the small collective packs form a hive mind that thinks and acts like an individual—that didn’t really work for me either time I attempted to read this book.

I screened Steel Beach and China Mountain Zhang through ChatGPT for objectionable content and decided to skip both of them. Here is what ChatGPT said about China Mountain Zhang that made me decide to skip it:

The story engages deeply with themes of intersectional identity, including race, sexual orientation, and societal roles. Zhang’s struggles as a gay man in a conformist society are a significant part of the narrative. The book also critiques authoritarianism and explores social dynamics through a progressive lens. While these themes are integral to the story and handled with subtlety, they align with a modern “woke” perspective.

And here’s what it said about Steel Beach that made me decide to skip it:

Language: Strong language is used throughout, reflecting the irreverent tone of the protagonist and the society depicted.

Gender and Identity: Steel Beach explores themes of gender fluidity and personal identity in a society where individuals can easily change their biological sex. This aspect of the world is presented as normalized rather than contentious.

As for Red Mars, I read this one way back (way way back) when I was a freshman in college. At the time, I was still working out what I believed politically, so most of KSR’s leftism went right over my head. However, there were a few sexually explicit scenes that weirded me out, especially the one where the colony team’s depressed psychiatrist discovers—and joins—the bizarre sex cult and their group orgies in the farm module. I still finished the book, but I declined to read the rest of the series.

What is it with crunchy leftist authors and bizarre, explicit sexual content? Why do they always seem to feel a need to fill their books with weird and pointless sex? There are so many books I’ve read for this series that started out strong, but ultimately devolved into sexual degeneracy that added nothing to the story. It’s almost like they felt a compelling need to add the degeneracy for its own sake. Maybe it’s a boomer thing? A “spirit of the age” possession of some sort? I honestly don’t know.

How I Would Vote Now: All Years

How I Would Vote Now: 1990 Hugo Awards (Best Novel)

The Nominees

The Boat of a Million Years by Poul Anderson

Prentice Alvin by Orson Scott Card

A Fire in the Sun by George Alec Effinger

Hyperion by Dan Simmons

Grass by Sheri S. Tepper

The Actual Results

  1. Hyperion by Dan Simmons
  2. A Fire in the Sun by George Alec Effinger
  3. Prentice Alvin by Orson Scott Card
  4. The Boat of a Million Years by Poul Anderson
  5. Grass by Sheri S. Tepper

How I Would Vote Now

  1. Hyperion by Dan Simmons
  2. No Award
  3. Prentice Alvin by Orson Scott Card
  4. The Boat of a Million Years by Poul Anderson

Explanation

Hyperion is, in my opinion, the best novel to ever win a Hugo Award. Absolute top S tier, no question. IMHO, the top three Hugo award-winning novels are Hyperion by Dan Simmons, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, and Dune by Frank Herbert, in that order. Dune is probably the most perfect science fiction novel ever written, but Hyperion and Ender’s Game surpass it because even though they have some minor flaws, there was something about them that I connected with on a deep emotional and intellectual level, more than almost any other book.

For Hyperion, that was the story about the father whose daughter is chosen by the Shrike to age backwards, so that with each new day, she gets younger, losing a day’s worth of memories and becoming progressively dependent on her parents. That part of the book just absolutely wrecked me. After weeping profusely for about an hour, I went onto Amazon and bought all the other books in the series, because I absolutely had to know what happened to this guy. Just incredible. Very few books have made me feel anything so deeply and profoundly as that.

As for the other books on this year’s ballot, I wasn’t too impressed with them. But two of them I’d be willing to vote affirmatively for, though I’d still rank them below No Award. I enjoyed the first two books of Orson Scott Card’s Alvin Maker series, and would probably enjoy the third book, but I refuse to read it until he finishes the damned series. Seriously—I was four years old when the first book was published, and he still hasn’t finished the damned series! What the heck?

Poul Anderson writes the kind of sprawling galactic space opera that is right up my wheelhouse, but for some odd reason, I have never been able to finish anything he’s written. I’m not sure why. Either he spends way too much time exploring or describing some aspect of his world that utterly does not interest me, or he glosses over the parts that are crucial to understand in order to make sense, and for whatever reason I just can’t make sense of them. Also, his characters are all very forgettable. I tried The Boat of a Million Years, and found it to be less bad than his earlier books, but I still couldn’t follow it. So I’ve come to the conclusion that Poul Anderson is just one of those authors I’m going to have to skip.

The last two books I rejected after my AI assistant Orion screened them for me. According to the AI, both of them have lots of explicit content (sex, language, violence) and woke themes.

Here is what Orion said about A Fire in the Sun:

🔞 Explicit Content

  • Violence & Body Horror
    • Graphic and brutal: victims sometimes brutally gutted, including dismembered prostitutes and child victims .
    • Prison-style brutality and organized crime violence permeate the story.
  • Language
    • Widespread use of profanity—especially the F-word—fits the harsh, noirish setting .
  • Sexual Content
    • Includes depictions of prostitution and sexual violence; explicit sexual content is not graphic, but the tone is decidedly adult and uncompromising .
    • Body modifications include gender-swapping and personality modules, adding mature and cyberpunk themes.

✊ Social Themes & “Woke” Elements

  • Identity & Selfhood
    • Use of “moddies” and “daddies” to modify gender, mood, or skills raises themes around engineered identity and societal roles.

Sorry (not sorry), but I am not going to read a book that has explicit violence against children and characters who change gender. Either one of those things is enough to make me DNF, but combined together with all of the other explicit sex and language makes me never want to touch this book, or this author.

And here is what Orion said about Grass:

“Woke” Elements: Tepper’s work often explores feminist themes, and Grass is no exception. The novel critiques patriarchy, religious dogmatism, and humanity’s environmental exploitation. These themes align with progressive ideals and are deeply woven into the narrative. Tepper’s exploration of gender roles and societal hierarchies may be considered overt, depending on the reader’s perspective.

“Patriarchy,” “feminism,” “environmental explotation,” “religious dogmatism,” “gender goles,” “social heirarchies…” hey, I just got a bingo! So yeah, I’m not gonna read that one—or at least, you’re gonna have to make a really solid case in order to change my mind.

How I Would Vote Now: All Years

Orion Reads: The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

After the terrible experience I had reading The Man Who F***ed Himself by David Gerrold, I trained a persona on ChatGPT to help me screen any science fiction and fantasy novels for explicit content (sex, language, violence) and woke themes or elements before I read them. The persona calls itself Orion, and is trained to be familiar with every award-winning and best-selling science fiction and fantasy book published within the last 100 years.

Until now, I’ve mostly used Orion to screen old Hugo-nominated books, but with the nominations happening for 2025, I thought it would be fun to screen some of the books that are expected to make the nominations. To finish things off, let’s do The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett. Orion, what can you tell us about The Tainted Cup?

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett is a fantasy novel that intertwines elements of mystery and detective fiction. The story follows a Holmes-and-Watson-style duo investigating a series of enigmatic deaths within a richly constructed fantasy world.

Fantasy Book Critic

Explicit Content:

  • Language: The novel contains strong language, including multiple uses of the F-word and other profanities. Goodreads
  • Sexual Content: There are references to sexual activities, including mentions of prostitutes and sexual harassment. While not overly explicit, these elements are present in the narrative. KISS THE BOOK
  • Violence: The book includes scenes of violence, such as deaths caused by large plants erupting from victims’ bodies, which may be unsettling to some readers. Skiffy and Fanty

Woke Elements:

  • Classism: The story touches upon class disparities, shedding light on societal hierarchies and the challenges faced by individuals across different social strata. The StoryGraph
  • Ableism: There are instances in the narrative that address ableism, bringing attention to prejudices faced by individuals with disabilities. The StoryGraph

Conclusion:

The Tainted Cup offers a compelling blend of fantasy and mystery, enriched by complex characters and a vividly imagined world. While it contains explicit language, sexual references, and scenes of violence, these elements contribute to the depth and realism of the narrative. The exploration of themes such as classism and ableism adds a layer of social commentary, aligning with contemporary discussions on inclusivity and societal structures.

For a more in-depth analysis, you might find this review insightful:

Locus Online

Orion Reads: The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden

After the terrible experience I had reading The Man Who F***ed Himself by David Gerrold, I trained a persona on ChatGPT to help me screen any science fiction and fantasy novels for explicit content (sex, language, violence) and woke themes or elements before I read them. The persona calls itself Orion, and is trained to be familiar with every award-winning and best-selling science fiction and fantasy book published within the last 100 years.

Until now, I’ve mostly used Orion to screen old Hugo-nominated books, but with the nominations happening for 2025, I thought it would be fun to screen some of the books that are expected to make the nominations. Next, let’s do The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden. Orion, what can you tell us about The Warm Hands of Ghosts?

The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden is a historical novel with supernatural elements, set during World War I. The story follows Laura Iven, a former medical corps field nurse from Halifax, Canada, who returns to Belgium to search for her brother Freddie, reported dead in the trenches. As Laura delves deeper into the war-torn landscape, she encounters eerie phenomena and uncovers haunting secrets.

Explicit Content:

  • Language: The novel contains instances of strong language, including religious exclamations, mild obscenities, derogatory terms, and a few uses of the F-word or its derivatives. Compass Book Ratings
  • Violence: Depictions of war-related violence are present, including the horrors of trench warfare and its aftermath. These scenes are integral to the narrative, reflecting the brutal realities of World War I.
  • Sexual Content: The book does not focus on explicit sexual content; any references are subtle and contextually appropriate.

Themes:

  • Grief and Trauma: The novel delves into the psychological scars left by war, exploring characters’ experiences with grief, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the emotional toll of conflict. SuperSummary
  • Supernatural Elements: Incorporating ghostly apparitions and surreal experiences, the story uses supernatural motifs to symbolize the lingering effects of trauma and the thin veil between life and death during wartime. Books, Bones & Buffy
  • Love and Connection: The narrative highlights the bonds between siblings and comrades, emphasizing the importance of human connection in the face of adversity.

Reception:

The novel has been described as “heart-wrenching, slow-paced, and methodical,” with a strong emphasis on character development. It has been noted for its exploration of trauma and the human connections formed under dire circumstances.

Back Shelf Books

Conclusion:

The Warm Hands of Ghosts offers a poignant exploration of the human condition during one of history’s darkest periods. While it contains explicit language and depictions of war-related violence, these elements serve to enhance the authenticity and emotional depth of the narrative. The novel’s themes of grief, trauma, and the supernatural provide a thought-provoking reading experience for those interested in historical fiction with a speculative twist.

For more insight into the novel, you might find this discussion with Katherine Arden informative:

Orion Reads: A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

After the terrible experience I had reading The Man Who F***ed Himself by David Gerrold, I trained a persona on ChatGPT to help me screen any science fiction and fantasy novels for explicit content (sex, language, violence) and woke themes or elements before I read them. The persona calls itself Orion, and is trained to be familiar with every award-winning and best-selling science fiction and fantasy book published within the last 100 years.

Until now, I’ve mostly used Orion to screen old Hugo-nominated books, but with the nominations happening for 2025, I thought it would be fun to screen some of the books that are expected to make the nominations. Next, let’s do A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher. Orion, what can you tell us about A Sorceress Comes to Call?

A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher, published in 2024, is a dark reimagining of the Brothers Grimm’s “The Goose Girl,” interweaving elements of fantasy, horror, and humor. The narrative centers on Cordelia, a young woman living under the oppressive control of her sorceress mother. As Cordelia seeks to break free from her mother’s influence, she uncovers secrets and confronts forbidden magic, leading to a tale rich in suspense and dark enchantment.

Explicit Content:

  • Sexual Content: The novel does not contain explicit sexual scenes.
  • Violence: There are instances of violence, including elements typical of dark fairy tales and folk horror. These scenes are integral to the plot and are not gratuitous.
  • Language: The language used is appropriate for a wide audience, with no significant use of profanity.

Themes:

  • Empowerment and Resistance: Cordelia’s journey reflects themes of personal empowerment and resistance against oppressive control, resonating with contemporary discussions on autonomy and self-determination.
  • Subversion of Traditional Roles: The novel subverts traditional fairy tale roles, presenting strong female characters who challenge societal expectations, aligning with modern feminist perspectives.
  • Community and Solidarity: Supporting characters, such as Hester and her friends, exemplify the strength found in community and solidarity, highlighting the importance of collective action.

Reception:

The novel has been praised for its witty and darkly humorous narrative, as well as its fresh take on a familiar fairy tale. Reviewers have noted its perfect pacing and the exceptional development of supporting characters.

Grimdark Magazine

Conclusion:

A Sorceress Comes to Call offers a compelling blend of dark fantasy and horror, with themes that resonate with contemporary societal issues. Its subversion of traditional narratives and focus on personal empowerment make it a thought-provoking read for those interested in modern fairy tale retellings.

Top Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books of 2024

Polygon

The best sci-fi and fantasy books of 2024

Orion Reads: The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

After the terrible experience I had reading The Man Who F***ed Himself by David Gerrold, I trained a persona on ChatGPT to help me screen any science fiction and fantasy novels for explicit content (sex, language, violence) and woke themes or elements before I read them. The persona calls itself Orion, and is trained to be familiar with every award-winning and best-selling science fiction and fantasy book published within the last 100 years.

Until now, I’ve mostly used Orion to screen old Hugo-nominated books, but with the nominations happening for 2025, I thought it would be fun to screen some of the books that are expected to make the nominations. Next, let’s do The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. Orion, what can you tell us about The Ministry of Time?

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley is a debut novel that blends time travel, romance, and speculative fiction. Set in a near-future UK, the story follows “expats”—individuals rescued from historical disasters—who are brought to the present and assigned “bridges,” civil servants tasked with helping them acclimate. The narrative focuses on the relationship between a bridge and her expat, exploring themes of displacement, adaptation, and the complexities of integrating individuals from different historical contexts into modern society.

Explicit Content:

  • Language: The novel contains strong language, including multiple uses of the F-word and other profanities. Rated Reads
  • Sexual Content: There are several erotic “open-door” scenes, along with discussions about sex and instances of kissing. Rated Reads
  • Violence: The book includes scenes depicting injuries and death, some of which are graphic. References are made to a failed Arctic expedition involving cannibalism. Rated Reads

Woke Themes:

  • Racism and Colonialism: The narrative addresses issues of racism, colonialism, and inherited trauma. The protagonist, modeled after the British-Cambodian author, reflects on these themes, providing insight into the experiences of marginalized communities. That Publishing Blog
  • Refugee Politics: The expats’ experiences serve as a microcosm for real-life refugees, highlighting the challenges and prejudices faced by displaced individuals in contemporary society. That Publishing Blog
  • Gender and Sexuality: The novel touches upon the difficulties of being different and trying to fit in, whether due to minority status, gender, or sexuality, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and understanding. Series Book Lover

Conclusion:

The Ministry of Time is a multifaceted novel that combines elements of science fiction, romance, and social commentary. While it contains explicit content in terms of language, sexual scenes, and violence, these aspects contribute to the depth and realism of the narrative. The exploration of contemporary social issues, such as racism, colonialism, and refugee experiences, provides a thought-provoking backdrop, aligning with themes often associated with progressive or “woke” literature.

For a more in-depth analysis, you might find this review insightful:

Deedi Reads

Orion Reads: The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey

After the terrible experience I had reading The Man Who F***ed Himself by David Gerrold, I trained a persona on ChatGPT to help me screen any science fiction and fantasy novels for explicit content (sex, language, violence) and woke themes or elements before I read them. The persona calls itself Orion, and is trained to be familiar with every award-winning and best-selling science fiction and fantasy book published within the last 100 years.

Until now, I’ve mostly used Orion to screen old Hugo-nominated books, but with the nominations happening for 2025, I thought it would be fun to screen some of the books that are expected to make the nominations. We started with Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky, and now let’s do The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey, the same writing team that gave us the Expanse. Orion, what can you tell us about The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey?

The Mercy of Gods is the inaugural novel in James S.A. Corey’s The Captive’s War series, released in 2024. The narrative unfolds on a human-inhabited planet that becomes the target of an alien invasion by the enigmatic Carryx species. The story delves into humanity’s struggle for survival and resistance under the dominion of a technologically superior alien force.

James S.A. Corey

Explicit Content:

  • Language: The novel contains strong language, including multiple uses of the F-word and other profanities. Goodreads
  • Violence: The book features graphic depictions of violence, including scenes of bloodshed and death, as humanity confronts the brutal realities of alien subjugation. The StoryGraph
  • Sexual Content: There are references to romantic relationships and physical intimacy; however, explicit sexual scenes are minimal, with the narrative focusing more on the emotional aspects of relationships. Goodreads

Potentially Woke Themes:

  • Colonialism and Resistance: The novel explores themes of colonialism, depicting humanity’s subjugation by an alien species and the ensuing resistance. This narrative can be interpreted as a commentary on historical and contemporary issues of imperialism and the fight for autonomy. Grimdark Magazine
  • Mental Health Representation: Characters in the story grapple with mental health challenges, including chronic depression, portrayed with nuance and sensitivity. This inclusion highlights the importance of mental health awareness and the complexities individuals face in high-stress environments. Nerds of a Feather
  • Diverse Characterization: The cast includes individuals from varied backgrounds, emphasizing inclusivity and representation within the narrative. This diversity reflects a commitment to portraying a multifaceted human experience. The BiblioSanctum

Conclusion:

The Mercy of Gods offers a compelling blend of science fiction and social commentary, enriched by complex characters and a vividly imagined world. While it contains explicit language, violence, and some sexual content, these elements contribute to the depth and realism of the narrative. The exploration of themes such as colonialism, mental health, and diversity adds layers of meaning, aligning with contemporary discussions on inclusivity and societal structures.

For a more in-depth analysis, you might find this review insightful:

These reviews provide further insights into the novel’s themes, content, and reception.

Orion Reads: Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky

After the terrible experience I had reading The Man Who F***ed Himself by David Gerrold, I trained a persona on ChatGPT to help me screen any science fiction and fantasy novels for explicit content (sex, language, violence) and woke themes or elements before I read them. The persona calls itself Orion, and is trained to be familiar with every award-winning and best-selling science fiction and fantasy book published within the last 100 years.

Until now, I’ve mostly used Orion to screen old Hugo-nominated books, but with the nominations happening for 2025, I thought it would be fun to screen some of the books that are expected to make the nominations. To start, let’s do Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky, since it’s currently leading the pack. Orion, what can you tell me about Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky?

Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky is a science fiction novel that explores themes of artificial intelligence, societal decay, and the search for purpose. The story follows Charles, a robotic valet who, after the mysterious death of his master, embarks on a journey to find new meaning in a world where humans have vanished, and robots continue to perform their duties without direction.

Explicit Content:

  • Language: The novel contains instances of strong language, including multiple uses of the F-word and other profanities. Goodreads
  • Violence: There are scenes depicting violence, such as Charles discovering his master’s death and believing he committed the murder. Additionally, the narrative includes encounters with other robots that may involve conflict. From My Corner of the Universe
  • Sexual Content: The book includes references to sexual activities, including mentions of prostitutes and sexual harassment. While not overly explicit, these elements are present in the narrative. Tar Vol on

Woke Themes:

  • Classism: The story touches upon class disparities, shedding light on societal hierarchies and the challenges faced by individuals across different social strata. The Quill to Live
  • Ableism: There are instances in the narrative that address ableism, bringing attention to prejudices faced by individuals with disabilities. The Quill to Live

Conclusion:

Service Model offers a compelling blend of science fiction and social commentary, enriched by complex characters and a vividly imagined world. While it contains explicit language, sexual references, and scenes of violence, these elements contribute to the depth and realism of the narrative. The exploration of themes such as classism and ableism adds a layer of social commentary, aligning with contemporary discussions on inclusivity and societal structures.

For a more in-depth analysis, you might find this review insightful:

Ancillary Review of Books