Fiction

Neptune's Brood by Charles Stross
Part One: Chapters 6-7

Yep, decided to continue with this. It's still a mite too obsessed with explanations of arcane future economics, but I'll trust on the concurrent narrative for a little longer.



The Waiting Stars by Aliette de Bodard

Second Hugo-nominated novelette, which won the same award at the Nebulas last month.

Considerably better-written than yesterday's, but I'm not sure how I feel about it in itself. I guessed the 'twist' before the halfway point, though it's not just concerned with pulling the rug from under you -- there's questions of imperialism and colonialism here, with neither 'side' being presented as the villain, instead alluding to both the positives and shortcomings of each.

But, in my opinion, it's not long enough to pull off the emotional punch I think it's (in part) going for -- unless you unreservedly buy into these characters at lightning speed, you need a much longer work to feel for them, and to feel for how the change effects them at the end.

Probably won't get my #1 place on the ballot, then, but it's not bad. It can be read for free at the above link.