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wyrmbergmalcolm's review against another edition
4.0
Being unfamiliar of the world of the Night's Dawn trilogy has not left me feeling like I'm missing out at all. These stories are pretty good in their own right, without the back story to go with them. With most of the stories not being too lengthy, this collection was easy to read. Even the novella-sized story was intriguing enough to be worth it.
It wouldn't be fair to review a short story book without looking at the stories themselves so here goes:
Edit: I've since read the Night's Dawn trilogy and have reread this book. I've added further thoughts as to how the stories tie into the main trilogy.
Story Name: Sonnie's Edge
What is it about?: Robot Wars meets cock fighting. Affinity controlled creatures are made to fight. We learn why Sonnie is practically unbeatable.
Thoughts: A strong start to a story collection. Being new to this universe, I didn't feel left out having not read the books (yet) and at the same time got a good introductory understanding of affinity and humanity.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: This is largely a stand-alone story that's set in a London archology as it's being built. It focuses mainly on the use of affinity.
Score: Buy the book for this story
Story Name: A Second Chance At Eden
What is it about?: In an enclosed habitat orbiting Jupiter, a woman is murdered. It's left to a newly arrived detective to solve the case.
Thoughts: This is more of a novella than a short story. Based during the early days of Eden, home to the Edenists, this is a pretty decent detective story in its own right. It also explores the ethics of affinity as well as the differing religious views towards it.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Not only is this a great detective story, it also features Wing-Tsit Chong, the creator of affinity as well as chronicles when humanity split into Edenists and Adamists.
Score: Buy the book for this story
Story Name: New Days Old Times
What is it about?: On a planet in a different system, in an orchard of genetically engineered apple trees, humans are still humans.
Thoughts: It was nice having a much shorter story after the last one. This story shows a pretty depressing viewpoint that no matter how far humanity goes, if people can be prejudiced to others, they will do so. This exact story could have been told at any time of our history and barely a word needs to be changed.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Very little ties this to the main series, affinity exists, that's about it.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: Candy Bud
What is it about?: A ruthless tycoon spots a rival entrepreneur and attempts to gain the new technology.
Thoughts: This one left me quite conflicted. I certainly enjoyed the premise of this unscrupulous guy taking in these young kids in order to steal their technology and exploit them. Having it interspersed with short 'dreams' giving examples of what this candy buds can do, also worked well. However, I found the ending both very abrupt and a little unclear as to what just happened. I was beginning to suspect the kids were hustling the guy but then I began doubting most of what happened as having happened.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Affinity again, but the Candy Buds themselves are a one-off.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: Death Day
What is it about?: A man hunts a native creature but there's more to it than he first thought.
Thoughts: Not much can be said about this one without giving too much away. It is a story that goes in a different direction than expected. Certainly an interesting premise.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Not much, this could have been a stand-alone story and nothing need be changed.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: The Lives And Loves Of Tiarella Rosa
What is it about?: A man looking to disappear finds work on a remote archipelago, a place he was destined to go to, but not for the reason he thought.
Thoughts: The lead character, Easson, is a bit of an arse which made him a little difficult to relate to or like very much. However, the story flowed pretty well and had an interesting twist. I'd guessed a bit of it, but was a little out. I enjoyed the "base under siege" segment but was a little disappointed that there were no further attempts. The final scene can leave you thinking.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Takes place on the same planet as Candy Buds, some years later. Zero Tau pods are used, affinity again as well as anti-matter.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: Escape Route
What is it about?: A ship's captain and his crew are hired to pick up some easily acquired precious metals from an area in space, only they find something else.
Thoughts: The story started off quite dry and I feared this would be a bit of a slog. However, once the crew reached their destination the story takes on a compelling 'The Sphere' quality and made of a top read.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Marcus Calvert and the Lady McBeth, only Joshua's Dad and ship. Also hints of Joshua's half-brother Liol. The Omuta-Garrisa war has also recently happened.
Score: Buy the book for this story
It wouldn't be fair to review a short story book without looking at the stories themselves so here goes:
Edit: I've since read the Night's Dawn trilogy and have reread this book. I've added further thoughts as to how the stories tie into the main trilogy.
Story Name: Sonnie's Edge
What is it about?: Robot Wars meets cock fighting. Affinity controlled creatures are made to fight. We learn why Sonnie is practically unbeatable.
Thoughts: A strong start to a story collection. Being new to this universe, I didn't feel left out having not read the books (yet) and at the same time got a good introductory understanding of affinity and humanity.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: This is largely a stand-alone story that's set in a London archology as it's being built. It focuses mainly on the use of affinity.
Score: Buy the book for this story
Story Name: A Second Chance At Eden
What is it about?: In an enclosed habitat orbiting Jupiter, a woman is murdered. It's left to a newly arrived detective to solve the case.
Thoughts: This is more of a novella than a short story. Based during the early days of Eden, home to the Edenists, this is a pretty decent detective story in its own right. It also explores the ethics of affinity as well as the differing religious views towards it.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Not only is this a great detective story, it also features Wing-Tsit Chong, the creator of affinity as well as chronicles when humanity split into Edenists and Adamists.
Score: Buy the book for this story
Story Name: New Days Old Times
What is it about?: On a planet in a different system, in an orchard of genetically engineered apple trees, humans are still humans.
Thoughts: It was nice having a much shorter story after the last one. This story shows a pretty depressing viewpoint that no matter how far humanity goes, if people can be prejudiced to others, they will do so. This exact story could have been told at any time of our history and barely a word needs to be changed.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Very little ties this to the main series, affinity exists, that's about it.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: Candy Bud
What is it about?: A ruthless tycoon spots a rival entrepreneur and attempts to gain the new technology.
Thoughts: This one left me quite conflicted. I certainly enjoyed the premise of this unscrupulous guy taking in these young kids in order to steal their technology and exploit them. Having it interspersed with short 'dreams' giving examples of what this candy buds can do, also worked well. However, I found the ending both very abrupt and a little unclear as to what just happened. I was beginning to suspect the kids were hustling the guy but then I began doubting most of what happened as having happened.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Affinity again, but the Candy Buds themselves are a one-off.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: Death Day
What is it about?: A man hunts a native creature but there's more to it than he first thought.
Thoughts: Not much can be said about this one without giving too much away. It is a story that goes in a different direction than expected. Certainly an interesting premise.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Not much, this could have been a stand-alone story and nothing need be changed.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: The Lives And Loves Of Tiarella Rosa
What is it about?: A man looking to disappear finds work on a remote archipelago, a place he was destined to go to, but not for the reason he thought.
Thoughts: The lead character, Easson, is a bit of an arse which made him a little difficult to relate to or like very much. However, the story flowed pretty well and had an interesting twist. I'd guessed a bit of it, but was a little out. I enjoyed the "base under siege" segment but was a little disappointed that there were no further attempts. The final scene can leave you thinking.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Takes place on the same planet as Candy Buds, some years later. Zero Tau pods are used, affinity again as well as anti-matter.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: Escape Route
What is it about?: A ship's captain and his crew are hired to pick up some easily acquired precious metals from an area in space, only they find something else.
Thoughts: The story started off quite dry and I feared this would be a bit of a slog. However, once the crew reached their destination the story takes on a compelling 'The Sphere' quality and made of a top read.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Marcus Calvert and the Lady McBeth, only Joshua's Dad and ship. Also hints of Joshua's half-brother Liol. The Omuta-Garrisa war has also recently happened.
Score: Buy the book for this story
scinfaxi's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
rujein's review against another edition
4.0
Was introduced to Peter Hamilton by a friend and found out he specialised in space operas, which wasn't very appealing to me, so I read this collection of short stories instead. While the writing and language were average as to be expected of any hard scifi writer, I liked the ideas Hamilton depicted through his stories.
Hamilton's pet idea is the affinity bond, which is a sort of telepathic connection between humans and other animals (including humans) which allows them to communicate non-verbally and even see things as one another. This idea has the potential to raise lots of interesting questions, about the connection between individual humans, and the type of society which might emerge (and that's skipping past questions about the 'rules' governing the use of such technology - who gets to use it, is it mandatory, are there certain thoughts/parts of the mind which are off-limits etc.?). His (smaller) pet idea is the idea of 'biological technology' which is more about genetic engineering than hardware, and kind of a combination with software.
The big twist of "Sonnie's Edge" is that what we thought was a fight between animals controlled by humans with affinity bonds to then, actually features a human mind within the body of the animal itself, and that it is the fear of the human mind facing an aggressive beast and fighting for survival which is giving our protagonist an "edge". The twist works particularly well and has great shock value in the context of this story - if I recall correctly, Sonnie is described as a slim young woman, and to imagine that this woman (or indeed any human) is one with a grotesque beast is a 'visually' shocking one for our human sensibilities. Makes us realise/question how much of our humanity is tied to our physical form.
This story also reflects the oft-featured theme of the ultimate 'superiority' (though in this case it is perhaps more of an 'advantage') of human nature/emotions against technology - ironically , despite all the biological technology ("bitek") put into the beasts, it is the very human emotion of fear which drives the string of victories.
[One issue I have with this story is that Sonnie's fake 'edge' which she initially shares with a rival is her hatred of men stemming from a sexual assault, which makes it seem as though this could not be as 'strong' a driver of Sonnie's battlefield performance as fear . First of all, this justification sucks because then she could be easily beaten by any other woman? Second of all, this reason is basically the same as the real one, is it not? The prevailing emotion is still fear. To me, comparing them implicitly in this way trivialises the experience of a sexual assault.]
"A second chance at Eden" is rather longer and more convoluted. It's a typical space detective story, with typical characters - the competent and principled male detective who manages to figure out the mystery, the genius inventor(s in this case), the attractive and intelligent young woman who somehow manages to fall for (or in this case, had sex with) the middle-aged protagonist (bonus: she gets pregnant too but she doesn't want commitment from the man!!), down to the luddite wife - as well as a rather typical plot with the motive being less about profits/business and more about personal issues/principles and the detective figuring out the plot in the end. In short, nothing particularly interesting. What interested me in this story was the motive of the murderer - the other genius inventor, who wanted to prevent the murdered genius inventor from dying after him and being the first to access his new invention, a neural network which would allow human consciousness to live on after the death of the physical body (i.e. immortality), because he judged that she had a streak of the dictator in her and he didn't want her to dominate the network (in my mind this is rather thin as a reason, considering there's probably loads of other smart people out there who also have a dictatorial streak). It made me wonder if the end justified the means, and also raised the question about who has the (moral?) authority to gatekeep access to a new technology. Afterall, it was one man alone who made the judgment that the victim was too dangerous to be allowed on this technology. While arguably he was the inventor and should have the right to decide who got to use his technology, what happens when the technology is revolutionary enough to affect the entire human race (and decide life and death matters essentially)? Should he still have the sole right to that?
Felt that there were a bit too many things going on in the story, from the detective's luddite wife who refused to get affinity-bonded (though she did bring up interesting questions about the impact of such a technology on society as a whole - generally in the book it's portrayed that society is much better because everyone understands one another better and can empathise more, but the 'religious' view is that this is making us lose touch with the divine), to the attractive young woman being a clone of the murdered genius inventor and having this backstory of being a glorified escort (although for some reason her creator decided she needed to be super smart??).
(Also, what I consider a loophole - if everyone on the planet is affinity-bonded, and the planet knows everything that happens on it, then how can there be any mystery at all on the planet...)
I also really liked Candy Buds and The Lives and Loves of Tiarella Rosa. I noticed that these two stories had the same trope of an attractive young woman dooming a powerful older man. Feel a bit put-off by the femme fatale trope, but at the same time, enjoy seeing women being active players driving the plots (although they still don't get the chance to have stories told from their point of view).
For Candy Buds, the idea of what is basically a drug which is so strong that it can literally alter memories is interesting, but I actually enjoyed the plot quite a bit for this story. The twist of the girl turning out to have taken Laerus on a ride was interesting, but I think the entire story had small twists at every turn which kept it interesting. From a more crime thriller-like focus on Laerus getting his hands on the new drug, to an exploration of the wonder of scientific discovery (or even an exploration of sensation, given Hamilton's in-depth description of the experience of taking the candy buds), to a family dynasty sort of story, then the twist back to the crime thriller. I enjoyed the twist in our perception of the girl as well, from an innocently-attractive young child to a master plotter.
For The Lives and Loves of Tiarella Rosa, I was quite captivated (and honestly a bit horrified) by the reveal that Tiarella had literally bred clones of herself and her deceased husband so that their romance can keep on going (even though she won't experience it herself!!). On one hand I was awed by how strong her emotion was? On the other hand, it seemed a bit obsessive, and also very unfair to the clones whose lives she basically directed from the start (and of course, unfair to the protagonist whom she had basically used to create certain conditions in what was essentially her self-directed film). Story-wise, I liked how the protagonist was initially an important member of a group of political rebels and the story was shaping up to be a bit of a space opera, but then it turned into a more personal story and the protagonist basically ditched that whole plot and the questions which came up turned more personal.
Overall, I enjoyed Hamilton's ideas, which were a bit more different from the usual male authors (though not as different as Ursula Le Guin), but would not read Hamilton's long novels which I think would be more space opera-ish.
Hamilton's pet idea is the affinity bond, which is a sort of telepathic connection between humans and other animals (including humans) which allows them to communicate non-verbally and even see things as one another. This idea has the potential to raise lots of interesting questions, about the connection between individual humans, and the type of society which might emerge (and that's skipping past questions about the 'rules' governing the use of such technology - who gets to use it, is it mandatory, are there certain thoughts/parts of the mind which are off-limits etc.?). His (smaller) pet idea is the idea of 'biological technology' which is more about genetic engineering than hardware, and kind of a combination with software.
The big twist of "Sonnie's Edge" is that what we thought was a fight between animals controlled by humans with affinity bonds to then, actually features a human mind within the body of the animal itself, and that it is the fear of the human mind facing an aggressive beast and fighting for survival which is giving our protagonist an "edge". The twist works particularly well and has great shock value in the context of this story - if I recall correctly, Sonnie is described as a slim young woman, and to imagine that this woman (or indeed any human) is one with a grotesque beast is a 'visually' shocking one for our human sensibilities. Makes us realise/question how much of our humanity is tied to our physical form.
This story also reflects the oft-featured theme of the ultimate 'superiority' (though in this case it is perhaps more of an 'advantage') of human nature/emotions against technology - ironically , despite all the biological technology ("bitek") put into the beasts, it is the very human emotion of fear which drives the string of victories.
[One issue I have with this story is that Sonnie's fake 'edge' which she initially shares with a rival is her hatred of men stemming from a sexual assault, which makes it seem as though this could not be as 'strong' a driver of Sonnie's battlefield performance as fear . First of all, this justification sucks because then she could be easily beaten by any other woman? Second of all, this reason is basically the same as the real one, is it not? The prevailing emotion is still fear. To me, comparing them implicitly in this way trivialises the experience of a sexual assault.]
"A second chance at Eden" is rather longer and more convoluted. It's a typical space detective story, with typical characters - the competent and principled male detective who manages to figure out the mystery, the genius inventor(s in this case), the attractive and intelligent young woman who somehow manages to fall for (or in this case, had sex with) the middle-aged protagonist (bonus: she gets pregnant too but she doesn't want commitment from the man!!), down to the luddite wife - as well as a rather typical plot with the motive being less about profits/business and more about personal issues/principles and the detective figuring out the plot in the end. In short, nothing particularly interesting. What interested me in this story was the motive of the murderer - the other genius inventor, who wanted to prevent the murdered genius inventor from dying after him and being the first to access his new invention, a neural network which would allow human consciousness to live on after the death of the physical body (i.e. immortality), because he judged that she had a streak of the dictator in her and he didn't want her to dominate the network (in my mind this is rather thin as a reason, considering there's probably loads of other smart people out there who also have a dictatorial streak). It made me wonder if the end justified the means, and also raised the question about who has the (moral?) authority to gatekeep access to a new technology. Afterall, it was one man alone who made the judgment that the victim was too dangerous to be allowed on this technology. While arguably he was the inventor and should have the right to decide who got to use his technology, what happens when the technology is revolutionary enough to affect the entire human race (and decide life and death matters essentially)? Should he still have the sole right to that?
Felt that there were a bit too many things going on in the story, from the detective's luddite wife who refused to get affinity-bonded (though she did bring up interesting questions about the impact of such a technology on society as a whole - generally in the book it's portrayed that society is much better because everyone understands one another better and can empathise more, but the 'religious' view is that this is making us lose touch with the divine), to the attractive young woman being a clone of the murdered genius inventor and having this backstory of being a glorified escort (although for some reason her creator decided she needed to be super smart??).
(Also, what I consider a loophole - if everyone on the planet is affinity-bonded, and the planet knows everything that happens on it, then how can there be any mystery at all on the planet...)
I also really liked Candy Buds and The Lives and Loves of Tiarella Rosa. I noticed that these two stories had the same trope of an attractive young woman dooming a powerful older man. Feel a bit put-off by the femme fatale trope, but at the same time, enjoy seeing women being active players driving the plots (although they still don't get the chance to have stories told from their point of view).
For Candy Buds, the idea of what is basically a drug which is so strong that it can literally alter memories is interesting, but I actually enjoyed the plot quite a bit for this story. The twist of the girl turning out to have taken Laerus on a ride was interesting, but I think the entire story had small twists at every turn which kept it interesting. From a more crime thriller-like focus on Laerus getting his hands on the new drug, to an exploration of the wonder of scientific discovery (or even an exploration of sensation, given Hamilton's in-depth description of the experience of taking the candy buds), to a family dynasty sort of story, then the twist back to the crime thriller. I enjoyed the twist in our perception of the girl as well, from an innocently-attractive young child to a master plotter.
For The Lives and Loves of Tiarella Rosa, I was quite captivated (and honestly a bit horrified) by the reveal that Tiarella had literally bred clones of herself and her deceased husband so that their romance can keep on going (even though she won't experience it herself!!). On one hand I was awed by how strong her emotion was? On the other hand, it seemed a bit obsessive, and also very unfair to the clones whose lives she basically directed from the start (and of course, unfair to the protagonist whom she had basically used to create certain conditions in what was essentially her self-directed film). Story-wise, I liked how the protagonist was initially an important member of a group of political rebels and the story was shaping up to be a bit of a space opera, but then it turned into a more personal story and the protagonist basically ditched that whole plot and the questions which came up turned more personal.
Overall, I enjoyed Hamilton's ideas, which were a bit more different from the usual male authors (though not as different as Ursula Le Guin), but would not read Hamilton's long novels which I think would be more space opera-ish.
pencilforge's review against another edition
3.0
the first story, Sonnie's Edge, was adapted into Love Death and Robots
wyrmbergmalcolm's review against another edition
3.0
Being unfamiliar of the world of the Night's Dawn trilogy has not left me feeling like I'm missing out at all. These stories are pretty good in their own right, without the back story to go with them. With most of the stories not being too lengthy, this collection was easy to read. Even the novella-sized story was intriguing enough to be worth it.
It wouldn't be fair to review a short story book without looking at the stories themselves so here goes:
Edit: I've since read the Night's Dawn trilogy and have reread this book. I've added further thoughts as to how the stories tie into the main trilogy.
Story Name: Sonnie's Edge
What is it about?: Robot Wars meets cock fighting. Affinity controlled creatures are made to fight. We learn why Sonnie is practically unbeatable.
Thoughts: A strong start to a story collection. Being new to this universe, I didn't feel left out having not read the books (yet) and at the same time got a good introductory understanding of affinity and humanity.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: This is largely a stand-alone story that's set in a London archology as it's being built. It focuses mainly on the use of affinity.
Score: Buy the book for this story
Story Name: A Second Chance At Eden
What is it about?: In an enclosed habitat orbiting Jupiter, a woman is murdered. It's left to a newly arrived detective to solve the case.
Thoughts: This is more of a novella than a short story. Based during the early days of Eden, home to the Edenists, this is a pretty decent detective story in its own right. It also explores the ethics of affinity as well as the differing religious views towards it.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Not only is this a great detective story, it also features Wing-Tsit Chong, the creator of affinity as well as chronicles when humanity split into Edenists and Adamists.
Score: Buy the book for this story
Story Name: New Days Old Times
What is it about?: On a planet in a different system, in an orchard of genetically engineered apple trees, humans are still humans.
Thoughts: It was nice having a much shorter story after the last one. This story shows a pretty depressing viewpoint that no matter how far humanity goes, if people can be prejudiced to others, they will do so. This exact story could have been told at any time of our history and barely a word needs to be changed.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Very little ties this to the main series, affinity exists, that's about it.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: Candy Bud
What is it about?: A ruthless tycoon spots a rival entrepreneur and attempts to gain the new technology.
Thoughts: This one left me quite conflicted. I certainly enjoyed the premise of this unscrupulous guy taking in these young kids in order to steal their technology and exploit them. Having it interspersed with short 'dreams' giving examples of what this candy buds can do, also worked well. However, I found the ending both very abrupt and a little unclear as to what just happened. I was beginning to suspect the kids were hustling the guy but then I began doubting most of what happened as having happened.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Affinity again, but the Candy Buds themselves are a one-off.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: Death Day
What is it about?: A man hunts a native creature but there's more to it than he first thought.
Thoughts: Not much can be said about this one without giving too much away. It is a story that goes in a different direction than expected. Certainly an interesting premise.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Not much, this could have been a stand-alone story and nothing need be changed.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: The Lives And Loves Of Tiarella Rosa
What is it about?: A man looking to disappear finds work on a remote archipelago, a place he was destined to go to, but not for the reason he thought.
Thoughts: The lead character, Easson, is a bit of an arse which made him a little difficult to relate to or like very much. However, the story flowed pretty well and had an interesting twist. I'd guessed a bit of it, but was a little out. I enjoyed the "base under siege" segment but was a little disappointed that there were no further attempts. The final scene can leave you thinking.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Takes place on the same planet as Candy Buds, some years later. Zero Tau pods are used, affinity again as well as anti-matter.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: Escape Route
What is it about?: A ship's captain and his crew are hired to pick up some easily acquired precious metals from an area in space, only they find something else.
Thoughts: The story started off quite dry and I feared this would be a bit of a slog. However, once the crew reached their destination the story takes on a compelling 'The Sphere' quality and made of a top read.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Marcus Calvert and the Lady McBeth, only Joshua's Dad and ship. Also hints of Joshua's half-brother Liol. The Omuta-Garrisa war has also recently happened.
Score: Buy the book for this story
It wouldn't be fair to review a short story book without looking at the stories themselves so here goes:
Edit: I've since read the Night's Dawn trilogy and have reread this book. I've added further thoughts as to how the stories tie into the main trilogy.
Story Name: Sonnie's Edge
What is it about?: Robot Wars meets cock fighting. Affinity controlled creatures are made to fight. We learn why Sonnie is practically unbeatable.
Thoughts: A strong start to a story collection. Being new to this universe, I didn't feel left out having not read the books (yet) and at the same time got a good introductory understanding of affinity and humanity.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: This is largely a stand-alone story that's set in a London archology as it's being built. It focuses mainly on the use of affinity.
Score: Buy the book for this story
Story Name: A Second Chance At Eden
What is it about?: In an enclosed habitat orbiting Jupiter, a woman is murdered. It's left to a newly arrived detective to solve the case.
Thoughts: This is more of a novella than a short story. Based during the early days of Eden, home to the Edenists, this is a pretty decent detective story in its own right. It also explores the ethics of affinity as well as the differing religious views towards it.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Not only is this a great detective story, it also features Wing-Tsit Chong, the creator of affinity as well as chronicles when humanity split into Edenists and Adamists.
Score: Buy the book for this story
Story Name: New Days Old Times
What is it about?: On a planet in a different system, in an orchard of genetically engineered apple trees, humans are still humans.
Thoughts: It was nice having a much shorter story after the last one. This story shows a pretty depressing viewpoint that no matter how far humanity goes, if people can be prejudiced to others, they will do so. This exact story could have been told at any time of our history and barely a word needs to be changed.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Very little ties this to the main series, affinity exists, that's about it.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: Candy Bud
What is it about?: A ruthless tycoon spots a rival entrepreneur and attempts to gain the new technology.
Thoughts: This one left me quite conflicted. I certainly enjoyed the premise of this unscrupulous guy taking in these young kids in order to steal their technology and exploit them. Having it interspersed with short 'dreams' giving examples of what this candy buds can do, also worked well. However, I found the ending both very abrupt and a little unclear as to what just happened. I was beginning to suspect the kids were hustling the guy but then I began doubting most of what happened as having happened.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Affinity again, but the Candy Buds themselves are a one-off.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: Death Day
What is it about?: A man hunts a native creature but there's more to it than he first thought.
Thoughts: Not much can be said about this one without giving too much away. It is a story that goes in a different direction than expected. Certainly an interesting premise.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Not much, this could have been a stand-alone story and nothing need be changed.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: The Lives And Loves Of Tiarella Rosa
What is it about?: A man looking to disappear finds work on a remote archipelago, a place he was destined to go to, but not for the reason he thought.
Thoughts: The lead character, Easson, is a bit of an arse which made him a little difficult to relate to or like very much. However, the story flowed pretty well and had an interesting twist. I'd guessed a bit of it, but was a little out. I enjoyed the "base under siege" segment but was a little disappointed that there were no further attempts. The final scene can leave you thinking.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Takes place on the same planet as Candy Buds, some years later. Zero Tau pods are used, affinity again as well as anti-matter.
Score: Worth reading
Story Name: Escape Route
What is it about?: A ship's captain and his crew are hired to pick up some easily acquired precious metals from an area in space, only they find something else.
Thoughts: The story started off quite dry and I feared this would be a bit of a slog. However, once the crew reached their destination the story takes on a compelling 'The Sphere' quality and made of a top read.
Edit: Relevance to Night's Dawn: Marcus Calvert and the Lady McBeth, only Joshua's Dad and ship. Also hints of Joshua's half-brother Liol. The Omuta-Garrisa war has also recently happened.
Score: Buy the book for this story
smartflutist661's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
4.5
Night's Dawn is one of my favorite series, and I've quite enjoyed the other books I've read from Hamilton as well. This collection reminds me why. Quite a few different tones here. The title novella was a great mystery surrounding questions of deep significance and showing the formation of the Edenists, while the surrounding stories look at interactions with alien lifeforms and new technologies that will be of great import to the Confederation universe. Definitely recommend for anyone who's enjoyed Hamilton's work.
auberginehayz's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Fascinating science fiction concepts that I enjoyed and make the book worth a read. The characters/ relatio ships not always enjoyable though, lots of slightly-to-very creepy age gap relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Adult/minor relationship
the_smoking_gnu's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad, but not spectacular either.
(Only) for completionists.
(Only) for completionists.
worldsinink's review
4.0
A captivating collection of short stories and novellas from the Confederation Universe. Very interesting to see how the concept of affinity and the impact on the culture changes and evolves over time. Hamilton plays expertly with science fiction tropes and twist and turns them in interesting, unusual ways without ever losing the human experience at its core.