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Combining stories from the masters of the genre (Greg Egan, Brian Stableford, Ian MacLeod, Ursula K. Le Guin, and others) with those from the field's hot, rising talents (Nancy Kress, David Murusek, Dan Simmons, and many more), this remarkable collection proclaims a new Big Bang in science fiction. The tales speak for themselves.
In "Death in the Promised Land" by Pat Cadigan, Detective Konstantin must solve the murder of a young man who plays a virtual reality game. Left with no clues, she turns to the game itself, hoping to find a suspect. Thrown into a world as authentic as her own, a world she cannot understand, Konstantin not only battles for her sanity, but she must avoid the killer who stalks her.
Robert Reed's "A Place with Shade" examines terraforming in terms of science and art. Hann Locum believes the creation of new ecosystems to be one of the most beautiful undertakings in the galaxy, having brought life to many forsaken worlds. Starting yet another project, he becomes a tutor to a young woman named Ula. They eventually build a jungle on a planet devoid of warmth and sunlight. But Hann soon learns terraforming can also unleash destructive forces. In the hands of a madwoman like Ula, the results can be deadly and terrifying.
The stories just keep getting better, and there's lots more.
The most endearing trait of the anthology is its integration of both past and future. The characters may face new challenges, but it is their inner strength that determines how they approach each struggle. Without it, they become artificial puppets in a rapidly changing universe. Their achievements speak wonders. With a firm foundation, we too can turn to the heavens, experiencing the joys of discovery and self-affirmation.
David Corwell is a freelance writer in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
©1996, ProMotion, inc.
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