Reading SF in May 2026

[AtramentousFlux]

I'll be adding those to the TBR list now.

Ideally, I'd recommend reading the 3 Stalin's Hammer books before WW 3.1 as the story arc is continuous.

 

[NotAgain.l]

I’m currently reading more AI and near-future techno-thriller material while working through some newer sci-fi releases. I’m especially interested in stories where the technology creates emotional or moral consequences, not just spectacle.


Any recent AI-focused SF recommendations worth putting near the top of the list?

 

[AtramentousFlux]

Any recent AI-focused SF recommendations

Kylie Chan's Minds of Sand and Light .

 

[Hobbit]

All That We See Or Seem by Cixin Liu.

 

[Ropie]

Unfortunately I just couldn't get into Perdido Street Station. The sex lives of artistic insects is just of limited interest to me right now so I've shelved it (it was only a Kindle sample so no biggie). Instead, I've started the new Jeff Noon novel, Moon Over Brendle, about a strange dust that settles across an English town in the 1960s. I loved Vurt by the same author and I'm hoping for more of the same dream-like SF.

 

[Westy]

Unfortunately I just couldn't get into Perdido Street Station. The sex lives of artistic insects is just of limited interest to me right now so I've shelved it (it was only a Kindle sample so no biggie). Instead, I've started the new Jeff Noon novel, Moon Over Brendle, about a strange dust that settles across an English town in the 1960s. I loved Vurt by the same author and I'm hoping for more of the same dream-like SF.

Yeah PDD is usually hit or miss with people. Got that Jeff Noon book on my TBR soon list as well, and also loved Vurt. If you haven't already you should also try his The Chronicles of Ludwich books, they're pretty good.

 

[Westy]

Received these in the mail today - finally the Hyperion Cantos set in hardcover, from Broken Binding no less! There'll be another re-read down the track a bit with these bad boys. They even included the original artwork dustcovers as extras.

 

[Fryan]

I’m about 1/3 of the way through Revelation Space by Alastair Reynolds. I don’t often go for the space opera side of the genre, but I’m enjoying this so far and hoping that continues for the rest of the book.

 

[Ropie]

Yeah PDD is usually hit or miss with people. Got that Jeff Noon book on my TBR soon list as well, and also loved Vurt. If you haven't already you should also try his The Chronicles of Ludwich books, they're pretty good.

I did kind of like Perdido SS and could see that it's well written but my brain currently won't allow for a large complex fantasy world to become embedded in a way that means I'll get anything from the story. I always did prefer shorter books with fewer characters :/

 

[Hobbit]

Received these in the mail today - finally the Hyperion Cantos set in hardcover, from Broken Binding no less! There'll be another re-read down the track a bit with these bad boys. They even included the original artwork dustcovers as extras.

Oops! But they are a nice set. Mine arrived last week, I just didn't get chance to get a photo up! Quite sad that they've arrived after Dan's recent death, but I would like to reread them again. Those and my lovely Tad Williams set....

 

[suciul]

Finished The Last Contract of Isako by F Lee - the review here intrigued me so I opened it, and it attracted my interest, so I finished it fairly fast. Very energetic and entertaining. Corporate shenanigans, intrigue, blade fights and some twists and turns - some more predictable than others.

Recommend to read Mark's review here (for some reason it is in the fantasy section, though the book is pure sf) as it encapsulates well what I thought of the book too

Thread 'New post - THE LAST CONTRACT OF ISAKO by Fonda Lee'

May 1, 2026

So, the introduction to the review copy of this book I received, written by Fonda, says that she was inspired to write this book as a result of a game where story ideas had to have the words ‘in space’ added at the end. Result: Samurai in space! The book is exactly that. Set on…

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• SFFWorld
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Science Fiction

• 

 

[Hobbit]

for some reason it is in the fantasy section

Oops: yes, the default setting on the site. Normally I move it but clearly haven't, so I'll do it now. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[suciul]

Oops: yes, the default setting on the site. Normally I move it but clearly haven't, so I'll do it now. Thanks for the heads-up.

I didn't realize it earlier either, until I looked to put a link; these days though it seems that the sf forum is more popular

 

[Raf]

Finished the first book of Chuck Roger's "Bastard of the Apocalypse" series. "The Earth Died Screaming". My wife and I are re-listening (never finished it) to Matt Dinniman's last book (Dungeon Crawler Carl series) in preparation for the new one releasing in June.

I ran across this one while checking out Dinniman's new one. It had kind of a "Carl" vibe in the review and on the cover so I thought, "Why Not"? But it is not Dungeon Crawler Carl. It is only mildly humorous and almost everyone in the story is a complete a-hole. Almost...some exceptions.

Benjamin Frame is a Fixer in Los Angeles. Dishonorably discharged ex-Force Recon Marine and MP, Ex-con, former biker and wrestler. Sometimes FBI informant. Frame picks up a drunken physicist in a seedy bar and eventually learns that the Earth will end in a few hours. Due to some sort of cosmic ray event that will destroy civilization.

The first-person narrative is by Frame as he goes about dispensing his own form of personal mayhem for almost everyone he touches. It is not a pretty book. It is ugly, bloody, sexual and peopled with the worst of the worst in human society. But I guess the apocalypse brings that out in some people.

It is kind of trope-ish for the genre. Nothing really new under the sun. That said, I gotta see where it goes and downloaded the 2nd book last night. And, happily, there is only 2 books in this story

 

[Hobbit]

didn't realize it earlier either, until I looked to put a link; these days though it seems that the sf forum is more popular

Yes it is. These things often run in cycles, though.

 

[Diosces]

I’m currently reading more AI and near-future techno-thriller material while working through some newer sci-fi releases. I’m especially interested in stories where the technology creates emotional or moral consequences, not just spectacle.


Any recent AI-focused SF recommendations worth putting near the top of the list?

Accelerando by Charles Stross. A highwater mark for me on speculative AI , released in 2005 so not too recent but not dated
Daemon & Freedom by Daniel Suarez Top of line for me with its AI ideas. Released in 2006 again not recent, but ideas are not dated.

 

[Prairie_Dog]

I just finished reading Mechanize My Hands to War which is an interesting novel by Erin K. Wagner that asks some serious questions about humanity and our responsibility to others. It features androids, which are essentially humanoid cybernetic organisms. The level of artificial intelligence in the advanced forms of these androids has reached sentience. However, they are regarded as property and have no rights.

The story is mostly set in rural Appalachia, where many of the local residents are concerned about being replaced in their workplaces by androids. This seems to have been a trend, as many jobs are already being done by non-humanoid automation. One example is self driving postal vehicles that use robotic arms to deliver the mail.

A leader of an anti-automation group, Eli Whitaker, has begun using child-soldiers in his insurrection against the government. Two people formerly involved which him lead the ATF efforts to neutralize his forces. They employ two advanced androids in their field team. One of these, Ora, shoots a child dead during a raid. This has repercussions for everyone involved.

This book explores what it is to be human, and what are our obligations to each other. It also deals with the obligations of humans to our children, and by extension to androids we create. It also asks what would an artificial person want if it were free to have wants. Then there is the relationship of humans to human society, and what obligations should society have to its members. A very thought provoking book, that makes one ponder.

 

[dannymcg]

Neal Asher's new book Dark Agent. The sequel to Dark Diamond.

 

[Raf]

Finished the 2nd novel of "Bastard of the Apocalypse: Children of the Sea" by Chuck Rogers. And it looks like there will be a 3rd novel sometime in the future. I may get back to it...or not. We'll see.

That said, Frame (MC) has left his first post-apocalypse life in Malibu behind and set his sights on life asea. Sailing up the California coast, dodging pirates and stoned hippies (don't ask) to eventually have a conversation with a captive AI who also controls a fully armed nuclear submarine.

While at the same time Frame is also managing an ongoing blood feud with all the mutated Orcas of the west coast. Which can be difficult for a would-be sailor.

The series has become somewhat ironic and a bit tongue in cheek. It's a better book than the last, but I'm glad it's over. At least for now.

That said, I do like the author's writing style and have a started an interesting historical fiction / alt world fantasy by the author. Heroes Road 1, a blend of fantasy elements (goblin, hobgoblins, dwarves, magic etc...) set in historical medieval Europe and the mediterranean countries. Will review later in the Fantasy thread.