Books: The Year`s Top Hard Science Fiction Stories Vol. 2

(Drivebycuriosity) -   I love science fiction. But I get often disappointed. Most of the so-called sci-fi books and movies tell just fantasy stories about wizards, dragons & princesses or post-apocalyptic horror stories. It became increasingly challenging to find real "science fiction", stories & novels which have science in it and are not pure fairy tales. So I am searching for hard science fiction which blends entertainment with sciences like physics, chemistry, biology, evolution and more.

Fortunately I found the anthology series "The Year`s Top Hard Science Fiction Stories" edited by Allan Kaster (amazon).  I just finished reading Vol. 2 which presented 9 stories originally published in the year 2017 (397 pages). Many stories are optimistic and deliver a "we can do it" message. They are pro science, pro technology and pro progress.

My favorite is the story "Acadie" by Dave Hutchinson. The author bends quantum physics, relativity theory, genetics and other sciences into a hilarious space-opera. The tale if full of funny ideas, a kind of weird space-punk about evolution & the role of AI and reminds me of Philip K. Dick`s best pieces.


I also like:

"The Proving Ground" by Alec Nevala-Lee deals with global warming. The story is set in a near-time future on an atoll in the South Pacific. Residents and scientists from abroad are trying to adapt the island to the rising sea level. The author delivers a sophisticated story which mixes evolution, technology, international law & more with influences by Alfred Hitchcock´s "Birds".

"Canoe" by Nancy Kress. Here scientists are exploring a moon in a distant sun system and they are confronted with a cosmic issue.

"Holdfast" by Alastair Reynolds. The only human survivor from an epic battle against aliens is stranded on an exotic planet. The survivor is facing the only alien who also outlived of this battle. The story is interesting psychological take on alien encounters and futuristic wars.

“Vanguard 2:0.” by Carter Scholz. An astronaut is working in a space station owned by a futuristic Uber. He is ordered to capture a historical satellite which is still circling around the earth.  "Vanguard" is a philosophical tale about technology, corporation power and political influence.

 "Shadows of Eternity" by Gregory Benford. The author wove an elaborate tale based on cosmology. Not much is happening here but I really enjoyed Benford´s stylish use of science.

"The Use of Things" by Ramez Naan. We follow Ryan who is send to the asteroid belt around the sun. I learned a lot about the physics & economics of space travel and the possible exploitation of our sun system.  

I really enjoyed the book and I learned a lot. I am looking forward to read Vol. 3 of this series. In the moment of writing the Kindle version costs just $4.99.