Jupiter XXIV: Iocaste reviewed in The Fix

Finally after several years of trying, The Fix has reviewed an issue of Jupiter.
http://thefix-online.com/reviews/jupiter-xxiv-iocaste-april-2009/
David Hebblethwaite (not a stranger to Jupiter, he reviewed issue 14 for Whispers of Wickedness) takes up the challenge of issue 24.
Of Black Water (David Conyers) Hebblethwaite writes "Conyers is pretty good at evoking his future, in particular by dropping in telling little details that hint at broader goings-on outside the frame of the narrative."
Sides of the Coin (Gustavo Bondoni) is "a kind of techno-magical warfare reminiscent of computer games"
He describes Our Man in Herrje (Andrew Knighton) "beneath the humour is an interesting examination of the difficulties of relating to cultures very different from our own; and a question for each of us – how much of what we say or think, even to ourselves"
The Ninth Circle (A.J. Kirby) "is an interesting story which I’m not sure I fully understood, but found engaging nonetheless."
If You Can't Beat Them (James McCormick) is "a story which is lightweight and fun"
And finally Dog's Best Friend (Gareth D. Jones) "ends the magazine on a poignant and thoughtful note"

I'm happy with all that, I wonder what The Fix will make of Erinome

The Steel Remains

Just finished reading this from Richard Morgan. A departure from his usual SF, but very definitely a Morgan book. I've read a good bit of Fantasy in my time, in my younger days I was a bit of a Stephen Lawhead fan, so swords and mythical creatures read just fine to me. And this book was great, at times a bit disturbing, and not exactly pretty, but Richard is just so good at description and making it feel like you really know your characters, that this is a winner for me. Heard today that the sequel is on the way, which is only a good thing, Richard has created a wonderful world here, perhaps not the best story line, but with writing like this, that doesn't matter, you're there on that battlefield seeing the blood flash up across your face. This is writing that grips and pulls you along with it.
Good stuff Richard, just hope you haven't abandoned SF altogether, though the Kiriath technology helped me feel at home.

SFrevu of issue 25: Erinome

SFrevu have published their review of issue 25.
You can see the full review here.
'Radio Free' by Sam Kepfield apparently "doesn't really describe the current United States of America".
But more positively...
Fet Milners 'On the Commodore' is described as "an effective, unsettling tale."
Kate Kellys 'The Oracle' is "a fine story".
Neil Clifts 'The Mariner' is "a delightful, touching tale".
'Dusting Tycho' by Vera Sepulveda is a "fun story that I enjoyed a lot".

Would be interesting to hear if you agree with Sams review?

Jupiter issues 21-24

Finally updated the website this morning.

If you're interested in looking at Jupiter, or missed last year, you can now get all 4 issues in Jupiters 6th year for just £6.99. This includes issue 21 with Jesse Speaks fantastic full colour cover. Just go here.

The Ardly Effect

A few years ago I reviewed a book called 'The Ardly Effect' by Mitis Green. It was a book I really enjoyed and had been keeping an eye out for any future books - which sadly haven't been forthcoming.
However, I've discovered that it's now a free pdf download from brambling books - so if anyone wants to read a great space opera which doesn't take itself too seriously, and will keep you in stitches, you can download it here.

This is a copy of my original review (back in issue 9!):
"I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book. I'd never read anything by Mitis Green before, but the title sounded like the sort of fiction I enjoy. What I didn't expect was a wonderful page turner laced with laugh-out-loud humour. I really enjoyed this book. Having read a few of the latest SF from the big names recently, it was a refreshing surprise to find something so good from someone I'd never heard of before.
So what's it about then? Well, a war of course. A war generations old between the populations of two moons. The lush, cosy moon 'Edenia' and the harsh, brown-grey 'Horridoa'. Our story takes place mainly on the starship Marshia inhabited by hundreds of crew including the scientists Kwait and his daughter Streemly, the government official West, Captain Phoenix, Commander Apricot and two of the captured enemy. Marshia is sent off to investigate some missing drones, and what follows is a wonderfully written space opera adventure as Marshia and her crew set off to discover 'who are we?' and 'where do we come from?' Mitis has managed to write a book silly enough so that just about anything can happen, whilst at the same time, making it all sound completely plausible.
I really did enjoy this book, and will be looking out for the future two episodes of 'The Two Moons Trilogy'. If you like a good SF Space Opera, that's not afraid to be funny and occasionally very silly, read this book, you'll enjoy it."

Review of Jupier 24: Iocaste

Thanks for Gareth Jones for first spotting this one...
The SFSite have released their review of issue 24.

"Jupiter as with many semipro magazines doesn't really have access to the very best new stories. But it has established a consistent personality, and a distinct devotion to mostly fairly straightforward SF, and the magazine generally manages to featuring enjoyable work."
Read the full review here.

Jupiter 25 on its way

Well July is here, so for all you looking out for Jupiter 25, it should be popping through your letter box soon. UK folks in the next few days, Hopefully our international readers shouldn't be too far behind. Thanks again to all our contributors.

Ian