Ringworld by Larry Niven (My Goodreads Review)

Ringworld by Larry Niven

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Overall a very entertaining story. It redeemed itself in my eyes as the story progressed. At first, I found it a little taxing. I was expecting this ringworld visit as the title suggested. The gathering of our four explorers was a little corny. At least that is what I felt at the beginning. I also found the characters difficult to like too. This circumstance did get better when our motley crew got to the Ringworld. The notion of a small star having a thin line of ribbon circling it. This thin line was at a distance. Close up, the width of the line is a million miles. If the Earth was opened out as a flat map it could easily fit into the width of the line of the ringworld we (The reader) visit. The inner length of this entire Ringworld has a surface area equivalent to three million Earth surface area displacements. As one might well imagine, this place is gigantic and our motley crew of four will barely scratch a tiny thread of the surface and find a wealth of intriguing things. This is when the story really comes alive. If you like sci-fi, I think you might like this. The only reason I don't give it an extra star is that I genuinely felt the start was hammy.

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When Did They Stop Selling This?

What ever happened to the Bar of Six chocolate bar? I can remember the old retro British adverts on the tv for this Cadbury brand. I remember them being sold in the shops. They are prominent in my mind's eye among the selection of various chocolate bars that were sold in newsagents and sweet shops back then in the day. Then I realised that this chocolate bar is no longer sold in our shops anymore. At least I've not seen one in ages. When did it go? I'm sure they have not been sold for a number of years.

I Did not Like This.

I could not stand the stuff! However, everyone else about me loved it. I'm still not a fan. Yet everyone else is. These bottles stood on the tables of all cafes next Tomato sauce and other condiments. They probably still do today, but the labels were more striking back then.

I like the price in old money, before decimalization of 1971. The most expensive at five and a half pennies old money is between two pence and two and a half pence decimal money we use today. It gives an idea of how prices have changed, just since the 1960s.

Bespoke Steampunk Sci-Fi Adventure!

So many of us have seen great science fiction stories come out each month in 2017. It seems this year is splendid for all lovers of sci-fi/fantasy works across the spectrum of avid reading fans. There is an abundance of new authors and we are spoilt for choice in a new world of many publications. No need to be controlled by the big names closing out certain types of adventures.

Just How They Liked Their Monsters In The Good Old Days!

THE LAST DAYS OF THUNDER CHILD by C. A. POWELL

An Adaptation of H G Wells (1898) War of the Worlds.

The county of Surrey does not make too much of the fact that Wells’s repulsive blood sucking Martians first crashed down in Woking? Or of the fictional fact that the disgusting aliens in their tripod fighting machines devastated the serene English landscape?

Aboard a small ironclad named HMS Thunder Child is an entire crew of the same indifferent outlook. That is until a man from the Ministry of Defence survives a dreadful attack on a train at Woking station. A Mister Albert Stanley then makes for the coast after receiving vague instructions via post office telegraph before being cut off from London. He is overseeing semaphore construction across the south coast with who and whatever help he can muster.

As such strange tales are signalled to the little ironclad while cruising the Channel, the crew find the whole thing surreal. Their little floating world of security can only see the summer English landscape. For a while, the rumours are laughed at by the crew. Most of them, at least.

Then gradually the tell-tale signs begin to appear. Of course, the readers of War of the Worlds know exactly where the little ship is heading. The crew do not. But they will. Eventually!

 A steampunk alternative history sci-fi adventure for the cult lovers of the bespoke Victorian old world  

Shadows Against the Empire by Ralph E. Vaughan (My Goodreads Review)

Shadows Against the Empire by Ralph E. Vaughan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great Steampunk adventure set in an alternative British Empire with advanced steam-driven machinery and airships. We follow the adventures of Captain Folkestone and his Martian accomplice, Sergeant Felix Hand. The British Empire is policing colonies on Mars and Venus in the year of 1882. It's a wonderfully weird and wacky adventure of a retro sci-fi world from our past. An alternative British Empire in a bizarre space age. The image of Victorian machinery (iron and steam) in a space-age dreamed of by people with futuristic imaginations of the late 19th and early 20th Century. H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Edgar Rice Burrows type Sci-Fi. A story of ancient Dark Gods known to Martians and Venusians from their entwined pasts yet not to Humans who are newcomers building empires and colonies upon both planets. The restless natives of these colonised worlds are resurrecting taboo old Gods. Those that must not be spoken of. Their aim (The Dark Gods) to destroy the alternative British Empire of 1882 and bring vengeance upon humanity. Only the dashing Captain Folkestone and Sergeant Hand can thwart the evil as they travel on a quest from Mars to Venus following leads where humanoid and reptilian Venusians live. Plus some work back on Earth, in London, by Scotland Yard’s Chief Inspector Ethan Slaughter as he searches among London's immigrant population of Chinese, Laskers, Martians and Venusian workers in a quest for secrets of the Dark Gods too.

Great adventure for all fans of Steampunk Sci-Fi where even Victorian London's back streets are awash with inter-planetary multi-culturalism. The whole story moves well with its wonderful alternative Victorian feel combined with retro steam-powered machinery from a mythical, dreamed of, age.

The Last Days of Thunder Child



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Rain All Day for Wednesday. (Now it's Thursday)

It rained all day yesterday on Wednesday, May 17th, 2017. I was in the little hamlet of Chatteris and the village of Manea, emptying all the litter bins. The rain had woken me up during the middle of the night. When I got up at 4.30 am it was still raining. When I got to Chatteris in my work van at 6 am it was still raining. It continued to rain all day and I did not finish work until 5.30 pm. I drove home in the rain. I never knew the sky could hold so much water. It never stopped until near midnight.

My wife said it would do the garden well. I believe her and when I got up this morning at about 6 am to begin my four days of leave, I was overjoyed to see the clear blue sky and the garden looking as though it is getting ready to go for the summer. All the Red Hot Pokers are in bloom and some of the other flowers too. This is just the beginning.

A good downpour of rain is what all the flowers need. I just hope we don't have any more downpours while I'm on my four-day rest cycle. The weather forecast on the news seems good. I'll sit in the garden with some ice cold Guinness to help me get through the arduous relaxation I'm about to apply myself to. With some enthusiasm, I may add.

 



    

Rogue One - I was Thrilled as the Plot Unfolded with the Reappearance of a Digitally Enhanced Peter Cushing.

This is the best of the Star Wars stories so far in my opinion. I liked the Battle of the Clones story best, before seeing this title for the first time. I thought it was very entertaining and enjoyed every moment of it. Splendid stuff and I would recommend it to any sci-fi fan. I got the download on Amazon prime and went for the Bonus footage. This was also enjoyable because it took me behind the scenes and how the whole movie come about.

I was thrilled as the plot unfolded with the reappearance of Peter Cushing (obviously digitally enhanced.) The story takes place just prior to the first ever Star Wars story (A New Hope) I'm not the biggest Star Wars fan, but this movie was breathtaking with lots of action and a very good plot.

    

Why Do So Many of Us Enjoy Steampunk?

There is so much more to steampunk than dressing up in Victorian style clothing. It is developing in various fields of interest and carving out a signature in music, movies and literature. It can cross a multitude of topics and the boundaries are constantly expanding. Because these boundaries are always being pushed and explored, steampunk is becoming more diverse and varies in a number of fan's imaginations.

One might enjoy the fashion or clothing. Another might enjoy fantasy stories set in Victorian style realms or futuristic alternative Gothic/steampunk worlds. There are also various steampunk style ornaments. I've even seen a lavish looking bathroom complete with toilet and tiling in the wonderful steampunk style.

Steampunk of today appears to be an alliance of Victorian age coupled with science fiction. It seems to have a ruled structure yet an invitation to meddle and redesign while maintaining that old world vision of clothing, steel and rivets. 

Although steampunk has a signature of an old Victorian world, there remains a twisted and alternative futuristic feel as well. Each person looks unique in their attire and each vehicle or contraption seems unique too. Nothing is uniform except the old Victorian world concept somehow reinvented. It seems and feels as though we are looking back in time to the Victorian era while flirting with a wished for, science fiction and futuristic look and feel.

    

Development Of The Steampunk and Gothic Look

I suppose that Gothic and Steampunk designs have always been around since the Victorian age. However, to this day, there is a multitude of fashions and designs. As quick as one look comes along, it fades and a new one manifests for the consumers of these designs and fashions. 

What fascinates me about the Gothic/Steampunk look is, the design as developed a cult status and within the cult of these designs and fashions, the followers who enjoy the look, seem to have developed it beyond the original realm and propelled it into the future.

I find the wonderful look mesmerising and some of the clothing rather compelling. Some of the ladies outfits are glorious and then there is the notion of the lovely Gothic architecture. Sometimes dark and morose, yet also defying logic with a compelling aspect of it all.

I think I'm drawn to the contradiction of it all. There is this shameless hypocrisy that says, "I'm drab and dark but you still find me alluring."

What is it about the Gothic look that compels you?

What is it about the Gothic look that compels you? I’m assuming you are allured by such attire? 

It is a collection of old fashions that have been about for some time. Then over the decades, it has become refined and conditioned. 

It makes drab and morose things compelling when coupled with dark elegance. 

I’m no fashion guru by any stretch of the imagination, but there is something about the dark and sinister look. Especially against the feminine power of white skin like that of porcelain. 

It looks overpowering and evocative. Yet almost as though one would not mind submitting the darkness that beckons. Almost creepy but wonderfully acceptable. 

Vivien - The Vintage Fire Engine.

While at work today, I drove past Wisbech Town Hall and saw the famous vintage fire engine called 'Vivien.' This vehicle was in service around Wisbech from 1932 to 1963. It was named after the Mayoress in 1932 and was one of the most up to date fire engines of the time. Fenlanders were very proud of her and even though she has long been out of service, Vivien is kept in fabulous condition. She often suddenly appears before an event. We are wondering if she'll be going to Sandringham on Sunday 11th because there is an event if vintage cars, falconry etc.

She was attracting a lot of attention and as I parked my van to about my work, I could not help taking a quick snap on my mobile. She still has her starting handle at the front.  

RETRO SCIENCE FICTION ADAPTATION!

New Cover and second edit for the UK market 1/1/17

Read a great retro science fiction story from an adaptation of War of the Worlds. The action-packed tale is set in Victorian Britain of 1898; The Last Days of Thunder Child follows the exploits of a British ironclad as she cruises around the southern coast receiving uncanny and unbelievable semaphore communications about a Martian invasion of Earth. Britain is being hit by alien life forms falling from the sky and leaving her gigantic navy of iron and steel obsolete.

Lovers of steampunk or Gothic style settings might enjoy this yarn as it unfolds and leads the reader towards the ultimate confrontation between HMS Thunder Child and three huge Martian tripod fighting machines.

Be there and follow the crew of HMS Thunder Child in this epic adventure!

For Paperback - CLICK HERE!

On Kindle USA - CLICK HERE!

Bookstores - CLICK HERE!



     

Unity Adam Demo from YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXI0l3yqBrA

I caught this YouTube clip via LinkedIn. I found it fascinating and oozing with quality. I hope anyone else will enjoy this fabulous creation.



    

Thunder Child in an Alternative Britain - Science Fiction Adaptation.

The bold ironclad that attacked three Martian tripods in War of the Worlds is about to be re-launched with a second edit and a new section. The new improved version of the pastiche novel is due out on January 2017.

Everything will be revamped. In the meantime, this version can still be bought, but only in the USA. For more, click here.

Thunder Child in an Alternative Britain - Science Fiction Adaptation.

The bold ironclad that attacked three Martian tripods in War of the Worlds is about to be re-launched with a second edit and a new section. The new improved version of the pastiche novel is due out on January 2017.

Everything will be revamped. In the meantime, this version can still be bought, but only in the USA. For more, click here.

Thunder Child fires People's Imagination

Great art impression of HMS Thunder Child charging into action

H.G.Well's famous novel (War Of The Worlds) is set in Victorian Britain during the year of 1899. It is the height of the British Empire and all her Britannic might is futile and laid bare by Martian tripods dropping into the country from the sky. During the story, there is a moment when a paddle steamer filled with refugees is trying to flee the country into the sea. As the packed steamer paddles out of Maldon in Essex, England and into the River Blackwater; three Martian tripods come after the boat from the opposite shore. 

What Thunder Child
 might have looked like

The old Victorian ironclad called H.M.S. Thunder Child is stationary in the river but must move to action stations and  defend the fleeing paddle steamer. The brave ship charges the three alien tripods and the fictional legendary battle begins.

The valiant H.M.S. Thunder Child as always stirred my imagination and because British ships of this time never came up against a formidable enemy; Thunder Child gives us a little make belief battle to saviour. Artists have constantly painted and designed artwork depicting their own views of the battle.
  

Thunder Child Fights the Martians in War of the Worlds Adaptation.

The countdown for the UK book market begins. The War of the Worlds adaptation of HMS Thunder child's perspective of the events. Victorian Britain in 1898 reigned supreme. 

Then H.G. Wells imagined alien beings from Mars invading the Earth and Britain with her vast Empire seemed impotent. to the terror from space. 

Today, War of the Worlds is a Science Fiction/Alternative Reality story that still thrills readers imaginations.

From 1st of January 2017, the new adaptation of The Last Days of Thunder Child will be on sale in the UK with its new added text and improved second edit.