A FEW RECOMMENDED SCIENCE FICTION BOOKS

BY FEMALE AUTHORS by Bev DeWeese

*Bear, Elizabeth. HAMMERED. Bantam. 2004.

Jenny Casey, a former Canadian special forces soldier, with many artificially constructed body parts, is tired, depressed, and just wants to be left alone. But a drug, probably created by a secret government agency, is on the streets, killing people she knows. Naturally,Jenny feels impelled to investigate, and soon she is being pressured to become part of a virtual reality research project that may or may not be related to the killer drug. Fast paced, interesting noir urban future, likeable heroine, and flashes of humor. Bev recommends.

*Bernard, Cheryl. TURNING ON THE GIRLS. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. 2001.

In this very funny novel, Bernard satirizes men, women, the feminist movement, bodice rippers and almost everything else. In the near future, women have taken over the world, put men in re-education classes, and are working hard to correct all of the sexism of the past. For example, Lisa is supposed to find more acceptable sex fantasies for women than the Story of O and romance novels about being raped by handsome men. Justin, her assistant , is to help her. But they also have been ordered to infiltrate Harmony, a men's group that wants to return to the "old ways." Then the real trouble begins. Sarcastic humor, great characters, including some likeable men, and some thoughtful comments on how women might change things. Lots of fun. Bev recommends.

*Czerneda, Julie E. SURVIVAL ( SPECIES IMPERATIVE #1). Daw. 2004.

Dr. Mac Connor's main interest in life is her research on salmon at the Norcoast Salmon Research facility. Admittedly, she knows her government has contacted extraterrestrials, but Mac has not paid much attention to it. Then Brymn - a friendly, 7-limbed, blue Dhryn- shows up and seems very interested in Mac. But another mysterious being, invisible and deadly, has also shown up. In fact, Mac's friend disappears. And Mac vows to find her - even if she has to go to Brymn's world and face many unknown dangers. Mac is a strong, sensible heroine. Brymn is appealing, and the Dhryn and Ro societies are well drawn. Very readable. Bev recommends.

*Kress, Nancy. CRUCIBLE. Tor 2004.

To settle the planet Greentrees, Jake Holman had brought together a diverse group of humans: the Cutler clan, Arabs, Chinese, New Quakers, Cheyennes. And, in spite of two warring alien groups, the Furs and the Vines, they have prospered in this new world. But now another ship has arrived from Earth, the Crucible, commanded by the handsome, charismatic Julien Martin. Suddenly, everything starts going wrong. Unusual aliens, and some perceptive thoughts about freedom, security, class, ethnic identity, and group psychology. Bev recommends.

*Marley, Louise. CHILD GODDESS. Ace. 2004.

While ExtraSolar Corporation is searching for a place to develop an improved energy source , on a supposedly uninhabited planet, it inadvertently kills one "alien" child and injures another. Isabel Burke, a priest of the Order of the Mary Magdalenes, is appalled by this news. Furthermore, the child has been brought to Earth and is being treated like a lab specimen. Burke finally gets guardianship over the child, but, in attempting to find out more about this culture, she discovers an even more appalling secret. Some readers may guess the truth before Burke, but this smoothly written novel has a fascinating alien culture, and the relationship between the child and Burke is very touching. Bev recommends.

Richards, Leigh. CALIFIA'S DAUGHTERS. Bantam. 2004.

In a near-future California, a small community of self-sufficient women lead satisfying lives. A virus has killed many of the men, so the few that are left are carefully treated and protected. Dian, the huntress for this group, is an extremely successful hunter, especially with her two majestic wolf or elk hounds. But, one day, people from another isolated village arrive, wanting to trade. However, Dian is suspicious and goes north to investigate. She finds other women have handled the men situation very differently, and she knows they could be a danger to her own pleasant community. Excellent account of post-disaster life. The varying treatment of men in the different enclaves is fascinating, and the impact of this unusual society on women is thoughtfully presented. ( Richards is Laurie King, well known mystery writer) Very smoothly written, if not extremely original.

Robson, Justina. NATURAL HISTORY. Bantam. 2004.

In the far future, humanity has diverged into two strains: the Unevolved humans and the Forged, a blend of machine and human. When Isol, a machine-human, finds an Earthlike planet, she claims it as a refuge for the Forged, who are not well treated on Earth. However, before anything can happen,Zephyr Duquesne, a human archaeologist, goes to the planet also to determine its suitability for colonization. There she discovers a phenomenon that threatens to change the nature of reality itself. Original, mind-blowing, and sometimes a challenge to read. Interestingly, a sentient chunk of gray matter called Stuff, may hold the secret. Recommended but not easy to read.

Traviss, Karen. CROSSING THE LINE. Eos. 2004.

In City of Pearl, Shan Frankland had come to the rescue of a lost colony on a dangerous planet - a world coveted by two alien races and protected by a third. In this battle, Shan had become something more than human. She is now the carrier of a very powerful " virus." And it just so happens that another Earth ship is coming to the planet. Earth's government wants control of the planet, but they also want Shan Frankland's secret. Outstanding alien cultures. Lots of action, and Shan is a terrific hero. Really need to read City of Pearl first though to totally understand the action. Well done series.

*Wood, N. Lee. MASTER OF NONE. Warner. 2004.

Nathan Crewe only wanted to get some rare plants from Vanar. But he is betrayed by his helper, imprisoned, and eventually adopted by one of 9 ruling families. Now his difficulties really begin. Vanar is ruled by these 9 secretive, matriarchal families who live by incredibly intricate codes of conduct. Deviation from the rituals usually means death, especially for men who are, at best, concubines, and at worst, disposable slaves. And Nathan does not know the language or the codes. How can he survive? His struggle to do so is very well told. This is a well-written, detailed look at a strange society with lots of twists and turns in the plot. Portrayals of the subtle relationships between mistress and slaves are especially well done. Bev recommends.