|
||
Science Fiction and Fantasy Association of New Zealand |
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
 |
Jump Gate Twist by Mark L. Van Name Baen Books Supplied for review by |
Reviewed By: Jacqui Smith |
I’ll begin by explaining that Jump Gate Twist is a compilation of One Jump Ahead and Slanted Jack, the first two Jon and Lobo novels with additional short stories and other material, taking the whole to a hefty 723 pages. I soon realised that I had previously read both novels – and enjoyed them. The stars of these stories are Jon… who has his secrets, his unique powers and unusual origin; and his best friend, a predator class assault vehicle named Lobo, what amounts to an intelligent flying tank. Among Jon’s abilities is machine telepathy, which leads to a lot of fun, especially when it involves washing machine gossip. Let’s face it, this is science fiction action humour, and that’s a tricky combination to get right. Most of the time, authors try it and the result is plain silly. But the stories of Jon and Lobo, while frequently infested with a fine frivolity, are by no means foolish. The science fiction still works, the plotting is complex (in both senses), and the characters are interesting. Sure Jon is a bit of a prat at times, but that’s not unusual in action heroes. This really is science fiction the way they don’t make it any more. Which is a pity. Read and enjoy. |
||
 |
||||
|
||||
|
||||
|
SFFANZ is a non-profit organisation
and registered charity designed to bring together fans of the fantastic in New Zealand |
|
Contact us by email at: enquiries@sffanz.org.nz |
|