Sadly, this challenge has been a bit daunting for some and rained off due to pesky real life complications for others. On the plus side, this means you get to look forward to a Special Guest instalment of the challenge in the nearish future when my guests have time!

And in the meantime, of course I was always going to have a go myself. So here’s how I got from Frankenstein to one of my favourite reads of SciFiMonth (and indeed of 2019)… I’ve played it straight with a six step, seven book chain this time out rather than an endless loop where the sixth step takes you back to the beginning (and still ended up having to rewrite it twice when I realised my connections were flawed. This is a tricky meme, eh):

Frankenstein – Mary Shelley

An ambitious young scientist creates life because he could, not because he should – and then rejects his Creature like the self-centred, heartless ass he is. Cue many deaths, much regret and a world of angst in this classic Gothic novel.

Spare and Found Parts – Sarah Maria Griffin

A girl with a clockwork heart creates life to prove her value to the community in this heart-warming coming of age tale set in a post-apocalyptic world where disability is the norm and technology is anathema. Take that, Dr Frankenstein.

On the Edge of Gone – Corinne Duyvis

When a comet strikes the Earth, a generation ship offers a way off-planet. But it will only take those who can prove their value to the community – so autistic Denise must find a way to win a place for her and her family.

Children of Time – Adrian Tchaikovsky

Earth is in tatters, and generation ships are taking us to the stars. But Kern’s World is not the promised land it seems – it’s home to an unexpected sentient rival. Humanity must find a way to co-exist with our unnatural children if we are to escape extinction.

Semiosis – Sue Burke

Crash landing on Pax, pioneers found the pacifist society they always dreamt of. But they soon discover they have an unexpected sentient rival who threatens their survival – and familial bonds are shattered when their children decide to risk adopting a different way of life.

The Citadel of Weeping Pearls – Aliette de Bodard

Familial bonds were shattered thirty years ago when the Empress declared her heir a traitor. Now, the advice of her digitised predecessors isn’t enough to protect the Xuya from an enemy that can hijack their mindships. She needs the Bright Princess and her scientists – if they can be found and coaxed out of exile.

A Memory Called Empire – Arkady Martine

The new Stationer Ambassador is on her way to the heart of the Teixcalaanli Empire to try and keep her home free of their rule. When her digitised predecessor malfunctions, she must find new allies to help her solve his murder – and to navigate the treacherous politics of the Imperial Court.

 

That’s not quite it for SciFiMonth here at There’s Always Room For One More – I’ll be back tomorrow with my usual monthly round-up and on Monday with one final Mission Status Update to chronicle what the crew has been up to.