Science Fiction

Dystopian SF First Lines

Lynette M Burrows

Today’s Dystopian SF First Lines post is part of my First Lines Friday series. The first line of a story, we’re told, must hook the reader. Implied is that the reader will not buy the book if the first line isn’t great. These entries are from Amazon, my personal library, or other online booksellers. Do these first lines hook you? Would you read more? A twig snaps somewhere in the woods. I shoot up from my sleeping bag and reach out in the darkness. The Burn Our Houses Down Trilogy by Kelsey D. Garmendia Bursting open, the thin, wooden door slammed against the wall and cracked in half.“Get down!” a man yelled. Prep For Doom by E.R. Arroyo, Laura Albins, Amy Bartelloni, Brea Behn, and 16 others Feet pounded across the young messenger ran as fast as his legs would take him. Legacy of Light: The Series by by M. Lynn and Michelle Bryan “What better way to destroy our enemies than to simply allow them to destroy themselves?” The Good, the Dead, and the Lawless: The Undoing by Angelique Archer Deep beneath the surface of the earth, two men stood of a dirt walkway. Virulent: The Release The Virulent […]

First Lines Friday Salute

Lynette M Burrows

 This month it’s a First Lines Friday Salute in science fiction and fantasy novels. In these stories, the heroines battle to save the day. And this post is intended to allow you to find fun fiction to read. But in the real world, Wednesday, November 11, 2020 is Veterans Day. A day to salute, to honor, our veterans. The real men and women—mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters and sons—who fought in World War I and all wars—made real-life sacrifices. Salute to you—one and all. First Lines in Military SF&F If you enjoy strong female characters AND a science fiction or fantasy story about military folk, take a gander. You’re sure to find one or two titles to your liking. (Note: these posts never have any affiliate links. They are for your convenience and pleasure.) “Where do you think you’re going, little green man?” The Dark of Light: Epic Interstellar Adventure (Starhawke Rising Book 1) by Audrey Sharpe  The flight attendant stepped up to her seat—4E—which had never been her favorite on a 767-300.  Drone: an NTSB / military technothriller (Miranda Chase Book 1)  by M. L. Buchman  Book 1 of 4 “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Yulda grumbled.  Pain of […]

What If Your Child Falls in Love with a Cyborg?

Lynette M Burrows

Imagine it’s 2050, the pandemic is long over. Cyborgs (beings with both organic and biomechatronic body parts) walk the streets of your town. What if your child falls in love with a cyborg? The beau has a brain-computer-interface (BCI). Maybe he or she has an artificial limb or two. Cyborgs common enough your child or grandchild could befriend or fall in love with one? Seriously? That’s what some forward-looking companies think might happen. But before we consider the future, let’s look at the development of BCI. Discovery of Brain Waves Brain-computer-interfaces, also known as brain-machine-interfaces (BMI), begins their story in 1875. Richard Canton discovered electrical signals in animal brains. His discovery inspired Hans Berger to discover the human electroencephalogram (EEG) on July 6, 1924. The EEG measures brainwaves. Today it is invaluable. Its used to diagnose and treat neurological diseases (seizures, brain tumors, etc.) Computers and Imagination Konrad Zuse, a German, created the first programmable computer between 1936-1938. It was also in the 1930s when science fiction authors such as John C. Campbell (John Scott Campbell) and Edmond Hamilton wrote and published stories about transferring memories and personalities into computers. Tommy Flowers developed and demonstrated the first electric programmable computer, […]