by Tania Shipman on August 22, 2010
AussieCon 4
The 68th World Science Fiction Convention
AussieCon 4 is being held in Melbourne from 2nd to 6th September 2010 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre .
I have 10 days to go until I attend my first Science Fiction Convention. I’ve never been to one so it’s going to be an adventure. It’s also the first time I’ve ever been to Melbourne so there are lots of things I’ll be blogging about. I’m flying down on the 1st and staying close by at a hostel which is another first.
AussieCon 4 is my opportunity to attend an event about Science Fiction and Fantasy which I love and also a chance to meet some people I’ve admired for years.
Dave Freer and his wife Barb will be there and I’m really hoping we will be able to meet up. Dave and I have corresponded for years and I was really happy when they moved to Australia. He’s told me to look for the hairy one with the funny accent. Dave is one of my favourite authors and I love his books. Dave and Barb moved from South Australia this year and are living on Flinders Island. You can follow their adventures via their blog.
I don’t know what I will find down there but getting to meet up with people who have the same passions as I do – science fiction and fantasy – can only mean I’m going to have a great time.
I’m going to be blogging about the AussieCon 4 convention so remember to subscribe or check back on what’s happening.
Is anyone else going to AussieCon 4 or got any advice on what I must see at the convention or in Melbourne?
by Tania Shipman on August 9, 2010
The Rats, the Bats and the Ugly
Eric Flint and Dave Freer
(4/5)
I love this book. I’ve re-read it several times now and I just enjoy it every time.
The story has so many interesting people in it that it’s hard to choose a favourite. Of course it’s helped by the fact that some of the best people aren’t human but Dave Freer and Eric Flint have never let a little thing like that get in the way of a good story. I believe my favourites have to be Ariel & Fitzhugh and Ginny & Chip
This book is the sequel to The Rats, the Bats and the Vats where we learn of the colony, Harmony and Reason, that has been invaded by the Magh and they are winning. To originally start the colony, the shareholders had raised humans using in vitro techniques, referred to as Vats, who end up as second class citizens against the original colony plan. When invaded, many of the Vats are conscripted and thrown into battle again the Magh but it’s not working, they are totally outclassed. To save themselves, the Shareholders with the help of the friendly Khorezet have developed and uplifted Rats and Bats to aid the Vats in killing the Magh. Of course everything is not how it seems.
The Rats, the Bats and the Ugly.
The Rats
These Shakespeare quoting rogues who seem to care only for booze, sex and food are the real heroes of this story. Whilst you expect humans and bats to be aware of honor and social needs, the rats have always had the philosophy of what’s in it for me. In this story, the rats truly prove that they can think and care about more then themselves and help save everyone.
The Bats
Imagining Bats as deep thinkers may be a bit hard but the Irish Bats are. Originally considering killing everyone else in order for Batkind to live free, they come to the conclusion that Rats and Humans are better then the enemies so it’s time to fight together and sort it out afterwards. They are more social then Rats and able to think more then 5 minutes ahead, especially if it means they can blow something up.
The Ugly
I’m going to presume that the authors are referring to the enemy here and not the humans. How our many heroes deals with the enemy is different. There are lawyers, the army, the Shareholders and the media all involved however despite these mighty obstacles our heroes keep on trying to survive. To win they will need blue suede shoes, seafood, nudity and pelvic thrusting. Well it takes a bit more then that but I bet you want to read it now to find out what I’m talking about.
Recommendation
I really enjoy the bawdy humor in The Rats, the Bats and The Ugly and I really hope that the authors write some more stories in this universe. Read this book if you love adventure, battles, humour and romance. This story has it all.
