Which of These 3 Modern Sci-Fi Books Should You Read?

Here are spoiler-free reviews for three modern science fiction novels including Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer, Semiosis by Sue Burke and Pushing Ice by Alastair Reynolds as well as my recommendations for what kind of readers might enjoy each of them.

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00:00 – Introduction
00:18 – Annihilation
03:16 – Semiosis
06:38 – Pushing Ice

#ScienceFiction #Books

[secretsauceofstorycraft]

Always interesting to hear your thoughts even when we don't agree. I'm sad you didn't enjoy several of these (as i loved all 3) but thanks for giving them a chance and also explaining what exactly didn't work for you. Thoughtful negative reviews are always helpful.

[Kim_Miller]

I remember when you asked the Discod server for what book next and Semiosis got the nod. Obviously you now have to go back and see who voted for it and in future requests they each only get a half vote. 😀

[bartsbookspace]

If you didn’t LOVE reading Annihilation I would recommend skipping the 2 follow ups. I thought they were good, but not on par with book1. And you won’t get the answers you’re looking for. 😂

[tiffanycorsello]

I really appreciate that when you critique a book, you critique the prose as well. So many reviewers never mention it! I'm not sure why this is- it's a very important aspect of the reading experience for me. I mean, it's writing - it's a BOOK- prose is the main tool with which a story is told. I find it really hard to enjoy a great plot if the writing is bad. I'd love a video on your favorite books with the best prose!

[stevenlamb]

Hey Jonathan, glad you’ve decided to cover some modern SF. I’ve been exploring some classic SF in my past few TBR books…currently struggling a bit to make my way through Starship Troopers.

Next up is Children of Time! I’m pumped to get into modern SF!!

[Elricsedric]

Hyperion and the fall of hyperion literally arrived today. I'm so excited to read them, but I fear a little because people say the sequels get worse. Hyperion sounds like something that could one my favorite things ever

[Johanna_reads]

I loved hearing you weigh in on these! I’ve heard lots of praise about Annihilation and would like to give it a shot. Roadside Picnic didn’t emotionally grip me, but the strange concept is still a good pitch. Great video!

[elisabasta]

That's what I meant when I said Annihilation was just bad scifi in the author's pursue, respectable as it is, of "higher art". I don't think the genre allows for "look, there was very weird stuff going on, but I, the author, doesn't know why either". Perhaps he provides more information in the next two volumes, but, alas, I will never know.

[Cosmic-Industry]

I might disagree with many but I absolutely loved the Southern Reach trilogy as a whole. I was so invested I couldn’t put it down and it felt like I was reading a single novel split in three parts.
I can’t wait to read the fourth instalment: Absolution.
I haven’t read Roadside Picnic yet but I can see the influence of HP Lovecraft’s The Colour Out of Space.
After that I went straight into Borne and it was ok but not close to Area X trilogy.

[cherylmccutchan]

I think what I loved about the Southern Reach trilogy and Semiosis were the bizarre and extraordinary non-human "characters". The plants and plant communities in Semiosis were absolutely fascinating. Can't really say anything about the Southern Reach without being spoilery.

[TuftyMcTavish]

🧊 Oh, some bangers in this set! I absolutely adored “Pushing Ice” and “Semiosis”. I’ve been meaning to read the next one in that latter series. These two were both 5⭐️ for me. Now I want to reread them 😁 I do love me some character work in my books. As for “Annihilation”, well, I did not get on with that book at all, 2⭐️ according to my 2016 review.

[jerryveneman]

Personally, I absolutely loved the Southern Reach trilogy, but I understand it's not everyone 's cup of tea. The second and third part will give you some answers, but not all of them. A lot is open to interpretation and I really like that. Current books and movies tend to overexplain a lot which usually really annoys me. If you like the cosmic horror of Lovecraft with a pinch of David Lynch, you might want to give the sequels a try.

[paulallison]

Hi Jonathan, I have read all of these. I really loved Annihilation, I particularly loved the prose, it is beautiful and unlike any other author I have read. This does read a little like a cosmic horror but to me it is pure Science Fiction. But it is a bit creepy, and scary so there is a horror element in the content. This is 9/10 for me. Semiosis was a bit odd in terms of the writing but it was definitely an interesting story that I really enjoyed but it is the weaker of the three and I'd give this 7/10. Pushing Ice is very good, I really enjoyed it but something bugged me about the ending and yes it was starting to drag a little in parts in the final third but still a solid 8/10.

[fleabynight]

I agree. I read the first page of Semiosis and I can see where your coming from. Reads ike a car going over speed bumps and everything gets shook out of place. Sounding very nasally today Jonathon 🤣 There's a slow...slow train coming....comin round the bend....

[RenkotheLibrarian]

You know it's been a long time since you've read Annihilation when you noticed "10th anniversary editions" at the bookstore 😂
I've had a strange relationship with Vandermeer; I loved Annihilation and the other Southern Reach books were good, but I've DNF'd two of the other books I've tired of his. You are spot on about it being a "vibe book, " it didn't match for the other two.

[BookishChas]

Awesome video Jonathan! I’ve been wanting to try Annihilation. I really enjoyed the movie, but I’ve heard his writing is an acquired taste.

[johnbailey]

As always, enjoy your videos, but I won't add any of these to my already long backlog. I do second the reference to 'roadside picnic' and also, Andrei Tarkovsky's 'Stalker', inspired by that book. Both are excellent.

[Talking_Story]

Possible new Scufi classics! I did really dig Annihilation.

[ccmsmhh]

Hope that someday you will talk about Gene Wolfe's Solar Cycle. Or maybe not, because it blurres the line between sci-fi and fantasy. In this case a discussion about sci-fi as a genre, opposed to fantasy, would be nice. And what sci-fi is for you.

[robertsouth]

I enjoyed both Pushing Ice and Annihilation. Guess if Semiosis is in the same crowd with them I should check it out.