Sci-Fi-Fantasy

  • The Alchemist, Book Review: Paulo Coelho’s beguiling novel

    Santiago’s search for hidden treasure is presented as a metaphor for life.
    Coelho introduces the concept of one’s Personal Legend, or destiny. Appealingly though, this destiny is not presented as something that will simply fall into one’s lap, but something one needs to strive for. Too often in this inspirational genre readers are given the impression that if we simply wish for something long enough with the purest of intentions, then that wish will come into being. This simple tale reminds us that anything worth having must be worked for and that one does not gain in life without first risking loss. We are also reminded that treasures can come in the form of both material objects and experiences.

  • The Olive Readers by Christine Aziz, Review: An ominous premonition

    An ominous premonition. In The Olive Readers, Christine Aziz hits the fast forward button and places the reader in a dystopian future world where corporations rule the Earth. This story of a world gone wrong is told through the eyes and plight of a young woman named Jephzat. Jephzat lives in the federation state responsible for producing olives in the new world order. The corporations control all information.