Crystal Rain by Tobias Buckell is a "Caribbean style" science fiction novel with a little bit different style because of that. While I did enjoy the world building, I wasn't initially intrigued enough to jump into the next book in the series. Eventually I did, though, and I loved Buckell's other installments.
A seventy-five year old widower, John Perry finds the Colonial Defense Force's offer of a new, youthful life intriguing. The CDF fulfills their end of the bargain, now he needs to fulfill his: ten years' commitment as a space marine, fighting the worst the universe has to offer. Funny, thoughtful, and packed with action, Old Man's War is a great read and one of Scalzi's seminal works.
Tales of the Dying Earth takes place in a future so far advanced that technology has become more akin to magic. This compilation spans four separate tomes and is written in the classic, no nonsense style as befitting a grandmaster of science fiction. The book is entertaining nonetheless, and should be on every serious reader's list.
A story that is epic in scope is hampered by too many weak characters.
While the fantastic tech is no less prevalent in this second book in the Graven series, the storytelling and character development are ratcheted up a few notches to make this an exciting, bold read.
A lighthearted take on kaijus with minimal character and story development. Still, it may be a good read as long as you aren't expecting anything too serious.
Genre defying, truly mind-blowing technology, and a revenge plot where it doesn't seem anyone can really win. This book has a little bit of everything.