Science Fiction Book Review Podcast

Science Fiction Book Review Podcast episodes:

• 04.21.2024

  SFBRP #540 – Karin Tidbeck – Amatka

  Luke and Juliane review Amatka by Karin Tidbeck, then discuss the five star concepts and themes trapped within this two star novel. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Discuss this book...

  
• 04.04.2024

  SFBRP #539 – Jacqueline Harpman – I Who Have Never Known Men

  I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman (with The Child as the main character) is the post-apocalyptic-novel-featuring-a-protagonist-without-a-proper-name that Luke has been waiting for, following the double-disappointment of The Road (featuring The Man and The Boy) and The Bear...

  
• 03.30.2024

  SFBRP #538 – Herman Melville – Moby-Dick

  Luke finally finished Moby-Dick by Herman Melville and wants to talk to Juliane about how it’s the best written worst novel. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Discuss this book at...

  
• 03.19.2024

  SFBRP #537 – Andrew Krivak – The Bear

  On the episode following The Road, Luke talks to Juliane about The Bear by Andrew Krivak, and how it’s playing off the themes and story of Cormac McCarthy’s novel. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and...

  
• 03.18.2024

  SFBRP #536 – Cormac McCarthy – The Road

  Luke was left bored and disappointed by The Road by Cormac McCarthy. He tells Juliane why he stopped reading half way through, and it wasn’t because he was depressed with the contents, but instead depressed by how bad it was...

  
• 03.03.2024

  SFBRP #535 – Alexander C Kane – Scum of the Earth

  Luke talks to Juliane about Scum of the Earth, the new Audible Original by Alexander C Kane about alien invasion collaborators. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Discuss this book at...

  
• 02.23.2024

  SFBRP #534 – Alastair Reynolds – Machine Vendetta – Prefect Dreyfus Emergency #3

  Luke and Juliane review Machine Vendetta by Alastair Reynolds, a book they mostly enjoyed, but spend the whole podcast trying to work out why there weren’t fully satisfied. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane...

  
• 02.11.2024

  SFBRP #533 – Virtual Voice Narration in 2024

  Luke reviews Artifact by Joshua James, but actually he wants to have an in-depth discussion with Juliane about Audible’s new Virtual Voice Narration technology, what it sounds like now, and what it means for the future of audiobook production and...

  
• 02.04.2024

  SFBRP #532 – Ursula K LeGuin – Rocannon’s World – Hainish Cycle #1

  Luke tells Juliane about Rocannon’s World, which was Ursula K LeGuin’s first novel, and the first book in the Hainish Cycle. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Discuss this book at...

  
• 01.14.2024

  SFBRP #531 – M R Carey – Infinity Gate – Pandominion #1

  Is it “genre-defying” or does M R Carey just change gears every time he runs out of steam? Luke talks to Juliane about Infinity Gate, a novel without an ending in a series of, so far, a single book. Luke...

  
• 01.01.2024

  SFBRP #530 – Sandra Newman – Julia – 1984

  Luke talks to Juliane about Julia by Sandra Newman, an authorised retelling of George Orwell’s 1984. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Discuss this book at Goodreads.com Luke writes his own...

  
• 12.28.2023

  SFBRP #529 – Martha Wells – System Collapse – Murderbot Diaries #7

  Juliane and Luke talk about System Collapse, a book that’s so badly written that (apart from not knowing what is going on (or who is who) and being annoyed by nested parenthesis) they are worried Martha Wells is giving introverts...

  
• 12.10.2023

  SFBRP #528 – Ned Beauman – Venomous Lumpsucker

  Luke and Juliane review Venomous Lumpsucker by Ned Beauman and discuss whether turning business externalities into financial instruments is a good idea or not. Probably not? Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially via...

  
• 12.03.2023

  SFBRP #527 – Adrian Tchaikovsky – Lords of Uncreation – Final Architecture #3

  Luke and Juliane didn’t want a trilogy, but got one anyway. They review Lords of Uncreation, the final book of the Final Architecture trilogy by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially...

  
• 11.01.2023

  SFBRP #526 – R F Kuang – Babel

  Luke talks to Juliane about Babel by R F Kuang, a historical novel about language which seems to have very little concern about the history of the language contained within it. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support...

  
• 10.04.2023

  SFBRP #525 – Greg Bear – Eon – The Way #1

  Very few novels stand the test of time! Luke isn’t sure why he thought Greg Bear writing in the 80’s would hold up as well as Ursula K LeGuin writing in the 70’s. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon:...

  
• 10.03.2023

  SFBRP #524 – Ursula K LeGuin – The Unreal and the Real

  Luke talks to Juliane about his favourite moments in Ursula K LeGuin’s short story collection: The Unreal and the Real volumes 1 and 2. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Discuss...

  
• 09.17.2023

  SFBRP #523 – Adam Roberts – The This

  Luke and Juliane discuss The This by Adam Roberts, a novel of disparate good parts that didn’t work together as well as Luke hoped. The review Luke mentions in the podcast: “Review: The This by Adam Roberts” by Carl M....

  
• 09.06.2023

  SFBRP #522 – Adrian Tchaikovsky – Eyes of the Void – Final Architecture #2

  Luke and Juliane ask “Is more of the same enough?” as they review Eyes of the Void, the second book in the Final Architecture trilogy by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane...

  
• 08.25.2023

  SFBRP #521 – Peter F Hamilton – The Naked God – Night’s Dawn #3

  Luke and Juliane discuss The Naked God, the Night’s Dawn trilogy, and Peter F Hamilton’s writing about religion in science fiction. They also talk about Peter F Hamilton as an antidote to the weighty domination of American science fiction awards...

  
• 07.23.2023

  SFBRP #520 – Lessons Learned from SFBRP Listening – Lessons #1 to #25

  Luke listened to roughly 30 episodes of the SFBRP in the last month. What did he learn about science fiction reading, novel writing, Goodreads ratings, objectionable content, and much more besides? Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support...

  
• 07.15.2023

  SFBRP #519 – Simon Jimenez – The Spear Cuts Through Water

  Luke tells Juliane about The Spear Cuts Through Water, a fantasy novel where Simon Jimenez continues to explore expectations of tropes and how to frustrate them… satisfyingly? Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially...

  
• 06.18.2023

  SFBRP #518 – Adrian Tchaikovsky – Shards of Earth – Final Architecture #1

  Luke and Juliane start a new space opera adventure trilogy with Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Shards of Earth and they get exactly what they expected. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Discuss this...

  
• 05.25.2023

  SFBRP #517 – K J Parker – A Practical Guide to Conquering the World – Siege #3

  Luke and Juliane wrap up K J Parker’s Siege trilogy with a quick discussion of A Practical Guide to Conquering the World. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Discuss this book...

  
• 05.20.2023

  SFBRP #516 – Ray Naylor – The Mountain in the Sea

  This book is garbage and Luke asked for his Audible credit back 30% in. Juliane finished it but has major regrets. We’re not sure how anyone gave Ray Naylor’s The Mountain in the Sea a full five stars. Luke on...

  
• 04.29.2023

  SFBRP #515 – Jules Verne – Journey to the Center of the Earth

  Luke reads a Jules Verne story from a time when “Science Fiction” just meant “Fiction with a Scientist in it” rather than “Fiction with Speculative Science in it”: Journey to the Center of the Earth. Is it still an enjoyable...

  
• 04.22.2023

  SFBRP #514 – Isaac Asimov – The Naked Sun – Robot #2

  Luke and Juliane have both already read The Naked Sun by Isaac Asimov, but they listened to the audiobook on a road trip, and both HAVE THOUGHTS. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially...

  
• 04.11.2023

  SFBRP #513 – Adrian Tchaikovsky – Children of Ruin – Children of Time #2

  Juliane read Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky, and so Luke read it again too. In preparation for another octopus-based science fiction book (see upcoming episode) they did a quick a catch-up episode. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon:...

  
• 04.03.2023

  SFBRP #512 – Peter F Hamilton – The Neutronium Alchemist – Night’s Dawn #2

  In this special anniversary episode, Luke and Juliane continue their discussion of Peter F Hamilton’s Night’s Dawn trilogy with book 2; The Neutronium Alchemist. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Discuss...

  
• 03.17.2023

  SFBRP #511 – Leigh Bardugo – Shadow and Bone – Grishaverse #1

  Luke read the novel and Juliane watched the TV show, so they get together to chat about Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo, the first book in the YA fantasy Grishaverse series. An ongoing project to transcribe the entire SFBRP...

  
• 02.19.2023

  SFBRP #510 – Audrey Niffenegger – The Time Traveller’s Wife

  What if Time Travel Romance but also uncomfortable pedophile grooming between a 40 year old man and a 10 year old girl? Luke and Juliane discuss The Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon:...

  
• 02.14.2023

  SFBRP #509 – Peter F Hamilton – The Reality Dysfunction – Night’s Dawn #1

  Luke and Juliane talk about the first Night’s Dawn novel by Peter F Hamilton, The Reality Dysfunction, otherwise known as “Joshua Calvert’s Penis Adventures”. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Discuss...

  
• 01.23.2023

  SFBRP #508 – Adrian Tchaikovsky – Children of Memory – Children of Time #3

  Luke read Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovsky expecting interesting new uplifted intelligent species, but instead got uninteresting human children. AGAIN. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Discuss this book at...

  
• 01.10.2023

  SFBRP #507 – Ben Bova – Mars – Grand Tour #4

  This was meant to be an SFBRP Short, but Luke got into various rants about Mars by Ben Bova. So turn your frown upside down, and then back the right way again, because this book made Luke frown. Luke on...

  
• 01.09.2023

  SFBRP #506 – K J Parker – How to Rule an Empire and Get Away with It – Siege #2

  It’s not science fiction or fantasy, but K J Parker’s next Siege book is set in a secondary world so let’s review it: How to Rule an Empire and Get Away with It! Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon:...

  
• 12.31.2022

  SFBRP #505 – Emily St John Mandel – Sea of Tranquility

  Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel won the Goodreads Award for Best Science Fiction Novel of 2022. Luke read it and tells Juliane all the ways it doesn’t work as a science fiction novel, but how it somehow...

  
• 12.28.2022

  SFBRP #504 – Ursula K LeGuin – City of Illusions – Hainish Cycle #3

  Luke is disappointed by City of Illusions by Ursula K LeGuin and tries to convince Juliane that disappointment is a bad thing. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Discuss this book...

  
• 12.19.2022

  SFBRP #503 – Ryka Aoki – Light from Uncommon Stars

  Juliane reads Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki so Luke doesn’t have to, and then wishes she didn’t read it either. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Discuss this book...

  
• 12.17.2022

  SFBRP #502 – Alastair Reynolds – Eversion

  Luke was told not to review Eversion by Alastair Reynolds due to spoilers, so he keeps this episode just short enough to convince Juliane to read it soon. Luke on Mastodon: @[email protected] Juliane on Mastodon: @[email protected] Discuss this book at...

  
• 11.18.2022

  SFBRP #501 – Brandon Sanderson – Rhythm of War – Stormlight Archive #4

  It took Luke 2 months to get through Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson, but he still mostly enjoyed the latest Stormlight Archive tome. Discuss this book at Goodreads.com Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Follow Luke on twitter:...

  
• 11.06.2022

  SFBRP #500 – The First Science Fiction Story Luke Read

  Luke goes waaay back to re-read the first story that introduced him to science fiction: It’s Such a Beautiful Day by Isaac Asimov. Discuss this book at Goodreads.com Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Follow Luke on twitter: https://twitter.com/lukeburrage...

  
• 10.28.2022

  SFBRP #499 – Stanislaw Lem – The Invincible

  Luke talks to Juliane about a lesser-known novel by Stanislaw Lem: The Invincible. Discuss this book at Goodreads.com Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Follow Luke on twitter: https://twitter.com/lukeburrage Luke writes his own novels, like “Minding Tomorrow”, “Combat”, “Get...

  
• 10.24.2022

  Bonus Audio: Juggling Podcast 046 – The LAST Juggling Podcast about Coronavirus

  Luke feels like a professional juggler again, and is finding new life in his show. Meanwhile, back home, Juliane gets covid for the first time! Thanks to all our Patreon supporters for helping us through the last few years! Please...

  
• 09.15.2022

  SFBRP #498 – Rebecca Roanhorse – Fevered Star – Between Earth and Sky #2

  Luke tells Juliane how Fevered Star, the second book in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy, answered all the questions he had left over from the first book. Discuss this book at Goodreads.com Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage...

  
• 09.04.2022

  SFBRP #497 – Ursula K LeGuin – Planet of Exile – Hainish Cycle #2

  Luke and Juliane listened to Planet of Exile by Ursula K LeGuin ages ago, but they are finally home from their summer trip so chat about this novella for a bit. Discuss this book at Goodreads.com Support Luke and Juliane...

  
• 08.03.2022

  SFBRP #496 – Rebecca Roanhorse – Black Sun – Between Earth and Sky #1

  Why is Luke mentioned in a tweet alongside the word “Squeecore”? Also, Luke tells Juliane what he liked about Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse. Discuss this book at Goodreads.com Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Follow Luke on twitter:...

  
• 07.30.2022

  SFBRP #495 – Martha Wells – Network Effect – Murderbot Diaries #5

  Luke and Juliane talk about how Network Effect by Martha Wells can win both a Hugo and a Nebula award, despite being mediocre. Spoiler Alert: because of existing Murderbot fandom. Discuss this book at Goodreads.com Support Luke and Juliane financially...

  
• 07.16.2022

  SFBRP #494 – Daniel Rigby – Isaac Steele and the Forever Man

  Luke tells Juliane about an Audible Exclusive comedy science fiction audiobook: Isaac Steele and the Forever Man by Daniel Rigby. Discuss this book at Goodreads.com Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Follow Luke on twitter: https://twitter.com/lukeburrage Luke writes his...

  
• 07.08.2022

  SFBRP #493 – Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone – This Is How You Lose the Time War

  Luke didn’t finish a story about the most interesting people in the multiverse because they were so BORING, and Juliane didn’t finish because she didn’t like the writing. A SFBRP short about This Is How You Lose the Time War...

  
• 06.25.2022

  SFBRP #492 – Adrian Tchaikovsky – Elder Race

  Short episode about a short novel: Luke and Juliane review Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Discuss this book at Goodreads.com Support Luke and Juliane financially via Patreon.com/lukeburrage Follow Luke on twitter: https://twitter.com/lukeburrage Luke writes his own novels, like “Minding Tomorrow”,...