Justina Robson

[Pyan]

Just acquired Natural History by this author.

"Search ▼" turns up a few references to her, but mainly in the context of attendances at conventions, signings and similar events.

Anyone any comments on what her books are like?

 

[iansales]

Natural History is excellent. She changed tack somewhat with her Quantum Gravity series - it's sort of hard sf meets fantasy meets chick-lit. Sort of. Her earlier works were definitely hard sf, tho.

 

[Pyan]

hard sf meets fantasy meets chick-lit. /QUOTE]

- now I've got to read it...

Thanks, Ian

 

[Omphalos]

Natural History is excellent. She changed tack somewhat with her Quantum Gravity series - it's sort of hard sf meets fantasy meets chick-lit. Sort of. Her earlier works were definitely hard sf, tho.

I read a few chapters of the sereis she is working on now (Quantum Gravity, IIRC) and I was not at all impressed. You liked her earlier stuff, Ian? Is it action oriented?

 

[Ian Whates]

Justina's a very talented lady. Living Next Door to the God of Love remains my favourite of her books I've read -- plenty of action, pocket universes, alternate reality, devious plots etc. A complex but very rewarding novel.

Justina was one of the first to agree to write a story for Myth-Understandings, the all women author anthology I published earlier this year. Then, due to mounting commitments (including the recent arrival of a baby) it looked as if she wouldn't be able to, but at the eleventh hour -- after the book had been initially laid out -- she came through with a great story, the ink still wet. A real star.

And I agree with Ian, Chris -- Natural History is well worth reading.

 

[Freda]

Justina is a fantastic writer. Whether she's being funny or serious (and she does both really well), she's amazing.

 

[Ian Whates]

Yay, Freda, good to see you back here at the Chrons! And it was good to see you at NewCon 4 -- hope you and Mike enjoyed yourselves.

 

[Taltos]

Well, Pyan, the mix of sf-fantasy seemed much better when I read about it - actually it turned out to be a lot of chic lit and much less sf-fantasy. Some interesting concepts and nice world building but it lacked somewhat in the part where you should do something interesting with the world Read the first book in Quantum Gravity - haven't bothered to get the second book.

 

[Coolhand]

There's a couple of reviews of Keeping It Real, the first book in her Quantum Gravity series in the Chrons reveiw section. It's a science- fantasy action adventure.
http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/33459-keeping-it-real-justina-robson.html

I've only read that book, and found it to be so-so. It was a promising start, with a great concept, but also had some major flaws in terms of character and plot. Having said that, if I see the sequel in the library, I'll probably check it out because if she's resolved the flaws of the first book, it'll be a cracking fun read.

I'm interested to read her previous work is more Hard S/F than action adventure. Is there a noticable change in style between the works?

 

[dwndrgn]

I read all three of the Quantum Gravity series and loved them. Maybe it's because I'm a chick? Anyway, I found the characters very interesting and fun and I loved the concept.