Reiteration

The blue centaur paused at the apex of a grassy knoll, intent upon a passing butterfly, the long iridescent plume of its mane sweeping out behind it in the still air. The season was late, and she hoped the insect might be a nondescript. After a moment of observation, she found the insect’s classification in the shared files. She did not need to, but she still sighed.

Dirck de Lint

Weathering formations on Mars, courtesy of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, NASA

Further Reading

philosophical science fiction in the most literal sense

NECESSITY by Jo Walton

BY Jonathan Crowe

Necessity, the third and concluding volume of Jo Walton’s Thessaly trilogy, is not a book that can be read on its own. You really do want to read the first two volumes, The Just City and The Philosopher Kings, first. As I pointed out in my review of those two books last year, this series is philosophical science fiction in the most literal sense. It’s the story of Greek gods creating a real-world city based on Plato’s Republic as a thought experiment, designed to explore concepts of consent, volition and equal significance.

Support AE

AE needs you! Sign up for our mailing list and say thank-you to our authors by supporting us on Patreon. 80% of our operating budget is direct payments to authors and illustrators. Donors get swag, recognition and our eternal cosmic love.

Support AE

AE needs you! Sign up for our mailing list, or say thank-you to our authors with a one time or recurring donation.