Second Foundation by Isaac Asimov

Book 3 of the first Foundation trilogy

Rating: 3 out of 5

This is the final book of Isaac Asimov's first Foundation trilogy, which was started with Foundation and continued with Foundation and Empire. The first story arc of that small outpost of knowledge at the edge of the galaxy, trying to shorten the projected 30,000 years of chaos to a mere 1,000 years by following the plans of Hari Seldon and his science of psychohistory, is coming to a close. But the Foundation, based on the planet Terminus, which has risen from obscurity to replace the Galactic Empire as the premier civilization in the galaxy has fallen to the powerful mutant known as the Mule. The long-dead Hari Seldon's well laid plan for the future is in ruins.

Or is it? For it seems that Hari Seldon has indeed planned for every contingency and has established a Second Foundation in an unknown location. This Second Foundation is the direct opposite of the First Foundation which had depended on physical science to develop their society. Instead of using physical science, the Second Foundation was composed of "psychohistorians" and developed a few mental capablities that access the human mind and having the directive of making sure Hari Seldon's plans would be fulfilled under any circumstances. These are capabilities which the Mule, now the undisputed ruler of the galaxy, consider a threat to his existence. So he devices a plan to find the Second Foundation and crush it once and for all.

The book Second Foundation, similar to the second book, is actually divided into two story arcs. The first details the aforementioned search of the Second Foundation by the Mule, followed by the story of the inheritors of the First Foundation making their own search for the Second Foundation, which they deem, for reasons to be mentioned in the book, as a threat to their own humanity.

The clean and simple style of Asimov's writing remain. It is, however, still flavored with that mid-20th century style that admittedly makes his writing somewhat outdated and the dialogue a little bit cheezy. And it is clear that sometimes the best scientific minds don't make the best artistic style which may turn away contemporary readers and may not have the impact it had 2 to 5 decades ago. Asimov could be very logical in his approach to storytelling that he sometimes forgets that actual people are involved in the events he presents. For example, his telling of a battle scene in space has the atmosphere of watching a video game where the destruction of vessels and the losing of lives are presented as casually and "unfeelingly" as can possibly be.

Having said that, Asimov presents ideas that are astounding even today and presents his own thesis in some aspect of the story of humanity. This landmark work, along with other books of the series, is a must-read for science fiction fans, if only for the importance it had with the genre. And with this series, along with his other works, Isaac Asimov demonstrates why he is one of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century and one of its greatest writers, if just in terms of ideas, and not in style. His first Foundation trilogy is a true classic.

House of Chains by Steven Erikson

Book 4 of the Malazan Book of the Fallen

Rating: 4 out of 5

Steven Erikson returns to the Seven Cities for his fourth book of The Malazan Book of the Fallen series, House of Chains. The last time readers visited the continent was on the second novel Deadhouse Gates, where they were witness to the grueling march of Fist Coltaine's army and refugees now known as the Chain of Dogs with its tragic end at the gates of the city of Aren.

Now, the Adjunct Tavore Paran - sister of the Bridgeburner captain, Ganoes Paran (last seen with the rest of his company in Memories of Ice) - has arrived. And she must bring together a band of new recruits with the few remnants of Coltaine’s forces for the purpose of marching against the massed armies of the Chosen One of the Whirlwind Goddess, the Sha’ik, who also is, unknowingly to the Adjunct, actually her sister, Felisin Paran.

Meanwhile, the gods are making their moves. The Chained God, of the House of Chains, (the house of gods from which this book is titled after) is recruiting and building his forces. Yet, he is not the only one with plans and schemes. Cotillion, Patron of Assassins is sending his own people to shadowy missions for purposes only known to him. Among them, the Bridgeburner assassin Kalam Mekhar, and the pair of Apsalar and Cutter (formerly known as Crokus of Darujistan).

These are just some of the numerous characters whose stories are told in House of Chains, and Erikson shows his ability in being able to blend all their tales into one great book. He had lots of practice, with three enormous tomes preceding this one and his improvement shows with each installment of his tale. He’s style is smoother and less cluttered, especially if compared to the first novel of the series - readers who loved the tale has to sometimes wonder in amazement, by this time, how one ever got through reading Gardens of the Moon. And the answer is: because it has all been such an incredible epic, so far.

The tale is divided into four parts, and for the first quarter of the book, Erikson diverges his style and presents it in a straightforward tale following the actions and events surrounding one character, Karsa Orlong of the Uryd tribe of the Teblor as he leaves on a quest for glory. His is a journey that starts in the continent in Genebackis and ends up affecting the events in the Seven Cities. Karsa even becomes the most developed character of the whole series up to this point. Then for the next three chapters Erikson goes back to his familiar style where he juggles the readers from one story thread to another, a style admittedly frustrating and confusing to some, compounded by the fact that Erikson, as is already well-known, doesn’t engage in exposition in order to explain what is really happening.

However, by now, this unapologetic style by the author seems to have a purpose. By telling his tale without any explanation of a few things, the reader is placed in the shoes of the characters. If the character is bewildered, the reader feels that confusion. Revelations occur at the same time for the character and reader creating a kind of bond between the two.

And as always, approaching the end of the book, Erikson slowly merges each storyline to an exciting and action-packed conclusion full of amazing and spellbinding scenes and also not without great pathos in the unique way which is also, by now, expected of the author.

House of Chains is a more-than-worthy continuation of a storyline that has captured the attention of readers for some time now. Unlike the two previous books preceding it which were essentially war stories, this episode is more of an adventure saga of different characters even if written against the backdrop of the approaching confrontation of two armies, but it is no less as good as the others. Erikson expands his world even more introducing his readers to some more races and creatures, highlighting the depht of the world the author created. What is even more amazing is that by this time, old characters from the previous books have managed to reach legendary status story-wise, and in the hearts of those who love the books. The name “Bridgeburner” and “Whiskeyjack” now evokes incredible emotions from everyone who knows their story. Such is the effect of Steven Erikson work. That is how amazing this series has been. And the fun shows no sign of slowing down.

Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov

Book 2 of the first Foundation Trilogy

Rating: 3 out of 5


The Galactic Empire had been dying and they didn’t know it. And how could they? It was an empire so vast that it encompassed the Milky Way and had colonized worlds; the human population had reached an extraordinarily vast number. But one man saw the signs. That man was Hari Seldon. Using the science of psychohistory, Seldon was able to determine that the Galactic Empire would fall within three hundred years and would be followed by thirty thousand years of barbarism before a new and prosperous power would emerge from the ashes and restore order.

However, Hari Seldon, can plot a course that would control the events of the future and be able to reduce the age of barbarism to a mere one thousand years. He can do this also by using the science of psychohistory, because psychohistory is the science of the behavior of human masses, of mobs, of human society. And in the future, the number of human population has grown so vast that the actions of a single individual would become less significant when measured up to the action of the group as a whole. And by controlling the factors or stimuli that affect the probable reactions of a human society, psychohistory can plot that society’s future. Central to Sheldon’s plan is the establishment of two Foundations at “opposite ends of the Galaxy" and their existence is so devised so as it would bring about a new, powerful and stronger Second Empire within a millennium

Such was the premise of Isaac Asimov. And in his first book, Foundation, he tells the story of one of those Foundations in the first few centuries of its existence as they began simply as a settlement for scientists at one end of the galaxy, through how it was separated from the hegemony of a rapidly disintegrating Galactic Empire; to how they managed to maintain their independence from the emerging free “kingdoms” in the periphery, through being the only repository of knowledge and science in the area; to becoming the center of “religion”; to being the controller of trade; to being the most powerful state in its sector.

And now, in Foundation and Empire, the Galactic Empire, though reduced to a fraction of its original size was still the most powerful force to be reckoned with and has finally taken notice of what it perceived to be a challenge to its dominance, dwindling though it may be. An ambitious general has taken it upon himself to restore the glory of the empire by forcing a confrontation with the Foundation, destroy it once and for all, and assimilate its territory back under the Galactic Empire’s jurisdiction. And for the Foundation’s citizens, their hope rests upon on whether the events facing them were within the now-long-dead Hari Seldon’s plans and prophesies.

However, someone of extraordinary talent is emerging from the shadows: a mysterious individual known only as The Mule. And he seems to have the power greater than the might of whole planets, a power that may have been unseen in Hari Seldon’s plan. The power to unravel and spoil the well laid plans of psychohistory.

Isaac Asimov continues his brilliant exposition on the behavior of human society and expounds on the causes of its rise and fall. And through this book he presents various ideas on the course of humanity: (1) No matter how advanced or powerful a nation becomes, if it fails to grasp the lessons of history, it will sow the seeds of its own destruction from within, and (2) there are moments in history when an individual will emerge who has the capability/talent/charisma/character to change the course of nations, for better or for worse, an individual whose very life becomes a focal point in history, capable of controlling by sheer force of will the destinies of societies; individuals who are in themselves, for lack of a better term, sheer forces of nature, “mutants” of history.

Asimov presents his story in a crisp and clear way making the book an easy and fast read and, this time, he even placed a little feel of a mystery story into his work. However, as interesting as these themes may be, there are sure to be flaws. And this time, they are more visible than in the first book. As the format of Foundation and Empire has changed from a series of independent but related short stories with different central characters for each in the first book, to two sets of storylines with a definite set of characters that are constant to each plot, Asimov shows his weakness in characterization. His idea of character development is giving each character mannerisms or speech patterns that may sometimes become so repetitive and annoying. And it doesn’t help that his style of writing is so defined by the styles of his time that it has a sense of being dated. This might pull down the quality a bit for some.

Still, Foundation and Empire, along with the others of its series, is an interesting exploration into the profound ideas of one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century and one of the cornerstones of modern-day science fiction. It is recommended for anyone interested not only in a good story but of understanding the story of humanity. And these are only small glimpses into the ideas of a great man. He has lots, lots more stories and ideas for readers. Who knows? This series might just get you interested in exploring the author more.