Walter Jon Williams is in my estimation one of the strongest writers in the science fiction genre at this time. Interestingly, he made his start writing "historical" fiction, in his own words, "five historical novels, sea-adventure books". I for one am glad that pirates don't sell as well as science fiction.
Learn more about Walter Jon Williams here.
- Angle Station,
- Days of Atonement
- The Crown Jewels,
- House of Shards,
- Rock of Ages - a series of swashbuckling stories dripping with irony. I haven't actually read House yet, but I enjoyed the other two well enough. If nothing else, they stand witness to Mr Williams's breadth of talent.
- Metropolitan,
- City on Fire - Williams calls these "fantasies," probably in keeping with an apparently strict notion of what should constitute "science fiction." I just finished City, which seems to invite yet another sequel, and I don't mind saying that I hope Mr Williams writes it.
- Hardwired is the story that Williams seems to think highest of. It is a typical cyber "bunk" story, full of bloody-minded young people scrabbling for survival in an unforgiving future of technocrats. Its style is recapped in Metropolitan and City on Fire, and in many other ways the later two stories include elements of Hardwired. Of itself, the book is a ripping yarn. Oh, and for something interesting, you can read about Williams's war with the folks at "WeIrD" over the use of the trademarked title of his book. He makes some rather pointed comments that should have certain ears burning. (The page is dated - the last update was about June 23, 1997. All the same it's great reading, and it has a link to a page at "WeIrD" where he's being interviewed in some sort of IRC session and really rips the "WeIrD" management...)
- Aristoi - The bookreview for this one is here.