Tag Archives: dystopia

This article seeks to offer a model of political consciousness rooted in spirituality as inspired by the ideas and writing of Philip K. Dick. It is one possible Dickian model, not the only possible one.

Dan Wells explores the dark side of genetic engineering in 'Extreme Makeover,' a satirical science-fiction novel that is equal parts terrifying and hilarious. Wells excels at gallows humor, blending the serious with the silly without collapsing into farce.

'All the Birds in the Sky' features compelling characters working through complex problems and emotions. Charlie Jane Anders sometimes struggles to find the right tone, and the novel’s sillier parts feel out of synch with the apocalyptic conclusion. But on the whole, this is a thought-provoking marriage of fantasy and science fiction that sheds light on the real-world problem of environmental degradation.

Rather than leave the audience wanting more, 'Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2' is the type of conclusion that leaves the audience with far too much.

The end of the world as a whole is reflected brilliantly in the end of the world for just one man in Adam Nevill's dark and brutal 'Lost Girl.'

With all of 'Fury Road's maddening splendor and gleeful insanity, it's clear why the 'Mad Max' series can't wait another 30 years between films.

'The Affinities' is a fast-paced and engaging story that foretells a plausible future in which social media become the most dominant force in society.

'Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1' confidently delivers on its themes, even as it holds back its biggest, boldest statements for the next film.

'East of West' is a cross-genre epic, a dark and serious work for mature readers. Jonathan Hickman is a master of the art of the slow reveal, giving his readers just enough information to understand what’s going on and leaving them thirsting for more. Vol. 3 has the series building up to an explosive conclusion, and I can’t wait to see how it ends.

Although not entirely novel or even logical, the world of 'The Maze Runner' maintains momentum through its slow bits and cliches.

The new Katniss teaser poster for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 evokes The Dark Knight in its depiction of Jennifer Lawrence clad in a jet black outfit.

Lazarus, Vol. 2 continues to impress on certain levels while slightly frustrating on others. Nevertheless, it is one of the most interesting comics out now and if you’re a fan of intelligent sci-fi, I’d advise you to pick it up.

Set in 2072, 'The Boost' by Stephen Baker imagines a world in which everyone has a networked computer, called a “boost,” installed in his or her brain. Baker is a gifted futurist whose first stab at fiction is remarkably well written, although his inexperience does show in a few places. But Baker compensates with a fast pace and solid scientific grounding. 'The Boost' is a fun and thought-provoking exploration of the long-term effects of the ever-shrinking computer.

The full message contained within On Such a Full Sea is not only the stark, wintery warnings of the dystopian genre, but the spring-like hope of how to find a better path.

Snowpiercer is a well-timed re-release of a tightly presented, compelling story that considers the plight of one man caught inside a class struggle that has implications for the very survival of the human race.