Foundation's Edge

Originally published: 1982

Author: Isaac Asimov
Book 4 of 7: Foundation
 
Genres:  Classic American Fiction, Classic Science Fiction, Dystopian Science Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure, Science Fiction, Galactic Empire Science Fiction
 
This book feels fresh and well written than all three books before it. I think the reason is the times it was written, and the other thing is the writing experience the author had at this time.
 
Reading this book is not what you were expecting to read, because it is not like the last three books. This time it is more character-driven, unlike the past books that were all about technology plots and twists. Still, it is a part of the main series and starts after the five hundred years of an event from the last three books but I am not mentioning the event just in case someone didn’t read the previous books.
 
It is well written as you can expect from a master like Mr. Isaac Asimov and grips you for most of the time but in the end, some people may not like it but that entirely depends on who is reading. The main reason is the technology that is introduced but I loved it because I knew the hints and the way these were copied in other books and even a lot of games. It is written in almost the modern era so you can actually feel the transformation of tech in this book to our daily lives now and what we can see coming in our future.
 
This time it is about an enemy thought to be extinct but still in control from the shadows with strings to power in hand. I felt a technology war is going on and we are going to see which side has better tech plus a new concept that is being used in many movies and science fiction ever since this book came out. We already found out about mind control or mind manipulation, but this time this concept increases to the point of planetary level and that is what I liked a lot.
 
Even with this great plot I believe in free will and that may be the reason some of the readers may feel conflicted and that is all I can say about this subject. Comment or message me about your thoughts on this matter after reading the book.
  
 
Synopsis:
“The fourth novel in Isaac Asimov’s classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series
 
THE EPIC SAGA THAT INSPIRED THE UPCOMING APPLE TV+ SERIES FOUNDATION, COMING 9/24/21
 
At last, the costly and bitter war between the two Foundations has come to an end. The scientists of the First Foundation have proved victorious, and now they return to Hari Seldon’s long established plan to build a new Empire on the ruins of the old. But rumors persist that the Second Foundation is not destroyed after all—and that its still-defiant survivors are preparing their revenge. Now two exiled citizens of the Foundation—a renegade Councilman and a doddering historian—set out in search of the mythical planet Earth . . . and proof that the Second Foundation still exists.
 
Meanwhile someone—or something—outside of both Foundations seems to be orchestrating events to suit its own ominous purpose. Soon representatives of both the First and Second Foundations will find themselves racing toward a mysterious world called Gaia and a final, shocking destiny at the very end of the universe.”
 
The only reason I am not giving a full rating is the way it may not feel good to some readers at the last parts of the story.
 
Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
 
Buy the book here:
https://amzn.to/3sUv3jM
 
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Second Foundation

Originally published: 1953

Author: Isaac Asimov

Book 3 of 7: Foundation

Genres: Classic American Fiction, Classic Science Fiction, Dystopian Science Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure, Classic Short Stories, Science Fiction Short Stories

This book basically completes the original trilogy but was not the end of the Foundation series as we can find four more books from this series after this one.

A lot is happening in this book and the story turns around and you are facing the main issues of the first book but that is intended and intentional by the author because he wanted to complete all loose ends at the end. A new way of controlling and manipulating is invented. I am only hinting on the stuff that is going on but I am not using exact words to describe anything here for the benefit of the readers who still didn’t read the first two books. The author never lets you get a hint of what is actually happening until the end and that is what I like about these books.

A message for the female readers… as you know these books are from a time when reading or seeing a female in these science fiction stories was very rare and in these books, it is the same. I found two girls worth any mention and I am sure you are going to enjoy reading about them but don’t forget, they are in a male dominant society unlike what our society is now... for example smoking is in all the meetings and is a norm, or a man disapproving of an idea just because it was given by a woman.

For me, it was something that a female reader can use to get inspiration instead of feeling bad or getting mad. Yes, some parts may feel cringe-worthy in these times but you can learn what it was like for the women in those times even if they were shown to be in modern society thousands of years in the future.

This book ends the first trilogy grandly and is one of the most crafted and fixed stories out of the first three books. It is compelling and interesting even after so long and many rereads for me and that is because of the great writing of the author who was able to spin a science fiction saga that doesn’t feel outdated even after so much advancement in our society and actual scientific knowledge.

I was confused at the announcement of the TV show but I know they can do justice to the books and going to show the action side of these stories instead of the main drama and talking from the books.

When I was a kid I thought it is different from all other books and when I grew up and read it again, then I realized what makes it so different. It is written in a way that the characters are just tools to tell us a great story of ideas that are grand like the universe.

Synopsis:

“The third novel in Isaac Asimov’s classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series

THE EPIC SAGA THAT INSPIRED THE UPCOMING APPLE TV+ SERIES FOUNDATION, COMING 9/24/21

The Foundation lies in ruins—destroyed by a mutant mind bent on humanity’s annihilation. But it’s rumored that there’s a Second Foundation hidden somewhere at the end of the Galaxy, established as insurance to preserve the knowledge of mankind. Now a desperate race has begun between the survivors of the First Foundation and an alien entity to find this last flicker of humanity’s shining past—and future hope. Yet the key to it all might be a fourteen-year-old girl burdened with a terrible secret. Is she the Foundation’s savior—or its deadliest enemy?

Unforgettable, thought-provoking, and riveting, Second Foundation is a stunning novel of adventure and ideas writ huge across the Galaxy—a powerful tale of humankind’s struggle to preserve the fragile light of wisdom against the threat of its own dark barbarism.”

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the book here:

https://amzn.to/3gZA71R

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Foundation and Empire

Originally published: 1952

Author: Isaac Asimov

Book 2 of 7: Foundation

Genres: Classic American Fiction, Classic Science Fiction, Dystopian Science Fiction, Space Opera, Adventure, Classic Short Stories, Science Fiction Short Stories

At the moment I am writing and rewriting the start of this review but can’t, it is not because my brain is frozen, it is actually the classic case of not writing about something that gives away the story of the previous books when writing about a series. I have so much to say but problem is, it all involves how to connect this book with the previous book.

Let’s see what I can write without spoilers for the previous book. The most beautiful thing about the first book was the word “Foundation” because it represented something great and it was used as a name for something that I think is better for you to find out by reading the first book.

In the first book, a guy was able to calculate and formulate a system that can fix the issues of the generations to come but he had no idea a man can come and change or get in the path of all his calculations. Who is the hero and who is the villain or both are the hero or the villain, it is up to you to decide. I think this is better, I told you nothing and everything at the same time.

After reading the second book, I felt the author had a change of plan for this story because the first book didn’t have much tension or drama so he introduced this other main character or he already was planning from the start because in my mind he was a great thinker and a writer. Anyway, the pace suddenly changes in the second half of the second book.

Reading these books feels like you are watching a great science fiction drama in theater but I think the upcoming TV show is not going to be just a drama and talks in closed rooms because the trailer shows a lot of action. But don’t worry the books are not boring if you can understand what is going on. I can give an example…just think of Disney’s movies and think of the adventures or missions the main party goes to; these missions are like kids going to a park compared to what these book’s missions are.

The first book is a compilation of five disconnected stories with the main goal but this book has only two stories but gets a lot more concentrated on the main goal. I am sure the people who read the first book and liked it are going to like this one even more.

This book is kind of two books in one but again the main background story is the same. The first one may bore you a bit, just because it is more related to the first book, but the second book is really exciting and different. If you read the robots series from the same author then you may relate to it but they have nothing to do with each other except the style.

You are going to find twists in this book also and may find the final twist with mixed reactions; it actually depends on how you felt about the books from the start. You find all of the important elements that make up a page-turner here and some of those elements are plot, character-building, world-building, narrative, dialogue, suspense, action, and much more. The first story is slow but it has all these elements as well but in the second part the reader gets to read all of this at a fast pace.

Whatever you say about these books but you must admit that Mr. Isaac Asimov was way ahead of his times and had a great mind. I read almost all his books and loved all of the movies that played in my head while reading those books. I was not able to read his autobiography until now, but surely going to read it as soon as I get my hands on it.

Synopsis:

“The second novel in Isaac Asimov’s classic science-fiction masterpiece, the Foundation series

THE EPIC SAGA THAT INSPIRED THE UPCOMING APPLE TV+ SERIES FOUNDATION, COMING 9/24/21

Led by its founding father, the psychohistorian Hari Seldon, and utilizing science and technology, the Foundation survived the greed and barbarism of its neighboring warrior-planets. Now cleverness and courage may not be enough. For the Empire—the mightiest force in the Galaxy—is even more dangerous in its death throes. Even worse, a mysterious entity called the Mule has appeared with powers beyond anything humanly conceivable. Who—or what—is the Mule? And how is humanity to defend itself against this invulnerable avatar of annihilation?

Filled with nail-biting suspense, nonstop action, and cutting-edge speculation, Foundation and Empire is the story of humanity’s perpetual struggle against the darkness that forever threatens to overwhelm the light—and of how the courage of even a determined few can make all the difference in the universe.”

This book and series are not for everyone and that is why I can't give full points to this one. But still, it is hundred percent recommended.

Rating: 95/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the book here:

https://amzn.to/3BnViSV

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