Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy discussion

This is our discussion of the story:


"Kheldyu" by Karl Schroeder

This story was originally published in Reach for Infinity

This story is part of the The Best SF&F of the Year, vol 9 (2014) group anthology discussion.

★★★
Synopsis: Near SF environmentalism action thriller featuring main protagonist Gennady Malianov - a Ukrainian contractor who appeared a couple of times in Schroeder's stories. He helps an energy tycoon reopening a huge solar updraft tower in a remote area of Sibiria, following a new business plan - which isn't as clean as it started anymore.

Review: Decent read, fast going action and a thoughtful main protagonist. I liked the setting in a post-peak oil and global warming world combining big scoped high-tech used for carbon sequestration.

"Kheldyu" by Karl Schroeder

A story of evil corporations and environmental terrorism/activism in a post-global warming world. Not exactly a heavyweight story, but there is some actual science interleaved with the action and overall it's likable enough.

Not sure I buy Nadine's remorse at the death of the engineers and bodyguards. What did she think would happen when she set the forest around them on fire?

★★★