hollow world

February 26, 2015

WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY FINE and HOLLOW WORLD among best books of the year

Alec Checkerfield Uncategorized best of 2014, daryl gregory, elizabeth story, hollow world, horror, Michael J. Sullivan, novella, review, sarah chorn, science fiction, SF Signal, special needs in strange worlds, time travel, we are all completely fine

For her column “Special Needs in Strange Worlds” at SF Signal, Sarah Chorn included both Michael J. Sullivan’s HOLLOW WORLD and Daryl Gregory’s WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY FINE among her best books of 2014.

We Are All Completely Fine by Daryl Gregory
Another Daryl Gregory book. Last year that man was on fire. This one is a novella, and it’s an incredibly powerful novella at that. We Are All Completely Fine follows a close circle of characters going through a few group therapy sessions. They have all had horrible events happen in their pasts, which has psychologically marked them in some pretty realistic, but rather uncomfortable ways. Involved in all of this is a mystery, and some of the best characterization I’ve ever read in a novella. It’s rather fascinating to see how the group dynamic unfolds, sometimes in uncomfortable ways, and how all of these people find answers in the parts of themselves, and their pasts, they’ve tried so hard to ignore, disregard, or sweep under the rug.

Hollow World by Michael J. Sullivan
Hollow World is set in the future, after a bit of time travel. The protagonist, Ellis, ends up fleeing into the future to avoid grueling treatments for a terminal illness. He lands in a future world thinking he’d know what to expect. Instead he finds a completely different kind of society. While there is a mystery that will keep you guessing, the really interesting part of this novel are the questions that Sullivan poses his readers. This future society has basically traded individuality for cures to disease, peace, and prosperity. And Ellis, a man with a terminal illness, finds himself in the middle of all of it. This is a book that will leave you with plenty to ponder long after you finish it.

Read the rest of Chorn’s selections at SF Signal.

For information on WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY FINE visit the Tachyon page.

Cover design by Elizabeth Story.

For information on HOLLOW WORLD, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover by Michael J. Sullivan.

January 8, 2015

The enthralling HOLLOW WORLD is among 2014’s best

Alec Checkerfield Uncategorized best of 2014, hollow world, indie-fantasy, Michael J. Sullivan, mike a wants, only the best science fiction and fantasy, review, science fiction, time travel

Michael J. Sullivan’s Hollow World appears on two more Best of 2014 lists. First one of the top 7 new releases for 2014 as determined by Bryce L. at Only the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy. And then named an honorable mention by Mike A. Wants of Indie-Fantasy.

Why is Hollow World an honorary mention? Because I didn’t read it this (last) year. I’d gotten an ARC and read it in 2013, so technically it wouldn’t count for this list, even if it has been release in 2014. Since there’s no one to oversee myself, I’ll just ignore that and sneak it into the list anyway, if you promise not to tell! You won’t? Good!

Hollow World is a special book. It lacks anything that might make people interested in it and even the time travel is only a token. It is, in essence, a book about an “old” man who has to shift his views to finally, maybe, be able to find some semblance of happiness. The few times some action creeps into the book that rather lowered my personal enjoyment, as it didn’t really fit the rest of the story. It’s simply enthralling to follow Ellis Rogers on his journey and is one of the books in recent memory that has made me feel real feelings. More than just feeling with the characters, the book makes you think and Ellis Rogers struggle might resemble your own. He’s the guy I am and you are and if you haven’t already, I can only recommend you taking a look.

Check out the rest of Wants selections at Indie-Fantasy and Bryce’s choices at Only the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy.

For information on Hollow World, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover by Michael J. Sullivan.

December 31, 2014

HOLLOW WORLD garners further notice as one of the best of books of 2014

Alec Checkerfield Uncategorized best of 2014, fiction hideout, hollow world, Michael J. Sullivan, milo mj, science fiction, time travel

Milo MJ of The Fictional Hangout included Michael J. Sullivan’s Hollow World among his top books of 2014.

Read the rest of Milo MJ’s selections at The Fictional Hangout.

For information on Hollow World, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover by Michael J. Sullivan.

December 24, 2014

HOLLOW WORLD is one of the best books of 2014

Alec Checkerfield Uncategorized best of 2014, brannigan cheney, hollow world, Michael J. Sullivan, qwillery, science fiction, time travel

At The Qwillery, Brannigan Cheney named Michael J. Sullivan’s Hollow World as one of his top three books of 2014.

My favorite science fiction book of the year is Hollow World by Michael J. Sullivan. It’s a thought-provoking and entertaining time traveler’s tale. I read and reviewed this book back in January, and yet it’s still fresh in my mind and has stayed my number one science fiction book of the year. Ellis and Pax are great characters that help Sullivan progress the plot and pose questions for the reader to spend time with. I hope Sullivan finds time to revisit this wonderful world in the future, I, for one, would love it.

Read the rest of Cheney’s picks at The Qwillery.

For information on Hollow World, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover by Michael J. Sullivan.

November 12, 2014

HOLLOW WORLD is nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award

Alec Checkerfield Uncategorized goodreads, goodreads choice award, hollow world, Michael J. Sullivan, science fiction, time travel

Michael J. Sullivan’s Hollow World is a semi-finalist for the Goodreads Choice Award for the Best Science Fiction of 2014.

Congratulations to Michael and the rest of the nominees.

For the rest of the nominees and details about the award, visit the Goodreads page.

For information on Hollow World, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover by Michael J. Sullivan.

September 25, 2014

HOLLOW WORLD: “oh man, wow”

Alec Checkerfield Uncategorized fred phillips, hollow world, Michael J. Sullivan, review, science fiction, the royal library, time travel

Fred Phillips of The Royal Library overcame his trepidations about Michael J. Sullivan’s Hollow World to lavish it with praise.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Sullivan’s work. His tales of the Riryia are some of my favorite fantasy discoveries of recent years – the kind of rousing, old school adventure tales that brought me to the genre in the first place. Now, he suddenly shifts to science fiction, a genre that I don’t read often and am very picky about what I do read.

But the Riryia tales were too good for me not to give “Hollow World” a go, and, oh man, wow.

<snip>

Rather than get lost in the minutiae of individual issues, Sullivan looks at the bigger picture and forces readers to think about the bigger questions: What is the nature of love? What does Utopia look like? Is it even possible for there to be a perfect society or, for that matter, a perfect human being?

It’s also nice that Sullivan doesn’t get lost in the science part of the genre, trying to over-explain the mechanics of time travel. Instead, he provides an explanation that’s plausible, though certainly wouldn’t hold up to scientific testing, and uses the device to take a closer look at humanity. That’s the kind of science fiction that I like.

“Hollow World” recalls the classic “idea” science fiction of authors like Asimov and Philip K. Dick, and as much as I enjoy the fun of the Riryia tales, I hope that Sullivan might one day provide us more think-pieces like this one. He’s good at it.

Read the rest of Phillips’ review at The Royal Library.

For information on Hollow World, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover by Michael J. Sullivan.

September 5, 2014

The unforgettable HOLLOW WORLD offers lovable characters

Alec Checkerfield Uncategorized clay ashby, hollow world, Michael J. Sullivan, review, science fiction, time travel

Clay Ashby lavishes Michael J. Sullivan’s Hollow World with praise.

It did affect me, especially toward the end. Some really interesting questions are raised, and I felt like I needed to think while I was reading. There are particular parts that I won’t forget.

<snip>

I say, “read it”. Maybe not as your first Sullivan book, but put it on your list. Even if Science Fiction is not your thing I think this book is a good read. The story is good and the characters are lovable, and identifiable. Also, pick up his other books. You won’t be disappointed.

Read the rest of Ashby’s review on his eponymous site.

For information on Hollow World, visit the Tachyon page.

Cover by Michael J. Sullivan.

July 23, 2014

HOLLOW WORLD is thoroughly enjoyable and engaging

Alec Checkerfield Uncategorized hollow world, interzone, Michael J. Sullivan, review, science fiction, simon marshall-jones, time travel

In the July (253) issue of Interzone, Simon Marshall-Jones heaps praise upon Michael J. Sullivan’s Hollow World.

Sullivan has, at least superficially, woven a sparky science-fiction yarn, but that would be too shallow a reading; there’s a lot more going on here than that. It explores the nature of love, one’s relationship to oneself and to others, to one’s environment and how it shapes human beings (both as individuals and collectively), as well as looking at how the Other is perceived.

<snip>

Sullivan writes fluidly, his vivid descriptions and characterisations being especially sharp. He paints the world in bright lights and shiny colours, while Ellis Rogers is drawn as being out of joint with the new world (having been similarly burdened in his own time) as well as a man heavily infected by guilt.

<snip>

This is a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging story with a satisfying philosophical edge elevating it entirely. Recommended.

Read the rest of Marshall-Jones’ review in the latest issue of Interzone.

For information on Hollow World, visit the Tachyon page.

July 15, 2014

Reviewers agree: HOLLOW WORLD is enjoyable

Alec Checkerfield Uncategorized hollow world, maggie jones, Michael J. Sullivan, mick happy reviews, not yet read, reviews, science fiction, time travel

Michael J. Sullivan’s Hollow World recently got reviewed twice with similar results.

Maggie Jones at Not Yet Read offered this interpretation.

Hollow World is enjoyable, has a fantastic concept and doesn’t fit well into any one category, which is appealing to me. But best of all, I enjoyed it. I can see many people reading this and coming to wildly different conclusions and feelings, it is really just that fascinating. I am probably going to recommend this to a lot of people I know so that we can have some dialogue on it.

<snip>

So- the world-building, concept and idea are all 5-star for me. I like the characters, but not as much as the world. I would be more interested in the stories of the inhabitants, or perhaps the stories some of the pioneers who built this world and saved humanity from disaster. The ending feels almost mournful, reminiscent of I Am Legend by Richard Matheson.

Read the rest of Jones’ review at Not Yet Read.

Meanwhile Mick Happy Reviews delivers these sentiments.

Anyone who has been reading my recent posts knows I like time travel or stories when people from our world go to a new one. This fish-out-of-water scenario is always interesting when it involves the future and we get to see the author’s speculation of what the future might hold for mankind. Mr. Sullivan’s take on the future in Hollow World is interesting and thought-provoking and will force the reader to question what the purpose of life is and how do sexuality and religion play a part in it. Luckily it doesn’t beat those topics over your head, after all there is still an interesting story going on in there as well.

One thing I did find with Hollow World is that a few of the big reveals were possibly too heavily foreshadowed meaning they didn’t have quite the impact that they could have. On the other hand, it was nice to actually guess a few events in the story rather than just go along for the ride. Either way, it doesn’t detract from Hollow World being a good book and rating 4 Mick Happies for me. I recommend you give it a shot and if you buy it in print form you can get a free e-book copy from the author. Additionally, the e-book comes with two versions of the book, the explicit language one and the clean version. See you in the future.

Read the rest of it at Mick Happy Reviews.

For information on Hollow World, visit the Tachyon page.

May 23, 2014

HOLLOW WORLD receives more praise & Michael J. Sullivan gets interviewed

Alec Checkerfield Uncategorized hollow world, interview, kel munger, lit/rant, Michael J. Sullivan, review, science fiction, ten minute interviews

Kel Munger of Lit/Rant praises Michael J. Sullivan’s Hollow World and Tachyon Publications.

Full of plot twists and great character development, Michael J. Sullivan’s novel offers several unusual perspectives on gender, work, individuality, our propensity toward violence, and what makes us human.

<snip>

Hollow World is one more piece of evidence that Tachyon Publications is bringing some original and fascinating science fiction to readers.

For the rest of Munger’s review, visit Lit/Rant.

Over at Ten Minute Interviews Sullivan discusses Hollow World, writing, and self-publishing.

How did the story of Hollow World take shape?

It started out as a short story I was writing to help an editor who was trying to showcase some new authors. It was a donated work being used as an “anchor piece.” When I finished, I realized I had found the tip of a very large iceberg. The first people who read it (my wife and two writer friends), had the exact same reaction. To do the concept justice, it really needed to be a full-length novel. So I wrote a different short for that anthology and reworked and expanded that original work into what became Hollow World.

During the writing of Hollow World, were you at all fearful that the fans who knew you as a fantasy author wouldn’t embrace your transition into sci-fi?

I’m not sure I would classify it as “fearful.” I thought it was a very real possibility, and still do. For me, the books I write aren’t written to maximize readership. I just write a book that I want to read and hope that there my tastes are similar enough to others that it will find a decent following. Even if Hollow World never sold any copies, I still would still have been glad that I wrote it. This was an idea that once it was planted in my head wouldn’t let me go until I got it down on paper. It’s still very early to know if Hollow World will be a financial success, but I’ve already achieved what I set out for regarding this book.

For the rest of the interview, visit Ten Minute Interviews.

For information on Hollow World, visit the Tachyon page.

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