Take three: A Vision of Fire, Bete, War Dogs

All the publicity for A Vision of Fire has focused around Gillian Anderson, who says that after living in the "semi-science-fictional universe" of the X-Files, she now has "an ingrained knowledge and rhythm" for that world. Most of A Vision of Fire, was, however, apparently written by co-author Jeff Rovin. Anderson simulacra, Dr Caitlin O'Hara, a child psychologist specialising in traumatised children, is called in to treat the Indian UN ambassador's daughter who is suffering violent fits and apocalyptic visions, which may be related to a nuclear war threat between India and Pakistan. Caitlin is thrust into a global crisis that dramatically reaches back to "the finger of God".

Bete
By Adam Roberts. Gollancz. $29.99.

Bete begins in a near future British "animal farm", where animals can speak after being fitted with AI chips by animal rights activists. Roberts' central character, farmer Graham Penhaligon, vehemently resists this dramatic form of animal liberation, informing the cow he is about to kill: "Don't call me Graham". The cow's response, "Won't you at least Turing-test me", provides the setting for a wide examination of identity and intelligence, both human and animal. As animals begin to take over the countryside and humans retreat to the cities, Roberts juxtaposes ethical and economic issues in a novel that sits within the best traditions of dark satirical SF.

War Dogs
By Greg Bear. Gollancz. $29.99.

War Dogs begins in classic Greg Bear style. An alien race offers Earth unprecedented technological advances if they will help fight their enemies, the "Antags" , who have established a beachhead on Mars. Bear's main character, Master Sergeant Michael Venn, is a veteran "Skyrine", marines who literally drop out of the sky, in this case to the surface of Mars. Venn's much reduced platoon must not only fight the Antags, but also survive harsh Martian conditions and antagonistic colonial settlers, almost parodies of South African Voortrekkers. Bear loses the pace a little in this human confrontation, but in the end, the SF sense of wonder returns.