Berserker

I first met the Berserker stories in one of the SF magazines - Analog or Astounding, I forget which - as a teenager.

When I read EVERYTHING SF-related I could get my hands on.

These stood out: they were highly technological, clever, well written - and they had big, nasty machines that just wanted to kill people.

I went on to find them in collections, and then - finally! - in book form, such as the one reviewed. However, what I say for this goes for them all: this is a SUPERB series of stories, whether in novel, novella or short story format, and something every SF fan worth their salt should read.

I defy you to not be moved by "Masque of the Red Shift"; not to be caught up in the story arc of "Stone Place"; not to have shivers up your spine generally at the sheer and implacable enmity of berserkers.

They are Daleks for the adults - with a great story around every one. And you may even come to feel a sneaking admiration for them. I know I did.