Series
Publication
New York : TOR, 2008.
Description
Drawing on themes from classic space opera works, a fast-paced tale follows the adventures of Captain Amos January and a host of rivals struggling to obtain an ancient pre-human artifact of great power that incites murderous actions in those who seek it. By the Robert A. Heinlein Award-winning author of Eifelheim.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Caragen87
Old style Adventure told as a Bar-side tale
This one harks back to what I think SciFi should be: Adventure and exploration-- both of alien worlds and the alien world that is the Future.
This author hails from a more European veiw-- so the Sci-Fi isn't America/US centered. And be warned, this guy is
The story begins with the age-old concept: A limping space ship sends a party to an undiscovered old world and finds alien artifacts.
But after this point, the story heads off and outwards dancing from world to world and character to character until you will be dizzied with the complexity of the Known Universe this writer has created.
Adventure, Swashbuckler, Spy vs Spy, and a sense of human worlds that are already OLD and of course. . Alien Mystery.
Give this writer a try.
This one harks back to what I think SciFi should be: Adventure and exploration-- both of alien worlds and the alien world that is the Future.
This author hails from a more European veiw-- so the Sci-Fi isn't America/US centered. And be warned, this guy is
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deep with his cultural references from around the globe. The future he crafts is a strange amalgam of our current disparate cultures from the west to the far east melted and blended unevenly under the blow-torch of Time.The story begins with the age-old concept: A limping space ship sends a party to an undiscovered old world and finds alien artifacts.
But after this point, the story heads off and outwards dancing from world to world and character to character until you will be dizzied with the complexity of the Known Universe this writer has created.
Adventure, Swashbuckler, Spy vs Spy, and a sense of human worlds that are already OLD and of course. . Alien Mystery.
Give this writer a try.
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LibraryThing member dallenbaugh
Space Opera Sci Fi with a twist, a twisting stone that is, made by pre-humans, and with 3 different plots twisting around each other while all are trying to obtain this stone and thus to obtain infinite power over others. Many died and no one won. A good read with interesting, complex characters.
LibraryThing member klh
Good straight-up space opera with lots of early enigmas that kept me reading to find the answers. Nice mix of disparate characters with differing agendas and points of view. Very interesting basis for FTL travel, good variety of planets and social systems, with vivid descriptions.
LibraryThing member DavidLErickson
Tramp space freighter captain stops for repairs at a distant planet and discovers an alien ship with artifacts. He keeps the only one that could be removed, the Dancer, and what unfolds is an extraordinary story that spans the outer reaches of the galactic arm.
The opening scene caught my attention
I was rather surprised at the ending as I hadn't expected such a logical solution. Still it provided a satisfying conclusion, though I was a little miffed that the scarred man's identity wasn't revealed.
Overall a lengthy, but good read. This is the style of writing that wins scifi awards, though I prefer less convolution and far less time delving into the minds and motivations of the characters. For someone who does love this, I would recommend this book.
The opening scene caught my attention
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and though I felt Michael was a tad too wordy at places, it proved to be an entertaining read. The cast of characters (unique, realistic and fraught with human foibles) was almost too many to follow and the stories at first appeared independent of each other, but the pieces made sense coming together near the end.I was rather surprised at the ending as I hadn't expected such a logical solution. Still it provided a satisfying conclusion, though I was a little miffed that the scarred man's identity wasn't revealed.
Overall a lengthy, but good read. This is the style of writing that wins scifi awards, though I prefer less convolution and far less time delving into the minds and motivations of the characters. For someone who does love this, I would recommend this book.
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LibraryThing member rmagahiz
I was put off by the uninteresting characters put in insufficiently compelling situations, even though I had the sense that the galaxy-spanning settings might have been put together well.
LibraryThing member Cataloger623
I loved the story. The work was had to read, yet worth it. Nothing is spoon fed to the reader. I agree that it is two stories but I think they are interwoven expectonaly well. This is a spy story set in space, and an epic poem. Spies have multiple lives, poems do not fit a simple narrative form. I
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think its worth buying. I'm glad my library did. I will read more of this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member JudyGibson
One thing I appreciate in science fiction--and this book has it--is a fully realized background universe. The characters are interesting and the writing above the general level. I liked the idea that though the human race has spread through the galaxy the only sign of aliens is remnants of long
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extinct civilizations. Gives an idea of how long the universe has been around and how rare life may be. Show Less
LibraryThing member haloedrain
It took me a while to get into this one--it starts by introducing you to *all* the characters via multiple backstories, and the brief introductions and dry tone make it hard to get interested in any of them. It got a lot better once the cast stabilized, though.
Awards
Locus Award (Nominee — Science Fiction Novel — 2009)
Prometheus Award (Nominee — Novel — 2009)
Locus Recommended Reading (2008)
Language
Original publication date
2008
Physical description
350 p.; 25 cm
ISBN
9780765318176