Hunted

ISBN: 0-380-80209-0 Order from: Amazon.com

A rapid plot full of twists and conspiracy, colorful if predictable aliens, and a handful of likable characters make this a pleasant, solid diversion despite the flimsy background and villains.

Reviewed by David on December 03, 2000

Genre: Science Fiction (Aliens, Nanotechnology, Intrigue, War)

Synopsis: Edward York is an Explorer, a member of a despised but necessary corps of misfits and rebels used by the Outward Fleet for unpleasant and dangerous tasks. Taking a perverse pride in their role, the undisciplined but well-trained individualists call themselves Expendables.

Edward is not typical. Physically perfect among mostly scarred Expendables, his lack of intelligence and training is made up by his parentage. His father, one of the most powerful admirals of the fleet, has pushed him into the Explorer Corps. For years, good-natured but dim Edward has been in virtual exile on a distant station. But now, when a quaranteed world has suddenly become a hot destination, an urgent evacuation thrusts Edward back into deadly political intrigue.

Full Review: Perhaps perversely, I had finished no less than three SF novels featuring insectoid intelligent races in the last month. Perhaps this overdose is responsible for the painfully stereotypical impression of scent-controlled, hive-bound, caste-specific society. None the less, Gardner manages to imbue his insects with charm, attraction and sympathy. He also adds another alien, this one an advanced symbiont, to the mix. Using the previously described world, and significant presense from the Expandable hero Festina Ramos, the author spends more time on the plot and less on setting up the universe.

On the whole, the plot moves quicky and consistently, and the major characters are sympathetic and intriguing. The major details of conspiracy are predictable, but not overwhelmingly so. The rather cartoonishly venal nature of the human politics still rings false, and the all-powerful League of Peoples smacks more of a plot device than anything else. The villains appear too flatly evil, and much given to convoluted plotting (one expects to see twirling mustaches everywhere).

However, there is enough entertainment and intensity in the novel, and power-hunger is easy enough to visualize. Even the superficial nature of human politics is acknowledged to some extent, perhaps to be explained further in a future book. While lacking the emotional intensity of Vigilant, this book is far more consistently plotted. Gardner seems to be getting more enjoyable with every book; one looks forward to his next novel.

Universe: Expendable

Overall: 6; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 5.5;

ISBN: 0-380-80209-0 Order from: Amazon.com