ISBN: 0-765-34906-X Order from: Amazon.com
Reviewed by David on February 27, 2005
Genre: Science Fiction (Parallel Worlds, Biology)
Synopsis: This concludes the trilogy started in Hominids and continued in Humans. The Neanderthal physicist Ponter Boddit, experimenting with a massive quantum computer, was accidentally tranported to our world. As the relations between the two worlds deepen, so does the affection between Ponter and the Canadian geneticist Mary Vaughan. But while cross-species romance has its challenges, they become secondary to deadly intrigue. Mary and Ponter friends must save lives, even as they dream of creating new ones.
Full Review: In this final book, the plot remains brisk. There is some character development, mostly as Mary tries to cope with Neanderthal traditions. The title of the book is reflected in several ways, as several characters do their best to combine genes, social rules and science across both worlds.
Alas, the plot remains predictable, affected by both standards cliches and excess political correctness. The cost of the brisk and often exciting plot is the characters act willy-nilly, taking important decisions as though reading acts from a play.
Another source of frustration is the plethora of scientific marvels, in the tradition of old science fiction. Instead of one wonder and the tremendous implications of it, there are many wonderful inventions and phenomena, many from recent scientific speculation. The final result is damaging to the suspension of disbelief.
On the whole, the trilogy is enjoyable as long as one's expectations are not overly high. The brisk if predictable plot, and the likable if not overly complex characters make for a quick diversion across the three plump books.
Copyright: 2003
Series Name: Neanderthal Parallax
Plot: 4; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5.5; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 4.5;
Tom Doherty Associates (Tor), November 2004, Mass-market paperback, 394 pages
ISBN: 0-765-34906-X Order from: Amazon.com