ISBN: 0-345-38825-7 Order from: Amazon.com
A mildly pleasing but devoid of suspense plot allows little room for growth to the almost boringly admirable characters.
Reviewed by David on August 01, 1999
Genre: Science Fiction (Aliens, Interstellar Civilizations, Space Exploration)
Synopsis: In the far future, the society has evolved in pronounced, but apparently not completely stratified classes. A scion of a First Family, the young Nimisha is all a dutiful daughter should be—and more. Well-educated, graceful and gracious, she is also an excellent pilot and an outstanding naval architect. When a test flight of one of her advanced prototypes plunges her down a spacial wormhole, Nimisha has to use her wits, her technology and her common sense to survive and prosper on a remote planet many light years away from civilization.
Full Review: While the characters in this novel are admirable, attractive and frequently witty, the conflicts they experience, against hostile nature and hostile adeversaries are so simple that they have hardly any room for the reader's sympathy. There is quite a bit of exploration here, and hints of brutal deprivation. However, the main characters, including Nimisha and her family are mostly assailed by boredom. Even romantic tension is barely developed before everyone starts to have healthy, intelligent children.
While competently done, the lack of excitement in this book indicates that only the fans of Ms. McCaffrey would really enjoy this unoriginal novel.
Universe: Coelura
Overall: 4.5; Plot: 5; Characters: 4.5; Style: 4; World-building: 4.5; Originality: 5;
Copyright date 1999, Ballantine Publishing Group (Del Rey), February 1999, Cloth, 388 pages
ISBN: 0-345-38825-7 Order from: Amazon.com