ISBN: 0-312-86164-8 Order from: Amazon.com
A straight-forward, classical SF narrative of an unlikely hero taking responsibility for overcoming a villainous peril to a multi-specie compact.
Reviewed by David on November 29, 1998
Genre: Science Fiction (Mystery)
Synopsis: Evesham, a skillful but benevolent hacker living by diverting moderate sums into his accounts, takes an opportunity to emigrate to an idyllic frontier planet with his girlfriend. The planet, Tupelo, is being colonized by representatives of six species, partly as a demonstration of peaceful coexistence on the neutral territory. When he almost accidentally becomes the mayor of the small human community, Evesham reluctantly tries to take his responsibilities seriously, and works at solving the minor problems of the tiny and well-financed colony. However, after his digging uncovers some disturbing facts, Evesham suddenly becomes aware of a conspiracy threatening the peace on the colony, and possibly throughout the settled space.
Full Review: This is a novel in the best tradition of the classical science fiction tale. The alien world and the aliens are but lightly sketched. The evil conspiracy is almost laughably familiar and their plot suspiciously improbable, although the motivations of the conspirators are quite realistic.
The computer hacking episodes are a bit hand-wavy, but are well handled in the old-fashioned space-opera way without metaphysical imagery that so often seems to accompany modern portrayals of computer interaction.
On the positive side, the tone is pleasantly direct. Although the villains are pretty flat, the main and supporting positive characters are both decent and sensible. There is also some humor in the narrative, mostly expressed by the common-sense characters.
O Pioneer! is a pleasant, nostalgic diversion, like a comfort food or a guilty pleasure without the guilt.
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5.5; World-building: 4.5; Originality: 4.5;
Copyright date 1998, Tom Doherty Associates (Tor), May 1998, Cloth, 254 pages
ISBN: 0-312-86164-8 Order from: Amazon.com