ISBN: 0-756-40260-3 Order from: Amazon.com
Likable and multi-dimensional characters, suspense, fast-moving plot and a sense of humor combine in an enjoyable, sometimes breathtaking, read.
Reviewed by David on March 06, 2005
Genre: Science Fiction (Aliens, Biology)
Synopsis: Dr. Mackenzie Connor, who insits on being called Mac, loves her work. But being a salmon researcher is not as easy as it once was, after her enlightening, and often terrifying trip through space and her exposure to the Dhryn, an aggressive species now threatening many worlds.
Her normal research is frequently interrupted by both natural disasters and Mac's nighmares. Mac's attempts to find out about the Dhryn are stymied by the Ministry of Extra-Sol affairs, who prefers to classify all news about interstellar threats, and wants no meddling by unqualified fish scientists, thank you very much.
However, the struggle is becoming deadly for everybody in the Interstellar Union, and the ambivalent Mac is soon involved. Between opportunistic species politics, enigmatic allies and interfering beaurecrats Mac struggles just to identify the enemy. But if she—and her friends—don't do something, the civilization may be wiped out from the galaxy. For the Dhryn are on the move.
Full Review: The story continues where Survival left off. While not required, reading the first book will be useful to introduce the main characters. And the characters are worth introduction—Mac herself, capable and vulnerable; her friends, opponents and allies, are all sympathetic if sometimes exasperating.
The characters are the best part of the book, as their fear, exhaustion, snatches of pleasure and amusement pull on the reader's emotions.
The main puzzle, with elements of both science fiction and mystery, is satisfying, with assumptions always under question, and appearances always in doubt. But it's not a novel of paranoia: the main character is almost obsessed with finding good or at least understandable elements in every adversary. And for the most part, she succeeds.
The pacing of the novel is good, with ever increasing tension interrupted by all-too-brief times of contentment and humor. And the conclusion succeeds in the difficult task of providing both intense satisfaction and intense desire to know what happens next.
In short, the book is a delight, and highly recommended.
Overall: 7.5; Plot: 7; Characters: 7.5; Style: 7.5; World-building: 8; Originality: 7.5;
Copyright date 2005, DAW Books, May 2005, Cloth
ISBN: 0-756-40260-3 Order from: Amazon.com