ISBN: 0-756-40345-6 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
A fast-paced, tense and satisfying conclusion to the trilogy of interstellar conflict, the book has excellent characters, plenty of adventures, but implausible villains.
Reviewed by David on May 07, 2006
Genre: Science Fiction (Aliens, Biology)
Synopsis: Dr. Mackenzie Connor, usually known as Mac, abandoned her beloved field of salmon research to help defend against an interstellar threat. Convinced that the deadly Dhryn species is being used as a biological weapon by other, more inimical aliens, Mac is trying to balance concern for her friends against the threat to entire planets and races.
Finding the biological explanations behind the conflict may be key to survival, but the research is increasingly difficult amidst the desperate politics and intrigue of the many races of the Interstellar Union.
Full Review: The story is the conclusion of the trilogy started in Survival and continued in Migration. Reading the previous books will make a significant difference in understanding and appreciating this one.
The author continues to create and maintain entertaining, challenging alien characters, which appeal despite being solidly and plausible non-human. The human characters are also remarkably appealing: Mac herself, with an excellent combination of competence and vulnerability, with her own brand of unshakable honor, her loyalty, doubts and wry humor; the volatile and brillian Emily, and Mac's unexpected romantic interest, Nick.
The supporting cast is no less appealing, and the pace which interleaves nearly constant tension with effective but brief episodes of humor works very well.
The only flaw comes at the tense and dramatic end—while the action is satisfying, the main adversaries seem weak and implausible.
Still, on the whole, the trilogy is very enjoyable, with its solid pacing, deceptively low-key heroine who quickly captures one's sympathy, excellent characters and fascinating collage of exotic and appealing races.
Overall: 7; Plot: 6; Characters: 7.5; Style: 7.5; World-building: 8; Originality: 7.5;
Copyright date 2006, DAW Books, May 2006, Cloth
ISBN: 0-756-40345-6 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com