ISBN: 0-312-87495-2 Order from: Amazon.com
An omnibus edition of two time-travel novels, this book features fast action, vague explanations of magic-like scientific brakthroughs, incredibly capable but somewhat dense heroes, and sketchy plots.
Reviewed by David on November 29, 2000
Genre: Science Fiction (Time Travel, ESP, Coming of Age)
Synopsis: As a well-developed world plunges into warfare, a mysterious and horribly destructive invasion nearly wipes out humanity. A handful of people prove to be gifted with the almost miraculous power to jump in time and space. Scouring the universe for their tools, the handful defend the remaining civilization against chaos and destruction.
A unique fluke allows a handful of gifted people on Query to discover space jumping, just before war and invasion wipe them out completely. Sammis, a descendant of prosecuted "witches" barely survives the upheaval. When he joins the group of Divers, he starts to excercise the ability and discovers an even more precious talent: ability to dive in time, as well as in space. Coping with fighting and civil war that threaten the remains of their world, the Divers, led by young Sammis, struggle to survive, as well as insure the survival of their civilization.
A very long time later, a young timediver, Loki, joins the time partol on Query. While talented and strong, his stubborness leads him into a quiet rebellion against the temporal organization. Ultimately, his strength may be critical to Query's survival—or its destruction.
Full Review: Modesitt writes novels out of building blocks: the names, attitudes, even countries are recognizable from his other works. The Norse God names are familiar, as well as Recluce-like remnants of empires. In a more subtle sense, his alienated, but extremely powerful, even god-like hero, is familiar as well. His heroes, especially male ones, are often slow to develop their power, and even slower to recognize their role in the coming revolution. Their opponents are frequently obviously power-hungry and manipulative, and their female companions are usually more perceptive, albeit a lot weaker.
The books in this omnibus provide plenty of entertaining action, with mostly likable heroes. The best way to read them is quickly, as most of the scientific inventions are implausible, and justifications for characters' actions portentious but nonsensical. Characters outside of the hero or his allies are very superficial and frequently foolish and short-sighted, and, especially in the second half, several sub-plots are barely sketched.
Overall, this omnibus makes for good "airplane" material, when one is inclined to read without paying too much attention to the plot. Its lack of characterization and significant plot flaws however do not stand up well to more leisurely reading.
Includes: The Timegod; Timediver's Dawn
Overall: 5; Plot: 4; Characters: 4.5; Style: 5; World-building: 4.5; Originality: 5;
Copyright date 1992-1993, Tom Doherty Associates (Tor), August 2000, Cloth, 507 pages
ISBN: 0-312-87495-2 Order from: Amazon.com