Tropic of Creation

ISBN: 0-553-58026-4 Order from: Amazon.com

A pleasant, at times gripping adventure of biology and alien politics, this science fiction novel suffers from small scope and several implausible assumptions.

Reviewed by David on February 11, 2001

Genre: Science Fiction (Aliens, Biology, Coming of Age, Politics)

Synopsis: After a fragile peace is concluded between humans and the only other intelligent race in space, the ancient ahtra, a rescue ship landed on an empty desert planet to check for one of the many ships lost during the war. Commanded by Captain Dammond, considered by many shipmates to be a coward, and carrying a family of well-connected civilians, the newcomers are surprised to find the crashed Fury and her crew. However, when they find abandoned ahtra equipment, and tunnels deep under the surface, their investigation turns into a real adventure.

Full Review: The alien but somewhat humanoid ahtra, and their strange but recognizable politics, with their peril to humans, are pleasantly involving, and resemble in some respects the novels of C. J. Cherryh and Paula Downing.

Ahta's biology, as well as the environmental conditions that gave rise to it, play an important role. In addition to the politics, this is also a story of coming of age for a spoiled but capable human girl, and the tale of survival in grave peril.

There a few problems with this pleasant and fast-moving book. First, the ahtra society, despite its interstellar scope and ancient lineage seems too small in scope and lack sophistication. The developments there would have been better suited to a small, isolated colony.

The human reaction to external dangers seems less sophisticated than would be implied by interstellar technology. There is some justification for this in the book, but it still seems a bit artificial. For instance, there are AI-based mechanisms that appear to have no ways to communicate with humans.

There are also some biological aspects that while used in space operas of previous decades, are hard to swallow if considered carefully. The viewpoint shifting, while generally reasonable, was somewhat distracting.

These problems do not, however, prevent this from being a very entertaining novel. In fast reading, it is enjoyable, full of excitement and likable characters acting in interesting ways under stress.

Overall: 6; Plot: 4.5; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 5.5; Originality: 5.5;

ISBN: 0-553-58026-4 Order from: Amazon.com