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branch_c's review
4.0
Elegant and engaging, this is a confident continuation of the Remillard saga, told by Rogi but focusing on Denis, the first true mental giant in the line, and an appropriately cool and studious character. It's also the story of Kieran and Shannon O'Connor, fascinating and relatable characters in spite of their darker natures, and Victor, a less relatable but certainly believable villain. Once again May tells a masterful near future story - written in '87 but extending through 2013, plenty of elements ring true, including the speculation of increasing Islamist violence in the Middle East. She overextends her predictions of advances in transportation and space technology while underestimating those in communications, but that's easily forgiven. The world she depicts is clearly recognizable as our own, or what it could be with mental powers growing among the population. The climax comes up rather abruptly, after the fairly leisurely pace of the rest of the story, but it's well crafted and satisfying. An enjoyable read, moving on to the next one soon!
laileanah's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This is actually a single story split into 2 books in the paperback versions I own.
So I decided to review the novels with a combined review with The Surveillance rather than this book individually.
This was written in the late 80s as part of a bridge duology connecting two related series first started in the early 80s.
It bears many of the hallmarks of fantasty/sci-fi crossover that existed in that time period in this genre.
I enjoy the writing, light, interesting with unique aliens, and just adore Uncle Rogi.
My only complaint would be that I find this mid-series duology a bit slow, dry, and not an engrossing as either Pliocene Exile series, which precedes this duology nor the The Galactic Milieu trilogy which follows it.
This also introduces most of The Remillard Clan, a family that is pivotal in the alien contact, which is central to the duology and the entire extended series.
This duology does offer crucial background information that fleshes out the previous Pliocene Exile series as well as provides pertinent background information for the following Galactic Milieu trilogy.
Though it definitely fits the era in which this was published, this features largely white characters. Furthermore, it has a troubling premise, which is that powerful telepathy is restricted to a few European branches and pretty much individually in other racial populations.
There's dated and colonial views of formerly colonized nations.
Some uncomfortable focus on genes and bloodlines, to the extent of inbreeding. It's probably common when this was written dated and a tad fascist & dated now.
So I decided to review the novels with a combined review with The Surveillance rather than this book individually.
This was written in the late 80s as part of a bridge duology connecting two related series first started in the early 80s.
It bears many of the hallmarks of fantasty/sci-fi crossover that existed in that time period in this genre.
I enjoy the writing, light, interesting with unique aliens, and just adore Uncle Rogi.
My only complaint would be that I find this mid-series duology a bit slow, dry, and not an engrossing as either Pliocene Exile series, which precedes this duology nor the The Galactic Milieu trilogy which follows it.
This also introduces most of The Remillard Clan, a family that is pivotal in the alien contact, which is central to the duology and the entire extended series.
This duology does offer crucial background information that fleshes out the previous Pliocene Exile series as well as provides pertinent background information for the following Galactic Milieu trilogy.
Though it definitely fits the era in which this was published, this features largely white characters. Furthermore, it has a troubling premise, which is that powerful telepathy is restricted to a few European branches and pretty much individually in other racial populations.
There's dated and colonial views of formerly colonized nations.
Some uncomfortable focus on genes and bloodlines, to the extent of inbreeding. It's probably common when this was written dated and a tad fascist & dated now.
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