They Thought They Knew How The Universes Worked—
THEY WERE WRONG
In the almost two centuries since the discovery of the first inter-universal portal, Arcana has explored scores of other worlds . . . all of them duplicates of their own. Multiple Earths, virgin planets with a twist, because the "explorers" already know where to find all of their vast, untapped natural resources. Worlds beyond worlds, effectively infinite living space and mineral wealth.
And in all that time, they have never encountered another intelligent species. No cities, no vast empires, no civilizations and no equivalent of their own dragons, gryphons, spells, and wizards.
But all of that is about to change. It seems there is intelligent life elsewhere in the multiverse. Other human intelligent life, with terrifying new weapons and powers of the mind . . . and wizards who go by the strange title of "scientist."
"Packs enough punch to blast a starship to smithereens."
—Publisher's Weekly on David Weber's "Honorverse" series
"It is impossible not to be entertained, delighted, even enthralled by this splendid piece of storytelling."
—Booklist
". . . an outstanding blend of military/technical writing balanced by superb character development and an excellent degree of human drama . . . very highly recommended."—Wilsin Library Bulletin
-
Product ReviewI have to say that while I liked the book, any future editions MUST have maps of both homeworlds, the Hell's Gate world, and those immediately connecting. I had to spend too much time trying to work out who was where, and complaining to my wife that there were no maps! Unfortunately I had to rate this book OK rather than Good, because it really can't stand on it's own. It is almost more of a bunch of characters studies and politics with a couple of battles thrown in the mix. While I thought this book should have had a more fullfilling ending, I very much enjoy the universe (or multi-verse) that it starts. While I only rate the book an OK, I rate the multi-verse ARC a Good boardering on Great. We'll have to see where the authors take it...
Posted on
-
Product ReviewThe big problem with this book, despite the fact that it is sold as "backward magic-using protagonists encounter antagonist civilization based on 'science'", is that it is an 'epic' in which all the details, the unrelenting, tedious details, much of it simply unecessary, of both unique civilizations are given equal time, and the protagonists and antagonists are individuals within each civilization. This means in practice, with double the characters and background data-dumps that read like a direct copy of Weber's early notes, that it takes at least two books to tell a complete story... Oops, check the reviews for the second book: it is going to take three books to tell a single story. This one just simply cuts-off in the middle, and the second one ended with a cliffhanger. The killer is that the 'magic-user', gene-modifying civ is actually more scientific about their technology than the so-called 'scientific' civ, which is roughly at a tech-level of the mid-to-late steam age, but with 'magic' of their own in the form of 'mind-powers'. The fact that the author's have to explain two alien civilizations with relatively few points common to our own is probably the biggest culprit. The feeling that the second civilization should have just been a near copy of our own kept popping up, since that would have allowed the authors to spend much more time on other things. However, one really cool thing that can now be introduced in the future is that our own civilization could be introduced as a third combatant, possibly as an antagonist that unites the two currently warring civilizations. Since the gates between universes are coming into existence over time, and since the events in the book could actually be from our far future, it is very plausible that our future Earth could come into contact with these other Earths, showing them what 'real' science actually is.
Posted on
-
Product ReviewThis book really reminds me of Raymond E. Feist riftwar saga.
Which says i enjoyed this book a lot, the bigger emphasis in the technology and paranormal extrasensory difference makes it a entertaining if not bitter and foreseen clashes.
Ultimately it's the focus in the mechanics of the how the two culture clash over it's tangible evidence.
The Tools of War.
The inevitable mix of human emotion hits you hard, but i have to admit the close similarity the names two opposing civilizations characters can be distracting as you frantically try to remember who is who.
But if you can overlook this little minor faults (as well have a list of all the cast) it will be a great book to read.Posted on
-
Product Review
Posted on
-
Product Reviewgreat series so far. Complex, multiple story lines which intersect. Some future events predictable, but others not. Will a third civilization be encountered, making this a three-way story? If so, will it be human body type, or alien?
Posted on
-
Product ReviewThis was a great book! The only drawback it might possibly have had is that it is the start of a new series. However, with intelligently thought out charicters, nations, and whole multi-universal societies is fabulous. A+
Posted on
-
Product Review
Posted on
-
Product ReviewInteresting and novel twist on tech-magic-industrial development and conflict. The meeting of one society based on primarily on magic, and the other with something similar to a 19th-century industrial base (with some psi thrown in). When they meet, there is friction, and conflict follows. There is much more Weber than Evans influence here. Those looking for classic Weber in a novel setting will be happy. Those looking for more will be disappointed; once the novelty wears off, it's predictable to a fault. I bought this because Evan's name is on it, not Weber's; while I still find Weber entertaining, the cookie-cutter is wearing thin. I hope Ms. Evans has more influence in future volumes. As to complaints about following the characters, the second volume "Hell Hath No Fury" helps remedy that with a cast of characters at the end. (However, see my comments on that volume before you buy it.)
Posted on
-
Product Review
Posted on
-
Product ReviewWhy do authors have to get cute & invent really weird names for people & places? I got lost trying to keep track. It doesn't have to be John Doe & Kansas but it should be something comprehensible enough that you know who's who in the zoo without a scorecard. It was worse than trying to read the full 6 volume version of War and Peace. I finally was forced to give it up. As to the plot, the name problem had me to confused to follow it. A few odd names is one thing but everybody, everywhere & every place is far too much. Authors who have to resort to that do not impress me at all. And I have pretty much everything else Webers ever written so this is series specific.
Posted on
