It was supposed to be a simple test flight, one that pilot Ariane Austin was on only as a last-ditch backup; intelligent, superhumanly fast automation would handle the test activation and flight of humanity's first faster-than-light vessel. But when the Sandrisson Drive activated, every automated system crashed, the nuclear reactor itself shut down, and only the reflexes and training of a racing pilot saved the test vessel Holy Grail from crashing into the impossible wall that had appeared before them, a wall which is just part of a monstrous enclosure surrounding a space twenty thousand kilometers across. With all artificial intelligences inert and their reactor dead, they had to find some other source of power to reactivate the Sandrisson Drive and—hopefully—take them home.
And that was only the beginning. As Ariane, Dr. Simon Sandrisson, darkly enigmatic power engineer Marc C. DuQuesne, and the rest of the Holy Grail's crew explore the immense artifact, they discover that they are not alone; they have entered a place the alien inhabitants call "The Arena," and there is no way out without joining one of the alien factions . . . or winning recognition as a faction in their own right, playing by the Arena's rules—and by the Arena's rules, one failed challenge could mean death or worse—perhaps for the entire human race. Surrounded by alien factions, each with its own secret plans and motivations, some wielding powers so strange as to be magical, Ariane sets out to beat the Arena at its own game. With DuQuesne's strategies, Sandrisson's genius, and her own unyielding determination, she's going to bring the Holy Grail home—even if she has to beat every faction in the Arena to do it!
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Product ReviewSatisfying!
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Product ReviewThis book is marvelous fun to read. The E. E. Smith references float through the story for savor, the science is, as others have noted, fun but doesn't get in the way of the story. I'm hoping for a sequel.
And I'm *never* going to be able to read or hear the words "You have no idea what you're dealing with." without shivering just a bit.
Thank you, Ryk!Posted on
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Product ReviewEngaging story with good novelty, decent characterization of the primary characters. Aliens described effectively, but their their minds and motivations do not seem particularly alien.
Next installment eagerly awaited.Posted on
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Product ReviewWow.. was really suprised. I have not read a great deal from this author but look foreward to more like this. Very good plot, and enough science to be fun but not interfear with the storyline.
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Product ReviewRed the eARC, hope there is a second book (and soon).
Additionally to the great story the book would make an gread background for an RPG.Posted on
