Customer Reviews

Blue Tyson

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a wonderful collection of short stories all set in Terry Dowling's amazing alternative future Australia. Sand ships, desert AIs, Abo mind-fighters, and other creations are all juxtaposed against racial tensions and lethal power struggles that seem all too plausible. This was the first book I've read by Dowling, and now I can't wait to read more by him. Not perfect, but highly recommended nonetheless, 5 stars for sheer creative thought.

Like most of Terry Dowling's writing, this book is excellent and his representations of a future Australia and of the main character, Tom, are vivid and evoke questions about the directions any society can take.

I love reading Dowling's imaginative and powerful creations and come back to them again and again.

The second book of the Rynosseros Cycle is just about as good as the first, but as a bonus, it is a little longer, with 10 parts rather than 8. That is a fine thing. A veteran of the scene now, Tom Tyson works to find out what is going on, for Nation, and for justice, and starts to get an idea of who he is and why he is haldane sensitive, in 'Breaking Through to the Heroes', and ends with him gaining more insight in 'Totem'. Just more brilliant stuff, really.


Blue Tyson : Breaking Through to the Heroes - Terry Dowling
Blue Tyson : Going to the Angels - Terry Dowling
Blue Tyson : Vanities - Terry Dowling
Blue Tyson : A Dragon Between His Fingers - Terry Dowling
Blue Tyson : Djinn of Anjoulis - Terry Dowling
Blue Tyson : A Song to Keep Them Dancing - Terry Dowling
Blue Tyson : Stoneman - Terry Dowling
Blue Tyson : Privateers' Moon - Terry Dowling
Blue Tyson : Dreaming the Knife - Terry Dowling
Blue Tyson : Totem - Terry Dowling


A scientist with differing views on religion sends his powerful daughter to enlists Tom's aid as an observer in a conflict over changing ideas.

5 out of 5


When a friend of Beth's wants to go into space, Tom is suspicious and uses his Colour status to investigate. He uncovers an horrific Kurdaitcha ethnic cleansing operation.

4.5 out of 5


Tom visits a friend's friend, and finds out a acquaintance is flouting religion and funeral Stone Man custom.

3.5 out of 5


Shannon and Tom are involved in an attempt by a pirate to steal mental ability enhancing animals.

4 out of 5


A Revenant woman asks Tom to witness her doom.

3.5 out of 5


Tom is deliberately involved in the hatred between two members of a crew of created men, that escalates into violence.

4 out of 5


A road-worker discovers the AI destroyer's plot, and his skills come in handy.

4.5 out of 5


An inventor who has a device that can access haldane field information is involved in complicated politics, but overreaches in his archaeological collecting. He changes his will to leave some very important things to Tom.

5 out of 5


A psionic warrior rides Rynosseros, Tom his assassination target for mistaken reasons.

4 out of 5


Tom is assisting an academic investigation of a bioform dumping site, and receives some startling insight in the process.

4 out of 5

This is the second volume in what is currently a three volume collection of Terry Dowling's Tom Tyson/Rynosseros stories. It is excellent, with some thought-provoking and enjoyable stories of Tom's adventures in Australia centuries from now. "Privateer's Moon" is probably the best story in the collection (I also really liked "Going to the Angels") and for my taste "Dreaming The Knife" was the least enjoyable. However, they're all well written and keep you wanting to know what happens next (what more can you ask?) Although it's fine to enter the world of Tyson/Rynosseros with this book, as always with series like this you'll find it easier to follow if you've read some of the earlier stories in the series such as the "Rynosseros" collection.

The good news for Dowling fans is that the first book in the trilogy - "Rynosseros" - has just been reprinted by MirrorDanse Press in Australia. Hopefully this means they will be reissuing "Blue Tyson" and "Twilight Beach" as well in the near future. This would allow new readers to follow the stories of Tom Tyson, survivor of the Madhouse and sand ship sailor extrodinaire, from the beginning in the correct sequence.

A fourth volume of Tyson/Rynosseros stories is apparently complete and awaiting publication.