Customer Reviews

The Breaking Earth

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

 

 

The front and back covers of this book would have you believing the plot centers around a global ecological catastrophe. Indeed, there are earthquakes, tsunamis, tidal waves, and calamity galore. But this is all quite incidental to the actual story; it merely provides the setting for an action-filled "adventure in the future" tale.
In classic space opera fashion, we have a reluctant hero with a hazy background who stumbles across a mystery. The mystery, as you may expect, sucks him in and soon has him running for his life. He encounters a foreign woman - at least, she doesn't speak any language he recognizes - and saves her life. Though he barely knows her, he finds himself strangely attracted to her and repeatedly risks his life to keep her alive. Then he loses her . . . and finds her . . . and loses her, while cheating death at every turn. Who is trying to kill him, and her; or do the mysterious strangers really want them dead, or alive for some sinister purpose? Before we're done, he encounters an ancient civilization and an evil force that's been brought to light by the global calamity. Then he has to save humanity, and hopefully get the girl.
This is a really good old-school sci-fi adventure, fast moving and interesting. It stops short of being great though. Our hero tends to find just the right person or thing he needs, just when he needs it. For instance, he's given a mysterious coin, drives hundreds of miles, checks into a hotel, and lo! there is a numismatic convention just a few floors away from his room. If you can ignore the string of coincidences, and our hero's tendency to absorb and shake off more damage than Dirk Pitt on a bad day, this is a pretty darn good read. Recommended.

In The Breaking Earth, Keith is at his best. The plot has more twist and turns then a slinky. The Sci-Fi is down to Earth (no pun intended;). The scenario is Earth 21st Century experiencing a Catastrophic Upheval. In the midst of this calamity, there is some mysterious group out to kill for little rhyme reason. If you liked Trace of Memory, you will definately like this book. This book definately ranks as one of Keith's Top 5.

This one rocks. The world is breaking apart due to geological activity. While foraging for supplies, the protagonist hears a story that unveils a weird and dark conspiracy. The hero perseveres through unbelievable challenges, and eventually we get a happy ending. For me it is one of Laumer's best.