Customer Reviews

Ceres Storm

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

In this first book of a space opera by David Herter, I was disappointed by the two-dimensionalism of the main character, Daric. One of the reviews mentioned how "Herter tells a huge and complex space opera in relatively few words, allowing the reader to fill in the blanks without sacrificing narrative integrity". Unfortunately, Herter uses so few words, I found I never identified with, or was engaged by the main character, Daric. The story is slow moving, and quite frankly, boring. I finished the book because I had paid hard cover price for it- had I read a chapter or two first, I wouldn't have ordered it. Other authors, such as EE "Doc" Smith, and Simon Green have done space operas very well- where you eagerly await the release of the next installment of the story. I found that with this story, the only thing I eagerly awaited was the end of the book.

David Herter writes with the voice of authority, and a style uniquely his own. He draws the reader in with a fascinatingly seductive tale of transformation, where Daric -- the protagonist -- evolves from an adolescent boy into a powerful galactic force. The plot, like some of the author's language, is both complex and poetic. It moves the storyline through mankind's future in a solar system that has been dramatically changed by nanotech storms. Where the fate of Daric, echoes the fate of human civilization.

An exceptionally fine novel filled with complex and intelligent ideas. Very original, and highly recommended.

I have to agree with one of the previous reviewers about the confusion caused by lack of explanation. This is a wonderfully imaginative book, and on one level it was very fun to read. The problem, though, is that everything in this book seems to be made of magic, acting through magic, and becoming magic.

There has to be some frame of reference that the reader can stand upon to orient himself, and this book doesn't provide that. Without that, it takes on somewhat of the appearance of random magical ideas strung together. Even the very characters in the book are unsure of what is real and how their world works, yet they accept it all readily.

All that said, I'll probably be watching for the next book and reading it when it comes.

It's great to find a book that requires the reader to participate by using their mind as well as just reading and being fed the story. The author provides the basic framework of the story of Daric, his life (or lives) and a strange world set in the very distant future. The readers use their own experiences and interpretations to color the world that David Herter creates. The book asks many questions, the foremost of which is what is the real definition of life and can these lives be intertwined concurrently. It's one of those books that falls into the catagory that the more you read, the more you want to read and explore this new time and place.

Before I say anything else, I have to say that the language in this book is stunning. The sheer use of words makes it something worth reading. The crystal century roses and the " Stars and planets beneath your feet" are described in great depth. However, all the flowery language in the world cannot conceal the absence of a well-defined plot. I often found my mind "wandering among the starlines," wondering just how the main character got from one place to another. Certainly read it for the sheer poetry of the words, but do not expect a clear-cut read.

I really wanted to like this book, it has excellent style and beautiful writing. However, I hardly knew what was going on most of the time. This is partially due to the protagonist being confused, but more so by the writing itself.

However, that being said, the writing style is excellent, well formed poetic sentences drip off the page, and there is a consistent tone of wonder. The universe is well formed, if incomprehensible.

I read a ton of books, and have read a lot that are poetic yet understandable (such as Ursula K LeGuin) so was saddened by my lack of interest in the story itself. For the right reader, this is undoubtably a gem.

Don't read this book if you want your wonders spoon-fed to you. This is subtle, poetic stuff, and will fly beneath the radar of your average slack-jawed Baen-reading TV-watching fanboy. But if you have a certain amount of intelligence, and maybe insanity, then this book will be a treasure chest of wonders. And remember -- it's only the first book of a series. Not everything is meant to be clear in this one. Just hang on for the ride!

Finally, an epic sf adventure novel that isn't bloated and clogged with boring details. Herter's rapid-fire plot kept me turning the pages. It seems the readers here who haven't enjoyed the novel are used to being spoon-fed every character's motivations, or enjoy slogging through details that masquerade as "world-building," but really just grind a compelling plot to a dead halt. Sure, there's something cryptic about the way Herter tells an enormous story in under 200 pp., but I found it an astonishing storytelling style.

I'm definitely ready for Herter's next.

Think early Dan Simmons when you get this book.. You will be swept across the solar system and the galaxy.... tiny steps to vastnessess hard to reconcile with the fact that Herter has no FTL ships to do research from.
From young children to ancient rulers here are engaging characters whose convolutions of identities will keep you intrigued.

I love sci-fi and read more than 100 novels per year.. this one is in the top 10 of 2001.

I truly enjoyed readig Ceres Storm. The story has much of the excitement of being in a time and space so different from ours, yet still focuses on the basic human struggles of a young person trying to understand himself and his future. The writing has a spare yet intense quality which I found entrancing. One truly feels the mood of the scenes. When forced to put the book down, I found myself looking forward to resuming my reading , anxious to know what would happen to the young hero next. I look forward to the next book in this series.