Diamond Mask (Paperback)

by Julian May (Author) "HE KNEW IT HAD TO BE SOME KIND OF MIRACLE-PERHAPS ONE PROgrammed by Saint Jack the Bodiless himself..." (more)
Key Phrases: higher mindpowers, latency therapists, diamond mask, Gran Masha, First Magnate, Human Polity (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In spite of a confusing opening section, those who persevere through Book II of the intricate Galactic Milieu Trilogy will discover an intriguing piece of work. Set in the year 2113 and told through the memoirs of Rogatien Remillard, the story looks back on events that took place half a century earlier, when humanity became part of a vast galactic civilization. Remillard's family, virtually immortal and psychically gifted, has become Earth's most powerful force. On the death of the evil Victor Remillard in 2040, an insane metapsychic creature known as Fury comes into being. Fury uses several corrupt younger Remillards, known collectively as Hydra, as its agent against his Great Enemy, the powerful young mutant Jon Remillard (from Book I, Jack the Bodiless ). Equal in power to both Jon and Fury is the young Dorothea Macdonald, who comes to be known as Diamond Mask. Will she join forces with Jon to oppose Fury, or will that frightful entity use her for its own purposes? May holds out the promise of answers in the trilogy's concluding volume, Magnificat. Meanwhile, readers should be forewarned not to peek at the final page here, where the Fury's secret is revealed. Then again, maybe it isn't.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Set in the years between humanity's acceptance into the "galactic milieu" and its achievement of telepathic "unity" with other metapsychic races, this sequel to Jack the Bodiless ( LJ 12/91) follows the early life of Dorothea Macdonald, a young woman striving to deny her formidable mental powers yet destined to become one of the world's most powerful minds. Dorothea's fate links her with the dynastic Remillard family and the psychopathic killer known only as "Fury," forcing her to accept the keys that will unlock her talents. The author of the "Pliocene Saga" maintains a personal focus on her luminary characters, opening their private lives to intense scrutiny while at the same time expanding the boundaries of an imaginative future world. Rich in intrigue and vibrating with creative energy, this is a superb addition to sf collections.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345470346
• ISBN-13: 978-0345470348
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #100,120 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Diamond Whose Size Is Its Only Flaw, February 8, 2002

By	Amanda M. Hayes (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Diamond Mask (Galactic Milieu Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

It was Julian May's novels of the Pliocene Exile that first introduced me to her concepts of metapsychic powers and the Galactic Milieu. I enjoyed them very much--but hesitated for some time before checking out any of the prequels of the Galactic Milieu Trilogy; I doubted they could be nearly as good as the others, lacking the hilarious antics of Aiken Drum. And now I must confess to being a convert! Aiken or no Aiken, _Diamond Mask_ and its predecessor won me over thoroughly.

Imagine it: in the not-too-distant future, humankind has learned that there really *is* life out there; moreover, that life down *here* is richer than was once thought. Psychic gifts have finally been recognized, and are being trained to their highest potential. New technology has made nearly everything we have today obsolete, and death has almost been conquered thanks to such miracles as genetic medicine and rejuvenation tanks. However, some things never change... and the tendency of mankind to get into messes is one of them. These ideas appeared in _Jack the Bodiless_, and continue to be brought to life by May's grand talent in this sequel.

_Diamond Mask_ doesn't only have an intriguing premise and fabulous writing; it is also possessed of a plotline that's deliciously chilling without being frightening enough to give one nightmares. The metapsychic monsters Fury and Hydra introduced in _Jack the Bodiless_ are still on the loose and as horrifying in their power--and their mystery--as ever, tangling now with entirely new characters. Enter Dorothea Macdonald, a lady as interesting in her own right as any Remillard... and another legend introduced the Saga of the Pliocene Exile. While I can't say the Blessed Illusio was quite as I imagined her, it was certainly a pleasure to learn her story. I look forward to its continuation in _Magnificat_.

If the book has a flaw, it's that it's too short: more information about Dorothea's early life would have been welcome; likewise, I wouldn't have minded a bit more insight into Jack and Marc's working relationship... or the lives of the various Remillards... or--well, all right, so it would have been nice to get more detail on any number of things. Still, _Diamond Mask_ is a delightful page-turner that I'd thoroughly recommend to series fans and those new to May's Milieu (though the latter may wish to read _Jack the Bodiless_ first) alike.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EIGHTH OF NINE IS AS GOOD AS THE REST., November 27, 2000

By	"jbar123" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diamond Mask (Galactic Milieu Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

Diamond Mask was wonderful for its introduction of Dorothea McDonald, the newest paramount grandmasterclass operant who comes practically out of nowhere to become one of the strongest characters of the whole series. Her incredible journey, and all the relationships she forms along the way are done in classic May style - ie with tons of colorful details, suspense, mystery, and humor, and a heck of a lot of heart. And there's enough Remillard mixed in there to feed that Jones. I am proud to say I now have only "Magnificat" to go before I am finished with all nine of these demanding and rewarding Julian May books, having read the four books Saga of Pliocene Exile, followed by the Surveillance, the Metaconcert, Jack the Bodiless, and most recently, Diamond Mask. You may wonder which one I have enjoyed best. Although it appears that each book theoretically could stand on its own, all of the books really are - like minds in a metaconcert - parts of a greater whole. Thus, they should all be judged together as one whole epic tale, and not compared to each other as separate parts. Having said that,however, I think Jack the Bodiless was the best so far. I recommend that everyone start with either "The Many Colored Land" or "The Surveillance" and proceed in order therefrom. All nine books are a big commitment, and the reading is sometimes tough and slowgoing, but the sacrifice pays off in spades. Too bad I only have one more book left - I may have to reread the whole series. It's the kind of thing that you just don't want to end. Get Julian May a Regen-Tank. And long live Aiken Drum!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A focused and interesting continuation to a grand series., February 25, 2004

By	Harvey H. Meeker (Shelton, CT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Diamond Mask (Galactic Milieu Trilogy) (Mass Market Paperback)

Diamond Mask continues the Galactic Milieu trilogy which starts in Jack The Bodiless. If you have not read that book and the preceding series (The Saga Of The Pliocene Exile and Intervention) then you should not read this book. It is a well thought out and interesting book on its own, but it holds far more value when viewed in context with it's predecessors.

Diamond Mask is once again told as the recollections of Rogi Remillard, though for the most part this device dissolves into standard storytelling except when Rogi is directly involved. The book primarily focuses on Dorothea MacDonald (aka Diamond Mask). Her childhood, early life and her connection to the Remillard family through the entities Fury and Hydra (and later through Jack) are explored in this book. The development of her mental abilities and her major role in the Galactic Milieu takes center stage for most of the book. Fury and Hydra also become more of the focus of the book as Diamond Mask is heavily influenced by them in her childhood and in her later adult life.

Another focus of the book is Marc Remillard and his continuing development and increasing influence on the Galactic Milieu. This along with the growing rebellion against the Milieu is one of the main subplots to the book that get explored further in Magnificat, the third book in the series.

The characters are once again well thought out and though many years are skipped at times to move the story along it keeps us focused on important events instead of boring details. The pacing of the book is quick and the events revealed are momentous and it leaves you itching to get to the next book in the series.

This is everything a second book in a series should be. It is holds up well on its own, but it also neatly links up the preceding and following books in the series.