Customer Reviews

Diuturnity's Dawn (The Founding of the Commonwealth, Book 3)

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

 

 

Long after coming to learn that they have more in common than outward appearances would hint at, as well as having joined together to fight a common foe (the Pitar), the Human/Thranx now must fight the most dangerous of enemy. Themselves.

Xenophobe Isolationist Extremists, both Thranx and Human, join together (the irony is not overlooked) to try and destroy the tightening bonds of the growing Commonwealth movement. Meanwhile, on a recently settled planet, unwitting humans are under attack from the devious AAnn. The Terrorist threats eventually dovetail, but sadly to do not come together as well as might have.

ADF's final book in his Founding Trilogy is funny and entertaining, but lacks an energetic spark. His fans should enjoy it, but the tale could have been more.

I enjoyed this book (it is the third book of a trilogy with Phylogenesis and Dirge as the first two), but I found it the weak sister of the group. Foster is certainly prolific, and I enjoy almost all of his work, but I get the impression that he has done so many Pip/Flinx and Humanx Commonwealth books by now he could (and sometimes does) write them in his sleep. I enjoyed some of the prequel tie-ins written into this series (the Tse-Mallory/Zenzuzex linkage introduced in his early book Tar-Aiym Krang is explicated in this series), and the book is written in Foster's usual light but quickly flowing style, but there isn't much new here. Go back to the earlier Flinx and Commonwealth novels for Foster at this best.

Very well written book. Builds on the other two books in the series. Also helps in understanding the series the commonwealth. helps to read the other two books in series but can be understood without reading them.

Diuturnity's Dawn contains many familiar elements found in ADF's previous commonwealth books. Never figured out what Diuturnity meant. Fringe fanatic groups bent on death and destruction, ancient alien archaeology hinting at an approaching great evil force, heroic female diplomat committed to bringing humanity and thranx together. All of that stuff was sorta boring actually. But the book was saved by ADF's introduction of the United Church... I love those guys! ADF didn't devote enough of the book to the Church and its founding, but he does include a couple of chapters that follow two of the first padres of the United Church, Briann and his thranx brother, as they spread the gospel of the Church and deal with the terrorists. I think the best part of the Flinx books were when Flinx traveled w/ Bran Tse Mallory and his thranx buddy, the two United Church Peace Enforcers. One especially memorable part in, I think it was Orphan Star? or maybe Tar Aiym Krang, dealt w/ Bran Tse Mallory's flashback to when he and his thranx bro were paired up in a Stingership fighter.

anyways, if for nothing else, Diuturnity's Dawn is well worth grabbing for the few chapters that it deals with the beginnings of the United Church.

This is a great book of Allen Dean Foster. Foster is one of the best science-fiction writers. I have most of his books.

Amazon says that I'll be the first person to review this book! How can I pass on an opportunity like that? How is it possible to review a book you have never read? I don't know but I'll give it a try.
I gave this book 4 stars based on his many other books set in the "Commonwealth", mainly the Flinx series and the first 2 books in this particular series, all of which I have read. I like Alan Dean Fosters' writing. His work is consistent with strong character development and good plot pacing.
The "Commonwealth " series concentrates on the early days of Human / Thranx contact and those events which shaped the formation of the "Commonwealth".
I have found this author to be entertaining regardless of the genre he is writing in and have yet to be disappointed with one of his books. Allthough his books written in series can stand alone, my recommendation is to check out books 1 and 2 of this series.
I am buying this book as soon as I finish this review.

SKM