Customer Reviews

Mainline

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Reva, a renowned assassin, has the useful ability to cross worldlines, to avoid pursuit or to penetrate a well-protected target. In fact, she can see several worldlines at once, the better to dodge trouble. But, if she travels too far from her Mainline, she can't find her way home -- so she leads a self-contained, lonely life.

As the story unfolds, Reva gets involved with a young smuggler, and tries to stay in that mainline to maintain the friendship. Complications ensue.

Mainline has some of the cheerful amorality of early Delany, and an interesting study of the implications of worldline-crossing in a many-worlds universe. Reva's ability is psi-based -- she is something of an adult, conflicted Telzey Amberdon. She does turn out to be an assassin with a heart of gold (gag), but it's more complex than that, thank heavens. The major good guys are well-drawn, but her villains are pretty cartoonish. The frequent POV shifts are distracting, and, like many first novelists, Christian tries to cram in too much stuff. And there's some dodgy (to be polite) economics in the world-building. But, overall, a worthy first effort and a fine, gripping story.

Here's a cover blurb from Nicola Griffith: It's a "refreshing change to read about a woman who kills people for a living, instead of worrying about their well-being."

Happy reading!
Cheers -- Pete Tillman

In this book, I had the feeling I was reading from a mature writer who has a good grasp of how to entertain her readers. Few authors would have had the capacity to evoke an understanding and sympathy in readers for an essentially all-powerful being--an assassin at that--who seemingly cannot be harmed because of her ability to travel to various realities to kill someone or escape pursuit. Christian does this with greate ease. From the loss of her family to the loss of her friend, Reva is a character who gains sympathy despite her powers. Also, from beginning to end, Mainline keeps action and interest flowing--so much I read it all in just one sitting. A curious but compelling tale of a far-future woman in a tale few authors can handle. I hightly recommend it.

I've just finished reading Mainline and found it truly masterful.  It has all the elements of suspense and action as well as character development that a reader hopes for in any science fiction book as well as delightfully creative worlds as invented by the author. The quick scene changes helps keep the pace and suspense going as if one were watching a movie.   Reva is like the Femme Nikita of the future world--tough on the outside, vulnerable on the inside. Supporting characters help keep the readers on their toes as plotlines overlap and cross over one another to the climax of the novel.  

Imagine that you can see and choose from a myriad of possible near-term futures. Reva, a beautiful female assasin can do just that, but has discovered the hard way that a few varied choices can create great changes in the society and people around her. Deborah Christian has successfully created a sympathetic "anti-hero" whose redemption in the book revolves around succumbing to the joys and hurts of friendships. The reader comes to know and like an unlikely cast of heros including a cold-blooded killer (who's maybe not so cold-blooded), a smuggler (who may be just a frustrated business woman), and a government policeman (who's sympathies for the 'bad guys' isn't quite by the law books). The plot is fast paced and the action is varied between several story lines. The few inconsistencies are overshadowed by the crafting of the people and places. And fortunately, the ending of the book is left open and stays away from formulaic 'happy endings.' Overall, a real find!

Bought this book back in 1998 but it go misplaced in my "stash" of books I have kept since starting to read science fiction and fantasy back in 1959. Deborah Christian not only has produced an epic style novel but her characterizations and plotline are very well done. This reads like something from the "Masters" rather than a first time novel. It kept me awake nights trying to finish and kept my interest level high from beginning to end. Her alternate world line idea is as good as most I have read over the years and her addition of Vash (good guy undercover mutant cop) to go along with Reva (main character top line assassin with a heart) adds possibilities to the story.

What I want to know is -- "Where in the heck is the sequel". This book is just to darn good to be a standalone. Does anyone know if she is writing a sequel or not? The way this cliffhanger ends it is certainly open to even a trilogy or more.

My thanks to Deborah Christian for a truly great read and my heartfelt hope goes out to her for more of the same.

I very much enjoyed this high paced sci-fi novel. Christian creates an incredibly interesting future culture filled with alien and human characters that have great depth. I can effortlessly visualize R'debh and the other external and internal worlds Christian paints. The technologies and futuristic atmosphere are intriguing and realistic without sacrificing character development. I would have liked to have seen Lish and Reva's "relationship" developed and /or consumated. And there was one plot hole: what happened to the borg beasts? Overall, I was sad to see this one end. I became attached to the characters and settings, Reva and her psi powers, the Fixer and even the numerous, well drawn villains. Hopefully, Christian will write a sequel, further exploring Reva's adventures and her world(s).

Ever buy a paperback at a grocery store or drug store on the way to the beach? It is not intended for good reading - it is meant to fall asleep to. That was how I found this title by Deborah Christian. Yet this book by Deborah Christian, in a futuristic, time line crossing, science fiction setting with a good balance of supernatural, sensuality and suspense, grabbed me and made me want more. It is rare science fiction that attracts me. Christian's writing here does just that.

This book contains all the things that I like in SciFI: a world created in the future, suspense, good plot, interesting time-line effects, lots of computer-techo action, good characters, and excellent writing. The assassin Reva grows during the book, and at the end still has a lot of growing left to do. I hope that we will see her again in a sequel!.

Set in a universe of interstellar travel, this is the story of Riva, an assasin whose ability to shift between alternate timelines makes her the best at her craft. The best aspects of this book are its unpredictability (ok, it does get a little predictable at the end...) and the frenetic pace of the narration. Though I am often skeptical of reviews which claim that a book is difficult to put down, this one really is. Deborah Christian really has that spark which enables her to interleave storylines without losing touch with the narrative thrust. This is the work of a mature novelist and it's hard to believe it's her first attempt. I'm looking forward to her future works.

In Mainline, the author writes a metaphor for what may be the ultimate paradox of our existence, if we accept the Einsteinian premise, that time is multi-dimensional, and that the universe itself is multi-dimensional. Mainlines' metaphor also raises in the sense of this paradox the possibility of choice commanded by commitment, rather than choice commanded by expediency and survival, or of choice commanded by love given the imperative of facing one's own demons (symbolized by the counter assasin). And in a very Buddist or Judaic view of interconnectedness of people, and communities, that this binding is played in the story as one that is inescapable. In addition The book's tough "urban and action funk" captured my attention, and revealed some real insights into the character of women and the choices they may make - this character is truely and beautifully one of a woman writer! Certainly the strategic options faced by our main character are compared to the the ethical and personal consequences presented to all people individual lives; these options in life as shown in the story raise real questions, whether or not we accept the multi-dimensional view of the universe or a singular dimensional one. The author gives an exploration in story about how we must master our decisions or they will master us! Sometimes the mastery is obtained through faith and love rather that through our current perceptions of reality or the dangers that may lie ahead. .