Metaphase [Mass Market Paperback]

Vonda McIntyre (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1992

The third installment in the Starfarers series finds J. D. Sauvage and the crew preparing to meet the reclusive alien ""squidmoth,"" who presents them with a dubious offer for which they must risk everything. Reissue. AB.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The third book in McIntyre's Starfarers series (after Transition ) continues the story of the starship Starfarer , a large scientific community whose mission is interstellar exploration and to meet alien civilizations. In this entry, Starfarer finally encounters an alien: a long, finned and tentacled creature called a squidmoth. This leads to an ongoing debate among the crew over whether to return to Earth--with the squidmoth, named Nemo, in tow as evidence that they have fulfilled their charter. Nemo, however, has other plans for itself. The debate itself merely serves as the backdrop to the personal relationships of the crew, primarily the trio of Victoria MacKenzie, Satoshi Lono and Stephen Thomas Gregory, who are working as well as sexual partners; J. D. Sauvage, the alien contact specialist, who is the first to encounter Nemo and develops a tender friendship with it; and Zev, the diver. McIntyre is a master SF stylist, creating well-rounded, believable and distinctive characters, and she excels at lush descriptions that allow the reader to visualize the action.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Spectra; First Bantam Edition edition (August 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553292234
• ISBN-13: 978-0553292237
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,159,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars The Most Superfluous Book in the Series, December 9, 2001

By 

Mark Seemann (Copenhagen, Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Metaphase (Mass Market Paperback)

The Starfarers series is not without its merits, but Metaphase is where it grinds to a virtual standstill. Although one or two minor ideas pop up here and there, most of the book is spent on rather dull character interaction.

The plot is not really going anywhere at all in this installation, and could easily have been boiled down to one or two chapters in the next book.

You're left with the distinct impression that the author was paid by the page.

4.0 out of 5 stars They're on their way..., October 20, 2001

By 

Julia Rampke (Puget Sound, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Metaphase (Mass Market Paperback)

The starfarers get the chance for great character development in this volume of the series. Good reading, and essential to the storyline!

3.0 out of 5 stars starfarers stuck in the middle, January 7, 2000

By 

Auntie Di (Staffordshire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Metaphase (Mass Market Paperback)

Vonda McIntyre's background as a geneticist gives us the explanation of the title of this book, being the stationary, poised to move, section of the trilogy. On its own it doesn't have the impact of her other books, but it's the essential link for this series, with distinctly psychedelic overtones!