Customer Reviews

Mindstar Rising (Greg Mandel)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Near-future SF seems to be almost as hard to do well as fantasy. Too often, authors of both kinds of material rely on tired cliches or an assumption that a reader will fill in the blanks rather than taking the time to create and then ground their story in a fully realized world.

Thankfully, Peter F. Hamilton took the time in 'Mindstar Rising' to fully introduce the reader to the 21st century world of Greg Mandel (a veteran soldier turned trouble-shooter for hire) before launching his characters into a thrilling mystery plot.

The end result is a futuristic detective story that has heavy techno-thriller aspects and touches of the fantastic, by the way of psionics and precognative abilities. Nonetheless, it all makes perfect sense... and at no time does the reader feel like an alien in the setting. This makes his already well-drawn characters even more believable.

If more writers were willing to spend the time that Hamilton spends on world-development, we might see non-media tie-ins reclaim some of the shelfspace in the bookstores. We certainly need more writers of Hamilton's calibre working in the science fiction and fantasy genres!

Despite disliking the title of this book - as it is way to close to Brin's "Startide Rising" - and thinking that the opening was weak (especially the "sharp scintillations slashing" triple enumerated alliteration in the first line), I found that I enjoyed it. After a shaky start, Hamilton manages to spin an interesting story. Set in the near future, the world his protagonist, Greg Mandel, lives in is one afflicted by climate change and political warfare. Hamliton manages to pump out numerous dry and wet tech ideas as well as including some sociological ones.

Some of the characterization is a little weak and, in my opinion, the balance between filling in too little detail on the "universe" the story is set in and too much is off a few times. (I found myself skipping parts of paragraphs here and there which, to be fair, was probably as much to get back to the gripping action as to skip tedious excessive descriptions of the countryside.) That said, this action-detective story is worth reading as it still manages to entertain and stimulate the imagination.

This was Hamilton's debut novel. In his later works, especially in "The Reality Dysfunction" Hamilton improves on his characterization without loosing the ability keep the action and ideas flowing...starting with his first book will only whet your appetite for Hamilton's writing.

I picked up this trilogy after reading, and loving, The Reality Dysfunction and The Neutronium Alchemist. Mindstar Rising is entertaining and moves along well, but comes nowhere near the scope, grandeur, and excellence of his later works. It is clearly a 'first' novel - it became rather tedious to receive a description of hair and clothing every time a character appeared in a scene. Hamilton does demonstrate, however, his knack for creating a rich and detailed world - one of the elements that makes The Neutronium Alchemist such an astounding work. The book is easy reading, and has plenty to keep the reader's interest, but I'd steer towards the latter series if you haven't already read them.

The three books in Peter F. Hamilton's Greg Mandel series were written before his "Night's Dawn" series. I'm not certain of this, but they seem to occur in the same universe as that series, just at a MUCH earlier time. Regardless, this series is excellent. What's especially nice, is that, for the most part, each of these books stands alone. You still need to read them in order, but none of them ends in a cliff-hanger requiring your reading of the next. Unfortunately, each of these books has a few fairly explicit sexual situations described in them. The amount of sex increases as you move from book to book. If it weren't for that, I'd recommend these books for everyone.

"Mindstar Rising" is the first book in the series. It's a very good, fast-paced sci-fi action thriller. The book introduces all the important characters and the "universe" used throughout the series. For the most part, the character development is good. I have a few qualms about a character or two suddenly being more capable than they are during the majority of the book, but that's mostly inconsequential. The plot, too, is very good. However, the transition between the first, introductory, situation in the book and the primary situation could have been worked better: it seems contrived. But, I might be seeing that solely because I've read the book four times now.

"A Quantum Murder" is the second book in the series. This book takes place about three years after "Mindstar Rising." Instead of being the science-fiction action thriller that the first book is, it's more of a science fiction mystery. It's a close call, but I think this book is slightly better than "Mindstar Rising." Once again, there's good character development, but this time, the plot is somewhat more tightly put together. I've only got a couple of quibbles: first, in one scene, Mandel's psi powers inexplicably include actual telepathy instead of just the empathy described in "Mindstar Rising." And, second, after the characters find out who the murderer is, instead of sending the police out immediately, they close up shop for the night and say they'll do it in the morning. Other than that, this is an excellent book which shows the origins of a lot of the technology in the "Night's Dawn" series.

"The Nano Flower" is the third, and final, book in the series. The various dates specified in the book don't quite agree, but, in general, it seems to takes place about 16 years after "A Quantum Murder." Like "Mindstar Rising," it's a sci-fi action thriller. Like "A Quantum Murder," it further develops technologies that Hamilton uses in his "Night's Dawn" series. Also, as in "A Quantum Murder," Mandel's psi-powers have once again expanded. Of the three books, this is probably the best. It's a hard comparison to make since the second book is more of a mystery and this book more of an action-thriller. But, in general, I'd say there's an incremental improvement in these books as you move through the series (all of them are very good, though).

This is the first volume of the Greg Mandell Techno-Merc Trilogy (followed by "A Quantum Murder" and "The Nano Flower"; all three of which are great reads. Set in 21st Century Great Britian, all three books are every- thing that fans of Biotech, Cyberspace, International and Inter- commercial Espionage could ask for. With excellent plot lines and well detailed characters, One could ask for little else in a high tech, edge-of-your-chair, can't put it down tome!

Mindstar rising was the first Peter Hamilton book I read - but not for long. As soon as I had got past the first couple of chapters of this book, I went out & bought the rest of the trilogy ('A Quantum Murder' and 'The Nano Flower'). All concern a 21st Century dramatically changed both Politically and Environmentally. The main protagonist is Greg Mandell, a veteran of the second Gulf war, who has some enhanced psychic ability - due to experimental surgery performed on him & others who tested 'positive' for the basic capability. Due to this ability (and the fact that he has become a private detective), he gets pulled into a world of high-powered politics & intrigue, with the action mainly taking place in the Rutland area of England. If you haven't read any of his books, this is good one to start with; but don't forget to buy the rest of the trilogy. The book is handled well, with the characters being believable, & having a depth to them that you will find in all his books.

Any complaints? Ony one - that I hadn't read it sooner. This trilogy is one I keep coming back to (8 times so far), and has become one of my firm favourites. Saying that.....which bookcase did I put them? I think I'll start them again, ta ta.

As I took this book from the shelf, I dident know Peter F. Hamilton.. This has changed alot! I now has All his books (and are looking forward to the next ones). I started reading SciFi with the famous William Gibson's "Neuromancer" .. I thourght nothing could match that guy.. But there is! .. Peter F Hamilton is as good as William Gibson.. the way they describes their charecters and the universe is to me quite alike.. Do yourself a favour.. READ THIS!

This book starts off slowly, with a LOT of detail about world of the future -- its energy sources, climate, economy, etc. As a result, the narrative does not advance quickly in the first 100 pages. But stick with it, because the story becomes quite good as it goes along. The characters in the book are very good, the dialogue is excellent, and the pace really begins to move about mid-way thru the book. The climax is particularly good as all the plot threads and characters fall into place. One warning -- Hamilton is VERY pro-capitalist in this book -- big business is great, corporations will be the saviors of the future, etc. It's somewhat reminiscent of Heinlein; socialism comes in for a real beating in the story. If this would put you off, you'd probably not enjoy the book.

Mindstar Rising (1993) is the first SF novel in the Greg Mandel series. The People's Socialism Party took power in England and Scotland just before the Warming changed the world climate. They disrupted English society, but didn't fix most of the problems caused by the Warming.

With government stores empty of household and farming goods, smugglers became the major source of new supplies. Event Horizon bought surplus stealth transports from various governments and delivered tons of goods nightly. This economic pressure brought down the PSP in England and was bringing down the Scottish PSP.

In this novel, Greg Mandel is a former soldier. He had a bionode added to his brain to allow him to read emotions and thoughts. Afterward, he was transferred to the Mindstar Brigade. Now he occasionally works as a private detective and does other odd jobs to make ends meet.

Gabriel was a Major in the Mindstar Brigade. She is the most powerful prescient in the Brigade.

Eleanor Broady is a girl in a Christian kibbutz. She works from dawn to dusk and also has to take defense training.

Nicole is an ex-navy marine-adept. Her skin has been made water tight and she has gills. She lives in a village on Rutland Water.

Philip Evans is Chairman of Event Horizon and a multibillionaire. He is also the grandfather of Julia.

Julia Evans is a teenage girl and the heir of Philip. She has memory and processor nodes implanted in her brain.

Katerina Cawthrop is a friend of Julia from a Swiss boarding school. Kats is visiting Julia for a week.

Adrian Marler is a friend of Julia and Kats. But he is infatuated with Kats and Julia is jealous.

In this story, Greg flies his Westland ghost wing out to the hills. He lands silently and stakes down the microlight. Following a schedule prepared by Gabriel, he shoots the heavily modified Rottweiler with his maser.

He presses himself against the front wall. Someone inside the cabin opens the door and looks outside. Then a man steps out and turns to the right.

Mandrel is to his left and brings up his maser. He tells the man to drop the shotgun and the man rests the barrel on the threshold. Then Mandrel shoots him.

Greg flies back to Rutland Water. He leaves the Westland and the other military gear with Nicole and her friends. Then he rows his boat home.

After reaching land, Mandrel goes to the pub to wash away the shock of the shooting. He also intends to pick up a girl. The new barmaid looks like a good choice.

Eleanor's father comes into the pub before midnight. He tells her to come home and she refuses. After some more argument, Greg tells the man to leave her alone. When he resists, Mandrel releases the hormones from his node and pushes.

Eleanor goes home with Greg that morning. They get along well in bed and Eleanor stays for the next two weeks. Then a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow comes to his chalet to take Greg to see Philip.

Event Horizon has a problem in orbit. Someone is destroying valuable electronics. Philip and Julia hire Greg to find the guilty employees.

Greg starts interviewing people in the production facility who are down from orbit. He finds one who makes the mistake of lying to him. When she learns that he is a Mindstar, she doesn't hold back anything.

Then Julia finds that another operation in orbit has also been losing valuable products. Greg goes into orbit looking for liars. He burns a few more thieves and sends them back to Earth.

Meanwhile, Julia is using the internal security cameras to spy on Kats. Adrian is playing sex games with Kats. Julia sets up Kats with a very rich man to take her away from Adrian.

This tale follows Greg in his further activities for Event Horizon. He becomes somewhat infatuated with Julia. Then contact with a Merlin space probe is lost.

Later Greg is captured by enemies. The next installment in this series is A Quantum Murder. This novel and the sequel are being reprinted as The Mandel Files, Volume 1.

Recommended for Hamilton fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of future problems, mind enhancements, and tough detectives. Read and enjoy!

-Arthur W. Jordin

A fun science fiction detective story with a realistic setting. The politics in this book (and the others) might grate on some at first but when you read the series you will see that much of the subtext is not pro-capitalist so much as anti-concentrated governmental power. Though this subtext is present it is really only there to give the world some more depth. Hamilton did not write a deeply meaningful book for his first novel, he wrote an action adventure which move along at a fair clip. Later works are better but this is still a book worth reading if you are looking for a little escapist fun.