Customer Reviews

Reading the Wind (Silver Ship)

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

 

 

This sequel to The Silver Ship and the Sea is the rare follow-on that's better than the original. Brenda Cooper's writing just keeps getting better, and this is a first-rate book. Not perfect, mind, but the bobbles aren't serious, and she has written an intelligent and gripping space-opera adventure with believable characters and some surprising twists. Recommended, though you probably need to read the first book first to make much sense of the plot. Which is no hardship, as it's also quite good. Both are marketed as YA, but suitable for SF fans of any age.

I see Cooper has a third book in the series, Wings of Creation, on deck for November 2009 publication. I'll be reading it.

Happy reading--
Peter D. Tillman

Intriguing, tantalizing vision of the human pioneering spirit reaching for the stars, Mrs Cooper gently and artfully explores social networks, sometimes coaxing the reader into taboo domains of human interaction with surprising ease, sensitivity, and at times revelation. Love, romance, action, adventure, science, and creativity abounds in "Reading the Wind".

I am only partway thru this sequel to "Silver Ship..." and the first part has taken an unexpected turn (of events.) Kaylee has taken charge of events and led Liam and Chelo into dangerous parts without any real plan......... Brenda Cooper has surprised me, and that's good in an author. NOT to be completely predictible has a quality all its own, but I really hope we are going somewhere with this. The 2nd part takes us to the home planet and more surprising "turns of event." Here, Jenna is in charge in dealing with the "usual back-home corrupt folks serving their own interests and trying the steal everything in sight." Not to worry. The dramatic tension is building and I, at this point do not see how these two threads can be strung back together, but isn't that what makes a great read? I can see two or three more in this series, building on the themes of rebellion, prejudice, survival, rejection, unreasoning fear of the "different" introduced in "Silver Ship..." There are some characters in these books that one simply not only does not like, but dislikes. The characterization continues to be good, there are no doubt more surprises ahead, and I'm hooked. Keep 'em coming, Brenda. Surprise us.

Buffalo

I really got into these books as they have sci-fi, but its not TOO wierd to make you have a hard time following. Its the perfect mix of drama and sci fi/space/plaent exploration adventure. I wish there were more books to this series!

Combines the world building of _the mote in god's eye_, with some of the ethical issues found in classics like Le Guin's _word for world is forest_. Engaging plotline and character development. This novel and series would please most readers of speculative fiction.