Customer Reviews

This Star Shall Abide

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4 star:		(1)
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Why is all of my very favorite science fiction out of print?

Ah, well, do whatever you have to to dig up a copy of This Star Shall Abide. It's an amazing otherworldly tale of a society wherein superstition and tradition are followed as rigidly as possible, for survival's sake, and how that society deals with a man who is driven to question even at the risk of all his dreams.

Like The Giver, this story is sophisticated enough for an adult audience, but nothing is barring intelligent kids from reading it (except perhaps that their parents might not want them thinking too hard about some of the ideas about the nature of authority and the nobility of independence.)

This is probably the best novel I have ever read (out of several thousand) - not just the best SF novel or best young adult novel, but simply the best. It weaves philisophical points about the nature of truth and scientific method into a thrilling adventure of defiance to a represive regeme, with many surprise plot twists. I have a copy that I have saved for over 4 years and will save for another 6 to be able to give it to my niece at the appropriate age.

BEing an avid Science-fiction lover, I was gleeful when I found this book. I first read Enchantress from the Stars, then the Far Side of Evil. Then I moved into the Star triology. I can't say what happened in the 2nd book because my library didn't have it. This book is captivating and wonderful and delicious in everyway. I recommend it to any person who calls themself a true science fiction fan like myself.

One of the best works of science fiction I have ever read. This book made a deep impression on me as a child, and has delighted me when re-read as an adult.

Set in a world where scholars lock themselves away in a city of technology, and keep the rest of the world in thrall through laws and strictures that force people to use sleds instead of wheels, to not drink water from rivers and such like. One teenager dares to think differently and argues against the intellectual tyranny - living in fear of being captured and tortured and forced to recant his beliefs.

One of my all time favourite books, I am delighted to see the author on Librarything, and to hear there are sequels I never read - I will track these down!

I first read this book under its original UK title of "Heritage of the Star"

This page turner transcends the usual. More than most fantasy fiction, the story focuses on character development and promotes thoughtful consideration about our place in the universe. The parallels and contrasts between cultures raised profound possibilities for me.

The future is never written in stone, or so the saying goes. The sands of time may fall, but what stops someone from building a dam?

In the future, knowledge, and therefore thought, is totally controlled. Noren is one of the few who decides that thought and knowledge are important, and that everyone should be able to exhibit both freely. He knows the difference from what is right and completely unfair, even when his world tells him differently.

The only problem is, can he stop the Scholars, who are the only ones who can give the power of knowledge, on his own, or will he fail in the worst way? Running from the law, Noren is almost helpless, but the Scholars and Technicians can't take away his one power - hope.

Sylvia Engdahl weaves her story in a beautiful way. Not only does she create a totally different world from the one we live in, but also changes the roles of humankind. Her characters are both ones seen on the street and ones locked behind steel doors. Readers will be changed by the abrupt outlook on this amazing world and the surprises the plot presents as a whole.

THIS STAR SHALL ABIDE is a thoroughly enjoyable science fiction novel.

Reviewed by: AdrienneBe