Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Chemistry, physics, metaphor, with a bit of zen thrown in., July 4, 2002
This review is from: A Signal Shattered (Mass Market Paperback)
I think the first thing that you must know about this book is that you should really read the book that came before it, Signal to Noise, also by Eric S. Nylund. Without the backstory, I think that this complex book would become even more confusing, and the first book was a good read on its own. This book starts with all of humanity reduced to a handful of refugees scattered across space (I did say you should read the first book first, didn't I?). The catalyst who brought about the end of the world is Jack Potter, mathematician, cryptographer, and middle-man. And it is now up to Jack to save what remains of the human race. As if this task wasn't daunting enough, Jack must do this while battling such trifiling details as lack of oxygen, planets with insufficient rotational power to be of use (you'll see), two former best friends who seem to want him dead, a bizarre neurological disorder attacking everyone he knows, one or more fellow refugees who seem to want him dead, and oh yeah, at least one exceedingly power alien who wants him dead... or enslaved. If you're going to read this book, be prepared to give it a careful read. It's certainly a worthwhile novel, but it demands attention otherwise details will slip by that will prove to be important later. The central theme of metaphor and illusion can make the story confusing and chaotic at times, though I believe that is the intent, and it reflects character turmoil well. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the ending, but that is something that you'll have to learn about and decide for yourselves.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting, September 28, 2000
This review is from: A Signal Shattered (Mass Market Paperback)
I figured out about 5 pages into the book that it was a sequel. I cursed and finished it anyway. Swooping ultra-tech, meshed with Zen riddles. It seems to make progress toward its goal, filling in without meandering, and read fairly quickly and cleanly - compelling, but not in a powerfully compelling way. There is certainly science in there, and reading the back cover shows that the author has a MS in Chemical Physics. Having studied in that field for a time, I can appreciate some of the things that are discussed. It seems to be written well enough to be accessible to the layperson as well. That the ending has elements of Deus Ex Machina can hardly be suprising, given the levels of technology. That the characters are human, without being perfect or perfectly annoying makes this well worth reading. It is truely hard to find characters that having more than one dimension without being carictures of themselves. Sometimes you just want to give the hero a swift kick, but you never feel like he's responding to the situation in a way that is implausible. The author doesn't even fall into the trap of having the Hero whine endlessly about how hard his life is. I'll happily file it in my collection, and tag it for a later re-reading. I expect I'll enjoy it then too.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exciting satirical science fiction, September 19, 1999
By A Customer
In 2071 on a secret base on the moon, mathematician Jack Potter knows that his defaulting on his business deal with the alien Wheeler led to the mass destruction of the Earth. Billions are dead. The few survivors who escaped Earth via Wheeler's technology remain under attack by Wheeler. Internally, one of the members of the camp is sabotaging the earthlings' attempts to stay alive. When all of them seem doomed, the Gersham, another advanced alien race, arrives to offer Jack a new deal. Considering the calumnious results of his previous deal with an off-planet being, Jack has doubts as to whether to sign on with the Gersham. Then again, he has few options if the human race is to survive into the next century. A SIGNAL SHATTERED, the sequel to the insanely wonderful satire SIGNAL TO NOISE, is a fabulous tale that leaves science fiction fans desiring more novels in the series. The action-packed story line is filled with energy and irony, but never stints on its characterization even with future technology buzzing through the pages. Though he heats up the action, Eric S. Nylund shows his understanding of the human essence as he obtains empathy from his audience for his surviving earthlings, especially Jack. Harriet Klausner
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
