Singularity's Ring (Tor Science Fiction) [Mass Market Paperback]

Paul Melko (Author)

Book Description

Series: Tor Science Fiction | Publication Date: April 28, 2009

Apollo Papadopulos is in training to become the captain of the starship Consensus. Apollo is unique in that he/she/it is not an individual at all, but five separate teenagers that form a whole new entity.  Strom, Meda, Quant, Manuel, Moira are a pod, as these kinds of personalities are called, genetically engineered to work and think as one and to be able to communicate non-verbally. As a rare quintet, much relies on the successful training of Apollo.  But, as the pod's training progresses and more and more potentially lethal accidents occur, the pod members become fugitives on Earth, struggling just to survive.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This superior debut initially resembles a straightforward YA adventure but abruptly veers into much stranger territory. Various factions struggle for control of the Ring, a colossal space station built around Earth by engineers who turned most of humankind into a group mind called the Community, which promptly figured out how to access other realities and vanished from this one. The few remaining humans genetically engineer their children to form pods of individuals so closely bonded that they function as one person. After stumbling on secret research during a training exercise, the teenage pod called Apollo Papadopulos soon find themselves on the run from shadowy forces who want to seduce or kill them. The setting extends from Earth orbit to the Amazon jungle, and the action ranges from a tense space rescue to an almost idyllic trek through the Rockies with a family of genetically altered bears. Though some loose plot ends dangle a bit, the ingenious character development and startling images and ideas are deeply satisfying. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Earth is surrounded by an artificial ring, former home of the human-cybernetic Community, which vanished in the Singularity, years after which multiple person Apollo Popadopulos (a pod of five individuals) is one of several competitively training to captain the starship Consensus to search for the vanished preponderance of humanity. Training is arduous, and returning to Mother Redd’s farm to await assignment proves harder. Apollo meets Malcolm Leto, recently removed from stasis, who was once part of the Community. As Apollo falls victim to more and more accidents, and Leto schemes to bring back the Community, harsh truths come to light about Apollo’s origins and the bleak reality of the Community’s disappearance. Melko’s world is a fascinating one, in which single humans are increasingly rare, pods like Apollo are the norm, and the Singularity did not necessarily improve the human condition. This strong first novel boasts engaging characters and tight, fast-paced action sustained through some acrobatic plot stunts. --Regina Schroeder --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Tor Science Fiction; First Edition edition (April 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076535702X
• ISBN-13: 978-0765357021
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,210,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Original, involving, "quint"essential..., June 9, 2008

By 

J. Burke "jcburke1" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Singularity's Ring (Hardcover)

The idea of humans who can share thoughts and feelings is not a new concept in SF but I have never read a book that pulled the reader into the personal experience so completely. The personalities of the characters have depth and the reader becomes involved as they get to witness "linking" from the point of view of each of the participants. Action is laced throughout as the pace kept me totally engrossed and wanting to turn the page. Very good book and made me want it to be about twice as long. This is an author to watch.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where We May Go From Here (apologies to the Alan Parsons Project), August 1, 2009

By 

Gary Shea (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Singularity's Ring (Tor Science Fiction) (Mass Market Paperback)

Paul Melko's SINGULARITY'S RING, is a delightful experiment in characterization. As the book's dust jacket says, it is set in a "posthuman future." Interestingly that future is on earth, and the characters, Strom, Quant, Moira, Meda, Manuel - collectively Apollo Papadopulos coming of age in a dangerous time - are a real team; they travel it (the Rockies, the Amazon, Congo) and space above (Columbus Station, the Ring). Imaginative concepts, adventure and a well-paced plot result in an exceptional first novel. Quick to read, engaging, thoughtful, solid sci fi, I enjoyed it.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Time Well Spent, June 5, 2008

By 

Paul Johnston (Arlington, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Singularity's Ring (Hardcover)

I loved reading Singularity's Ring. I became quite involved with the characters and found myself quite concerned over what became of them. Is that somewhere in the definition of a good read? Short and sweet, I wanted this book to go on and I can hardly wait for more from Paul Melko. Very highly recommended.