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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Better Than Most of Dickson's Work, November 26, 2000
I'm not a fan of Dickson's novels. I think his style lacks something, and he tends to try to make connections in his novels that I could never see, try as I might. He also tends to portray his heroes as perfect, infallible...in other words, not human beings, not someone you can feel for. However, the idea behind the Childe Cycle caught my attention even at 14, when I started reading his books. In SOLDIER, ASK NOT, I think he comes closest to actually letting a character display some emotion. Tam Oleyn truly displays human qualities (albeit, usually negative ones), and Jamethon Black is probably the most sympathetic character, in my opinion, that Dickson ever created. I still don't like the prose of the book, but it shows much more feeling than the others in the series, with the exception, perhaps, of THE FINAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A refreshing look at the Splinter Cultures, March 15, 2000
Of the Dorsai novels, this one presents the most balanced view of the Splinter Cultures, especially of the Friendlies. While other Dorsai novels portray the Friendlies as unsophisticated, simple minded fanatics, here they are shown in a sympathetic light, as flesh and blood humans, not caricatures. Jamethon Black is not a rabid religious fanatic, but a decent man, frustrated in love by the cruel whim of an earthman. Nor is Eldest Bright the frothing at the mouth megalomaniac we saw in the novel Dorsai, but a shrewd and strong willed man (albeit somewhat harsh and unforgiving). Other Splinter Cultures are also better developed, with more depth and personality than usual. The Exotics are less aloof and condescending, and the Dorsai are less bland. The twins Kensie and Ian Graeme are the most interesting of Dorsai characters to date. In the end, faith, not military force, technology or trickery, wins the day. The value of the religious component of humanity (i.e. the Friendlies) was recognized. I found this to be refreshing and gratifying - most science fiction (e.g. Star Trek) tends to condemn or ridicule religion, especially Christianity.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Just an average book, February 8, 2001
Dickson takes us back to his Dorsai universe in this novel, but overall, this novel is just another average book with glimpses of raw emotion. The most important part of this novel is the fact that we get a glimpse of the powerful Final Encyclopedia, and we get to meet the originator of this wonder. The main character begins to understand his unnatural powers of vision while on tour of the Final Encyclopedia. It is here, that Tam realizes he can see the whole picture as to his future, and the future of other cultures. Tam decides to become a newsman, and become prominent in his field. However, on a routine sweep of a battle for reporting purposes, Tam views the death of his brother-in-law in an act of cold-blooded murder. At this point, Tam becomes a little more cryptic, dark, and motivated to a devasting end. Tam's main goal is to wipe a culture out of the universe. Now, this novel presents many unique sociological and psychological issues. But overall, the plot is very bland. There is not much in the way of exciting reading found in this novel. Again, as in other Dorsai novels, you can view bits and pieces of the super-warriors in the Dorsai. But the plot is not a real mover-and-shaker. I would recommend that you read this novel only to say you read all of the books in the Dorsai series, beyond that, there is no real outstanding reason to pick up this book.
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