Customer Reviews

Spindrift

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

What some see as formulaic, I read as being homage to the old-fashioned, straight-ahead plotting and style of Arthur C. Clarke, with echoes also of Heinlein and Asimov. Yes, it's slightly old-fashioned to have a plot that's this straightforward, and not darkly disturbed, and not cluttered up with a lot of sexual scenes and/or gigantic battle scenes - but it is refreshing to read such a book every once in a while.

Steele's appreciation of Clarke has shown up before - one of his older novels is, after all, "Clarke County, Space" (Clarke County, Space). This newest novel is clearly an homage to "Rendezvous with Rama" (Rendezvous with Rama) in particular, in the major plot line, which is to investigate a mysterious object in space.

As I was reading, besides recognizing the plotting style of Clarke and other golden-age writers, I also found myself comparing it to another book I read not that long ago, Harry Turtledove's "Homeward Bound" (Homeward Bound). Both books are strong on characters, both include a character on the long interstellar journey who is, for one reason or another, infamous and an outcast on Earth; both involve the aftermath of first contact with aliens.

There are several factors to weigh in judging a science fiction book - plot, character development, as in any novel, original ideas, presence/absence of hard-science extrapolation, writing style, writing competence. While this book glosses lightly over the science of space travel, its plot, though not very original, is well done - and it wasn't supposed to be original, it is SUPPOSED to be like older first-contact stories. The characters are interesting, and some of them grow and develop over the course of the plot in a believable manner. Steele's writing style is always pleasant, and the book is well edited and copy-edited.

The book can be read and enjoyed even if you haven't read the Coyote Trilogy, but would probably be enjoyed more if you have. The back of the book includes a complete timeline for the events of the Coyote trilogy and this book, to show how they overlap. Likewise, you could enjoy this book if you haven't ever read any Arthur C. Clarke, but you'd probably enjoy it more if you do like Clarke's fiction.

If you are like me, a fan of Allen Steele as well as one who enjoyed the Coyote Trilogy, then you might find yourself searching for stories that continue the "Coyote Saga" (much like a movie goer that does not want the movie to end). For those individuals, I would recommend this book only because it delivers what you hoped: It introduces some new characters to the Coyote storyline and it fills in some of the questions/gaps left in "Coyote Frontier". Noteably, who and what is this alien race (the hjadd) all about and how was first contact established?

Unfortunately this is where my recommendation ends. As previously mentioned this is not Steele's best writing and for those of you who have not read some of Steele's other books I would urge you to try the "Coyote Trilogy" or "Chronospace". Those books are more representative of Steele's Hugo award winning style of storybook telling. For this book I can only say that I found the plot unoriginal and the characters somewhat tiresome. This again in stark contrast to Steele's other work.

Would have I still bought the book had I previously known the above? Yes.
I suppose the answer to this is akin to if you are a movie goer who enjoyed the "Star Wars" Story would you see the next installment to see what enfolds even though you knew it was not quite as good as the rest? I suppose I would.

I have read some of the other reviews for this book and I agree. The basic story is straight forward old fashioned Science Fiction: "Find Alien artifact,Go to investigate, Meet Omnipotent Alien race. Whom may wipe us out if we don't behave!" (OUCH!!) But I am not criticizing this plot. I love this type of story. As other reviews mention, this is a lot like Sir Clarkes'style. (We all miss him!) Some may argue that it has been overdone and maybe it has. Just about every idea imaginable in Science Fiction has been hit on by many authors. Am I saying there are no "NEW CONCEPTS" in the S.F. world?? Not at all! Some of the older ideas still make a good story. There are a lot of newer authors doing the Posthuman/Nano-tech thing. I have no problem with that. We need fresh ideas. All I am saying is that I do not think "ANY!" Science Fiction concept or idea has been totally worn out. There is always someone with a different twist on an old idea.

This is the first book I have read by Steele. There are three more books in the "Coyote" series and I am considering reading them,,but do not let that turn you off. You don't need to read the other books to enjoy this story.

Good ""OLD FASHION"" Science Fiction! Turn off the critical mind and enjoy! Nothing too thought provoking,,but a whole lot of entertainment!

Spindrift (2007) is an SF novel in the Coyote Universe, following Coyote Frontier. In the previous series, the Coyote Federation gained a starship and firm control of Starbridge Coyote. Susan Montero and Jon Parson were married. Then a shuttle from the EASS Galileo landed on Coyote with a strange story.

In this novel, Jared Ramirez is a former astrobiologist. Now he is an inmate at the Dolland Centre Penal Colony. He was convicted of crimes against humanity for his role in the Savant Genocide and will be imprisoned for the rest of his life.

Ted Harker is a Commander in the European Space Agency, He is First Officer of the EASS Galileo, the first starship build by ESA. His captain -- Ian Lawrence -- is his superior only in rank.

Emily Collins is an ESA Lieutenant. She is a very good smallcraft pilot. Her command on the Galileo is the shuttle Maria Celeste.

In this story, the Director General of the ESA makes a deal with the Western Hemisphere Union to free Ramirez for a voyage on the EASS Galileo. A transit-object has been detected near Proxima Centauri and it will pass within two and a half light years of the Solar System.

Naturally, the interstellar object is extremely interesting to members of the astronautical community. A telescopic array that detected the object used the nearby radio telescope array to send a first contact message to the object and recently a reply was received.

The object -- called Spindrift -- is a round body approximately twelve hundred kilometers in diameter. It is orbited by a much smaller torus. The ring seems to be artificial.

The EASS Galileo intercepts the object at its nearest point to the Solar System. The torus is found to have emissions similar to a starbridge. Of course, the scientists are most interested in the clearly artificial object.

Ramirez, however, is convinced that Spindrift itself is a spaceship. The other scientists disbelieve his arguments, but Commander Harker suggests that a small party land on Spindrift to check out the suggestive features. Harker, Collins, Ramirez and a WHU astrogeologist named Jorge Cruz take the shuttle down to the planetoid.

This tale takes the four explorers into a natural object that has been converted into a spaceship. Collins is left in the shuttle to maintain contact with the Galileo. Then the others check out a nearby carbon dioxide vent.

The story starts with a prologue about the return of Harker, Collins and Ramirez to Earth orbit. Then it flashes back to the events described above. Eventually, the story ends in an epilogue relating the fate of the three explorers.

This book overlaps the Coyote Trilogy. Indeed, the author had foreshadowed these events in Coyote. The voyage of the EASS Galileo and the return of the shuttle Maria Celeste is also mentioned in Coyote Frontier.

One aspect of this story is puzzling. Why would the Spindrift -- an interstellar spacecraft -- vent carbon dioxide into space? Surely the gas could be processed or stored for future use.

This novel is followed by Coyote Horizon, which continues the story of the aliens who appeared at Spindrift. Read and enjoy!

Recommended for Steele fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of interstellar adventure, alien contact, and personal relationships.

-Arthur W. Jordin

This was my first exposure to this author, and it looks like I'll be reading more. He's got my interest piqued, so I'll be looking for his Coyote trilogy next.

This book was straight-ahead science fiction, with enough science to make it interesting, and a plot that kept me involved to the end. The author uses the gimmick of revealing some of the ending in the opening prologue, so you spend a lot of time as the events unfold just wondering how and when the inevitable happens. I found it very entertaining.

There were no "big ideas" like I found in Charles Sheffield's work, nor engaging sagas like Joe Haldeman produces. A lot of the situations seem familiar (exploring an alien artifact discovered in space, etc.) But if you expect some good science fiction and don't demand a Hugo or Nebula winner in every book you read, Spindrift does the job. I'm pleased to discover a writer who is new to me with an established body of work, so I can go catch up and see what else he's done. My biggest problem in recent years is that all my favorite authors are dead! I need to expand my horizons more, and this book was a good start.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, it gave me a sense of wonder that I felt back when I was reading "Rendezvous with Rama" by A.C.Clarke about 30 years ago. The book does not dissapoint,there is just the right amount of action, dialogue, humour and descriptive scenes. I also felt very satisfied with the direction and ending of the story, it was pure entertainment. I have read all of Allen Steele's books and must say the direction he is taking as he moves out from the "Inner Space" novels towards the stars is fantastic; it certainly brings me back to the classic SF days.

So why read this book? The plot is predictable, the characters the stereotypical dudes you come to expect in any science fiction novel written in the sixties (incompetent leader who blows everything, political dude who's sneaky & conniving, the bad criminal who does a great service to the crew, the loving couple who stands for truth & justice, etc.). The aliens are just plain stupid & unimaginative, the technology is interesting but seems to have stayed in the 1980's in some aspects. It wasn't the worst book I ever read, but it wasn't "good" either. I guess it was mildly interesting, kind of like listening to the story of how your parents met for the four thousandth time. I wouldn't buy it, but since I got it from the library I don't really care much. It filled the time while I had some other boring things that I had to sit through & it kept me from going nuts. I guess you should look it over & see if it's your cup of tea and then hope it doesn't turn into rancid apple juice halfway through.

Excellent book. I have read all the Coyote books first, and this book tied into the other books, but I don't really think you need to read all the other books to enjoy it. It is better if you have read the 3 other books, they give all the background information.
The first chapter is slow, unless you like detailed technical space information. After that, it justs picks up and I couldn't put the book down.
Read it in 2 days.
I think this was one of the most engaging books I have read in a long time.

While the events take place on Coyote (see COYOTE and COYOTE RISING, but prior to COYOTE FRONTIER), in 2288 earth time scientists detect an alien object apparently aimlessly floating through space. Though the mysterious entity is quite a distance from earth a team was established to investigate the item, code named SPINDRIFT.

However, upon reaching their destination in a distant star system, the EASS Galileo loses communication with its European home station. On earth, the assumption is everyone on board died. In 2344, the Maria Celeste shuttle craft arrives in Europe with three on board; the only survivors of the Galileo. None of the trio has aged though over five decades have passed since the launch and their vessel contains a drive system with a technology far advanced from those on earth. These three inform Director General Shillinglaw they made first contact with a superior force that could be coming for a not so friendly visit.

Even as the Coyote audience knows the underlying tale, this is brilliant as Allen Steele uses what seems like a sidebar in the Coyote trilogy to write a fabulous stand alone science fiction (still recommend the previous books as great reads). The story line fills the gap between books two and three of Coyote with a vivid description of the failed Galileo mission. Readers will be hooked as three crew members endured while others died by adjusting to the reality that humanity is not the king of the universe, but instead a rat scurrying to survive.

Harriet Klausner

In Steele's Spindrift, Humanity detects its first confirmed signal from an extraterrestrial entity in the 23rd century...an object moving tangentially past the Solar System nearly two light years away. An expedition is quickly rushed together, the EASS Galileo, the European Alliance's first interstellar ship, is dispatched to investigate the object. But there is much internal dissension among the crew of the Galileo over the object's origin and intent as they make the way out to investigate the extraterrestrial object and it may end up spelling disaster for the entire mission.

Spindrift is set in Steele's Coyote universe. Where the previous three books have been set on Coyote itself, in Spindrift, Coyote plays only a very minor supporting role. At the end of Coyote Frontier we are introduced to the Hjadd...the extraterrestrial species that makes its home around the star Rho Coronae, fifty-some light years away. Spindrift details how Humanity makes contact with the Hjadd.

I really wanted to like this story a lot more than I did when finishing the book. In general, I usually enjoy stories about mysterious alien artifacts (Alistair Reynold's stuff is great!) and how they impact the Humans studying/exploring them. And from this point of view, Spindrift was a good story...with great details about the alien constructs that comprise Spindrift itself. But the story just had too many holes...plot lines that, sadly, either fizzled after interesting starts, or just never got started to begin with and should have been there to make the story firmer; have it make more sense.

Spindrift is ultimately, despite gaps in the plot, worth reading, at minimum, solely for the information it provides fleshing out the Coyote universe...a universe I have thoroughly enjoyed, despite a few flaws. Even if Spindrift does fall a bit flat as a story unto itself it is hardly a deterrent from picking up future tales in the Coyote universe...I am most certainly looking forward to picking up the next one in the near future.