Martian Knightlife (Hardcover)

by James P. Hogan (Author)
Key Phrases: stony flats, reconstitution chamber, Zorken Consolidated, Solar System, Thornton Velte (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this modest SF-mystery hybrid, set on Mars circa the 22nd century, Kieran Thane (aka the Knight), a sort of futuristic Saint or Travis McGee, and his female companion, June, who's not quite a full partner but more than a sidekick, tackle the mystery of a teleportation experiment gone wrong. Instead of teleporting, the process duplicates the individual, with unfortunate consequences for one of the scientists involved, Dr. Leo Sarda. One Dr. Sarda is left with holes in his memory, while the other puts a hole in his double's bank account. The trail leads Thane and June to high-powered corporate shenanigans, which threaten to destroy through development priceless archeological sites that may hold a clue to the fate of the vanished Martian race. In addition to using biotechnology to wage psychological warfare against the corporate meanies, the Knight has to disguise himself as a mystic, the Khal of Tadzhikstan, and hire some plain old physical weaponry and its wielders. An amiable mutt named Guinness, part Lab, part Doberman, lends some canine interest. This lightweight page-turner, which demands a certain tolerance for expository lumps, libertarian preaching and Gods from Outer Space, won't make new converts for Hogan (The Proteus Operation; Endgame Enigma; etc). However, the author's competent handling of a number of standard themes in the SF adventure category will more than satisfy established fans.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Kieran Thane, aka Knight, is vacationing on Mars. Excitement is never far from him, of course, and he quickly becomes embroiled in unraveling a devious plot. An experiment has just been completed--the copying of Leo Sarda so that he can be transported and rebuilt elsewhere. Destruction of the original body isn't inherently part of the process, so Quantonix has their top researcher in duplicate for now. The original Sarda is scheduled for destruction, though, as soon as tests on the other Sarda are completed. Meanwhile, Sarda two has some trouble with his bank, and he asks Kieran/Knight for help. With secret-agent cleverness, K/K solves all problems and then goes to ground as doctor for a geological expedition. Even geology isn't proof against excitement, and the expedition runs into a few legal glitches when it discovers apparent remnants of the technologically advanced ancient civilization responsible for building Egypt's pyramids: it seems the researchers are trespassing! Entertaining and satisfying reading, with everything turning out as it should. Regina Schroeder
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Baen; First Edition edition (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671318446
• ISBN-13: 978-0671318444
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,011,477 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cute but lightweight, December 14, 2001

By	booksforabuck "BooksForABuck.com" (Dallas) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Kieran Thane, alias the Knight, is in the business or sorting things out. On Mars, he has plenty of opportunities. A research company has discovered a way of transporting living organisms--a method that involves creating an exact duplicate at the receiving end. What happens to the original is somewhat arbitrary. Complications ensue--complications that only the Knight can deal with. Resolving this problem, however, only leads to escalating issues. The syndicate is anxious to get their money back, and the Knight heads off with a group that is exploring Martian archeology--and discovering ancient structures that could have only been built by the earthly pyramid builders.

MARTIAN KNIGHTLIFE combines tongue-in-cheek adventure with mystical mysteries. Veteran science fiction author James P. Hogan keeps up a steady stream of adventure while hinting at a fascinating new society developing in Mars. Kieran Thane is something of a science fiction version of John D. McDonald's Travis McGee, the thinking man's Robin Hood. Although Hogan doesn't dwell on the gritty philosophy of life the way McDonald does, it is certainly there in this novel with its combination of future dystopia and hope.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A plot which is lively and fun, November 11, 2001

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Blend a detective story with a science fiction plot set in the future and you have Martian Knightlife, a fine mix which pairs strong characterization, mystery, and hard science. A gallant 'knight' is called upon to save relics and a man's credit alike. Add a touch of humor and a dose of romance and you have a plot which is lively and fun.

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Free SF Reader, March 26, 2008

By	Blue Tyson "- http://freesf.blogspot.com" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Martian Knightlife (Mass Market Paperback)

Actually, the Knight is no Saint.


I will disagree there with the blurb on the inside of the hardcover.

This insouciant adventure isn't a patch on Leslie Charteris' creation.


This is supposed to be rather lighthearted, it would seem, but I didn't find it that amusing. There are several bad jokes and puns to be found here, so your mileage may very.

The most interesting character was the supposedly telepathic mongrel doberman-labrador cross Guinness. Not enough book time for him. :)