Marseguro (Daw Science Fiction) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Edward Willett (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL ON A DISTANT WATER WORLD

After a worldwide disaster strikes Earth, the planet is taken over by a fanatical religious theocracy. Scientist Victor Hansen flees with a staff of non-genetically modified humans and young members of his newly created race, the Selkies, to Marseguro, a distant water world. But their peace and freedom is threatened when a traitor calls forth a strike force from Earth, and Victor's own grandson, Richard, is with them. What Richard Hansen discovers may alter not only his own destiny but that of Marseguro and Earth as well.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: DAW (February 5, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756404649
• ISBN-13: 978-0756404642
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #378,203 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, February 11, 2008

By	William Howe "wildwily" (Terrytown, LA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Excellent world-building and well developed characters. Very enjoyable. If you are interested in the religious implications of genetic manipulation, the political problems with a theocracy, or the question of what you would do when faced with extinction, read this book.

One or two minor inconsistencies near the end (suddenly he's into atheletics...in zero-g?), but nothing that truly detracts from the novel.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story, March 10, 2009

By	K. Alston (Longview, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The writer created a world in Marseguro that I, as the reader, really felt a part of. The decriptions of the planet and it's people were creative,yet believable, with flaws and feelings easily related to. The detail used in the action sequences allowed the reader to follow the adventure with clear pictures. I really enjoyed this book and, because the ending is left for an obvious sequel, am looking forward to meeting the people from Marseguro again.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unsentimental look at what it means to be human, August 27, 2008

By	lb136 "lb136" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Marseguro, a colonized planet inhabited by normal humans and Selkies--genetically modified by a scientist named Victor Hansen--would seem defenseless when the theocratic earth government (The Body) sends (with Hansen's grandson Richard as part of the force) a military expedition to capture, sterilize, and enslave the Selkies--considered an "abomination" by the earth totalitarians.

Obviously, you know that the Selkies and their unmodified coinhabitants of the planet aren't as defenseless as they seem (else there would be no book), so the suspense in this thrilling tale with multiple povs and intriguing characters comes from learning exactly how they'll accomplish this and what will happen next. The response is swift, and then things really get interesting but never sentimental--atypical for novels that have as one of their themes "what it means to be human."

The principal characters--Emily the Selkie (that's her on the front cover) and Richard Hansen--are complicated enough to seem real, and you'll probably believe in them. The supporting cast are well done, too. And the action sequences--especially a chase across the water with a killer robot in pursuit (that's it on the back cover) should thrill you.

The novel's complete in itself, but there's room for a sequel.