Mainline (Mass Market Paperback)

by Deborah Christian (Author) "It was an old capital, sure, but who would live there if they had a choice?..." (more)
Key Phrases: subspace channel, desk console, time patches, Sea Father, Internal Security, Gambru League (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The high-tech action in Christian's debut is propelled by an intriguing conceit: that Reva, an assassin, can pick her way across different realities branching out from her "Now," allowing her to choose an alternate "line" where she can take advantage of gaps in a victim's security system. Once Reva has switched one line too many, however, she has no way of recognizing, and returning to, her original "Mainline." Reva has spent her entire life learning to adapt to this truth, which has rendered friends, relatives and lovers into slightly, or even wholly, different people than the ones she first knew. But now Reva has grown infatuated with Lish, a female "holdout" who smuggles illicit goods to the watery planet R'debh. Reva desperately wants to remain on Lish's Mainline. As the action reaches a frantic peak, smugglers, cops, aliens and sea gods converge, and it seems ever more unlikely that Reva will be able to stay in the reality she knows, with the people she has grown to love. Christian uses this premise to explore the opacity of other's true selves. While she does not give this theme the full care it deserves, she manages to pack a lot of plot into an intelligent and thoughtful package.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Reva, an assassin for hire, can slip between alternate timelines to evade detection. When the smuggler Lish befriends her, Reva vows to remain in the mainline to protect this woman?a commitment she's never before made. When security agent Vask infiltrates Lish's organization and discovers Reva's secret, the three must escape an alien hunter, foil terrorists, and outwit a crime boss while saving Lish's assets. The intricately drawn characterizations and the believability of Reva and Vask's timeslips strengthen the solid plotting. This first novel contains all the ingredients of a science fiction thriller, making this a good choice for sf collections.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tor Science Fiction (August 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812549082
• ISBN-13: 978-0812549089
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #726,234 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting (but confusing) many-worlds first novel, November 10, 2003

By	Peter D. Tillman (Taos, NM USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Reva, a renowned assassin, has the useful ability to cross worldlines, to avoid pursuit or to penetrate a well-protected target. In fact, she can see several worldlines at once, the better to dodge trouble. But, if she travels too far from her Mainline, she can't find her way home -- so she leads a self-contained, lonely life.

As the story unfolds, Reva gets involved with a young smuggler, and tries to stay in that mainline to maintain the friendship. Complications ensue.

Mainline has some of the cheerful amorality of early Delany, and an interesting study of the implications of worldline-crossing in a many-worlds universe. Reva's ability is psi-based -- she is something of an adult, conflicted Telzey Amberdon. She does turn out to be an assassin with a heart of gold (gag), but it's more complex than that, thank heavens. The major good guys are well-drawn, but her villains are pretty cartoonish. The frequent POV shifts are distracting, and, like many first novelists, Christian tries to cram in too much stuff. And there's some dodgy (to be polite) economics in the world-building. But, overall, a worthy first effort and a fine, gripping story.

Here's a cover blurb from Nicola Griffith: It's a "refreshing change to read about a woman who kills people for a living, instead of worrying about their well-being."

Happy reading!
Cheers -- Pete Tillman

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tale of a woman who is ruthless but has compassion, August 22, 1998

By	[e-mail] or Jay Jackson (Livonia, MI, USA) - See all my reviews

In this book, I had the feeling I was reading from a mature writer who has a good grasp of how to entertain her readers. Few authors would have had the capacity to evoke an understanding and sympathy in readers for an essentially all-powerful being--an assassin at that--who seemingly cannot be harmed because of her ability to travel to various realities to kill someone or escape pursuit. Christian does this with greate ease. From the loss of her family to the loss of her friend, Reva is a character who gains sympathy despite her powers. Also, from beginning to end, Mainline keeps action and interest flowing--so much I read it all in just one sitting. A curious but compelling tale of a far-future woman in a tale few authors can handle. I hightly recommend it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Femme Nikita of a future world..., June 7, 1998

By A Customer

I've just finished reading Mainline and found it truly masterful.  It has all the elements of suspense and action as well as character development that a reader hopes for in any science fiction book as well as delightfully creative worlds as invented by the author. The quick scene changes helps keep the pace and suspense going as if one were watching a movie.   Reva is like the Femme Nikita of the future world--tough on the outside, vulnerable on the inside. Supporting characters help keep the readers on their toes as plotlines overlap and cross over one another to the climax of the novel.