Book Review: Children of the Comet by Donald Moffitt

This is an engaging fantasy dealing with future humans and primitive societies. 

Children of the Comet

by Donald Moffitt

• File Size: 930 KB
• Print Length: 332 pages
• Publisher: Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy (October 13, 2015)
• Publication Date: October 13, 2015
• ASIN: B00VL0WCQ8
• Genre: Fantasy, Sci Fi
• My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

In the far future, on top of a gigantic tree rooted in the ice ball of a comet, a young man’s journey leads to unexpected encounters

In this brand-new cosmic adventure by the author of The Genesis Quest and The Jupiter Theft, Torris, son of the Facemaker, knows only his small community at the base of the great Tree on a comet with almost no gravity or atmosphere. Torris’s daily struggle for survival includes harvesting frozen air to keep breathing, dodging flutterbeasts, and hunting meatbeasts for food. When it comes time to make his vision quest to the top of the Tree, Torris is completely unprepared for what he finds: first, a thieving and hostile fellow quester; then, Ning, a female hunter from a neighboring tree-bearing comet, who has catapulted across empty space in search of food to save her family; and ultimately, alien visitors in a massive starship that has spent billions of years crossing the galaxy.

Shocked at the cultural differences between his home and Ning’s and stunned by the changes precipitated by the arrival of the spaceship, Torris must learn quickly, adapt even faster, and face an uncertain and rapidly changing future unlike anything he has ever imagined.

Review:
Torris is a tall, thin and intelligent young man who lives on a tree comet. He has grown up with the duties and traditions of his tribe. He is now of age, with other young men in his tribe, to go on his vision quest to the top of the Tree. They must each climb alone and not help or receive help. Torris starts out well with his air suit, his warming bug, and bows and arrows to help catch food and fight of predators of the Tree which he expected. He didn’t expect to have another young climber scavenge and scatter his pack. Nor did he expect to run into a female from the nearest tree that would soon be close enough for barbaric bride raids from one tree to the other.

The female hunter, Ning, and Torris should kill each other but that is not what happens. They form a shaky alliance during which they learn about each other’s tribes. Torris is impressed with Ning’s intelligence and skills. Ning is impressed by Torris’ kindness and determination.

Meanwhile, far away, there are people from earth who have developed colonies on distant planets. Two groups do not want to stay with the colony. One of the older generations, led by Captain Joorn, wants to return to Earth to see if the Sun has burned up the home planet. Another group, led by Professor Karn and a group of scientists wants to travel beyond. The two make an agreement that they will take the ship and a habitat and return. Once the Earth bound group are dropped off back in Earth’s galaxy, the professor’s group will move on. During the years of travel not everyone agrees to honor the agreement and struggles arise.

The ship finally arrives at the Milky Way Galaxy to discover primitive communities have found a foot hold in comet trees within the Oort Clouds. The ship inhabitants are able to see the tree people and determine that they must step in.

The characters are unique, including a dolphin with its own contraption that allows movement and communication. Torris and Ning are good characters and they make friends with Joorn's grandson and granddaughter.The theories of science, travel, colonization and society growth are interesting and fit the fantasy. The tree world is well developed and the ship antagonisms are consistent with human behavior.

Although I was a bit confused at the beginning of the story I soon became wrapped in the twin story threads as they shifted in chapters toward a cosmic meeting. There were some alarmingly dumb actions - not too surprising from teens trying to find themselves. The writing is easy and smooth, except perhaps for some quantum discussions that were beyond me. I focused more on the people and less on the scientific theories and found this to be an engaging fantasy. I would likely read more by Mr. Moffitt.

This releases October 13, 2015. I received this through NetGalley for an honest review. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: Footsteps in the Sky by Greg Keyes

This is an unusual story - entertaining and thought provoking.
Footsteps in the Sky
by Greg Keyes

• File Size: 1069 KB
• Print Length: 298 pages
• Publisher: Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy (May 26, 2015)
• Publication Date: May 26, 2015
• ASIN: B00Q5UWNI6

Genre: Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

The pueblo people who landed on the Fifth World found it Earthlike, empty, and ready for colonization . . . but a century later, they are about to meet the planet’s owners

One hundred years ago, Sand’s ancestors made the long, one-way trip to the Fifth World, ready to work ceaselessly to terraform the planet. Descendants of native peoples like the Hopi and Zuni, they wanted to return to the way of life of their forebears, who honored the Kachina spirits.

Now, though, many of the planet’s inhabitants have begun to resent their grandparents’ decision to strand them in this harsh and forbidding place, and some have turned away from the customs of the Well-Behaved People. Sand has her doubts, but she longs to believe that the Kachina live on beyond the stars and have been readying a new domain for her people.

She may be right. Humans have discovered nine habitable worlds, all with life that shares a genetic code entirely alien to any on Earth. Someone has been seeding planets, bringing life to them. But no other sign of the ancient farmers has ever been discovered—until one day they return to the Fifth World. They do not like what they find.

Originally written in 1994, Footsteps in the Sky is finally being released in digital form by Open Road Media.

Review:
Sand is a young woman of the pueblo clan in the rough interior country of the Fifth World. One hundred years earlier,Sand’s ancestors made the move to this new planet. Those who settled in the interior work the land and follow the legends and traditions, including religious beliefs honoring the Kachina spirits. These people honor the memories and stories of their ancestors, native tribes like the Hopi and Zuni, who came from earth.

There are more ambitious men and women who control the coast and the technology they have available. This clan has put the simple, native beliefs, fears and traditions aside. They plan manipulations to increase their power. They know there are alien forces from earth that will someday return to claim the planet. But there is a different alien force that is orbiting the planet in three ships. The ambitious coastal people hope they can make contact with these hovering aliens to help them keep the planet by fighting the earth-handlers. However, the inhabitants do not realize the danger they face from the unknown aliens.

This story started a little slowly but once I realized the dynamics of the tribes and alien elements I found it fascinating. In essence this tells the story of two societies vying for the planet - not just two on the planet but two alien species in orbit as well. There is thought provoking supposition on how long term artificial intelligence might act when trying to follow its directives or meet new changes.

There is history to give fullness to the Kachina traditions but then one descendant line changes the god to fit their views and needs. There are two spies among the natives and it is interesting the different way they react and interact after many years of insertion. I didn’t care for the casual sex and bad language although I suppose it fit the particular characters. On the other hand, I was struck by some very profound observations of human nature - motives, desires and ability to love and sacrifice.

This is an unusual tale that is full of conflict, action, betrayal and glimpses of love and sacrifice. I recommend this to readers who would enjoy a space adventure that includes a psychological study.

I am glad I selected this at NetGalley. It is part of my NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review: The Genome: A Novel by Sergei Lukyanenko

This is a very engaging read combining Sci Fi and Mystery genres.
The Genome: A Novel
by Sergei Lukyanenko

• File Size: 719 KB
• Print Length: 496 pages
• Publisher: Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy (December 2, 2014)
• ASIN: B00NX8U3J4

Genre: Sci Fi, Mystery
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 2, 2014
A science fiction thriller by the author of Night Watch, the hit novel that inspired two major motion pictures
Five months after the horrific accident that left him near death and worried that he’d never fly again, master-pilot Alex Romanov lands a new job: captaining the sleek passenger vessel Mirror. Alex is a spesh—a human who has been genetically modified to perform particular tasks. As a captain and pilot, Alex has a genetic imperative to care for passengers and crew—no matter what the cost.
His first mission aboard Mirror is to ferry two representatives of the alien race Zzygou on a tour of human worlds. His task will not be an easy one, for aboard the craft are several speshes who have reason to hate the Others. Dark pasts, deadly secrets, and a stolen gel-crystal worth more than Alex’s entire ship combine to challenge him at every turn. And as the tension escalates, it becomes apparent that greater forces are at work to bring the captain’s world crashing down.

Review:
Master-Pilot Alex finds himself recuperating on an industrial planet station. As a pilot-spesh it is in his nature to lead and help others which causes him to take a young teen girl under his wing. He can tell from her looks and behavior that Kim is about to go through the metamorphosis that will change her into whatever specialty was coded in her genes before birth. He cannot allow her to do this alone on the streets as he is concerned that she will die.

Alex is fortunate to land a great job that allows him to pick his own six member team: two pilots, a navigator, an engineer, a doctor and a fighter. He pulls together an interesting crew, including Kim as the fighter-spesh. Only one of the six is a natural human who was not designed and trained with a particular specialty. There is a little animosity and tension as the crew comes together. The tensions intensify when they learn the first mission is to transport three passengers, two Zzygous and their clone escort. These aliens are considered ‘Others’ and uneasy enemies to humans, including the doctor-spesh, Janet, who is trying hard to control her tendencies to hate and destroy that alien race. The navigator, the natural human in the crew, is vocal regarding his bigotry against clones.

No sooner does the flight begin when there is a near collision that appears to be an attempt to kill the ship, crew or the passengers. Alex manages to settle everyone and the trip proceeds comfortably until a savage murder occurs that could trigger intergalactic war. Alex, as Captain of the ship, feels responsible for everyone aboard. He pieces together the clues to find the murderer at the same time as a famous detective interviews each of the suspects.

I found the first half of the book to be an amazing sci fi world with unique characters. Kim has secrets that add to the engaging story. It is quickly clear that the practice of creating speshes has its benefits and difficulties. Mid-way the murder occurs and the story jumps into a takeoff of famous detectives. This provided entertaining humor intertwined with philosophical questions regarding the benefits and stability of chosen speshes versus freedom to choose one’s own destiny and freedom to experience all emotions.

The leap from sci fi to mystery was a bizarre twist. I was engrossed in the sci fi elements and felt jolted when the focus clearly shifted. However, I then enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes' methodology of disclosing details to uncover the murderer. The mystery was satisfactorily wrapped up but there were a few loose ends in the future of the characters. There is a free attitude towards sexual partners that I didn’t care for but it fits the character personalities.

This book kept me up late wanting to know where the story would go! It is well written and read very quickly for a longer book. I highly recommend this to sci fi lovers and to mystery lovers too.

I received this from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.