I picked
this book up from the library as I am planning to attend a writing symposium
next week with presentations by these two authors. I had read Larry Niven’s
‘Mote’ series, but was not familiar with Mr. Barnes’s work. I’m glad I read
this and am anxious to discuss it with them next week!
Saturn’s
Race, Larry Niven
and Steven Barnes (3.5)
While
this book is set in the future (2020) and has advanced scientific concepts, I
would not characterize it as traditional Sci-Fi. It is a nice blend of
adventure and mystery with cultural and psychological questions surrounding the
scientific advancements of the time. Society in this future is run by a handful
of rarely seen councilors, who are powerful, rich and mysterious. Much of the
story revolves around a man-made island in the South Pacific named Xanadu. It
is an idyllic self-contained paradise sponsored by the councilors where
advanced computer-biological studies are being done. What is being done and why both drive the adventure, which involves an evil-possibly AI-presence. My only
complaint with this book was a jarring change with regards to the love story. I
won’t give it away, but it didn’t feel true to the characters. I am not a fan
of the easy love story, but I think something could have been done earlier in
the story to make the final outcome more believable.
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