DECEMBER 2010 - AudioFile
In a story that is both deep and wide, an artificial intelligence gains sentience, turns malevolent, and becomes a danger to all living things. This is a gross oversimplification of the plot, which involves love, physics, social networks, genocide, and alien civilizations. Peter Larkin reads at a quick pace and performs amazing feats of acting. His narration is authoritative, and his character voices are charming and layered. He even makes different races of aliens sound easily identifiable. But this labyrinthine tale may be too complex for most listening situations. Much of the story is revealed obliquely through characters’ back stories, and being able to “flip back a couple pages” would be helpful. G.D. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine
Analog Magazine
The reader grows breathless, carried away in a way that only the very best science fiction can manage.
From the Publisher
Against a background depicting a space-time continuum stratified into 'zones of thought,' the author has created a rarity—a unique blend of hard science, high drama, and superb storytelling.” —Library Journal
“A tale that burns with the brazen energy of the best space operas of the golden age. Vinge has created a galaxy for the readers of the '90s to believe in...immense, ancient, athrum with data webs, dotted with wonders.” —John Clute, Interzone
“Vast, riveting, far-future saga...The overall concept astonishes; the aliens are developed with memorable skill and insight, the plot twists and turns with unputdownable tension. A masterpiece of universe building.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Fiercely original...Compelling ideas in the book include problems and advantages of group mind, galactic communications turbidity, and the prospect of civilizations aspiring to godhood.” —Stewart Brand, founder of the Whole Earth Catalog
