Wasteland of Flint

Rating:
Summary: powerful science fiction with a mystery
Review: Over the last several centuries, Mexica becomes the earth's superpower and begins traveling into outer space. In orbit around the lifeless planet Ephesus III, a ship has become silent leaving a scientific team marooned on the planet's surface. The Mexica Imperial Navy orders archaeologist Gretchen Anderssen to help rescue the scientists and return with the ancient artifact that the explorer Russovsky found on the planet.

The cruiser Cornuelle reaches its destination Ephesus III only to learn that an artifact found on the planetary surface was sent to the ship, but carelessly handled leading to the release of a toxic agent that consumed all organic material on board. Gretchen finds another million years old object, apparently left by the First Sun species. Crew member Imperial Judge Green Hummingbird refuses to allow any of the First Sun technology to accompany them back. When the science team boards the ship, Russovsky is a mineral clone of herself. When Hummingbird goes planet side to erase human traces, Gretchen follows him to learn why the phobia exists about the First Sun civilization.

WASTELAND OF FLINT is an exciting futuristic, mostly outer space, tale that displays Thomas Harlan's skills in world building. The story line goes at warp speed from the moment the Navy drafts Gretchen even with twists and turns but especially when the Cornuelle reaches Ephesus III. The prime players seem authentic and full dimensional, even the crystallized Russovsky so that fans of earthlings visiting other worlds will appreciate this powerful science fiction with a mystery to augment the reading pleasure.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: powerful science fiction with a mystery
Review: Over the last several centuries, Mexica becomes the earth's superpower and begins traveling into outer space. In orbit around the lifeless planet Ephesus III, a ship has become silent leaving a scientific team marooned on the planet's surface. The Mexica Imperial Navy orders archaeologist Gretchen Anderssen to help rescue the scientists and return with the ancient artifact that the explorer Russovsky found on the planet.

The cruiser Cornuelle reaches its destination Ephesus III only to learn that an artifact found on the planetary surface was sent to the ship, but carelessly handled leading to the release of a toxic agent that consumed all organic material on board. Gretchen finds another million years old object, apparently left by the First Sun species. Crew member Imperial Judge Green Hummingbird refuses to allow any of the First Sun technology to accompany them back. When the science team boards the ship, Russovsky is a mineral clone of herself. When Hummingbird goes planet side to erase human traces, Gretchen follows him to learn why the phobia exists about the First Sun civilization.

WASTELAND OF FLINT is an exciting futuristic, mostly outer space, tale that displays Thomas Harlan's skills in world building. The story line goes at warp speed from the moment the Navy drafts Gretchen even with twists and turns but especially when the Cornuelle reaches Ephesus III. The prime players seem authentic and full dimensional, even the crystallized Russovsky so that fans of earthlings visiting other worlds will appreciate this powerful science fiction with a mystery to augment the reading pleasure.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Sci-Fi Reading
Review: Thomas Harlan has written a book that encompasses the styles of Isaac Asimov, Fred Saberhagen and John W. Campbell all in one book. The technology is very Asimov, the aliens and other techno-creatures are Saberhagen and the interpersonal relationships and suspense are Campbell. I would highly recommend this book to any Sci-Fi reader or any reader period. This book is truly worth buying.

Rating:
Summary: Exciting Blend of Alternate History and Space Opera
Review: Thomas Harlan's "Wasteland of Flint" is among the most engrossing examples of alternative history and space opera I'm aware of in science fiction. It introduces us to several key characters whose adventures we follow in the splendid "House of Reeds". Here Harlan introduces us to the intriguing premise of an interstellar human empire ruled by a technologically sophisticated Aztec and Japanese nobility, which stumbles upon artifacts left by long-dead, and more powerful, interstellar civilizations. Company archaeologist Gretchen Anderssen is in search of one of the fabled "First Sun" artifacts and a lost Company archaeological expedition on the remote world of Epheseus III. Accompanying Dr. Anderssen is Commander Mitsuhara Hadeishi, the skipper of the light cruiser Cornuelle, and her crew, especially Mexica Imperial judge and agent Green Hummingbird. Together they will make a discovery that could potentially shake the foundations of the human interstellar empire. To his credit, Harlan offers us a very exciting tale told in crisp, well-written prose.