Rating: 
Summary: Waaaaay Cooool!!!!!!!!
Review: This book was so cool. It took me three days to read it and I mostly don't finish novels this long that fast. I would recommend it to anyone who is a hardcore science fiction fan. You won't be disappointed. I wasn't.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent first novel
Review: The author lives in Waterloo, Ontario and this is his first novel. He has won a number of awards for his short fiction (including an Aurora). The novel is set in the medium distant future. The main character is an Explorer Corps member (ECM for short). The ECMs are the first to contact new planets and thus have rather shorter career paths than most. ECM is also short for Expendable Crew Member. This is a novel that is humorous while remaining true to it's universe. This is a finely crafted novel, the humour does not overwhelm it. There are circles within circles (of ideas, of plots & characters). Simply FASSinating... Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Festina Ramos Delivers an Exceptional Performance
Review: I bought this book a couple days ago and just finished it. I spent an entire day reading it! It is a great book and I chose well when I just grabbed it off a local bookshelf. I found it great that a guy could write such a vivid portrayal of a strong woman. I find that he is definitely a great writer. I believe all of us are ECM's sometimes. . .
Rating:
Summary: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Review: Ugly because the expendable Explorers are deformed people who are deliberately kept that way, despite 25th century technology. Bad because bad things happen to them. Good because the book is good. Unlike most current sf novels, which try to turn one idea into 600 pages, this book is so rife with ideas and plot twists that they almost come too quickly. Still, it manages to keep its heart with its characters. This makes it among the best of current sf. In fact, it reminds me of why I started reading sf over thirty years ago. Also, its quite well written.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: This book was Marvelous! I loved it! i couldn't put it down 'til i was finished, a real page turner... anyone at all......read it!!! :o) <-- ( a happy face, in case u don't know)
Rating:
Summary: Excelent Book
Review: I couldn't put the book down until I finished it!
Rating:
Summary: Just good Sci-Fi
Review: I just randomly picked this book off of the shelf and tried it. I was impressed with his attention to detail and the concept of the book. Festina Ramos is a memorable and strong character and the book is written from her point of view exclusively. J.A. Gardner covers the story well with honest Science Fiction and very possible realities. It's one the best books I've read for a while and leaves you thinking about it after it's over. Definately recommended. If you like sci-fi you'll like this one
Rating:
Summary: if u like enders game, cycle of tchai ++ add humoristic life
Review: Expendable is a real good book. In fact, i think
that James must be one of the nominate for the
hugo & nebula award of '97. The book is so alive!!
If u like concept of human vs ET minding this one
is for you !!! If you like to beleive in a imagine world !! In bonus James write his book with a full realistic humor (mean sarcastic)
You will now know the real meaning of a 'OH SHIT'
-------
IF U DONT LIKE THIS BOOK MAYBE YOU ARE ONLY A ... EXPLORER.
Rating:
Summary: A STIRRING ADVENTURE AND A MEMORABLE HEROINE
Review: THIS A STIRRING SF ADVENTURE THAT PITS A MEMORABLE
HEROINE, FESTINA RAMPOS AGAINST A STRANGE AND
DEADLY WORLD WHICH SHE IS STRANDED ON. IN THE 25TH
CENTURY THERE IS NO WAR, CRIME OR POVERTY BUT IF
YOU ARE DEFORMED, CRIPPLED YOU ARE PROBABLY A
EXPLORER SENT TO DIFFERENT WORLDS AND YOUR LIFE
IS NOT WORTH VERY MUCH. THIS NOVEL OF ADVENTURE
AND DISCOVERY WAS FASCINATING AND FESTINA WAS A HEROINE YOU CAN EASILY ROOT FOR.
Rating:
Summary: Let's hear it for the ECM!
Review: I've known Jim for a while now. And I suppose that might colour my impression of this, his first published full-length novel. Fortunately, it doesn't need to.
This is a wonderful book. The characters are believable. The story is fluid and while there are number of things that aren't explained (no Trek physics! Yay!), it isn't necessary for you to understand how FTL works or YouthBoost...not
even the folks in the story understand it.
Festina Ramos, our heroine, is a real person. Not in the sense that she exists in our reality...I don't know if she does or not, nor, in the long run, do I need to. But in this story, she's alive and real and very full of that vitality that makes you care about someone. Read this book. Really. If you like SF. If you like strong, believable characters. If you want to kill a day reading.
Just go read it. It's worth it, for whatever you're looking for.
| 
