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Summary: A mystery, inside a riddle, wrapped up in an enigma.
Review: This was the first original Timothy Zahn novel I'd ever read. I say 'original,' because my only previous exposure to him was his Star Wars novels, which I fully believe should be made into movies. So, I gave it a shot.This book blew the back of my head out, and I mean that in a good way. It's a science fiction book, pretending to be a mystery novel, acting like a road trip story, masquerading as a crime book. Zahn weaves all these different styles together into a brilliant tapestry, and his first-person narrative, through the eyes of Jordan McKell, is the perfect finishing touch. Add to that this little caveat -- that no one, but NO ONE here is exactly who they appear to be -- and you've got a rollicking story that will keep you hooked until the very last page. Just try it. It's worth it.
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Summary: Mystery + SciFi
Review: I'm not sure what edition this is, and why there isn't another review. It says that this edition is out of print and I wanted to make sure the reader understands that there are other editions in print. I have recommended this book to several people who read from a variety of different categories and all of them have been satisfied. I am somewhat new to SciFi (less than 2 dozen) and I have been reading mysteries and detective novels such as Patricia Cornwell, Mary Higgans Clark, Michael Connelly. Etc. The Icarus Hunt is a great mystery novel (that just happens to take place mainly on a space ship) even if you don't normally care for SciFi. Zahn has the ability to write cover to cover action and this is a great example. This book is a must read.
I have just finished reading Zahn's "Spinneret" and feel I must put in a plug for it as well (although it *is* out of print). I am a definite Zahn convert and will be spending more time in the SciFi section in the library.
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Summary: Plot Twists Galore
Review: The plot tists in this Zahn masterpiece are mind bending and the suspense is literally heartsopping. If you've never read a Zahn book this is a good place to start. In some ways this novel reminds me of Mission Impossible and Minority Report in the way that they make you think. Zahn is one of the best character writers in all of Sci-Fi. Keep it up Mr. Zahn and you'll no longer be the best kept secret of the industry (Aside from Star Wars book goers he's pretty much an unknown.)
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Summary: A who-dun-it in a sci-fi setting!
Review: I was expecting something completely different picking up this book by Zahn. He is an extremely good author who knows the right combination of action and plot to seize his readers in a death grip. This book is no exception from his writing style. However this time he has married a cloak and dagger/who-dun-it to the science fiction genre. I read this book in 2 days and it was extremely hard to put down as it took you from one event to another in a light speed fashion. He left you at the edge of your seat wondering/trying to figure who had done it but to no avail. The ending was very unpredictable and there was closure! A truly good story told by no other than Zahn.
Rating:
Summary: Icarus Hunt
Review: Absolutely amazing. This book has all of the well thought, devious sci-fi twists and tumbles Zahn is well known for, as well as a humerous first person hero-narrator. Very well done, definitely one of his best.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Sci-Fi/Mystery Story
Review: It's very well-written and an excellent addition to any Science Fiction (or even a mystery) fan's library. I don't tend to like 1st person POV's in stories, so I was skeptical at first of the decision to write "Icarus Hunt" as a 1st person POV, but as the story progressed, I couldn't imagine it being written any other way.
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Summary: In the tradition of the best space opera
Review: A powerful epic of non stop action, Thimoty Zahn manages to write a novel that you can't stop reading until the end. I won't tell how it ends, but it brings a big surprise and a redemption for two of the most unforgetable characters in the phanteon of heroes in Zahn's biblioraphy. Highly recomended!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Decent adventure SF
Review: This novel is basically a chase through the stars. However, the construction of the aliens and some of the technology of the novel make it interesting. A race called the Patth has a near monopoly on all interstellar shipping because they managed to create a propulsion system that is significantly faster than anything anybody else has. All the other races have had to scramble for small or illegal contracts to survive. The novel opens with the main character, Jordan McKell, being hired to pilot a starship. The novel is something of a mystery as well. The mystery concerns the fate of the employer of McKell and the rest of the crew and what exactly they have been hired to convey to Earth. Tension gradually builds as McKell is questioned by authorities on route to the Icarus and then he meets several other strangers who will be the crew of the ship. They all have different histories that McKell doesn't know anything about; trust and suspicion run throughout the story. Some of the more interesting ideas in the story are that monopolies, trade and the like will continue in much the same form in the future as they do in the present. There are even several criminal organizations in the novel, which are involved, in typical Mafia like actions such as drug smuggling and extortion. So much of SF assumes a Star Trek like universe where there is no shortages of food or anything else and everybody has everything provided for them. This aspect of realism made the novel more believable. Usually, hard science fiction focuses on predicting future technology or science (and giving plausible explanations for them), whereas this novel simply had technology as part of the background with mystery and characters taking the spot light. The novel does a have a Star Wars (Zahn has written several Star Wars novels) feel to it and this may turn off some readers. The different aliens in the story are somewhat inventive. McKell's partner Ixil has two "ferrets" (originally used as hunting aids in his race's ancient history) that can obey simple orders, plug into Ixil's nervous system and provide him with all the information they gather. One of the alien races finds zero gravity environments very comfortable and they are in high demand to be space walkers (i.e. go outside space ships and perform repairs). I thought the ending was somewhat unexpected; there is a sudden revelation about McKell and his mechanic-business partner Ixil that seems too easy but I doubt there would be a better way to resolve the plot. I do not want to reveal the ending but it seemed so clichéd; that said it was no predictable, in my view. I gave the novel three stars not for any major error; I am not inclined to regard a straight adventure story like this as literature. The exploration of any significant theme seemed to be lacking as well. Philip K. Dick once said, "Science fiction is a literature of ideas," and that is lacking in this novel. It is fun to read yet it is nowhere near as trashy as Harlequin romances or similar fiction.
Rating:
Summary: great scifi-mystery
Review: one of my favorite books. if you're looking for an engaging science fiction novel with interesting characters and a story that you can't put down, read this. Zahn, as in all his novels, creates a realistic world with intense story-telling and a sense of adventure. this is my personal favorite zahn book so far. check out his two star wars series' and conqueror series. my only problem with the book and some of his others is that he seems to wrap up the ending in a nice, neat package all in one chapter. this is minor, however, because his character development and storytelling are among the best in scifi.
Rating:
Summary: A novel of epic proportions!
Review: Once again, Timothy Zahn has demonstrated his ability to stun any reader who reads his work.
Jordan McKell is a spacer in a galaxy that is as diverse as any Star Wars creation. He is a transport pilot in a galaxy where his trade is monopolized by the alien race Patth. They hold the trading world in their hands due to their technology, and therefore forcing everyone else out of business.
Jordan has racked up a huge debt and is working for a leading crime lord when he is offered a job by a well known business man: Deliver the starship Icarus to Earth. Short on money, Jordan agrees and sets off on an adventure that is of epic proportions. With a rag-tag crew, Jordan has to make it to earth in a ship that is as strange as it's unknown creators, and with technology that has everyone else in the galaxy out to grab it.
Going from world to world, running into everything from bounty hunters to drug addiction in his own crew to a killer on board the Icarus, Jordan and his friend Ixil have to get the Icarus to it's rightful owners.
(...)
The Icarus Hunt is a beautifully written work of Science Fiction, and written on the scale of any epic book or movie series. The book incorperates everything a sci-fi fan wants: Action, mystery and suspense. A must for anyone who calls themselves a Science Fiction Fan.
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