Rating: Summary: A fun read. Review: I enjoy Mr. Swann's work. He writes with a delightfully paranoid twist
Rating: Summary: Disappointing - almost negates Book #1 Review: I loved the first three books, but this one totally disappointed me. In taking away Stephie, Swann took away Nohar's soul. And why bring Maria back now? The plot was good, but I kept wishing Stephie was there with him. if you read the first three, skip this one. Even with the great plot, it'll leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Rating: Summary: Disappointing - almost negates Book #1 Review: I loved the first three books, but this one totally disappointed me. In taking away Stephie, Swann took away Nohar's soul. And why bring Maria back now? The plot was good, but I kept wishing Stephie was there with him. if you read the first three, skip this one. Even with the great plot, it'll leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Rating: Summary: people of color beware Review: I read the first book in this series, and it seems pretty clear the writer didn't have us in mind as an audience. He relies on well worn racial stereotypes of blacks and latinos. Plus Japanese folks are usually refered to as "Japs". I guess Swann figured he wouldn't be able to get away with using words like "nigger" or "spic", so he had to be a little more subtle (though not much) with those groups. Very odd considering my initial impression was that he was using the concept of the moreus, in part at least, as a way of criticizing racism. Disappointing.
Rating: Summary: people of color beware Review: I read the first book in this series, and it seems pretty clear the writer didn't have us in mind as an audience. He relies on well worn racial stereotypes of blacks and latinos. Plus Japanese folks are usually refered to as "Japs". I guess Swann figured he wouldn't be able to get away with using words like "nigger" or "spic", so he had to be a little more subtle (though not much) with those groups. Very odd considering my initial impression was that he was using the concept of the moreus, in part at least, as a way of criticizing racism. Disappointing.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Space Opera Yarn Review: If you ever want to read a novel for nothing else than just plain escape from reality, then Fearful Symmetries is the book for you. It has thrills, spills, chills and even some romance. If you enjoy good escapist science fiction, then this book is right up your alley.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Space Opera Yarn Review: If you ever want to read a novel for nothing else than just plain escape from reality, then Fearful Symmetries is the book for you. It has thrills, spills, chills and even some romance. If you enjoy good escapist science fiction, then this book is right up your alley.
Rating: Summary: Fur, action and surprises Review: If you've read the three previous books in the series ("Forests of the Night", "Emperors of the Twilight" and "Spectres of the Dawn"), you know about what to expect - a mystery plot that leads to several twists and surprises, and a lot of action and suspense, all set in the late 21st century Earth where many of the inhabitants are genetically engineers animal-morphs (Moreaus) who were originally created to fight wars but who still survive and are treated as second-class citizens by most humans. In case you haven't read the previous installments, Swann does a pretty good job of filling in the relevant background information, but be aware that much of that information will be spoilers if you later go back and read the first three books, especially the first, "Forests of the Night", which also features Nohar Rajasthan as the lead character (the other two have different main characters).The book was hard to put down, and all the action and plot twists worked pretty well, to a point, but starting somewhere around three fourths of the way through the book it felt like the author was overreaching, trying too hard to escalate the tension, pushing things too close to the edge, and as a result the ending didn't work as well for me as it could have. But boy!, what a thrill ride this book was. If you like sci-fi action thrillers, read this book. Read the other three of the series while you're at it.
Rating: Summary: Swann's got the write stuff! Review: Let's see. We've got genetic engineering, action, millitary tech and strategy, gripping characters, and a strong plot line. Swann writes some powerful stuff. The plot line (for which you will have to buy the book and read for yourself) would not only be believable if it were set in the present, but also would work with human characters as well. Though it seems that Swann believes that genetically engineered animal human hybrids are a given for the near future, I tend to disagree (then again, seeing as scientists have succeeded in cloning sheep, and developing mice with human antibodies and pigs with human blood, he might be right). Nonetheless, I like the book. I like Nohar's character even more. I am eagerly waiting for the next book.
Rating: Summary: Engrossing Review: Nohar Rajasthan is no human. He is a genetically mutated tiger, a moreau. He is a predator, designed to fight by humans who did not want to risk their own in the bloody wars. But once the wars were over, the moreau had to be tolerated by the humans who created them. So now they are second class citizens. Nohar makes his living as a detective, serving only the moreau, never touching a human case but once. And once was enough. He learned his lesson. Now, retired at forty, and feeling his age more every day, Nohar is approached by someone who wants to hire him, a young crossbreed moreau. Nohar refuses, which leads to his home being destroyed, which leads to Nohar seeking out the man who contacted him, only to find him dead. And all of this leads to a shocking discovery. Nohar has a son, and his son is in danger. S. Andrew Swann has a knack for making the unbelievable seem believable. Fearful Symmetries humanizes Nohar to the point that he becomes a completely believable hero, while retaining his exotic differences. Engrossing. Rickey R. Mallory
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