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Summary: Cannot recommend this highly enough!
Review: I first read "This Star Shall Abide" when I was 11 or 12, but it wasn't until I was 26 that I managed to locate and read "Beyond the Tomorrow Mountains" and "The Doors of the Universe." The rerelease of all three books in a single omnibus edition is fantastic news for anyone interested in intelligent science fiction. The narrative follows one enormously sympathetic character who is notable for his overriding, unflinching honesty. As a young man, he gradually comes to resist the limitations of the caste system into which he has been born-- but this is just the beginning of a long and tortuous road to maturity. The other characters whom he encounters along the way, while rather modest in number, are also memorably and movingly drawn. Ms. Engdahl's work does not rely on flashy technology, kooky aliens, or gory battles to keep her reader's interest. Instead, she has conceived a world where abstract issues of faith, truth, knowledge, love, loyalty, and obligation have uniformly concrete consequences for its people's continued existence. To have such high stakes riding on individuals' morality and resourcefulness is what makes this such a gripping read.
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Summary: Thought-provoking and deeply moving
Review: I first read "This Star Shall Abide" while in high school, and was stirred by the powerful and profound questions posed by this book, its psychological and moral depth, and its ability to create a consistent world that's very different from our own. I found out a few years ago that there were more books in the series, but wasn't able to track them down, as they were out of print. But finally I've been able to read Ms. Engdahl's full series, and the wait was worth it. The second and third books in this volume surpass the first -- they raise issues of faith and perseverance, self-sacrifice, vision and hope. This new omnibus edition is essential reading not only for science-fiction fans, but for anyone who's thought seriously about ecological issues, the future of humanity, hope, faith or courage. Most highly recommended!
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Summary: leaves an impression - a simple review
Review: I first read these books (now book) over 10 years ago. They have remained among my favorite books. Ms Engdahl's writings have a way of staying with one always.
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Summary: Children of The Star - Sylvia Engdahl
Review: I first read this as three books from the library, in the 1980's. Since then I've tried multiple times to purchase them but found they were out of print. Imagine my delight to learn of this newly printed omnibus edition! In my opinion, this is one of the most important works of fiction ever written, though not many are familiar with Ms. Engdahl or her stories. She is one of the few to emphasize the importance of our space program in a way that should touch everyone interested in the future of humankind. I think that everyone should take it upon themselves to read this deeply intriguing and wonderfully crafted story.
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Summary: A must read
Review: If you're a sci-fi fan, don't miss this book. If you're not a sci-fi fan, don't miss it either. Sylvia Engdahl successfully creates an alternative world that will force you to rethink your view of our own world. What is truth? What is knowledge? What is faith? If you've ever asked these questions, you owe it to yourself to read this book. You will be thinking about it for a long time afterward - in my case, 15+ years.
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Summary: Wow! Back in print at last!
Review: Like most fans of this book, I first read the trilogy when I was in my teens. I was awed-- it's amazing the way that the author was able to construct such a completely unjust society, and then turn around and make such a compellingly strong case in its favor. (Saying any more would completely give away the ending to the first book!). A must read. The truly amazing thing is that, after searching for this book for literally eighteen years, I have found it to be every bit as powerful and provoking a read as it was all those years ago... it's lost absolutely NOTHING over the years, unusual for a science fiction book to seem fresh and relevant after so many years. I hope this review helps you, if you're wavering then just go ahead and make the purchase. You won't regret it!
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Summary: 20 Years Later, It Still Moves Me
Review: Like others, I was first swept up in Noren's story when I was 12 years old. I loved 'This Star Shall Abide' but was less than thrilled with 'Beyond the Tomorrow Mountains.'Last night, at age 36, I re-read 'Tomorrow Mountains' (in one sitting!) and understood immediately why a young teenager would have found it difficult: the story of Noren's new challenge was far beyond my youthful understanding, much less sympathy. But as an adult, I found it an amazingly vivid and true-to-(my)-life portrait of an existential crisis. Engdahl has a gift for creating compelling, sympathetic characters whose minds and hearts are engaged in their relationshps with each other and their world. Each one has a different perspective, and each (slowly) learns from the wisdom of the others. The "lessons" are there, but so are rich stories of people you enjoy spending time with. Tonight I'll start "The Door into the Universe" third book of the trilogy, and I'm delighted at the chance to discover a whole new chapter. And don't miss "Enchantress from the Stars", also by Engdahl.
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Summary: Unique, compelling, satisfying!!
Review: Sylvia Engdahl's intelligence, thoughfulness and care in weaving this story have brought about a book unlike anything else I've read. The hero is never allowed the easy way out, the reader is never treated with condescension. If you enjoy grappling with big chunky issues of politics, philosophy and theology all rolled together, rites of passage, technological challenges, and a delicious flavour of ultimate conspiracy... do yourself a favour and read it!!
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Summary: Children of The Star - Sylvia Engdahl
Review: The first book in this trilogy literally helped determine the entire course of my life. I read it when I was 11 years old, and the main character's determination to pursue truth at all costs, and his struggles with the issue of faith, absolutely fired my imagination. My career today as a Christian preacher was molded and shaped by concepts I first met in this book. I was 33 when I finally got to read the other two books, and was gratified to learn that author makes no compromises in the rest of the story. In fact, the character's struggles in the final book in many ways mirror the struggles of my own life. I have since bought 2 copies for friends, and have loaned my copy to anyone who will read it. Buy this book. There should be more of its kind in the world.
Rating:
Summary: A life-determining story
Review: The first book in this trilogy literally helped determine the entire course of my life. I read it when I was 11 years old, and the main character's determination to pursue truth at all costs, and his struggles with the issue of faith, absolutely fired my imagination. My career today as a Christian preacher was molded and shaped by concepts I first met in this book. I was 33 when I finally got to read the other two books, and was gratified to learn that author makes no compromises in the rest of the story. In fact, the character's struggles in the final book in many ways mirror the struggles of my own life. I have since bought 2 copies for friends, and have loaned my copy to anyone who will read it. Buy this book. There should be more of its kind in the world.
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