Relic of Empire (Forbidden Borders, No 2)

Rating:
Summary: Staffa now finds himself torn between duty and love...
Review: A definite jewel in the deep voids of the SF world, Michael Gear has created yet another masterpiece. A coalesce of complex ideas: epistemology, mythology, philosophy. Michael Gear uses his masterful skills to create an artificial universe in which the Forbidden Borders trap Humanity, a synthetic gravity-well that has been placed by the "gods." Staffa starts to question whether or not these gods are real, and if it is possible to raze the walls that confine Humanity to only a few selected planets. However, Staffa quickly finds himself looking into the face of oblivion. Fixed between two warring empires, Staffa starts to wonder if death is the only option. A definite find, it will be enjoyed through all of the 626 pages. Bravo to Michael Gear, and his fine piece of literature. *Note: it would be best to read the first book, Requiem for the Conquer, as to the fact that many of the characters went through key and significant changes.

Rating:
Summary: Painfully obvious plot progression
Review: This book continues the over-the-top characterization of the first installment, as well as the obvious plotting. The author seemed to go out of his way to make sure readers would know where the plot was headed -- one sledgehammer-like hint was seldom enough. The two dominant 'religions' are set-up to fail, paving the way for the irrelevant broadcasts of Sedi propaganda. The journal entries he throws in are somewhat interesting looks into their representative characters, but are obviously designed to be such. They are not believable as journal entries, though. The only reason this book got two stars instead of one is the interesting way the author accomplishes what he so artlessly telegraphs.

Rating:
Summary: Painfully obvious plot progression
Review: This book continues the over-the-top characterization of the first installment, as well as the obvious plotting. The author seemed to go out of his way to make sure readers would know where the plot was headed -- one sledgehammer-like hint was seldom enough. The two dominant 'religions' are set-up to fail, paving the way for the irrelevant broadcasts of Sedi propaganda. The journal entries he throws in are somewhat interesting looks into their representative characters, but are obviously designed to be such. They are not believable as journal entries, though. The only reason this book got two stars instead of one is the interesting way the author accomplishes what he so artlessly telegraphs.