Rating: 
Summary: Pleasant surprise - new fan
Review: It's always a great pleasure to pick up a book by an author you've never heard of and become and instant fan! I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is very well written, hard to put down, and the plot and characters held my interest all the way through. I like the cyberfable genre, speculative sf, alternative realities, explorations of the AI theme...Maximum Ice is all of these. I will definitely check out Kenyon's earlier books.
Rating: 
Summary: Average book - get's better as the book progresses.
Review: Just finished reading Max Ice. I'm a long time sci-fi reader and while I thought the book had a very interesting concept it suffered a few major flaws.1. Slow pacing the first half of the book.
2. Needless confusion between "Ice Nun" and "Ice Witch".
3. The usual contradiction of hi-tech surviving a post-apoc event. How can such a primative base of people maintain tech when they can barely read?
4. A weak ending. The last two pages almost dribble into a sequel.
5. Hanging plot threads left right and center. (what happened to other explorers, why would a planet sell a ship like this to persecuted people?, Dark Matter origin, etc. etc.) Having said all of that, the book does pose some interesting questions and it's not a bad read for a beach trip. Just don't expect more than that.
Rating:
Summary: A 6.0 Performance
Review: Kay Kenyon's dazzling, glittery tale features an out-of-control planet-wide optical computer (the Ice of the title), space-faring gypsies, nuns who shun things religious, predator rats, and cannibalistic insane "snow witches." The gypsies have returned to earth after 10,000 Earth years (they have become infertile) only to find the that a crystalline structure has covered the planet's green hills and blue oceans. Ship Mother Zoya (she spends most of her time in stasis) is awakened as the ship goes into Earth orbit, and is soon dispatched down to the planet to find out what's going on. After much travail she manages to find out. The story glides along (often at strange angles) with intelligence and flair. Well plotted, well crafted. Smile and wave from the "Kiss and Cry" area, please, Ms. Kenyon. Oh, and here's a bouquet just for you!
Rating:
Summary: A Book that is hard to put down!
Review: Some Authors I read for their ideas, some for their characterization, and some for their storytelling abilities.
Kay Kenyon combines all three. Maximum Ice is no exception - a unique concept, wonderful characters, and a story not to be put aside.
Rating: 
Summary: New Take On An Old Theme
Review: The man versus machine storyline is certainly not a new one, but Kay Kenyon has put a unique spin on it in MAXIMUM ICE. The "machine" is a powerful computer that was originally developed to protect Earth. This system, called Ice, was based on a self-replicating chemical structure and, over a span of several thousand years, it has grown to the point where it threatens to totally engulf the planet, eliminating all life in the process. The "man" side of the equation is spearheaded by shipmother Zoya. She represents a band of star-faring expatriots whose ancestors left Earth before Ice and who now want to re-settle. In between are ice witches, some unholy nuns, ravenous rats, mutinous officers, and other assorted complications. The story is different enough to be interesting and the main characters, while not exactly "deep", are sufficiently developed to be appealing. This is the first book by Kenyon that I've read. I liked it. There was plenty of action, and the concept and characters kept me entertained. I'll be reading more of Kenyon's books in the future, and I recommend this one to readers who enjoy light science fiction. It's not "hall of fame" material, but it's fun.
Rating:
Summary: New Take On An Old Theme
Review: The man versus machine storyline is certainly not a new one, but Kay Kenyon has put a unique spin on it in MAXIMUM ICE. The "machine" is a powerful computer that was originally developed to protect Earth. This system, called Ice, was based on a self-replicating chemical structure and, over a span of several thousand years, it has grown to the point where it threatens to totally engulf the planet, eliminating all life in the process. The "man" side of the equation is spearheaded by shipmother Zoya. She represents a band of star-faring expatriots whose ancestors left Earth before Ice and who now want to re-settle. In between are ice witches, some unholy nuns, ravenous rats, mutinous officers, and other assorted complications. The story is different enough to be interesting and the main characters, while not exactly "deep", are sufficiently developed to be appealing. This is the first book by Kenyon that I've read. I liked it. There was plenty of action, and the concept and characters kept me entertained. I'll be reading more of Kenyon's books in the future, and I recommend this one to readers who enjoy light science fiction. It's not "hall of fame" material, but it's fun.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Story
Review: This book has a great plot and excellent character development. It garners your interest at the very beginning and the plot keeps unfolding throughout the book. One of the more interesting aspects is how the environment (the "ice") is both a realm and also a character of sorts. The book is well paced and exciting. Hollywood take note -- this would make a great movie.
Rating:
Summary: Character-driven hard sf
Review: When it comes to hard sf, it doesn't get any better than "Maximum Ice." This is high-concept science, with unforgettable characters, in the style only Kay Kenyon can manage. Terrific novel.
| 
