Rating: 
Summary: Great sci-fi and ethical arguments is what sci-fi is about.
Review: After reading 'The Parafaith War' and the great sci-fi in it and seeing how Modesitt dealt with the different arguments for religion- and science-based societies I had to read something more like it, specially in the context of sci-fi and hopefully from Modesitt, and luckily 'Gravity Dreams' came along and I found it most enjoyable.Again, the sci-fi was great and thoroughly enjoyable and the arguments presented about truth and honesty were awesome. Though the way he deals with nanotechnology is kind of simplistic and quaint, but it's understandable given that insterest in nanotech applications and development is just starting to spark people's minds.
Rating:
Summary: another solid, creative read
Review: Although the summary here and on the jacket say this is a "standalone" book, I'm sure those of you who have read Fall of Angels from Modesitt's Saga of Recluse series will notice a host of similarities in culture and language between the two books. I would put forth that someone in Tor's marketing department got it wrong - this is actually a chronological precursor to the Recluse series and admirably crosses the boundary from hard fiction to the "fantasy" world found in the other texts.
Rating:
Summary: Another reasonably good book
Review: Fairly good. I like the author's individual works better than the long running recluse series at this point. THis book was not quite as unique as the Parafaith war, which I foudn particularly cool.
Rating: 
Summary: A couple of intersting ideas
Review: I have always loved a book that isn't afraid to talk about philosophy. Modesitt is not only not afriad, but any of his science fiction books could serve as a final paper in a philosopy 101 class. Kind of like an action book for an acedmic, the plot of this book is really just meant to set up the main character's discussions with himself and other people around him.
I liked this book for the fact that was kind of a comeing of age story. I brought up issues such as honesty, and had some very good comentary about a man who is forced to come and live a socity that is different, and technoligly more advanced than his own.
The problem with the book is that the philosophy and the main character quickly becomes very self centered and arrogant. Many parts of this book brought me back to my high school days, where I would have arguments with friends that were more about being clever that being right. By the end of the book the character has a very contrived philosophical conversion that is a the best example of intelectual flatulence that I had seen written outside of a university.
Rating:
Summary: A couple of intersting ideas
Review: I have always loved a book that isn't afraid to talk about philosophy. Modesitt is not only not afriad, but any of his science fiction books could serve as a final paper in a philosopy 101 class. Kind of like an action book for an acedmic, the plot of this book is really just meant to set up the main character's discussions with himself and other people around him.
I liked this book for the fact that was kind of a comeing of age story. I brought up issues such as honesty, and had some very good comentary about a man who is forced to come and live a socity that is different, and technoligly more advanced than his own.
The problem with the book is that the philosophy and the main character quickly becomes very self centered and arrogant. Many parts of this book brought me back to my high school days, where I would have arguments with friends that were more about being clever that being right. By the end of the book the character has a very contrived philosophical conversion that is a the best example of intelectual flatulence that I had seen written outside of a university.
Rating: 
Summary: Amazing
Review: I loved this book. Well, now that I've gotten that out of the way, let me go on to say that I'm impressed by that Tyndel reacted to each new situation he was in. He is definitly not a static charachter as you can tell by the end of the book. Each individual section of the book was unbelievably well though out, from Dorcha, to the station, and especially the way Overspace was represented. You could see all the places and things in this book with vivid definition. I especially liked the way Nano-tech was used. It was just another part of life. Like Televisions and radios are to us, Nanites are to the Rykhashans. A few things I didn't like though: Just why was Tyndel more perceptive, and able to handle Overspace, than normal demons? Also, as previously noted, why doesn't Tyndel have any male friends?
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I loved this book. Well, now that I've gotten that out of the way, let me go on to say that I'm impressed by that Tyndel reacted to each new situation he was in. He is definitly not a static charachter as you can tell by the end of the book. Each individual section of the book was unbelievably well though out, from Dorcha, to the station, and especially the way Overspace was represented. You could see all the places and things in this book with vivid definition. I especially liked the way Nano-tech was used. It was just another part of life. Like Televisions and radios are to us, Nanites are to the Rykhashans. A few things I didn't like though: Just why was Tyndel more perceptive, and able to handle Overspace, than normal demons? Also, as previously noted, why doesn't Tyndel have any male friends?
Rating: 
Summary: For thse who like Long, Sloooow books.
Review: I'm sorry, but I sort of hated this book. I genuinely found it frustrating. It's well written, and I see that many people enjoyed it and I respect that, but this book is not for everyone. Hundreds of pages go by with virtually nothing happening, other than long repetitive philosphical dual-ogues between the main character and his various handlers. Detail? Yes, I suppose if you like to know the color and shape of everyone's outfit, the color of every room and building and rock and tree, then you'll be happy. There must be forty or fifty different times when we get to hear what these people are having to eat in various cafeterias as they gently argue about what's important in society. There must be five or six hundred redundant references to the importance of honesty in a relationship. I get the feeling the author had a real personal breakthrough in his relationship with "Carol" (to whom the book is dedicated) and it seems clear "Cerrelle" is based on her. That's beatiful and I certainly support it. But frankly, I got tired of reading the same dicussion over and over again. I don't want to be a killjoy, and clearly many will disagree with me, but I feel I should warn those that like books that move on from new idea to new idea, with at least a little action: this is probably not the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: For thse who like Long, Sloooow books.
Review: I'm sorry, but I sort of hated this book. I genuinely found it frustrating. It's well written, and I see that many people enjoyed it and I respect that, but this book is not for everyone. Hundreds of pages go by with virtually nothing happening, other than long repetitive philosphical dual-ogues between the main character and his various handlers. Detail? Yes, I suppose if you like to know the color and shape of everyone's outfit, the color of every room and building and rock and tree, then you'll be happy. There must be forty or fifty different times when we get to hear what these people are having to eat in various cafeterias as they gently argue about what's important in society. There must be five or six hundred redundant references to the importance of honesty in a relationship. I get the feeling the author had a real personal breakthrough in his relationship with "Carol" (to whom the book is dedicated) and it seems clear "Cerrelle" is based on her. That's beatiful and I certainly support it. But frankly, I got tired of reading the same dicussion over and over again. I don't want to be a killjoy, and clearly many will disagree with me, but I feel I should warn those that like books that move on from new idea to new idea, with at least a little action: this is probably not the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: It's another book by L. E. Modesitt...
Review: I've read most of Modesitt's work, -the Recluse series, spellsong war and some of his other stuff, and whilst as I'm sure the majority of his readers would agree his books are entertaining, well written and relatively accessible, why the **** does he have to constantly repeat his depressing arguments about the use of force... etc. From Lerris or whatever his name is "why did you always have to threaten someone to get them to do something good" to Anna "why was violence always necessary" and to any of Modesitt's leading characters. It was amusing for the first few books, but, generally originality is a key factor in continued readability and Modesitt seriously seems to be lacking it. Oh, incidently can anybody tell me why none of Modesitt's male characters have any close male friends? Oh since I'm reviewing this book: The premise is interesting, the plot well developed and the standard female interest is explored and completed. It's another reasonable book from Modesitt.
| 
