In the Garden of Iden: A Novel of the Company

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Summary: Funny? I think not
Review: The Amazon SF mailing (attributed to Therese Littleton) describes this as "funny... lively...hovers hilariously" and so on. By the same criteria Romeo and Juliet is a witty romantic comedy. By no means is this a humourless book; but in my mind, it is rather too bitter to be funny. None of which should prevent people from reading it: it is certainly an absorbing tale and well executed.

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Summary: Entertaining science fiction and history.
Review: Vivid characters and settings. Interesting plot

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Summary: This is rare stuff - historical, funny, romantic SF.
Review: I read this in hardcover last spring, and I read it again when it came out in paperback with the nifty cover. It's a gem: science fiction that manages to be both romantic and funny when appropriate, without being a farce. The history is incredibly detailed and accurate, and for once an author seems to be observing the old maxim of those who do not study history being doomed to repeat it: she illustrates and points up her future with the details of the past, and her cyborg heroine's horrified comparison of one with the other. The original hardcover promised a sequal and, marvellously, it appears next month. Checking out the author's website will yeild an excerpt from the new one, and it looks to be as grand as the first. I can hardly wait - Ms. Baker's work is moving, well-crafted, thoughtful and actually entertaining. Hoorah!

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Summary: The point of this book is compelling, for us and the future.
Review: This book takes us through a tour of 16th century England, a time populated not only by people you would expect, but those who you wouldn't: cyborgs with superpowers, not intent on altering the times but with observing and sampling it. One of the cyborgs has the bad fortune to fall in love with one of the "mortals." It is far from clear that she learns the lesson that we, the readers, can catch. You may be immortal, and you may have superpowers, and you may have time travel...but that doesn't make you any better than those who don't. As our own technology and our own powers grow, this is a warning for us as well.

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Summary: She's good, but not that good.
Review: It takes so much to impress the kirkus reviewers that you might expect too much. I've enjoyed her stuff in asimov's, but she's just started out & has things to learn. I'm sure it's a good book, but let's not make her think she's reached her full potential when she hasn't. In her defense her stories in Asimov's keep getting better so she's one to watch.

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Summary: Clever, Captivating and Refreshing
Review: I was first introduced to Ms. Baker's writting through Asimov's Magazine. I enjoyed her premise and was immediately captivated by her characters. Needless to say, I was ecstatic to find out that she had written a novel as well. Ms. Baker has achieved a style and substance in her first novel, that established authors have tried to achieve- and failed. She combines the elements of the story in such a way that no part overshadows the rest. The science part of the story is complimented and supported by her marvelous character development, which in turn is supported by the historical accuracy of the period piece. All in all one of the best novels I have read in years. I look forward to reading more from this truly amazing novelist.

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Summary: Highly engrossing, captivating and a real page turner!!
Review: This is the only sci-fi book to attract my attention as worthy of reading in ten years! The characters, each of them, have been fleshed out and have incredible depth and substance. The story line is interesting and intelligent, well thought and masterfully interwoven into the tapestry of early 16th century England. Kage Bakers obvious and thorough knowledge of the period history, people and places is but one shining facet throughout her book. Having read her two short stories published in Asimov's, I can only say she has a great future in store for all of us in what I truly hope are more books to come!! I highly recommend buying and reading this book and when your done reread it again its that good!! Pax Smith A serious fan

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Summary: Delightful fantasy that sticks in my mind.
Review: As a fan of both historic fact and science fiction, I appreciated Ms. Baker's ability to tell a story by combining accurate period details with a wonderful whimsical sense of humor. I was immediately involved with the young Mendoza, cheering her rescue from the Spanish Inquistion, sharing her young woman's self-doubts about the meaning of life, and enjoying her youthful passion at this new adventure: love with a handsome mortal. Through Ms. Baker's narrative I felt a credible experience of daily life in mid-sixteenth century England, as if I were walking though the manor house myself and seeing the fabled gardens of Sir Walter Iden, as well as enduring the tensions of the religious upheavals brought by the English Counter-Reformation. The amusing twist of "what if the past could be exploited by persons in the future" gave me many a chuckle and is what comes back in mind long after finishing "In the Garden of Iden." I look forward to the further adventures of Mendoza and the other "Company Operatives." I highly recommend this to anyone who has ever fantasized "what if I could travel to the past, yet still know everything from the future?" The next book can't come out soon enough for me.

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Summary: Witty, moving, good science-fiction & deliciously historical
Review: This novel is a find for anyone who likes a good read, and is tired of vampire wanna-bes and Star Wars pastiches: it's witty, moving, good science fiction and deliciously historical. I'm picky about science fiction, I've studied Renaissance England for 20-odd years, and I don't like romances - but this book combines all 3 elements in a completely captivating way. It's fine original science fiction. The take on pre-Elizabethan England is detailed, fascinating and accurate. The romance is a fine human story. And it's funny besides! There's not enough love OR humor in science fiction, and this novel is a breath of fresh air. A series is implied, and I hope there's more soon. Brava!

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Summary: promising start, sputters out
Review: The premise of this novel is really good - the mixing of time travel and immortality. But after the first chapter, the book falls flat on its face. It turns into, of all things, a love story taking place in a badly observed counter-reformation universe. Well, to those of you hankering for people that live forever - read P Andersons Boat of a Million Years, or even (oh no!) A Rice's Vampire books. And for those of you who want a modern take on an historical situation, C Willis' Doomsday Book is far superior to this. Too bad. Maybe Ms Baker will hit her stride in the next installment - i.e., use the hook of immortality and time travel instead of forgetting where she started (and why most people who will buy her book bought it indeed!)