Rating: 
Summary: Near-future crime story, a moral, and good characters--great
Review: Police Lieutenant Chiang is overwhelmed with work--the last thing he needs is a series of strange overdose cases--cases where no excessive drugs or alcohol seem involved. As he investigates, he learns that the cases may be involved with something even more sinister. Someone is attempting to take over one of the largest Earth-based technology companies and murder is no object. Author L. E. Modesitt, Jr. delivers a futuristic earth with close ties to today's technologies and dangers. Extrapolating on trends in science (nanotechnology is the dominant means of producing food, protecting buildings, and preventing disease), the Internet (everyone has a built-in web connection), biological warfare (there an outbreak of an e-bola virus during the story), and space technology (Mars inhabitants are bombarding the earth with supposedly out-of-control asteroid debris), Modesitt's earth is both believable and interesting. Modesitt uses his novel as a polemic in favor of the arts and beauty--support for 'great art' rather than popular art, and for the irrational over pure rationalism, but this sermon is delivered well in the context of the story (except for occasional essay bits inserted to make sure the reader doesn't miss the points--trust us, Modesitt, we would have got it without them). The mystery, a number of sympathetic characters, and even a hint of a romance add up to a compelling read. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: too many viewpoints
Review: This was a potentually interesting book. unfortunately the author tried to use too many viewpoints (5 characters) to tell the story. the result was a disjointed overly complicated and unfortunately unsuccessful writing style. on the other hand there is an interesting glimpse of a possible future that is wasted on this book but shows how the future might be and how it might not be different from our world.
Rating:
Summary: Sharply crafted!
Review: With each successive novel, Modesitt's writing becomes more complex, making each novel harder to get into but with even more of a payoff when all the bits fit together! Don't start this novel if you're expecting an easy read, but if you're willing to do a little work, you'll find it worth your effort!
Rating:
Summary: Sharply crafted!
Review: With each successive novel, Modesitt's writing becomes more complex, making each novel harder to get into but with even more of a payoff when all the bits fit together! Don't start this novel if you're expecting an easy read, but if you're willing to do a little work, you'll find it worth your effort!
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