Diamond Mask

Rating:
Summary: A focused and interesting continuation to a grand series.
Review: Diamond Mask continues the Galactic Milieu trilogy which starts in Jack The Bodiless. If you have not read that book and the preceding series (The Saga Of The Pliocene Exile and Intervention) then you should not read this book. It is a well thought out and interesting book on its own, but it holds far more value when viewed in context with it's predecessors.

Diamond Mask is once again told as the recollections of Rogi Remillard, though for the most part this device dissolves into standard storytelling except when Rogi is directly involved. The book primarily focuses on Dorothea MacDonald (aka Diamond Mask). Her childhood, early life and her connection to the Remillard family through the entities Fury and Hydra (and later through Jack) are explored in this book. The development of her mental abilities and her major role in the Galactic Milieu takes center stage for most of the book. Fury and Hydra also become more of the focus of the book as Diamond Mask is heavily influenced by them in her childhood and in her later adult life.

Another focus of the book is Marc Remillard and his continuing development and increasing influence on the Galactic Milieu. This along with the growing rebellion against the Milieu is one of the main subplots to the book that get explored further in Magnificat, the third book in the series.

The characters are once again well thought out and though many years are skipped at times to move the story along it keeps us focused on important events instead of boring details. The pacing of the book is quick and the events revealed are momentous and it leaves you itching to get to the next book in the series.

This is everything a second book in a series should be. It is holds up well on its own, but it also neatly links up the preceding and following books in the series.

Rating:
Summary: A focused and interesting continuation to a grand series.
Review: Diamond Mask continues the Galactic Milieu trilogy which starts in Jack The Bodiless. If you have not read that book and the preceding series (The Saga Of The Pliocene Exile and Intervention) then you should not read this book. It is a well thought out and interesting book on its own, but it holds far more value when viewed in context with it's predecessors.

Diamond Mask is once again told as the recollections of Rogi Remillard, though for the most part this device dissolves into standard storytelling except when Rogi is directly involved. The book primarily focuses on Dorothea MacDonald (aka Diamond Mask). Her childhood, early life and her connection to the Remillard family through the entities Fury and Hydra (and later through Jack) are explored in this book. The development of her mental abilities and her major role in the Galactic Milieu takes center stage for most of the book. Fury and Hydra also become more of the focus of the book as Diamond Mask is heavily influenced by them in her childhood and in her later adult life.

Another focus of the book is Marc Remillard and his continuing development and increasing influence on the Galactic Milieu. This along with the growing rebellion against the Milieu is one of the main subplots to the book that get explored further in Magnificat, the third book in the series.

The characters are once again well thought out and though many years are skipped at times to move the story along it keeps us focused on important events instead of boring details. The pacing of the book is quick and the events revealed are momentous and it leaves you itching to get to the next book in the series.

This is everything a second book in a series should be. It is holds up well on its own, but it also neatly links up the preceding and following books in the series.

Rating:
Summary: the best of the three books
Review: Diamond Mask is the best of the three books from the Galactic Milieu. It has a fast pace and builds the tension magnificantly, with a noticable role for Unifex, my most preferred character. The end is literaly smashing, and you can't wait to read the third part. Although I've read some reviews that disliked the previews in May's books, I think it attributes to the whole scene and makes you want to read the whole series over and over again. Every time you read the book, you see referrals that you want to check. (Has anyone noticed the mention of Claude from the Pliocene Saga, working on Caledonia with his wife?). All in all, a suprising book.

Rating:
Summary: EIGHTH OF NINE IS AS GOOD AS THE REST.
Review: Diamond Mask was wonderful for its introduction of Dorothea McDonald, the newest paramount grandmasterclass operant who comes practically out of nowhere to become one of the strongest characters of the whole series. Her incredible journey, and all the relationships she forms along the way are done in classic May style - ie with tons of colorful details, suspense, mystery, and humor, and a heck of a lot of heart. And there's enough Remillard mixed in there to feed that Jones. I am proud to say I now have only "Magnificat" to go before I am finished with all nine of these demanding and rewarding Julian May books, having read the four books Saga of Pliocene Exile, followed by the Surveillance, the Metaconcert, Jack the Bodiless, and most recently, Diamond Mask. You may wonder which one I have enjoyed best. Although it appears that each book theoretically could stand on its own, all of the books really are - like minds in a metaconcert - parts of a greater whole. Thus, they should all be judged together as one whole epic tale, and not compared to each other as separate parts. Having said that,however, I think Jack the Bodiless was the best so far. I recommend that everyone start with either "The Many Colored Land" or "The Surveillance" and proceed in order therefrom. All nine books are a big commitment, and the reading is sometimes tough and slowgoing, but the sacrifice pays off in spades. Too bad I only have one more book left - I may have to reread the whole series. It's the kind of thing that you just don't want to end. Get Julian May a Regen-Tank. And long live Aiken Drum!

Rating:
Summary: A Diamond Whose Size Is Its Only Flaw
Review: It was Julian May's novels of the Pliocene Exile that first introduced me to her concepts of metapsychic powers and the Galactic Milieu. I enjoyed them very much--but hesitated for some time before checking out any of the prequels of the Galactic Milieu Trilogy; I doubted they could be nearly as good as the others, lacking the hilarious antics of Aiken Drum. And now I must confess to being a convert! Aiken or no Aiken, _Diamond Mask_ and its predecessor won me over thoroughly.

Imagine it: in the not-too-distant future, humankind has learned that there really *is* life out there; moreover, that life down *here* is richer than was once thought. Psychic gifts have finally been recognized, and are being trained to their highest potential. New technology has made nearly everything we have today obsolete, and death has almost been conquered thanks to such miracles as genetic medicine and rejuvenation tanks. However, some things never change... and the tendency of mankind to get into messes is one of them. These ideas appeared in _Jack the Bodiless_, and continue to be brought to life by May's grand talent in this sequel.

_Diamond Mask_ doesn't only have an intriguing premise and fabulous writing; it is also possessed of a plotline that's deliciously chilling without being frightening enough to give one nightmares. The metapsychic monsters Fury and Hydra introduced in _Jack the Bodiless_ are still on the loose and as horrifying in their power--and their mystery--as ever, tangling now with entirely new characters. Enter Dorothea Macdonald, a lady as interesting in her own right as any Remillard... and another legend introduced the Saga of the Pliocene Exile. While I can't say the Blessed Illusio was quite as I imagined her, it was certainly a pleasure to learn her story. I look forward to its continuation in _Magnificat_.

If the book has a flaw, it's that it's too short: more information about Dorothea's early life would have been welcome; likewise, I wouldn't have minded a bit more insight into Jack and Marc's working relationship... or the lives of the various Remillards... or--well, all right, so it would have been nice to get more detail on any number of things. Still, _Diamond Mask_ is a delightful page-turner that I'd thoroughly recommend to series fans and those new to May's Milieu (though the latter may wish to read _Jack the Bodiless_ first) alike.

Rating:
Summary: A Diamond Whose Size Is Its Only Flaw
Review: It was Julian May's novels of the Pliocene Exile that first introduced me to her concepts of metapsychic powers and the Galactic Milieu. I enjoyed them very much--but hesitated for some time before checking out any of the prequels of the Galactic Milieu Trilogy; I doubted they could be nearly as good as the others, lacking the hilarious antics of Aiken Drum. And now I must confess to being a convert! Aiken or no Aiken, _Diamond Mask_ and its predecessor won me over thoroughly.

Imagine it: in the not-too-distant future, humankind has learned that there really *is* life out there; moreover, that life down *here* is richer than was once thought. Psychic gifts have finally been recognized, and are being trained to their highest potential. New technology has made nearly everything we have today obsolete, and death has almost been conquered thanks to such miracles as genetic medicine and rejuvenation tanks. However, some things never change... and the tendency of mankind to get into messes is one of them. These ideas appeared in _Jack the Bodiless_, and continue to be brought to life by May's grand talent in this sequel.

_Diamond Mask_ doesn't only have an intriguing premise and fabulous writing; it is also possessed of a plotline that's deliciously chilling without being frightening enough to give one nightmares. The metapsychic monsters Fury and Hydra introduced in _Jack the Bodiless_ are still on the loose and as horrifying in their power--and their mystery--as ever, tangling now with entirely new characters. Enter Dorothea Macdonald, a lady as interesting in her own right as any Remillard... and another legend introduced the Saga of the Pliocene Exile. While I can't say the Blessed Illusio was quite as I imagined her, it was certainly a pleasure to learn her story. I look forward to its continuation in _Magnificat_.

If the book has a flaw, it's that it's too short: more information about Dorothea's early life would have been welcome; likewise, I wouldn't have minded a bit more insight into Jack and Marc's working relationship... or the lives of the various Remillards... or--well, all right, so it would have been nice to get more detail on any number of things. Still, _Diamond Mask_ is a delightful page-turner that I'd thoroughly recommend to series fans and those new to May's Milieu (though the latter may wish to read _Jack the Bodiless_ first) alike.

Rating:
Summary: It is a masterpiece of science fiction.
Review: May wrote an excellent series of books, and this book is a fastastic example of her work. SHe takes you through Diamond's development as a power from her childhood to her successful accomplishments as a planetary leader. It is worth the purchase (but read Jack the Bodiless first to understand more fully).

Rating:
Summary: Julian May is a Goddess!!
Review: May's work is fantastic. I've never been a sci-fi fan. In fact I pretty much detested it. That is, until I read this book. This book was required for a class called "Female Heroes in Speculative Fiction" and I thought, "Oh boy, sci-fi, ick." I was pleasantly surprised. May masterfully develops her universe of characters into a riveting plot. She keeps your interest even to the last line where she drops a bomb, devastating all you thought you ever knew. To keep your sanity you must therefore read the next book. I can't wait to read all of the Galalctic Milieu and hopefully the Pilocene Exile as well. If you like to think, enjoy losing yourself in a good book, and relish being enthralled with superior writing, you owe it to yourself to read Diamond Mask.

Rating:
Summary: Julian May is a Goddess!!
Review: May's work is fantastic. I've never been a sci-fi fan. In fact I pretty much detested it. That is, until I read this book. This book was required for a class called "Female Heroes in Speculative Fiction" and I thought, "Oh boy, sci-fi, ick." I was pleasantly surprised. May masterfully develops her universe of characters into a riveting plot. She keeps your interest even to the last line where she drops a bomb, devastating all you thought you ever knew. To keep your sanity you must therefore read the next book. I can't wait to read all of the Galalctic Milieu and hopefully the Pilocene Exile as well. If you like to think, enjoy losing yourself in a good book, and relish being enthralled with superior writing, you owe it to yourself to read Diamond Mask.

Rating:
Summary: Diamond Mask
Review: This is a magnificent and intriguing publication. It is written with a magnificent sense of prose, and I literally devoured it in a few sittings. The journey of Dorathea Macdonald as develops into a paramount operent is filled with tragedies, loves, and denial. To be concise, its a great book!