Rating: 
Summary: Nice post-holocaust novel
Review: ---
First published in *Analog*, EMERGENCE is one of the overlooked gems of science fiction. Palmer even had the patience to respond to my letter of comment (LoC) in the magazine, and when it went to paperback publication he modified an element in the plot involving the surgical repair of a femoral arterial laceration. The story is told from the perpective of a brilliant and resourceful young girl in a ghodawful situation, and I intend to get my mitts on a copy to gift my 11-year-old granddaughter. There aren't too many decent stories SF stories with respectable female central characters in 'em, and EMERGENCE is one of the few.
Rating:
Summary: A great SF novel with a compelling principal character
Review: A friend recommended this to me with the statement"don't start this at 10 o'clock at night" which was good advice. Candy Smith-Foster is one of the most compelling characters in SF and the first-person story telling in her unique shorthanded English is fascinating. A great character in a wonderful adventure extremely well told make this one of the best books of any category I've ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Summary: Haven't read it yet, but I hear it's really good.
Review: BACK COVER:
This is the saga or Candy Smith-Foster, a brilliant, witty girl on the verge of womanhood, survivor of a bionuclear war that destroyed most of humanity, first of a new stage of human evolution ' Homo post hominem. EMERGENCE is the story of her turbulent odyssey across a scarred America seeking others of her kind and a new future for the people of Earth. INSIDE FRONT COVER:
'By now reader probably wondering what H. post hominem might be. Or (at very least) me. Viewed in that light, introductions are in order:
'Name: Candidia Maria Smith-Foster. Born 11 years ago to the Smiths; orphaned 10 months later; adopted by Dr. and Mrs. Foster ' 'Daddy' and 'Momma'. Been known as 'Candy' since first breath.
'Homo post hominem is new species, apparently immune to all 'human' diseases, plus smarter, stronger, faster, etc., emerging to inherit the Earth after H. sapiens eliminated selves in short, efficient bionuclear war. Am myself Homo post hominem. Rode out war in Daddy's marvelous shelter, now engaged in walkabout, searching for fellow survivors. Of which reader must be one'
'Tomorrow morning, though not now. Tired. Disappointed. Perhaps just bad day: too long, too many expectations. Too much letdown.
'Never mind. Tomorrow is another day ' Pollyanna lives!'
Rating:
Summary: The best of what it is to be human
Review: David R. Palmer mostly confines his writing to technical non-fiction, but his foray into science fiction shows the gleam of multi-faceted talent. Candy Smith-Foster, genius, 6th degree black belt, 11 year-old master of trades and journeyman in post-holocaust survival, gives us a shorthand journal account of her daily life and continuing search for fellow survivors. Palmer creates a main character whose exceptional characteristics highlight her humanity. We empathize with her pain and joy, admire her indomitable will, and clutch the book with sweaty palms as she sweeps us along into a fifty-page climax of unprecedented intensity. If you can find this book, take it home with you, and prepare to fall in love.
Rating:
Summary: My much battered copy...
Review: I actually own four copies of Emergence. I've read the first two until they started to fall apart at the binding! I would love to contact David Palmer and BEG him to write again. For those of you looking for another excellent book, I'd like to recommend Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. If you know how to reach David Palmer, let me know! Read ON!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic novel
Review: I am so pleased to find this book on Amazon.com, because for the last five years I have seen it listed "out of print" and unavailable. I read this book when I was about 13 and was enthralled by the creative "short hand" style cleverly used by Palmer, and empowered by the heroine's amazing intellect and talents. The book was passed around from my father to other siblings, and embarrassingly we all adopted the writing style and speaking style for several weeks. It is a page tuner and very compelling. ENJOY!!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic novel
Review: I am so pleased to find this book on Amazon.com, because for the last five years I have seen it listed "out of print" and unavailable. I read this book when I was about 13 and was enthralled by the creative "short hand" style cleverly used by Palmer, and empowered by the heroine's amazing intellect and talents. The book was passed around from my father to other siblings, and embarrassingly we all adopted the writing style and speaking style for several weeks. It is a page tuner and very compelling. ENJOY!!
Rating: 
Summary: A Treasure matching "Ender's Game"
Review: I found a 1984 copy of this book in a local used book store in 1996. After reading it, I went back and bought two more copies. Each year since then, I go through it 2-3 times. Part for the story, part for the unique writing style (Especially Candy's journal). The book ranks as one of the 5 best SF sories I've ever read. Ender's Game, Dune, Childhood's End, Stranger in a Strange Land now have "Emergence" joining them in an honored spot on the bookcase. I hope David R. Palmer will reconsider, and pick up the SF pen again. When a person writes page-turning hard SF, smoking all the way, with the chance of garnishing a screenplay or other media deal on pure merit - what a waste - if no new novels from him have their own "Emergence".
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I hate to be the naysayer in a group of positive reviews but this novel just didn't do it for me. Two things stood out that limited my ability to suspend disbelief and enjoy the novel for what it is. First, the post-nuclear scenario was bit tough to get into given we now live in a post-Soviet era. Secondly, the explanation of the genetics was explained poorly, especially in light of the mapping of the human genome and novels that have dealt more deftly with a post-homo sapiens species such as Nancy Kress's BEGGARS IN SPAIN (and its sequels) and Greg Bears DARWIN'S RADIO (and its sequel). The disadvantage of this book is being published in 1984 and not 2004. Had I read it when it was published I probably would have loved. That said the characters are quirky and interesting. It reads much like a Robert A. Heinlein juvenile. In fact, there are some Heinleinisms in the novel-which Heinlein fans like myself will recognized and appreciate. The character is the saving grace of the novel. Nonetheless, for me this novel doesn't stand the test of time.
Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't Stand the Test of Time
Review: I hate to be the naysayer in a group of positive reviews but this novel just didn't do it for me. Two things stood out that limited my ability to suspend disbelief and enjoy the novel for what it is. First, the post-nuclear scenario was bit tough to get into given we now live in a post-Soviet era. Secondly, the explanation of the genetics was explained poorly, especially in light of the mapping of the human genome and novels that have dealt more deftly with a post-homo sapiens species such as Nancy Kress's BEGGARS IN SPAIN (and its sequels) and Greg Bears DARWIN'S RADIO (and its sequel). The disadvantage of this book is being published in 1984 and not 2004. Had I read it when it was published I probably would have loved. That said the characters are quirky and interesting. It reads much like a Robert A. Heinlein juvenile. In fact, there are some Heinleinisms in the novel-which Heinlein fans like myself will recognized and appreciate. The character is the saving grace of the novel. Nonetheless, for me this novel doesn't stand the test of time.
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