Rating: 
Summary: Young Adult Space Opera Fun
Review: For once I agree with at least half the reviewers. For simply plotted well-paced space opera, this is it. If you are looking for anything more than pure escapist romp, look at Simmons or something else with a bit more sophistication. Well, honestly almost anything else would be more sophisticated. It has the funny deja-vu like feeling that all good pulp has--but this is a real doorstop of a book which frankly put me off. It's a bit of an investment in time for stuff that is really pure fluff. On the other hand, as people have pointed out, Gear can and does deliver the goods and it IS reasonably entertaining sf fun.
Rating:
Summary: Young Adult Space Opera Fun
Review: For once I agree with at least half the reviewers. For simply plotted well-paced space opera, this is it. If you are looking for anything more than pure escapist romp, look at Simmons or something else with a bit more sophistication. Well, honestly almost anything else would be more sophisticated. It has the funny deja-vu like feeling that all good pulp has--but this is a real doorstop of a book which frankly put me off. It's a bit of an investment in time for stuff that is really pure fluff. On the other hand, as people have pointed out, Gear can and does deliver the goods and it IS reasonably entertaining sf fun.
Rating: 
Summary: Gripping epic SF tale.
Review: Gear is a master storyteller. This and the other two books in the trilogy are some of the best science fiction I've read. The characters are rich and worlds are fascinating. The Forbidden Borders Trilogy is a MUST READ for any science fiction lover
Rating:
Summary: If you're a teen age male you'll love it.
Review: Gear really knows how to target his audience. If you're a young male (majority of SF readers), i.e. you've got raging hormones corsing through your body and think mostly about sex, you're going to love this series.Every female character Gear describes is extremely beautiful with a great body. Every male is a buffed, take no prisoners warrior. There's even an avenging lesbian babe in it. What more could a young kid want?! I found the story line weak and the plot resolution a let down. Gear bounces the from battle to bed to battle to bed, which will grow very tiresome for serious SF readers. If you're into military SF and sex, buy it. Otherwise, this one is a leaver.
Rating: 
Summary: Weak writing, but a fun space-opera story
Review: Gear's writing leaves something to be desired-- as in, more skill with words. This is not a book or series to read if you're seeking to become a better writer. But for sheer, old-fashioned, space-opera fun, this series gets the job done. The previous reviewer is right; you definitely have to be in the mood for this sexy/violent brainless romp. As far as that goes, though, it's pretty darned good, and fun. It's sort of "Dune" without the deep thinking.
Rating:
Summary: Weak writing, but a fun space-opera story
Review: Gear's writing leaves something to be desired-- as in, more skill with words. This is not a book or series to read if you're seeking to become a better writer. But for sheer, old-fashioned, space-opera fun, this series gets the job done. The previous reviewer is right; you definitely have to be in the mood for this sexy/violent brainless romp. As far as that goes, though, it's pretty darned good, and fun. It's sort of "Dune" without the deep thinking.
Rating:
Summary: The best sci-fi i have read! Gear is a sci-fi monster.
Review: I stumbled upon this book by chance and was totally wrapped up by the story line. If you are into serious character action, this is the book for you. With some science fiction for me there tends to be slow sub-plots within the story frame. The mag-com tends to drag a bit, but for overall enjoyment, this book (trilogy) really works for me. I have reread the books so much i'm on my 3rd edition. Gear is hands down my favorite science fiction writer. Wish he would go back to it!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: There is nothing 'simple' about this book!
Review: Simply-plotted juvenile space opera? Are you people kidding me? Did we read the same book? Requiem--and its host trilogy, Forbidden Borders--may be space opera, but I found nothing simple about this story when I read it during my first year in college back in 1992. The sociology in this book and in the series in general is highly complex and Gear's own archeological and sociological study comes greatly to bear on the problems he tackles. The concept of the Mag Comm, the Sedi priesthood, Staffa Kar Therma and his elite mercenaries, the slow de-evolution of civilization trapped in the 'amber' of the Borders. It's all blended together skillfully and coherently, a superb feat considering all the ground Gear had to cover and still come up with a plausible story. If you guys want juvy plots and space opera, go pick up the latest Star Wars media tie-in novel. I thought Requiem was grand SF and I would recommend it to anybody, young or old.
Rating:
Summary: There is nothing 'simple' about this book!
Review: Simply-plotted juvenile space opera? Are you people kidding me? Did we read the same book? Requiem--and its host trilogy, Forbidden Borders--may be space opera, but I found nothing simple about this story when I read it during my first year in college back in 1992. The sociology in this book and in the series in general is highly complex and Gear's own archeological and sociological study comes greatly to bear on the problems he tackles. The concept of the Mag Comm, the Sedi priesthood, Staffa Kar Therma and his elite mercenaries, the slow de-evolution of civilization trapped in the 'amber' of the Borders. It's all blended together skillfully and coherently, a superb feat considering all the ground Gear had to cover and still come up with a plausible story. If you guys want juvy plots and space opera, go pick up the latest Star Wars media tie-in novel. I thought Requiem was grand SF and I would recommend it to anybody, young or old.
Rating:
Summary: This book begins an excellent series of novels.
Review: This book is everything that the Star Wars books should be and aren't. The characters are vivid; they are not wimps. Some of them are types, but others have very human problems that relate very clearly to the plot. The story line carries the reader on and has a logic and purpose much stronger than any in those juvenile fantasies. Briefly, anyone looking for an excellent reading experience should investigate this one. This series ranks with those of Simmons and Hamilton.
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