ASSEMBLERS OF INFINITY

Rating:
Summary: Best Pure Science Fiction book I've read in years.
Review: Good physics. Good biology. Solid Science in general. Heck of a story too. Page turner. Could not put it down.

Rating:
Summary: Best Pure Science Fiction book I've read in years.
Review: Good physics. Good biology. Solid Science in general. Heck of a story too. Page turner. Could not put it down.

Rating:
Summary: Assemblers of Infinity
Review: The author blurb at the back of "Assemblers of Infinity" claims that the writers are almost uniquely well qualified to tackle the scientific aspects of this story. I can't comment about the feasibility of nanotechnology as they describe it since that's not my area of expertise. I can say, however, that their depiction of how the scientific community works and responds to events is completely off base. To begin with, the story is set about twenty years in the future, when researchers on the Moon discover a gigantic construction being built inside a crater. They soon discover that it is the work of alien "nanocritters", tiny self-replicating machines sent by an extraterrestrial civilization. Authorities on earth recruit a scientist and send her to the Moon to investigate. Now here's one major problem. If we ever did encounter a working alien artifact like this, it would be a huge discovery and an enormous group of researchers from around the world would be convened to study it. Many science fiction authors seem to love the idea of a solitary brilliant scientist who single-handedly solves all the major problems in their story but folks, that's just not the way it works. There are other mistakes in this book as well, such as a different researcher who endangers the entire world by inexplicably ignoring basic security measures. Real scientists know better.

Other than that, I wouldn't necessarily say that this is a bad attempt at hard science fiction, just a really mediocre one. Most of the cast of characters is passable, but the writing leaves a lot to be desired. Rather than trying to end each chapter on a high note, the authors instead usually break with a character chatting or brushing their hair or something. Most of the dialogue doesn't really sound like people who are actually facing a dangerous crisis. However, I can't deny that the central idea of alien nanotechnology is pretty cool, and the climactic sequence is well written, although some of the mysteries set forth earlier aren't really explained satisfactorily. I'm feeling generous today, so three stars.

Rating:
Summary: Assemblers of Infinity
Review: The author blurb at the back of "Assemblers of Infinity" claims that the writers are almost uniquely well qualified to tackle the scientific aspects of this story. I can't comment about the feasibility of nanotechnology as they describe it since that's not my area of expertise. I can say, however, that their depiction of how the scientific community works and responds to events is completely off base. To begin with, the story is set about twenty years in the future, when researchers on the Moon discover a gigantic construction being built inside a crater. They soon discover that it is the work of alien "nanocritters", tiny self-replicating machines sent by an extraterrestrial civilization. Authorities on earth recruit a scientist and send her to the Moon to investigate. Now here's one major problem. If we ever did encounter a working alien artifact like this, it would be a huge discovery and an enormous group of researchers from around the world would be convened to study it. Many science fiction authors seem to love the idea of a solitary brilliant scientist who single-handedly solves all the major problems in their story but folks, that's just not the way it works. There are other mistakes in this book as well, such as a different researcher who endangers the entire world by inexplicably ignoring basic security measures. Real scientists know better.

Other than that, I wouldn't necessarily say that this is a bad attempt at hard science fiction, just a really mediocre one. Most of the cast of characters is passable, but the writing leaves a lot to be desired. Rather than trying to end each chapter on a high note, the authors instead usually break with a character chatting or brushing their hair or something. Most of the dialogue doesn't really sound like people who are actually facing a dangerous crisis. However, I can't deny that the central idea of alien nanotechnology is pretty cool, and the climactic sequence is well written, although some of the mysteries set forth earlier aren't really explained satisfactorily. I'm feeling generous today, so three stars.

Rating:
Summary: Wild ride on teeeeeny little cars
Review: This was a very fun story. Nanotechnology has always been a fascinating topic.. the potentials are amazing. Harnessing a story around the technology is sure to be a lot of fun.

And Anderson/Beason do not disappoint. Their basic approach is that mankind is on the edge of understanding nanotech, but not there yet.. and this can lead to disastrous consequences. When they are presented with alien nanotech.. and these aliens DEFINITELY know what their doing.. our ignorance and initial fumblings create a uninterrupted tension.

I'm a sucker for conclusive endings.. and this story doesn't have one... and I applaud them for it. It fits the story. You'll
enjoy the story, don't worry.

Rating:
Summary: Wild ride on teeeeeny little cars
Review: This was a very fun story. Nanotechnology has always been a fascinating topic.. the potentials are amazing. Harnessing a story around the technology is sure to be a lot of fun.

And Anderson/Beason do not disappoint. Their basic approach is that mankind is on the edge of understanding nanotech, but not there yet.. and this can lead to disastrous consequences. When they are presented with alien nanotech.. and these aliens DEFINITELY know what their doing.. our ignorance and initial fumblings create a uninterrupted tension.

I'm a sucker for conclusive endings.. and this story doesn't have one... and I applaud them for it. It fits the story. You'll
enjoy the story, don't worry.