"powerful military science fiction"
Five years ago humans applied alien technology to convert a
gas giant planet into a sun. However, when they destroyed
the gas giant the humans unintentionally massacred the
previously unknown residents, numerous Hydrogues. The
unwitting genocide has since led to a solar war never
seen on this scale before aimed at the Terran Hanseatic
League as the Hydrogues keep the pressure on their foe. The Hydrogues see an opportunity to rid themselves of a
more dangerous enemy to their existence than the humans.
They feel they can finally eradicate their ancient foe, the
Verdani, an interconnected, semi-sentient Worldforest.
Meanwhile the Earth Defense Forces must also deal with
another enemy not as blatant as the Hydrogues; the Klikiss
robots reprogram "compies" into human exterminating
machines. On the positive side, contact with other
sentient beings may lead to a needed ally or two, with both
of these species apparently caught in the middle of the
increasingly nasty solar hostilities. The action is packed and the cast includes a "compy" fully
developed, but what makes this sequel in the "Saga of Seven
Suns" so good is the deep look at the causes of war. The
story line never loses sight of its theme even while
insuring plenty of adventure without preaching. The non-
human species appear real, which makes the annihilation
threats stronger, generating an even more powerful military
science fiction novel that readers will appreciate for its
insight inside a terse thriller. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted July 15, 2003
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