"Space opera at its fantastic best"
In the twenty-sixth century, mankind may have conquered the
stars and found the secret to immortality but it hasn't
been able to eliminate war. Since humanity colonized Sky's
Edge there has always been war and arm merchants like
Cahuella, who sell munitions to both sides have become rich
men. Tanner Mirabel, former soldier and mercenary, is now
a security consultant to Cahuella. When an ambush in the
jungle kills his employer's wife, Tanner vows to avenge
their death. He knows the man who was behind the killing is a rich
aristocrat whose family was killed by ammunition Cahuella
sold to the enemy. Tanner's search leads him across the
galaxy to CHASM CITY on the planet Yellowstone, a place
decimated by the nano-technological Melding Plague that
changed the political and social structure of that world.
In the course of hunting down his prey, Tanner has many
life-threatening adventures and discovers things about
himself that are extremely shocking to him. CHASM CITY is a space opera at its fantastic best. The
story line is so intriguing that the audience will want to
read all 528 pages in one sitting. Tanner, the flawed anti-
hero, is likable despite the fact that when he gets into
mercenary mode, he has no compunction about killing
people. If this novel is any indication of his talent,
Alastair Reynolds will attain the skies of Robert Heinlein
and Andre Norton. Harriet Klausner - Copyright © 2002
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted March 2, 2002
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