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Product Description
In this first collaboration by science fiction masters Larry Niven ("Ringworld") and Gregory Benford ("Timescape"), the limits of wonder are redrawn once again as a human expedition to another star system is jeopardized by an encounter with an astonishingly immense artifact in interstellar space: a bowl-shaped structure half-englobing a star, with a habitable area equivalent to many millions of Earths...and it's on a direct path heading for the same system as the human ship. A landing party is sent to investigate the Bowl, but when the explorers are separated--one group captured by the gigantic structure's alien inhabitants, the other pursued across its strange and dangerous landscape--the mystery of the Bowl's origins and purpose propel the human voyagers toward discoveries that will transform their understanding of their place in the universe.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By RobR
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been a long-time fan of Niven and have also read a lot of Benford, so I was looking forward to this book. I'm pleased to say that with a couple of reservatios I found the novel engrossing.
Like other reviewers I noticed some editorial issues, characters injured, fixed, and then injured again, timeline troubles and the 'infamous' abrupt ending. Although these issues possibly shouldn't have made it into the final draft once seen and understood they had little affect on my eventual enjoyment of this novel.
It's well worth a read and has all the things fans want from a Niven/Benford collaboration. Sense of Wonder, intersting aliens and an ever present sense of exploration - What's over the next hill, around the corner, down that canyon?
Old fashioned? Yes. Is that a problem? No.
Bring on the next volume, i want to know what happens.
Like other reviewers I noticed some editorial issues, characters injured, fixed, and then injured again, timeline troubles and the 'infamous' abrupt ending. Although these issues possibly shouldn't have made it into the final draft once seen and understood they had little affect on my eventual enjoyment of this novel.
It's well worth a read and has all the things fans want from a Niven/Benford collaboration. Sense of Wonder, intersting aliens and an ever present sense of exploration - What's over the next hill, around the corner, down that canyon?
Old fashioned? Yes. Is that a problem? No.
Bring on the next volume, i want to know what happens.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
An enjoyable hard science-fiction novel that is diminished by the weak characters
10 Oct 2012
By Killie
Format:Hardcover
"Bowl of Heaven" is a science fiction novel created collaboratively between Gregory Benford & Larry Niven. As both these authors are known as masters of the genre I was looking forward to reading it even though I have never actually read a novel by either of them before. What I found, was a hard science fiction novel, full of exposition and mystery that I found both interesting and intriguing.
The story itself follows the Sunseeker, a new starship that is aiming to traverse the cosmos to colonise a new world in a journey that will take centuries. All the crew except those needed to pilot the ship will be put into hibernation with these piloting teams being rotated every few years. However, during the journey two issues occur that force the on duty crew to wake up additional people from their hibernation chambers.
The first of these issues is related to the ship's speed which appeared to be slowing to the point that the food supply on board the ship may be unable to sustain the crew that are awake during the rest of the journey. However, the second issue is the most amazing; they have discovered a massive structure in the shape of a bowl that is heading in the same direction as them. It is therefore decided that the only hope for the crew is to land on this structure and try to find enough food and water to ensure they can complete their journey. Of course, when they finally manage to land on the bowl they soon discover other creatures living there, some of which don't appear to appreciate the intrusion.
The quality of the writing in novel is superb, with the reader feeling truly immersed in the strange new world that has been created.... Read more ›
The story itself follows the Sunseeker, a new starship that is aiming to traverse the cosmos to colonise a new world in a journey that will take centuries. All the crew except those needed to pilot the ship will be put into hibernation with these piloting teams being rotated every few years. However, during the journey two issues occur that force the on duty crew to wake up additional people from their hibernation chambers.
The first of these issues is related to the ship's speed which appeared to be slowing to the point that the food supply on board the ship may be unable to sustain the crew that are awake during the rest of the journey. However, the second issue is the most amazing; they have discovered a massive structure in the shape of a bowl that is heading in the same direction as them. It is therefore decided that the only hope for the crew is to land on this structure and try to find enough food and water to ensure they can complete their journey. Of course, when they finally manage to land on the bowl they soon discover other creatures living there, some of which don't appear to appreciate the intrusion.
The quality of the writing in novel is superb, with the reader feeling truly immersed in the strange new world that has been created.... Read more ›
By Vanty747
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
OK, book arrived well packaged on time, as usual with Amazon
I was disappointed to find that the book is part of a series.
Plus It is very similar to RIng world and God in Motes eye
Both of these were fantastic but to hash up a tempt!
If I had never read the above then I would have given it four stars but compared to ......,
I was disappointed to find that the book is part of a series.
Plus It is very similar to RIng world and God in Motes eye
Both of these were fantastic but to hash up a tempt!
If I had never read the above then I would have given it four stars but compared to ......,
By D. J. Plews
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I gave up reading this half way through. The concept is silly. The only character (a minor one at that) that I had managed to like was killed off. The characters are all navel gazing with not much real action. They avoid the most obvious and safest actions when contacting an alien artifact/race. The aliens aren't really alien, filled with human emotions and motives. The science is shaky. But I can handle shaky science if its a good story and this isn't. I've read all of Larry Niven's books and a few of Gregory Bedford's. This is not a Larry Niven book.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Greg Benford and Larry Niven collaborate to offer us another mind-boggling concept. Unfortunately the story fall short, so far, from fulfilling its promises. As it is only the first half of a two-parter, I will give it the benefit of the doubt and reserve final judgement until its companion volume, Shipstar, is released.
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