4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A welcome end to a long-loved story, 2 Oct 2002
This review is from: Children Of The Star (Paperback)
I bought "Heritage of the Star" (UK title) when I was 11, more or less at random from the Puffin Book Club, and it remained my favourite book for years and was lent to everyone I know. It was one of the first science fiction books I had ever read that made me THINK (and wasn't just Boys Stuff in Space), and its outcome surprised and amazed me. It had never occurred to me that there could be sequels, so I was delighted to find this trilogy at Amazon and finally read the rest of the story. Science (and Science Fiction) may have moved on, but this remains one of the best stories for teenagers (and everyone else) I've ever read; it deserves a much higher profile - buy it for yourself and every young person you know who likes to daydream and think about the bigger things in life.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Most Memorable Books of My Childhood, 15 April 2010
This review is from: Children Of The Star (Paperback)
This book is a trilogy published as a single volume, consisting of "The Star Shall Abide", "Beyond the Tomorrow Mountains" and "The Door to the Universe". I read the original first book under the title "Heritage of the Star" - that was how it was published in the UK, and its sequel was never published here. I had no idea there were sequels of this, one of the most memorable books I read in childhood, until I discovered the author on the web. I quickly ordered this book, because Heritage of the Star was such a profound work that I have never forgotten it and often wished I could read more like it.
The trilogy does not disappoint. I knew the first book well (I re-read it at least twice in the past). That follows a young man who becomes a heretic for challenging the religion of the mysterious scholars who rule their world. The first part of the book follows his scepticism and attempts to persuade others. The second part is all about enlightenment (and I will say no more to avoid spoilers).
The second book of the trilogy was supposed to complete the story originally, but it feels vey much like a link book. It seems to me that it asks more questions than it resolves, and frankly I see why this was not published originally in the UK. Nevertheless it is a vital key to the third book - which only cam about some years later as real world science set the author thinking in a most interesting and, indeed, compelling way. The third book is easily the equal of the first, and looks at all kinds of issues around the struggle for a race of people to survive.
These books only show their age in a few minor and forgivable ways. Again I will not be explicit about these ways to avoid spoilers - but if not perfect science fiction, these books are certainly profound and intelligently written. This is not humdrum space opera. This is true science fiction, to engross you, make you yearn for the people and to ultimately make you think. This book is already doing the "loan" rounds amongst friends who like good science fiction.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping Science Fiction for teenagers, 17 May 2010
This review is from: Children Of The Star (Paperback)
I agree with the previous contributors. I read "Heritage of the Star" book originally as a teenager and thought it was one of the best sci-fi books for young adults that I'd read. I sympathised easily with the broody charecter of Noren who wanted answers to questions about the mysterious "high priests" on the desert world that he and the community he was from inhabited. Inevitably there is a conflict between Noren's need to know and the nature of the "religion" to maintain a secrecy about its inner workings which forms the background to the story.
I had no idea there was sequels until recently and intend to catch up with the rest of the story.
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