5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A 6.0 Performance, 3 April 2003
By lb136 "lb136" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Maximum Ice (Mass Market Paperback)
Kay Kenyon's dazzling, glittery tale features an out-of-control planet-wide optical computer (the Ice of the title), space-faring gypsies, nuns who shun things religious, predator rats, and cannibalistic insane "snow witches."
The gypsies have returned to earth after 10,000 Earth years (they have become infertile) only to find the that a crystalline structure has covered the planet's green hills and blue oceans. Ship Mother Zoya (she spends most of her time in stasis) is awakened as the ship goes into Earth orbit, and is soon dispatched down to the planet to find out what's going on.
After much travail she manages to find out.
The story glides along (often at strange angles) with intelligence and flair. Well plotted, well crafted. Smile and wave from the "Kiss and Cry" area, please, Ms. Kenyon. Oh, and here's a bouquet just for you!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Book that is hard to put down!, 15 Feb 2002
By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Maximum Ice (Mass Market Paperback)
Some Authors I read for their ideas, some for their characterization, and some for their storytelling abilities.
Kay Kenyon combines all three. Maximum Ice is no exception - a unique concept, wonderful characters, and a story not to be put aside.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
maximum fun, 3 Feb 2002
By Harriet Klausner - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Maximum Ice (Mass Market Paperback)
For star road ship mother Zoya Kundara the circuitous journey from and back to earth last 250 years. She is the only original crew member still alive. However, the years of radiation while seeking a planetary haven has led to a barren population unable to reproduce itself. Since no planet was found, the shrinking desperate crew return to Earth praying that the plague that sent them solar finally ended. Though there has been no communication with earth in most of the time since they left, the star road crew have good reason to believe the plague is gone since ten thousand years have passed in earth time.
The Earth has dramatically changed as a quasi crystal defying the laws of physics dominates much of the surface. After a deadly first encounter with a cannibal witch queen, Zoya goes forward as an envoy to the apparent power, the ice nuns. Though Zoya seeks peace, the ice nuns and an enigmatic ally attuned to the ice like substance plan to destroy the space travelers and use their technology for personal gain.
Maximum Ice will provide maximum fun to fans of science fiction. The story line is loaded with action and several exciting subplots that cleverly tie back to the main trunk of the tale. The characters, including the enigmatic ice, seem genuine and earth a realistic cold, foreboding planet. Kay Kenyon allows her vivid imagination to go wild, but places her concepts into a cohesive, powerful novel that will send sub-genre fans leaping for other creations by this talented author.
Harriet Klausner