Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Speculative fiction at its best!, 30 Nov 1998
By A Customer
Many people attempt "alternate histories" and yet few, aside from Turtledove and now Garfinkle, have done enough of their homework to make it plausible. Set in an alternate world at an indeterminate time (I suppose you could work it out if you knew the Athenian dating system better), Greece and the Middle Kingdom have been locked in war for generations, nay centuries -- consider this the ultimate Western Logic versus Eastern Vision division to ever come along. Garfinkle understands Aristotlean physics and takes its implications to their greatest "logical" extreme, such as a gun that fires a bolt capable of halting forward motion, thus causing an airborne craft to seek its natural place amongst the elements (metal falls to earth). Due to friend's input, I learn that his knowledge of Taoist physics, while slighter, is also sound. The flight to and through the celestial spheres is exciting, well concieved, and plausible given the science base of the era. Even more important, however, is the development of the characters. Each is fully rounded, lovingly crafted, and a true joy to journey with. One can only hope that he writes more, not in the same world, but in the same vein. This is one of the best science fiction books I have ever read!
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Science Fantasy with Intrigue & Action, 25 Oct 1998
By A Customer
Set in a world where Alexander the Great's empire has lasted 1,000 years and Ptolemeic speculations are scientific fact, this is part alternate-history, part alternate-science. The story concerns a celestial ship (spaceship) of the Delian league (who control the world from India to halfway across the Americas) which is embarking on a mission to gather a piece of the sun in order to use it as a sort of atomic bomb against the capital of the Middle Kingdom (an oriental empire which they have been at constant war with). Written as the testimony of a co-captain of the ship, the story relates this adventure, complete with scheming, betrayals, setbacks, and crises of faith, while also presenting a vivid and interesting alternate world. Enjoyment would be aided by a solid understanding of the beliefs (scientific and otherwise) of the ancient Greeks, but should be enjoyable for anyone.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Best book I have ever read., 13 Sep 1998
By A Customer
This book, I think, is done beautifully. I believe everything about this book is perfectly done. i suggest this book to anyone. Even those of you who hate Sci-Fi, I think there is something in the book you will like. Be it, the diversity of the characters or the altered science way of telling the story. Anyone who is looking for a book they will not be able to put down needs to look no more. Again I repeat, this is the best book and story I have ever read for more reasons than one.
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