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Expendable
 
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Expendable (Mass Market Paperback)

by James Alan Gardner (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Avon Books; Reissue edition (May 1999)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 038079439X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0380794393
  • Product Dimensions: 16.8 x 10.7 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 658,871 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Synopsis
Dubbed "the Expendables," Festina and her elite military company, whose job is to land on hostile planets and make contact with alien cultures, are ordered to take part in an "exploratory mission" on the surface of a planet from which no one has ever returned. Original.

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Customer Reviews

26 Reviews
5 star:
 (18)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (26 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!, 27 Sep 2004
By Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)      
The League of Peoples keeps an eye on all species. There is no war, little crime, and life is sacred ... unless you are an Explorer. Humans' morale takes a sharp nose dive if someone beautiful and loved dies. Therefore, the Human race takes those among themselves who are considered to be the misfits, the deformed, the ugly, the flawed, and trains them to be ECMs (Expendable Crew Members).

Festina Ramos has a red birthmark that covers one side of her face. She belongs to the well-trained, always-dwindling ranks of the ECMs. Her partner is Yarrun Derigha. They are ordered by the High Council to escort the mentally unstable Admiral Chee to Melaquin. All information about Melaquin is classified. The only thing publically known is that it seems to be a duplicate planet of Old Earth. Everyone who has ever went to Melaquin has disappeared. No one seems to know why. But once or twice a year, a small party of ECMs is sent to investigate.

Of course, this is meant to be the LAST mission for Festina and Yarrun. But Festina has other ideas.

***** Excellent! James Alan Gardner brought all the characters to life, especially Festina! This is one of the best sci-fi books I have read this year. This novel came out in 1997. It was the author's debut novel. However, it is so hard for me to believe this was his first!

This story was written to stand alone. A second novel of this type was not even considered by the author (per his short interview with SFBC). Indeed, James Alan Gardner went on to write other books. But so many readers cried out to him and his publisher for more about the ECMs that the author finally broke down. Therefore, this year (2004) a second ECM novel came out titled "Radiant" (Review forthcoming.) Sci-Fi fans should not miss out on this fabulous story! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written and engaging, 24 April 1999
By A Customer
Expendable is a truly remarkable book that grabbed me from the moment I started reading. Gardner's smooth prose and his fully realized protagonist carried the book, even through places where the plot sagged. He did a very nice job of telling the tale through a woman's point of view without sounding ridiculous, as some men do. Festina Ramos is a wonderful character, and I look forward to reading more about her in his other books.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, 28 Feb 1999
By A Customer
It's imaginative and fast-paced, but has some logic problems and never quite grabbed me. It starts off pretty well, but stalls out in the middle.

In the final analysis, it's straightforward S.F. that's interesting enough to be worth a look.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars If you have spare time and looking for spending time.
This book is a good book for spending enjoyable time. But from the stand point of "Good science-fiction is good literature" I wouldnt call this a "good... Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2001 by m842@rocketmail.com

1.0 out of 5 stars very very Bad
This book was one of the slowest and stupid books I have ever read.
Published on 10 Aug 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars A very, VERY good book
EXPENABLE I thought was a very good book. I normally don't like science fiction but James Alan Gardner is a very good author. Read more
Published on 28 Jun 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be a award winner.
I've read a lot of Hugo and Nebula award winners lately but this non-award winner is one of the best SF books I have read. Read more
Published on 15 Feb 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Prepare for a treat
James Alan Garner is remarkable. He's created a story in such a tired out genre, and warped into something that is enjoyable and readable. Read more
Published on 1 Dec 1998

4.0 out of 5 stars Hurray for a protagonist such as Festina Ramos!
I found this book by luck; it was misplaced on a bookstore shelf. First, I liked the use of a person of color as the protagonist: someone who just happens not to be white... Read more
Published on 25 Jul 1998

4.0 out of 5 stars A good tale, interestingly told.
Mr. Gardner's storytelling style is well-designed to produce a quick, exciting read. This is one of those rare books that had me up at 3 a.m. finishing it. Read more
Published on 16 Jul 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was the best book I have ever read!
I would reccomend this book to anyone who dosent mind alota cussing in books. The carecters are very creative. And they all are very colorful----with one exception... Read more
Published on 18 Jun 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars A suprizing and wonderful new voice
Gardner manages several things incredibly well here: a plausible future that does not require too much suspension of disbelief, the point of view of someone who is an outsider to... Read more
Published on 9 Jun 1998

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story, great theme
This first person narrative of an Explorer, a member of an outcast corps considered expendable because of their physical disabilities, was outstanding. Read more
Published on 6 May 1998

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