SF Reviews background image SF Reviews logo image
Contact SF Reviews   |   Get the Newsletter 

Biased and superficial Science Fiction reviews

           
     
Falling Stars

Copyright 2001 by Michael Flynn

In Association with Amazon.com In Association with Amazon.co.uk
SOJALS rating:     
one SOJALS point one SOJALS point one SOJALS point one SOJALS point no SOJALS point    Very good (4/5)

I first read this in ? 2001.

The fourth and final book of this superb series sees the asteroid on a collision course with Earth. In the general depression that the asteroid's inevitable arrival has induced, there's very little hope of mounting any effective defense against it. However, Mariessa Van Huyton and her protegees pull together to stimulate at least some hopeful attempts.

Jacinta Rosario, Chase Coughlin, Jimmy Poole, Hobie, Styx and Mariessa are right in the thick of it. Ned Dubois, Meat Tucker and Forrest Calhoun makes guest appearances. And there's a surprising and enjoyable return of an old character toward the end of the book.

OK, I was a bit fed up during the first half of the book - it was good but but lacked the excitement and breadth of the previous books. In particular it mostly lacked Mariessa, but once things got rolling along, the book rocked.

I rate this as one of the best SF series, better (to my amazement) than Larry Niven's "Ringworld" trilogy or the "Mote in God's Eye" pair. Is it as good as the "Foundation" or "Dune" series? I don't know yet - I need to reread them to decide, if a such a decision is possible

Wonderful - but read the series in the correct order!

Loaded on the 10th December 2001.
    
Cover of Falling Stars
Cover art by Julie Bell

Reviews of other works by Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle and Michael Flynn:
Fallen Angels

Reviews of other works by Michael Flynn:
Firestar
Rogue Star
Lodestar
In The Country Of The Blind
The Wreck Of The River Of Stars
The January Dancer
In the Lion's Mouth



Reviews of other works with covers by Julie Bell:
Lodestar