The Last Siege, The Final Truth (Star Wars: Clone Wars, Vol. 8)

Book Description

While both the Republic and the Separatists have suffered staggering losses during the Clone Wars, nothing could have prepared them for the battle they face on the desert world of Saleucami. Beneath the surface of this Outer Rim planet, the Dark Jedi Sora Bulq has begun cloning an army of Morgukai assassins. Unwilling to leave this grave new threat unchecked, the Jedi and their armies soon find themselves entrenched in a five-month siege. Now, time and resources have run out, and it's up to a crack team of Jedi, led by Quinlan Vos and Aayla Secura, to infiltrate the Separatist base.

Customer Reviews:

Vos' Conflict.......2007-06-09

This volume concludes Quinlan Vos' "undercover" mission. If you have missed a few volumes you definitely do not want to read this one before you finish the others. I thought this was an incredible story and I was surprised by the events more than I expected. I don't really want to spoil the story because if you've been following the series this has some big ones.

Excellent magazine!.......2007-05-14

You should have this collection, it is very good, great drawings, great comic magazine!

Solid Story.......2006-07-04

I was starting to wonder if they were ever going to wrap up Voss' story. I found it very compelling and great continuity. I was waiting for the payoff on the Vos story line. I also like how it leaves the future open for more of his story. The story arc ended nicely. I would recommend this especially at the low price of Amazon. Worth the read!

Clone Wars Vol. 8.......2006-06-04

To pewface this review, the Vos story line has intrested me, but never really captured me. I liked the idea of having a Jedi who was so close to the dark side, that he was endangered to losing it all. And Vos is a perect example. In previous Volumes it has never been clear where he stood, and this volume resolves it. I was always more intrested in Obi Wan and Anakin, but the conclusion of Vos was a good one.

However the general flow was not quite as well done as in previous volumes. This had a slow begining, and then picked up. In previous volumes the begining grabbed me and kept me tuned in for the rest of the volume. Tholme was a great charcter in my eyes. They did a excellent job with the Master and Appertence in this volume.

There where somethings that seemed a bit off for me though. Certain Charcters were intorduced that I didnt feel I got a chance to know. The two largest would be Akku Sell and Bok. Akku was totaly new, and I didnt get to know hom. Bok would seem to be an older Ccharcter, but I don't remember him in the previous volumes, so eitehr I missed him before, or he was in another storyline outside of the Clone Wars.

Either way it was a good volume. 4/5 Stars

An answer for N. Wells..........2006-04-16

N. Wells at the end of his review said "I hear there is a 9th volume coming out, not sure how much more there is to tell in this series though."

The 9th and final volume of the CLONE WARS series of the STAR WARS REPUBLIC comic line will be called ENDGAME, and it means basically what you think it might. It includes the last 5 issues of the REPUBLIC line plus one stand-alone issue. The action takes place during and after EP. III Revenge of the Sith. Strangely, the first two-part story takes place shortly after ROTS as the remaining surviving Jedi deal with the aftermath of Executive Order 66. The second 3-part story takes place during the Battle of Kashyyk in ROTS and deals with Vos' final conflict at which time Order 66 came down. And the final stand-alone issue called PURGE is what you think it means as Darth Vader hunts down the remaining Jedi, thus setting in the darkness that follows the rise of the Empire.

This last issue, well, the last of the 3-parter about Kashyyk was designed by George Lucas himself, so that which sets up the forth-coming live-action TV series. So characters that survive that story are sure to be found in the TV series.

Final Diagnosis: A Sector General Novel (Sector General Series)

Average customer rating:

Too much background
This sci-fi book was a find which surprised and intrigued me
I'm glad this wasn't the last book in the series after all
White is still the best at this style scifi!
Great medical detetive story with a twist!

Final Diagnosis: A Sector General Novel (Sector General Series)
James White
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Space Opera | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312861486

Book Description

It's a massive hospital space station on the Galactic rim--384 levels, a staff of thousands--where human and alien medicine meet.

But Patient Hewlitt, new to Sector General, doesn't want to meet alien medicine--or alien doctors, or alien nurses, or aliens of any kind. Which is just too bad; he's an interesting case, and he'll have to get used to it.

In the meantime, it's always been an article of faith among Sector General's multispecies staff that infections can't pass from one alien race to another. But in this season of anomalies, it looks like they might have their first-ever interstellar virus on their hands, their tentacles, their cilla....

Combining intrigue, ingenious puzzles (and even more ingenious solutions), action, adventure and White's characteristic easy charm, Final Diagnosis is a science-fiction treat.

Customer Reviews:

Too much background.......2003-10-13

Maybe it's because I've read most of the other Sector General stories.. I felt that Final Diagnosis had way too much explanation in it. Most of the other books do explain the alien physiology classifications that White uses, which is fine, but this particular plot could have fit in a thimble after all the explanations had been cut.

This sci-fi book was a find which surprised and intrigued me.......1999-05-23

I have not read the rest of James White's Sector General series but I now eagerly anticipate reading them. The humor and mystery of the book were only equalled by White's talent for describing enthralling alien characters. He paints a picture of the future with a different slant than any I have read thus far, an uplifting look at human/life ironies told from a sympathetic point of view, like a Norman Rockwell doctor who routinely treats nitrogen-breathing slime creatures from a planet with five times our gravity!

I'm glad this wasn't the last book in the series after all.......1999-04-01

*Final Diagnosis* refers back to *Star Surgeon*, which pleased me because that the first Sector General book I ever read [in 1967 or 1968, when paperbacks were only 50 cents]. If you've read that earlier book you'll enjoy reading how things turned out, and you should enjoy the book even if you haven't. Although, as another reviewer mentioned, it's easy to figure out most of what's going on (once Hewlitt remembers his kitten's accident, the incident with Morredeth is inevitable, etc.), that doesn't matter much. Never mind the "mystery", the book is worth reading for the characters alone. I only wish, for new readers' sake, that series remained in print as long now as they did when I was a girl. The internet makes it easier to find out-of-print books than it used to be, but that's no substitute for being able to order all the earlier books from the publisher. Ann E. Nichols

White is still the best at this style scifi!.......1999-01-25

As a long time reader of White's Sector General novels i was definitly not disappointed with his newest. I really enjoyed Patient Hewlett's attempts to get over his xenophobia. No one writes aliens like White. You really want to meet these creatures by the end of his books. His plots are always wonderfully off kilter. It is good old fashioned science fiction in the best sense of the word. You can read them out of order but to get the full effect try to find the earlier books as well.

Great medical detetive story with a twist!.......1998-07-21

A different look at both medicine and culture, and how the two interact, with both interesting charaters and believable situations involing both medicine, patient's rights and how de-humanizing medicine can be "for our own good", and madding when doctors try to make our decisions for us, Petient Hewlitt must fight those who view him as a mential case looking for attention. This is a field seldom looked into in Science Fiction, where it is assumed the future will hold no illness, and everthing can be cured.

The Tenth Planet: Final Assault (Tenth Planet)

Average customer rating:

Worth your time
An easy and fun read
Fast-paced adventure novel
Pure escapism
The whole novel is one climax

The Tenth Planet: Final Assault (Tenth Planet)
Dean Wesley Smith , and Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0345421426
Release Date: 2000-11-28

Book Description

2018: COUNTDOWN TO APOCALYPSE

Two worlds are locked in mortal conflict. The aliens of the Tenth Planet must harvest Earth's vast resources soon--before their world's elliptical orbit hurls them back into deep space for another 2000 years. If they fail, their species cannot survive the long journey into the void. This is their last chance to avoid extinction.

On Earth, scientists work frantically to stop the huge alien fleet, but even nuclear weapons have only slowed the attackers' dreadful onslaught. Now the ultimate battle for the fate of Earth--and all human life--draws near. And as more powerful weapons are brought to bear, winning the war may be more devastating than the invasion.

A thrilling science fiction saga of epic proportions, THE TENTH PLANET: FINAL ASSAULT delivers high-tech action and pulse-pounding drama that culminate in the explosive finale to a rousing trilogy.

Customer Reviews:

Worth your time.......2003-10-09

This is the third book and follows Tenth Planet and Tenth Planet Oblivion. I gave this one four stars instead of the five I gave the first two books because I was led to believe that this story was a trilogy not an open ended series. Don't get me wrong, I like long stories, but I wasn't expecting it here. I was expecting a satisfying conclusion to the Tenth Planet trilogy, but instead I got an exciting ending to book three and an open invitation for a sequel.

So, where is book four? It doesn't seem to have been written and I want it! Anyone know if Smith will/has written book four?

Mark E. Cooper
Warrior Within (ISBN:0-9545122-0-0)

An easy and fun read.......2001-11-25

The third and final book in the Tenth Planet series. Somebody earlier said it was pure escapism and they were correct. I read this strictly for fun and I enjoyed it.

Fast-paced adventure novel.......2001-11-14

In the third and final book of the series, Smith describes Earth and Malmuria (our solar system's tenth planet) locked again in mortal struggle. Both worlds have gained experience from their previous encounter six months before and are now prepared to confront each other with new resources and knowledge. The war is a fierce one, for only one species can win.

This is the type of book that would make a perfect movie. Much action, many dialogues, places which are described but would much better be seen on screen, planes, spaceships which would make the special effects people happy. This is how you must think of this book: an adventure/SF movie. You should not look for philosophy or character development, monologues, any "serios literature" stuff. This book does not intend to do that.

It is easy-reading, but pleasant nevertheless, the action is fast-paced, it keeps you on your toes all the time, the suspense is mastered beautifully.

The book gets a minus (hence 4/5 stars) because of the human characters. The book pictures the entire human race as prejudiced. The aliens are more human than the humans.
The aliens explain the reasons for their actions all the time and are considerate towards the human race - before the war had started, every time they had "harvested" the Earth they had tried to do minimal damage to the population. Their violence, which shocks so much Earth's people, is never unjustified, it is dictated only by their will to survive - and we all can understand that.
On the other hand, humans always refer to the aliens as "those bastards", they only want to "blast them off", think only of killing them. Never once did they try to find a way to solve the conflict other than by completely exterminating the Malmuria. Kind of like Will Smith in "Independence Day": "Take that, you bastard". If that sums up the human attitude towards an alien species, I'm disappointed.

And another thing: I had expected the nano-stuff Portia designed to be more used. All that work... for nothing. This was quite a let-down.

Still, a pleasant reading. And I appreciated the quite unexpected ending... read it to see what I mean.

Pure escapism.......2001-07-09

Although published as three separate books, the Tenth Planet trilogy should really have been released as a single compilation. None of the three books are able to stand on their own. As a set, they are a light but engaging read. These books are pure escapist fun, with stereotypical characters, some plausible pseudo science and a fast paced plot. As long as you are not expecting great literature like Gene Wolfe and are prepared for sci fi that is more in the spirit of Edgar Rice Burroughs, you will enjoy this series.

In the third and final book in this series, Earth and the Tenth Planet are locked in a battle for survival. Badly damaged and knowing that they are faced with extinction unless they can harvest most of Earth's resources, the Malmurians turn to their distant past and the spirits of their Elders to find weapons to subdue Earth. Meanwhile, the elite of Earth's scientists work frantically to develop new weapons in their fight against the alien menace.

If you enjoyed this series then you will probably like the Heritage Trilogy by Ian Douglas, which is far better written.

The whole novel is one climax.......2000-12-17

I must admit after the second novel of this trilogy I was slightly disappointed because it did not have an ending and it was too obvious that the editors wanted to make money because they knew readers had been hooked by the story so far. I still think that books two and three should be one book really. But the editors do not get stars (they would not get any star for their lousy selling policy!) But what a recompense! This book is one of the most exciting reads of science fiction I have ever read. It is breathtaking, full of nerveracking suspense, and you do not lay it down once you have started reading. The characters are well chosen, their motivations and actions very credible. Even the aliens do no longer appear as technically superior but a little stupid nevertheless. The authors give them a soul and more "humanity". In this way a kind of tragedy can develop. The two races will never be able to be on friendly terms with each other, for technical reasons and because of their conflicting struggles for survival. So the ending is not the common and triumphant "We have won!", but "What will be?" with a reflective sadness. A perfect book!

One piece of advice: If you want to read this book, make sure you read it after the two first ones. You will lose a lot if you do not read them in their numeric order.

Average customer rating:

A Sad Mistake

China Syndrome

Close-up Finale

Some good information, but a dry presentation

A must to read!!!

Planet Earth: The Final Chapter
Hal Lindsey
Manufacturer: Western Front
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Prophecies | Reference | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Eschatology | Theology | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Lindsey, Hal | ( L ) | Authors, A-Z | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

There's a New World Coming: An In-Depth Analysis of the Book of Revelation

The Late Great Planet Earth

Vanished into Thin Air: The Hope of Every Believer

The Everlasting Hatred: The Roots of Jihad

The Rapture

ASIN: 1888848251

Customer Reviews:

A Sad Mistake.......2006-08-12

This book, although it contains some truths, has a severe blight in it: Hal pushed the Y2K threat which came to nothing. Obviously some of non-Christians are going to use that against Christians and probably have, claiming that we are gullible. I don't recommend reading this book at all, and if you are going to buy it, only get it as a warning as to why not to assume things and to have thorough evidence for what you say unless you are claiming it is an opinion.

China Syndrome.......2005-07-21

Wahhabi Islamic Fundamentalism Iran is the greatest threat to freedom and world peace. Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani exports two idealogies central as Islamic objectives: 1. unite all of the Islamic nations under the leadership of a coalition led by Iran and Syria. The intent is too drive the west out of the Middle East and liberate Palestine for the Arabs. 2. Replace the Judeo Christian idealogy with Islamic idealogy.

1991, Leonard Spector told a congressional subcommittee, China has helped Algeria in developing a nuclear program. Iran views China as a key strategic partner in providing military weapons. Lindsey states that Iran has been fitting nucs in warheads of Iranian - Chinese Silk Missiles.

China is the one of the "Kings of the East" and has 1.2 billion people. China is moving into a market economy and some of the best capitalist in the world live are Chinese. The Chinese people may be the most naturally capitalist people in the world. China has 16 million new private industry. However, economic commonsense does not equate too recipical military cooperatoin and political prudence.

Rev 9:16 describes a 200 million soldier army. The only country, in the 20th century that could assemble such number is China. China has intermediate range nuclear weapons and nuclear submarines.

Iranians acquired nuclear technology from China and Russia. North Korea shipped 100 x 300 km range scuds missiles to Iran. Iran has received 250 missiles from Russia, North Korea, and China. Weapons sales fuels China's desparate need for foreign currency. Saudi received 50-60 ballastic missiles from China. Iranian states its nuclear technology is being used for commerical energy production and it does not intend on diverting nuclear technology for military usage.

Lindsey says, "Neither democracy nor economic development will alter the deep seated anti Westernism of China and radical Islam. China will continue to arm the most anti Western elements in the Islamic World and use them to divert pressure from China".

Resource wars. China and Russia will dispute borders, however, in the second phase of the conflict, Lindsey predicts, Asia will finish off Russia, march in to claim its bounty - Russian oil reserves and the oil reserves of the Persian gulf.

Close-up Finale .......2005-03-29

Mr. Lindsey's 'Final Chapter' continues his asiduous efforts detailing the finish of mankind's history.

For all who are enamored of eschatological study and so benefited from the myriad chronicles of Hal, 'Planet Earth' provides additional enjoyment, edification and education as our world threads through the final tapestry of this age.

One imagines that perusing these works in retrospect during the millenium will astound many at how close the Captain hove to the line as he sailed the course set before him.

TL Farley,
author,

When Now Becomes Too Late {prophecy}

Distant Reaches {adventure}

Some good information, but a dry presentation.......2003-06-01

There's a lot of very good information in this book, some useful analysis, but the writing is so dry and bland that I had a difficult time getting through the novel. If this writer only had the ability of a writer like C.S. Lewis who wrote the Screwtape letters or Brian Caldwell who wrote We All Fall Down, I think that this would be a perfect book. As it is, the information is useful, but it's a drag getting to it.

A must to read!!!.......2003-04-25

I would recommend this book and all of Hal's books to everyone.
They are all eazy reading, giving me understanding of the Bible and God that I had never known before, Hal has saved my life through his writtings. The fact is the more you read his books the more you want!!

Average customer rating:

The Final Planet
Andrew M. Greeley
Manufacturer: Forge Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312877498

Book Description

For the men and women of the battered pilgrim vessel Iona, members of the Holy Order of St. Brigid and St. Brendan, it was the last chance.Even with survival at stake, they must obey their holy order's rule: they cannot invade, they must be invited to land. And they don't know enough to be sure of wangling a welcome.The Holy Captain Abbess Dierdre Cardinal Fitzgerald sends Seamus O'Neil as a spy. A spy? Seamus is a crack soldier, a second-rate bard, and a young man looking for love, but a diplomat he isn't.The land is beautiful, and the women are lovely and loving-except for gorgeous, chilly Marjetta-but a paradise it isn't.In fact, the land is more dangerous than Seamus could have imagined. It will be a miracle if he and Marjetta keep their skins intact-much less pull off a landing for the Iona.

Average customer rating:

I couldn't put the book down! An excellent read...
the read is like watching a movie .

Revelations: The Final Harvest
Douglas J. Edgel
Manufacturer: Nyrmad Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0966196007

Book Description

There is something terribly wrong in the solar system, and it is about to take its toll on humanity.

In the twenty-first century, an unthinkable chain reaction has manifested itself in an apocalyptic nightmare for the inhabitants of the Earth. Who would have thought it could have been born out of a seemingly innocuous comet, Shoemaker- Levi 9, which slammed into Jupiter in 1994?

Astrophysicist Levon Halston is called to a meeting of internationally renowned scientists to discuss the possible consequences of Jupiter's orbital deviation. Within months, his dire predictions are dwarfed, as the barely perceptible orbital deviation escalates into rapidly occurring celestial upheavals. Earth is captured in the gravitational field of another planet, sending the entire world into chaos, with meteors, earthquakes, firestorms, and unusual weather disturbances. And to make the devastation complete, a rogue country launches a nuclear attack upon the other nations of the world, while the U.S. is crippled and unable to organize a counterstrike.

Levon is plunged into an anxiety-ridden quest across the United States to find his 12-year-old daughter. Along the way, he converges with Michelle and Jordan, who are fleeing California's destruction. Together, they go through the furious struggles of a horrifying reality, at the same time trying to define their own utopia.

The Bible's mysterious book of Revelation unfolds as author Douglas J Edgel weaves a bone-chilling account of the last days of the world. This riveting, complex tale excites and unforgettably engages the reader's imagination.

A novel that feels so real, it just might be . . . some day.

Customer Reviews:

I couldn't put the book down! An excellent read..........1998-06-30

This great book grabbed me within the first few pages, and didn't let go till I finished the last page. Actually, it still has me thinking about it. If you enjoy books like Steven Kings "The Stand", or others such as "Earth Abides", "Andromeda Strain", and those which venture into the arena of humanity facing extinction, you'll enjoy this book.

Intriguing plot aside, it is well written; The dialog between the characters, transitions between scenes, and the story line.

I chose this book for it's science fiction content and worried that the religious aspect might be a bit more pervasive than I would care for. But it all came together in a very exciting and thought provoking manner.

Hmmmm... I think I'll go read it again.

the read is like watching a movie ........1998-06-28

The reader is taken for a roller coaster ride across the country as the earth's end seems in sight. This is a wonderful book which will open the readers mind to the frail ,and false sense of securty that we have on this planet. I could not put this book down.

Beyond Pluto: The Final Frontier in Space (True Books)

Average customer rating:

Beyond Pluto: The Final Frontier in Space (True Books)
Elaine Landau
Manufacturer: Children's Press (CT)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0531125653

Average customer rating:

The Final Days of Planet Earth
Carol Dow
Manufacturer: Prairie Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0964600706

Average customer rating:

Final events on planet Earth
Norman R Gulley
Manufacturer: Southern Pub. Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

The Final Key: Part Two of Triad (Saga of the Skolian Empire)

Average customer rating:

Yet another entertaining piece of the Skolian saga
Ready for More!
Plagarism is Sad, even when You do it to Yourself
A prequel and a sequel all in one
Another great Skolian Empire tale--

The Final Key: Part Two of Triad (Saga of the Skolian Empire)
Catherine Asaro
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Space Opera | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0765313537
Release Date: 2005-11-29

Book Description

Catherine Asaro has won numerous awards for her Saga of the Skolian Empire novels, including the Nebula Award and two Romantic Times Bookclub awards for Best SF Novel. Combining cutting-edge scientific theory with grand romantic adventure, this series represents space opera at its finest. The Final Key is the second half of the story arc known as Triad, which began in Schism. Schism ended with the Skolian Empire torn asunder by personal conflict within the royal family. With The Final Key, the Skolian Empire comes under all-out assault from its nemesis, the Euban Concord. The Concord has undermined the Empire via subterfuge and assassination, leaving it ripe for conquest. The Skolian Empires only hope? A young woman barely out of her teens who hasnt even completed her training as a cadet.

Customer Reviews:

Yet another entertaining piece of the Skolian saga.......2007-10-07

I'm a big fan of Catherine Asaro's Skolian Empire series. I've read them all (not always in order). This follows up Soz's days in the academy as a Jagernaut cadet and it doesn't disappoint. I enjoyed the other parts of the story that bring members of the Ruby Dynasty together in an often tumultuous turn of events when the Traders attack various Skolian outposts. Particularly interesting is Soz's brother Eldrin's downward spiral into drug abuse and the situation that forces him to go cold-turkey and quit, amidst war. Asaro's strong female characters are a welcome breath of fresh air and it's nice to see that the male characters aren't emasculated in any way. I did notice that all of her strong, beautiful, commanding females have black hair (like the author). Soz's mother Roca has metallic hair but it seems that there aren't any strong, beautiful commanding redheads or blondes in the Skolian universe. This (tongue-in-cheek)item aside, this book is great. I hope Catherine Asaro keeps on plugging away and churning out these books 'cause I love them and I'm waiting (impatiently) for "The Ruby Dice" to be available. Read this!

Ready for More!.......2007-09-08

I turned my 16-year-old grandniece on to the Skolian world this summer...she loved it! As do I. However, I do wonder when Asaro's publisher is going to collect all those miscellaneous short stores in the series into one volume -- I'd like to read them to help complete the big story. In the meantime, I am awaiting the next novel in the series.

Plagarism is Sad, even when You do it to Yourself.......2007-08-09

I love the Skolian Empire series, however Mrs. Asaro has let herself and her readers down with this one. Granted I have yet to get into the meat of the book, but I don't think I can.

Mrs. Asaro plagarises the entire first chapter of this book directly from the prior novel, making changes so minimal if you don't force yourself to read the chapter you would never know she added the two or three sentences she did. The ENTIRE chapter is almost word for word from the prior book. The next chapter also plagarizes large swatches from the previous book, Schism.

This is nothing new with Mrs. Asaro, as she has been copying full sections of exposition between her novels for years. I couldn't tell you how many times the same passages about Raylicon and it's founding, or the history of the Ruby Empire, that come straight word-for-word from like 7 of the 11 novels she has out. While this is annoying to no end, the premise of her novels is so unique you find yourself overlooking this bad habit... you tell yourself since the books can be read in almost any order, Mrs. Asaro needs to relate the same information time and again so her readers can follow the stories without needing to have read the other books.

However, there comes a point when this becomes ridiculous. If you make your living writing, and you hold as many degrees as Mrs. Asaro, this level of plagarism is just sad. If she were in High School she would fail her classes, and if this were college she would be expelled.

Overall, great series, with a great premise, however it is overloaded with repeated chapters, paragraphs and lengthy exposition. Anytime you find yourself skipping whole sections of text this shows a lacking in the author.

A prequel and a sequel all in one.......2007-04-05

"The Final Key" is not only the sequel to "Schism"; it's also the prequel to "Primary Inversion," the book that launched Ms. Asaro's Skolian Empire series.

Here, Soz is just about finished with her cadet training when the Eubians manage to sabotage the Skolian defenses and create chaos.

A suspenseful and well paced battle scene is the centerpiece of the book, and a suspenseful and excruciating battle with drug addiction serves as a great B story. As is usually the case with Catherine Asaro, she makes her characters seem like real people, and maybe you'll relate to Soz's fears as circumstances force her to assume a role she's not yet qualified to fill, and the struggles of Eldrin to free himself from his addiction.

As a sequel, the book finishes the tale begun in "Schism" very neatly, but as a prequel, some of the suspense is lost, because longtime readers know what will happen to the various Skolians down the line.

Newcomers to the series obviously should not start here, but either with "Primary Inversion" or "Schism." (A time line at the back of the book will guide those new readers.)

Notes and Asides. To Ms. Asaro: can we have more about the Blue Dale Archers, please? To Ms. Asaro's publisher: can we please have the short stories, doubtlessly all published in different places, that are mentioned in the timeline in a one- or two-volume collection? Thanks.

Another great Skolian Empire tale--.......2006-10-27

Asaro's combination of physics, military, romance and space opera still pleases in this eleventh tale of the Skolian Empire. She's filling in parts of her history in the Triad books, which can almost seem a re-hash of previous events, but if you love her characters it is well worth reading. Triad takes place before the events of previous books. In this installment, trouble flares again between the Empire and the Eubians, who have incapacitated Kurj, the Military Key of the Empire through an attempted assassination, and have launched a surprise attack--putting nearly all the members of the Ruby Dynasty in peril: Soz, who is still a cadet, but on her first battle-cruiser, her mother Roca--captured by Eubians, her brother Eldrin--in the city under attack and beset by his own demons. I think I'd prefer reading about what happens to characters she hasn't written about yet, but I can read Asaro's books all day, any day--so whatever she wants to write about is welcome.

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