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Tor, Apr 2003, 27/95, 432 pp.
ISBN: 076530192X
Over the last several centuries, Mexica becomes the earth's superpower and begins traveling into outer space. In orbit around the lifeless planet Ephesus III, a ship has become silent leaving a scientific team marooned on the planet's surface. The Mexica Imperial Navy orders archaeologist Gretchen Anderssen to help rescue the scientists and return with the ancient artifact that the explorer Russovsky found on the planet.
The cruiser Cornuelle reaches its destination Ephesus III only to learn that an artifact found on the planetary surface was sent to the ship, but carelessly handled leading to the release of a toxic agent that consumed all organic material on board. Gretchen finds another million years old object, apparently left by the First Sun species. Crew member Imperial Judge Green Hummingbird refuses to allow any of the First Sun technology to accompany them back. When the science team boards the ship, Russovsky is a mineral clone of herself. When Hummingbird goes planet side to erase human traces, Gretchen follows him to learn why the phobia exists about the First Sun civilization.
WASTELAND OF FLINT is an exciting futuristic, mostly outer space, tale that displays Thomas Harlan's skills in world building. The story line goes at warp speed from the moment the Navy drafts Gretchen even with twists and turns but especially when the Cornuelle reaches Ephesus III. The prime players seem authentic and full dimensional, even the crystallized Russovsky so that fans of earthlings visiting other worlds will appreciate this powerful science fiction with a mystery to augment the reading pleasure.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Thomas Harlan Scholar
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Overall Review
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dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 10% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story
Yes
Plotlets:
- exploring a wondrous planet or phenomena
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- scientist
Age:
- 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- police/lawman
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Spaceship setting:
- futuristic human freighter/transport
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- empty, or nearly empty world
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Takes place in spaceship?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- an average amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
