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Tor, Mar 2002, 25.95, 352 pp.
ISBN: 0765301687
By 2817 humanity bravely goes where no one has gone before as slower than the speed of light colony ships traverse the stars. Most of the space travelers lie in suspended animation awaiting the moment of awakening. One of those ships Hope has landed on a planet Ararat that appears favorable for human habitation though the eerie ruins of a great civilization scar the surface.
After a murder occurs in the fledgling colony, Matthew Fleury is awakened to replace the victim. Being an ecologist he begins to search for clues as to the identity of the killer fearing he could be next as his position might be the motive for the homicide. He wonders if the killer is a human who wants to leave, one who want to stay, or perhaps a sentient native. Matt begins a journey amidst the strange planet seeking the truth.
The fifth in Brian Stableford's futuristic Emortality science fiction series, DARK ARARAT is a cerebral tale with plenty of action and adventure starring a wonderful though egocentric hero. The story line employs a scientific grounded ecosystem based on dual coded genome rather than the earthly DNA. That makes for quite an alien trip as everything appears different to the senses yet seems so real. The mystery adds a twisting depth yet cleverly ties back to the prime plot of exploring Ararat. This novel may be the best story in one of the great series of the last decade, as Mr. Stableford returns to the roots of science fiction by encouraging his audience to philosophize about what is life within a powerhouse of an adventure.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner, Resident Brian Stableford Scholar
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Overall Review
Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into
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 - 60% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story
Yes
Plotlets:
- colonizing/homesteading another planet
Spying & Investigations
Yes
What is main char. doing?
- finding a killer (criminal)
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- scientist
Age:
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- empty, or nearly empty world
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- a significant amount of technical jargon
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
