Click here for free online dating advice!
| Review Summary |
Eos, Jun 2004, 24.95, 416 pp.
ISBN: 0380979039
Two galactic empires overlap at the remote Concord Station that orbits a wasteland orb. Nanotechnical war between humans from Earth and beings from the Ondat Empire fought here and devastated this tiny seemingly worthless planet and its station because the antagonists realize the strategic value of the outpost to observe the edges of the enemy. Ages have passed since the maelstrom of HAMMERFALL ended in an uneasy “cold war” peace, but not before rapid nanoevolution seeds were created.
Observers from Earth, the Outside, and the Ondat keep close tabs on the planet through implants to those made immortal by nanotechnology. Hero of the previous war, Marak tries to keep the fragile peace. He has succeeded with help from former Outsiders Ian and Luz, and Gene War refugee Ila.
The calm ends when an Earth ship carrying Ambassador Andreas Gide arrives. Rumors abound that the visit has to do with an allegedly leaked nanotechnology; a technology that Earth prefers remained quarantined to this orb while the Ondat are a bit looser on the research escaping the area. Is war coming once more with this barren rock again to suffer the consequences?
Fans of cerebral science fiction with numerous concepts to ponder will appreciate this deep look at a cold war on the verge of turning hot. C.J. Cherryh uses the first part of the novel to develop concepts involving the future of science, war, and to a lesser degree politics. The second half moves back and forth between action and further development of the author's message. Readers who enjoy contemplating complex concepts will appreciate this profound tale in which action takes a limiting role to Ms. Cherryh's postulations.
Harriet Klausner
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
|
| Detailed literary breakdown of Forge of Heaven |
|---|
| Our unique search engine breaks down books and movies into
dozens of literary elements, all of which are searchable.
New movie search (click here) New book search (click here) |
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 - 10%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 50%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Tech./$$$/Info hunt
Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
- nano technology
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- politician/elected ruler
Age:
- long lived adults
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- politician/elected ruler
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
- very athletic
Setting
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- humans in a futuristic society
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 fair amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
|
|
Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
| Try our new Star Wars & Star Trek puzzle pictures!
Click here
Advertise with us
Feedback
Star Wars Revenge of the Sith plot spoilers
Hobbits
The politics game
The lawyer game
Games:
Trivia Masters!
Rescue your favorite
scifi characters from
slavery!
Talk to your favorite
scifi characters!
Eating New Yorkers
Computer Game
Pomeranians
Most recent TV & Movie discussions:
Blade Runner: Blade Runner 5/17/2008 4:23:32 PM
Blade Runner: Was Harrison Ford on Tranquilizers or an Actor's Strike When Filming Blade Runner? 5/16/2008 1:15:33 PM
Wallace and Grommit - A Close Shave: Wallace and Grommit - A Close Shave 5/15/2008 7:39:52 AM
A Boy and His Dog: A Boy and His Dog 5/14/2008 5:07:18 PM
The Blob (1958): The Blob (1958) 5/14/2008 3:45:24 PM
The Borrowers: The Borrowers 5/11/2008 10:53:57 PM
Xena: 37 reasons why Xena and Gabrielle are... you know.... 5/11/2008 7:02:04 PM
Star Trek Voyager: Did B'nana find her labor pains to be erotic? 5/11/2008 6:55:09 PM
The Space Explorers: The Space Explorers 5/6/2008 10:16:13 AM
2010: Exactly why was 2010 a lame movie? 5/4/2008 10:19:38 PM
Newest slaves:
Lou Diamond Phillips
11:30:19 AM
Pat Morita
11:26:14 AM
Patrick Swayze
11:25:03 AM
Captain Kathryn Janeway
11:22:47 AM
Voyager Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH)
11:20:41 AM
The Nerd Barclay
11:19:28 AM
Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator)
11:17:49 AM
Paige Matthews Halliwell
11:17:46 AM
Winona Ryder
11:17:07 AM
Jennifer Loves Todoitt (Love Hewitt)
11:16:46 AM
All slaves
(click here)
Celebrity interviews:
President George W. Bush 6:32:00 PM
Jan-Michael Vincent 2:16:51 PM
Captain Kathryn Janeway 3:47:46 PM
Jack ONeill (Richard Dean Anderson) 1:39:22 PM
Jennifer Aniston (Friends) 5:01:07 PM
All celebrities
(click here)
|
