Space Books

This is THE book that you want if you are starting out as an experimental physicist.

It includes key information on optics, electronics, vacuum techniques, machining,...

The information in here is the "lore" that you often only learn after working in a
lab for many years; its not taught in school.

Every graduate student in experimental physics should get this book on their first
day in the lab. I don't know how to say it any stronger than that.

I have a library of nearly 500 books on optics and this falls in the top 5. But this book not only covers optics (theoretical and practical, lens design to thin-film deposition), it also include topics such as vacuum physics (better than standard texts such as Harris), electronic design and mechanical design considerations.
Any inventor, systems engineer and instrument builder must have a copy of this book.

I recently purchased the updated edition of this book, after having owned the previous edition for many years. It is concise, well-written, expertly illustrated and thoroughly referenced.

The book covers a number of areas, all of which I've had occasion to use in my career as a materials scientist and chemist. The book is aimed at the practical aspects of design, construction and use of apparatus, primarily what might be termed "physics apparatus", but the principles may be applied to many scientific fields. It provides sufficient theory and mathematics necessary for an understanding of the designs, as well as pointing out common pitfalls.

When I am designing and building equipment this book is never out of reach.

excellent

this is a great book to design and build instruments. It will give you a quick background on pretty much every thing you need to know for instrumentation. I'm a physicist by training, but I realized that when it comes to build stuff, there are many gaps in my 'tech' expertize. This book helps me fill those gaps.
LLG

I had previously read some of these stories on Eskridge's website, after having become intrigued by her beautiful novel "Solitaire" when it first came out. That being said, even skimming the table of contents and realizing that there would be a bit of repetition in what I read gave me no pause while purchasing this book. So although I was prepared for a few of the stories, and reacted sort of in the same way you would when meeting an old friend that you hadn't seen in a while, what I was not prepared for was the impact of the stories as a collection. It's breathtaking.

The gender ambiguity that threads through the stories, particularly in the character of Mars but also subtly accented in the sexuality and qualities of Eskridge's other characters, was not, for me, the main focus. It evidences the author's skill in her prose, as well as an incredible openness about human potential. To me however, the book is about people, the way they become broken or mended, the way they become open or closed.

But "Dangerous Space" is not just about those places, geographic and symbolic, where we can become vulnerable. It's also about the thresholds that we need to cross, the moments that we need to share with other people to get there. Whether though love, or affection, or friendship, or lust, or just though a single moment of shared understanding, this is a set of stories filled with hope about the human capacity to connect. It is consistently delicately raw, and delightful.

Although I loved Dangerous Space as a whole, the character that appeared in 3 of the stories and who stood out for me the most was the gender ambiguous Mars. I have tried to put into words just how powerfully and interestingly I thought Mars was written below (there may however, be spoilers in this review, so please do not read on if you would rather wait to discover Mars for yourself).
---

Mars And `Dangerous Space'.

"And Salome Danced"


This first Mars story did not fail to haul me in and intrigue me about Mars from the very beginning. Here, the character's voice strikes me as strong, vibrant and female, even though no allusion to gender is ever mentioned, apart from where concerned with the morphing of Salome. I am not sure if this is just me imposing my mental voice and liking of strong female voices on Mars or if it is something else about the character that does this.

Within this first Mars incarnation, the raw and magnetic dance of power and sexuality that (s)he has with Salome is almost like a duel for each other's soul. Salome strikes me as the ultimate emotional vampire, eager to manipulate one's concept of perception and self for the rich energy and life source that can be derived from the passion of desire, and yet - Mars, quite uniquely, where others (like Lucky) are confused, at every step of the way - seems to understand this hidden game and draw on the power of essence almost innately, no matter how much (s)he is both pulled towards and repelled by this attraction and the dangerous space it compels Mars to.

By the end of the account, I was almost mentally breathless with both wanting Mars to fight Salome's spell, and an intense curiosity to find out what would really happen if (s)he succumbed to this strong and seductive desire as well.

Throughout the 3 incarnations in this book, I love that Mars is so deeply connected to his/her centred feelings of emotion, desire, and overall, control. Mars is so *there*, so *present* - so assuredly themselves, and in "And Salome Danced", and other carnations within "Eye of the Storm", and "Dangerous Space", (s)he seems so wonderfully and finely tuned to that unique essence that gives Mars that deeper view of the world. (S)he is like a finely attuned musician, who can hear the beauty and patterns of the music of life, where the rest of us can only wonder. Beautiful.

Finally, in "And Salome Danced", even after the tumultuous dance, I got the sense that although Mars had his/her most inner desires and temptations are forcefully manipulated from the inside out, the fact that (s)he had the strength to hold onto her core seems to make Mars stronger.

By the end of this tale, one feels as if that sense of understanding of one's own dangerous space has been enhanced, tinged with a little bit of stark realisation, but also a sense of renewed understanding as well.



"Eye of the Storm"


In this second incarnation of Mars, again, the gender of the character remains unmentioned, leading to that subtle hint of ambiguity that lends to the richness of Mars character throughout. And here, this younger version of Mars is on the cusp of their lives - a difficult childhood, spent fighting for the right to be his/herself due to the unfortunate circumstance of his/her birth as the child of a war rape has left Mars both torn and saddened at the relationship with his/her mother, and also on the fringes of the village life that she has no choice but to exist in. From the start, Mars is both complex and beautiful, a product of her environment, but also a constantly evolving form, adapting and changing as life happens, and all along, forming a unique sense of self.

I love the way that Mars so wonderfully learns how to fight as the "Eye of the Storm", and how, because this is the only way (s)he has been taught how to truly feel desire, it becomes such an intricate, unusual and beautiful part of Mar's emotional make-up, that is the core of how (s)he relates to things/people, is able to teach others, and ultimately governs the way Mars survives.

Again, throughout, Mars is so finely tuned into the rhythms of nature and the patterns of life, that when later on (s)he is confronted by a different kind of magic with the prince's character (who is also refreshingly gender ambiguous until a little later in the story) and secret, magical dance , Mars knows innately how to deal with it, because at a very core level Mars understands where the prince is coming from. Stunningly beautiful in and of itself. With each incarnation I can't help but become a little more in love with Mars, and on a deeper, more personal level both understand and empathize with his/her unique take on things. It is so reassuring to see how complicated can also seem so beautiful too.



"Dangerous Space"


This is my favourite of the Mars incarnations. Reading this, again, felt like one was witnessing an exquisite dance of souls. Though for me, there were three souls involved in the dance this time. (1) Mars, the ultimate musical conductor, who at an innate level can understand, tune into, and harness the raw power of the band's music. (2) The band leader himself (Duncan), who is the tortured and complex channel of the raw talent of the music that drives him to create. And then, (3) music itself, which to me seems like an like an entity all of itself, a wild child - raw, demanding, powerful, inquisitive, driving and beautiful - almost like that perfect storm sailors speak of - all that wild energy that one can never quite tame, but can only hope to harness so one can get to the other side, and hopefully live. A wonderfully described and evolving element throughout, that seems to bend with, play and almost consume the key characters at times.

The connection that this raw power of music has between Mars and Duncan, is at the same time a lure, and a bane. They both know that for all the right reasons they must resist, for the good of the band, its members, and the music that is eventually half-tamed and produced. Yet at the same time, it is also that magical pull of raw musical energy that also manages to turn them both inside out. Mars is the focus for it, both a muse and an anchor that Duncan is tempted and inspired by. And for Mars, Duncan, with his raw channelling of this wild essence of himself through the music is something Mars is both fascinated and in love with. Mars' connection to the energy of this raw music and Mars' talent for mastering and tuning it to the public's ears is a wonderful thing to see.

Again, the writer makes reading/witnessing all of this such an effortlessly intricate and visual experience, that one feels one is a hidden and highly honoured observer in this beautiful dance.

The ending of this tale is thoroughly engaging, raw, passionate and organic, and something that definitely does not disappoint. In a way, this also mirrors the character of Mars, who throughout, remains a strong, evolving, magnetic and thoroughly intriguing entity. Again, I was quite captured with how, in each incarnation, Mars remains true to self, in that unique way that (s)he is tuned into the intricacies of life - forever observant, and wonderfully skilful in a most unusual way - and filled with an innate understanding of honour, the intertwining patterns of life - all painted in such an interesting way by the author, that reading about Mars is almost like experiencing a rather individual and intriguing piece of organic art.



Summary

All I can say is that I really loved the experience of 'Dangerous Space" - it was like having my mind and soul invited to an unusual, complicated, intriguing, fascinating and dangerous dance, that left me both awed and inspired. I don't think I have ever read anything that has been able to reach inside me and play my thoughts, perceptions and emotions in as much as this writing seems to have so effortlessly done, and in such a unique and intelligent way too.

The writing is very, very visual, and even reading on a crowed London train, at the height of morning rush hour and in the midst of commuting hell, I was effortlessly transported to another space - not always comfortable, but definitely always interesting, and always challengingly beautiful.
I was strangely saddened to have to put the book down afterwards (which very, very rarely happens with me). Vainly hoping for some more (very soon), but also feeling as if I had learnt something about the world and my own dangerous spaces too.

Kelley, thank-you.

This collection of stories gives more than reading pleasure, it gives a view into many places most people don't even think to look. Using various settings and characters Kelley Eskridge tells the story of people. Through these characters we are in their skin as Eskridge skillfully reaches into the feelings and motives of the stranger you are sharing a public space with or acquintainces who you can follow from limited knowledge to the most intimate of friends and lovers.

Using art in all it's forms makes it possible for the author to share insights through the eyes and feelings of her characters. In doing this the author shows her observational abilities to the nth degree. For me the most powerful of these arts was the music. I don't know if this author is also a musician but she really gets the scene, it's authentic. It's difficult to say in just a few words how smart this book is.

Greatness in writing is hard to achieve. But it's not as hard to recognize. Great writing reaches right through the page to you, so that you are no longer reading, you are experiencing the world the author has created. Most writers never touch it, or touch it only for a moment. So when you find an author who lives in that space, you are blessed. You see life in a different way, and you are never the same again.

Kelley Eskridge is such an author. Her new collection, Dangerous Space, proves it. Weeks after reading it, I find myself wondering, "What's Mars up to? How is it working out for him and ..." Then I stop. For a moment, I might have sent him an email, or picked up the phone. But the Net doesn't go where he lives, and the country code is nowhere listed. For a moment, reality hangs by a thread, and I might go over to that music bar, Lillie's Place in Seattle, and see him working the board for Noir, a band that just might be the next big thing...

In the title story, Noir does a song with the refrain, "The water is deep here, the ground is uncertain / It's dangerous space this far inside of me". You don't read it, you hear it. And your world expands to hold it...

Buy this book.

Rarely have I been so amazed, so impressed, so flat-out blown away by a collection of short stories. Even among those few writers who are skilled at the form (John Varley and Connie Willis spring to mind for science-fiction readers), their short stories can't compare to their full-length novels. They may be enjoyable, interesting thought exercises, but short stories never seemed to carry the heft or the excitement that I knew an author was capable of.

Well, scratch all those assumptions when it comes to Kelley Eskridge. As much as I loved "Solitaire," her only novel to date (and let's work on that, can we?), "Dangerous Space" moves Eskridge into another level entirely, as far as I'm concerned. The stories in this collection span the spectrum, from contemporary fiction to classic sword-and-sorcery fantasy to hard sci-fi and speculative fiction. And yet, while in another author you might be frustrated by this flitting from one genre to another, Eskridge is so talented at whatever she sets her hand to that I found myself wondering what else she might be capable of.

Love, and the many maddening, variable, indefinable forms it takes, are major themes of Eskridge's work. That's what makes the character of Mars so wonderful. It might seem a gimmick to have such a gender-neutral recurring character - indeed, from a lesser writer, that's exactly what it would become. But Mars is more than an exercise. S/he challenges our very assumptions about gender, making us first obsess about his/her sex, and then gently showing us, by the end of each story, how silly and unimportant such concerns are. Man, woman - it doesn't matter, Mars is a force of nature, one of the most complex, complete, and fascinating characters I've ever had the pleasure to read. I wish we could get a Mars novel, but I suspect that Eskridge couldn't keep the secret for that long without it becoming awkward. For now, we have "And Salome Danced," "Eye of the Storm," and the title story "Dangerous Space."

Other stories address the irrepressible creativity of the human spirit (the Harrison Bergeron-like "Strings"); the nature of pain and our humanity (the heartbreaking "Alien Jane"); and the rarely-discussed price that must be paid to balance the scales when someone is offered a unique, even magical gift ("City Life"). Few of these stories have typical happy endings, and many of them are downright disturbing, in that delicious, claw-their-way-into-your-subconscious fashion. These are stories that will stick with you long after you put them down.

Ms. Eskridge, please, please don't make us wait another five years for your next offering!

Eesoo is the best book I have ever read. The way Kathleen Boettcher combines romance, adventure, mystery, and science fiction into just ONE book is totally amazing. There is something for everyone in this book. I can hardly wait for the next in the series to be released. Get this book, you will not be sorry. It's great!

This book really does have it all. Mystery, romance, excitement, suspense... The beginning was a bit plodding, but be patient... it quickly picks up, and you're sucked right in!

Thur is like real males, there are times you want to bash him over the head, make wild love to him, throw him out of your life, spoil him like a baby, pray for understanding, and so many other emotions that the males in your life evoke in you. (As a wife and mother of three boys, I can tell you that they can drag you through many emotions in as little as an hour.)

Personally, I have a thing againest adultry and had trouble with Thur's free and easy body sharing with his female guards, especially when Angels was pregnant. I had trouble accepting his excuse that it was for her benifit as much as his own, I find it hard to understand her falling in love with him after all that. I do know love can be strange and anything is possible. The author did a wonderful job crafting her story and the storyline flowed smoothly and was believable.

I'm looking forward for the next adventure and to read more about Shylar and the "tiplets."

Eesoo was one of the best books that I read this summer. It was kind of like Pride & Prejudice meets Star Wars. It has romance, sci-fi, action, and mystery. I could hardly put the book down.

Kathy, you have truly written a classic tale of adventure, romance, intrigue and love. I found it extremely entertaining in all respects. I laughed, cried and felt the tension and excitement of a true mystery as the pages unfolded and (for a short time) the plot became a part of my life. I am anxiously awaiting your next book. Keep it up! Our tired and skeptical world needs more authors like you!

I've just finished reading "Falling in The Garden". It was good, and I enjoyed the story, but I found one discrepancy in the book to be very distracting. I kept on reading in the hopes that this discrepancy would be explained in some way, but it was not. Therefore, I can only assume that it was indeed a mistake, and not intended in the story. It pertains to the ages given for Moira and Leon Kasner.

On page 36 the author states that during his Internet search, Michael discovers that both Leon and his wife Moira died in 1986. He writes: "He was 90, and she, Moira Kasner, was 89." Then, on the very next page (37), their grave markers are detailed as follows:
Leon Kasner, April 11, 1902 - October 10, 1986
Moira Kasner, December 12, 1906 - October 10, 1986

If these are the dates really intended to cover the lives of Leon and Moira, this would have made them only 84-years old and 80-years old, respectively, not the stated 90 and 89.

I found this error to be distracting to the story, and I wonder if any one else has ever noticed or mentioned it, and why the proofreaders did not catch it.

With that said, however, the rest of the book was interesting and I enjoyed the read, though I can not say that it's quite up to the standards of certain other time-travel novels, such as "Bid Time Returns", by Richard Matheson or "The Time-Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger. Plus, it's such a SHORT story (only 83 pages), simply not at all worth the $9.95 (plus shipping) that I paid for it.

Buy it "used" for about $4.00 and suddenly a "good" book turns into a "great" book!!

FALLING IN THE GARDEN is a love story between two young teens that live fifty years apart. Michael lives in the year 1999 and Ashley lives in the year 1946.

Somehow, Michael and Ashley can communicate with each other, first by radio and slowly by just being in a certain meadow by each other's houses. They are haunted by each other and, ruled only by communication, not by seeing or being physically near each other, they fall deeply in love.

The rest of the story is the reason why they can communicate and how it affects them then and into the future.

I loved the language that Mr. Klimczak uses and the way we get into Michael's head. Michael is a boy that I would love to meet. He has had a lot of sorrow in his life but he hasn't let it eat away at him. He lost both his sister and father in a car accident a few years before this story starts, and his best friend has recently moved away, but this doesn't stop Michael from exploring and being very loving and decent to his mother and grandmother. He loves to read and write. He writes exciting stories of adventure and of science fiction. He has many layers, which makes him a great character.

This was a short book but very exciting. I thought it was a great story that made me think long after I had finished reading it.

Reviewed by: Marta Morrison

Mr. Klimczak captures the essence of youthful innocence and cosmic inquisitiveness all in the same, masterful stroke. The development of the story from a seemingly insignificant outdoor sojourn to a high-stakes adventure into the very nature of reality is executed smoothly and with just the right pacing. More of a novella than a novel, the story lays the groundwork for the books that follow. I highly recommend the Timefront series.

To be honest I HATE TO READ!! On a recommendation, I read this book and it was awesome! An odd type of forbidden love story with kind of a sci-fi/technological/government/illegal twist. I was kept on the edge of my seat wanting more. Not able to put the book down, I read it in 2 nights. (that's a miracle for me!) Looking forward to more!

This book was a quick read, just a couple of nights. I could not put it down. I live near where the author grew up, and the story is based, and pass by Walton Lake almost daily. I am looking forward to future books. Well written, and makes you feel as if you are there, very descriptive, but easy to follow. I am going to pass it on to family and friends, I am sure they will enjoy it as much as I have!

After stumbling across the Wingman series I found myself hooked on all of Mack Maloneys series...especially Starhawk. I found that I couldnt put it down. I look forward to the spring/summer of 2003 for Starhawk #4. I recommend the Starhawk series to everyone.

I have read all the books by mack maloney, the wingman series specifically. The chopper ops were good, too. I just new there had to be a continuation with the Wingman books. The Starhawk series is an awesome continuation of these. The Fourth Empire was awesome..... I was literally on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I am just waiting because I have a feeling that the villain Victor from the Wingman series might surface.. I could be wrong, but that is my theory.... as it seems as Major Hawk Hunter is coming closer to discovering his roots.. I hope that Mack Maloney releases a new book really soon.. I will definitely be on the list for ordering it'
Good job Mack.

I must say that if I were to review this series I would have to give it 10
thunbs up and 10 thumbs down.

Why?

For the same reason.. :)

10 Thumbs Up -
I bought all three books at the same time. I could not put them down!

10 Thumbs Down -
Now I have nothing to read for the next 6 months, and have to go see if
there are any good books OTHER than Mack Maloney's at the book store! :) :) :)

The best of this series, the development of the plot is well drawn and set into motion. Found the same play and modeling of the earlier WINGMAN series coming thru with the full power of the science fiction genre. The exploration of the Fourth Empire sets a vehicle to explore all manor of the human experience. I have been fortunate to read some of the ancient classics and actually even more fortunate to have some smart folks explain a lot of what was written. This author explores the human experience in much the same way in his well crafted style in this book. War, struggle for life, deep dives into the face of evil that man will rain down on his fellow man, tie ins with classic literature set to fast paced science fiction. Well conceived scientific developments abound. Tie ins to religous mystery and faith. I can not but help project some of the recent events the United States and the world has faced against the fabric of this book - it is just that good. The action was solid, well paced and placed. As a military aviator not enough flying scenes from the cockpit, but you can not have everything. The battle scenes and the relentless drive through future history excellent. The probing of the mysteries excellent. The connections and lacing to the authors other works continues and is a great part of these books. Again I credit the well developed writing style and intelligence to allow the reader to start with this book and read any other book in the various series without being frustrated or lost. Enjoy, this is a great read and primes the reader for the next one. When will these books and the rest of the series come out on audio tape and CDs? One can only hope soon.

Two words to describe Star Hawk: The Fourth Empire: gripping and thrilling. It was difficult to put down once I started it. Star Hawk begins to explain how Hawk Hunter was transported into the future. In the book, we learn what has happened to previous empires. It has twists that keep the reader hooked. Hawk Hunter is a true patriot and he shows his love for America. This is refreshing to read due to 9/11 and the revitalization of our country's patriotism in all walks of life. This book is a must read for Hawk Hunter/Wingman fans!

For some reason, this book has always stuck in my head, long after reading it. After an encounter with aliens, a man becomes functionally
immortal, even gaining some redundancy in bodily organs. He also has enhanced perception, reflexes, and mental abilities. He received these
abilities in a bizarre meld with an alien cave creature that in general, would kill sentient life forms, but his merging made him superhuman.

With these useful talents, he goes adventuring to utilise his medical talents and superhuman abilities to stop a very virulent disease sweeping the galaxy, and find the powerful being that is the root cause.

I have to ask why this book was overlooked since it was published many years ago. When I first brought it at a used bookstore, I didn't expect it to be this good and reread it countless times. It's about a man who became immortal by an accident, Dalt must deal with a voice(Pard) in his head who takes care of his body and evolving it to survive. Imagine to be the only one in the whole universe full of aliens and being the one to watch civilizations rise and fall. It even includes politics, science theories(easy to understand), romance, etc. all you ever wanted in an sci-fi epic story. Buy it and you won't regret it! :)

Pard is a perfect analog to the coming "shared conciousness" that machines will offer us.

Justifies the 5 star rating over time. Deeply moving on many fronts over the years..

A great read for ages 10 & up, I wholey recommend adding this to your Library & read-list. Worth re-reading every few years.

Good ethics, fine morals, confronting action.

One of F. Paul Wilson's finer early works..

Mandatory sci-fi qualifications - "Have you read The Healer, Paul Wilson? Please describe Pard.."

Iread this novel 22 years ago and loved it. If you love freedom
and sci-fi you've got to read this book. And if you're a gun nut
you'll love the shotgun Steve and Pard use in the ending; and the planet Flint!

I first read this book some 20 years ago, and it has haunted me ever since. I truely wonderful bit of sci-fi spanning time, space and mortality. Whilst it was in my possession I read it many many times, but made the unfortunate mistake of lending it to someone, never to see it again. Some time later I discovered the LaNague chronicles (encapsulating "Healer") and got the book. Whilst Healer remains my all time favorite, LaNague is almost as good a read. Should anyone know of or have contact with Mr F Paul Wilson, would they extend my thanks, and plead with him on my behalf to put pen to paper (or fingers to key-board) and produce further "Steve & pard" novels, as there is far to much meat on this bone to let them off travelling the universe and time in just one book!

I agree with Omni. When I first started reading I was determined to make it thought although the beginning seemed poorly written and confusing. By the time I got to book III, it was difficult to put the compendium down. The authors did an excellent job of referencing canon works in small ways here and there and they also do a very good job of making sure that the conversation is typical of the characters (for the most part). Aside from the occasional religious tirade by a random cast member and portraying the Captain as a slightly apprehensive leader (as opposed to his all-out persona in the show), it was one of the better Star Trek books I have read.

THIS BOOK IS THE BEST I HAVE READ IN A WHILE. I THINK I LIKE STAR TREK DS9 THE BEST. THE CHARACTERS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED MORE THAN ANY OTHER STAR TREK SHOW CHARACTERS. THE BOOK HAS A LOT OF GOOD DETAILS SUCH AS THE VARIOUS DESCRIPTIONS OF THE "UNFINISH INTERIOR" OF THE PHOENIX. THE STORY IS ONE OF A KIND. THE CONTINUAL JUMPS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN DIFFERENT TIMES BEFORE THE CARDASSIAN WITHDRAWL AND THEN JUMPING TO DIFFERENT TIMES IN THE TIME AFTER THE CARDASSIAN WITHDRAWL.

THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I HAVE READ IN A WHILE. I AM A SOPHOMORE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAD EVER READ. I RECOMMEND IT TO ANY STAR TREK FAN OF ANY OTHER PERSON WHO WANTS TO READ A GOOD BOOK

This book is definatley worth reading. I read it 2 years ago, and I'm thinking of reading it again. I don't like multiple books bound into one...its just too bulky... so I'd suggest buying the 3 books seperatley, but this is the best DS9 book series, and best 3 Star Trek DS9 books, I've read to date. Unbelivable, it draws you in and won't let go, hard to put down. Definaltey worth reading if you're a Trek fan.

If you are a fan of any Trek series, this book is for you. If you especially like DS9, there is no frinxing (I hated the way Quark used that swear-word) way you should miss this trilogy.

To date, this trilogy combined in one book is my favorite Trek (not just DS9) novel! Time-travel, religion/philosophy/science, alternative timelines, the War of all Wars, the End of the Universe, the destruction of DS9, False and True Emissaries, THE Sisko... there is simply soo much to this book that it is amazing the authors didn't lose focus. In fact, all the plots are handled well and very few plot holes emerge.

The novel starts off investigating a simple murder and quite simply takes off from there. Once the Red Orbs are discovered I found I literally could not put down the books. I read the whole trilogy in just over a week, making this my fastest read trilogy ever (faster than the Lord of the Rings, which admittedly is slightly longer).

The characterizations in this book are spot on perfect. There is subtle foreshawdowing to events that occur in season 7 of DS9 and the last episode of Season 6. The events in this book take place after Sisko et al try to save the dying woman Captain from the planet but before the season 6 finale... which means we get to see Jadzia Dax in action! Some of the subtle hints to her death are quite sad, yet never do they or other allusions become overdone.

Also, Admiral Picard makes an important appearance in this trilogy... Yes, he is finally an admiral, with QUITE an important mission! Other characters, notably Voyager ones, make short appearances. In the alternate timeline we also get to hear what has happened to most of our beloved characters like Riker. And hey why not bring back Thomas Riker for some fun? Vic himself plays quite an important role and his philosophical inquiries are intriguing.

The authors know much about Trekdom and share that knowledge well, though they limit it so as not to make the book ridiculous like some other Trek books. They are also experts in nonlinear time and time travel. Real explanations for why I can or cannot kill my grandfather are given, something I immensely enjoyed.

How can a book that sees the return of Vash and Garak confronting himself (literally two Garaks!) fail to grab a reader's attention? It had mine continuously.

If you'd like to know what I thought about each individual book, please look to my individual reviews for books 1-3. It is best to read every book in this series, although the authors try to make it so one can pick up book 2 or 3 without having read the previous one(s). I strongly recommend reading all 3 because you'll get a more full and rich understanding not only of DS9 and the books, but of your own life.

Trilogy definitely deserves a hardcover release.

This is an awsome book. I like the way it starts out with Jai leaving one life and having to face another. Corbal was a tricky surprize for him to overcome. Tarquine, on the other hand, was a mystery that he had to solve before he could truly embrace his new life as Emporer of Eube. Then he made a stand for something greater than all of the characters of this book. Catherine Asaro is as awsome as this Series.

I was recently given a copy of this book, and although I don't normally like to read the middle of a series without reading what lead up to the book first. Let me say I'm glad I made an exception with this book. First, it is well enough written where it mostly works as a stand alone. But moreso that here is an incredible writer that has been around a long time I have never read! Although romance is not my first love (pardon the pun), this succeeds in the same way some C J Cherryh books do, and this book does it better than say Ann McCaffrey (who is the author I think of when Sci Fic and romance are used together). This book is full of characters to love and to hate, plenty of action and introspection. Fast moving and thoughtful. Great book!
An author who is a Physicist/Ballerina, I will definitely be buying more of her books!

I originally thought I hadn't suffered from not reading any of the previous books in this saga, but now I wonder. Perhaps a number of the characters and events would have had a greater resonance and feel more grounded had I known something about them already.
Essentially this is the story of Jai, who has unwillingly become the Emperor of Eube to save a relative's life and in the hopes of bringing peace to the galaxy. He is young, ethical and idealistic. Unfortunately he is also a "psion" (telepath) in a society where the vast majority of the population are slaves and psions are the lowest of the low.
"The Moon's Shadow" did not develop as I thought it would. I was expecting something along the lines of "Daughter of the Empire", where a novice ruler uses her unorthodox grasp of law and tradition to survive and thrive in her unwanted responsibilities. This book is quite different. Jai does not show much capacity for wisdom or compromise, only ethics. Much of the book is therefore taken up with him stumbling from one crisis to the next, many of them created or prolonged by his refusal to adapt to his new situation and take advice. For me the most significant problem with this book was a certain lack of grounding. Time has passed, but we do not know how Emperor Jai has been spending his time. We are told he is increasingly unpopular, but we do not know with who or precisely why. Everyone, even the hardest characters in the book, who spend time with Jai are won over by him and think him worthy of their loyalty, despite their knowledge of his secrets and behaviour that is strange and weak by the standards of his new society. Too much telling and not enough showing, in other words. I also found the relationship between a very old woman and a very young man hard to take.
But all that aside, I did rather enjoy "The Moon's Shadow". Asaro's style is clear and flowing, and editorial mistakes were at a minimum. The setting is really interesting and the many of the characters and events are appealing.
So - worth reading, but not a stand-out for me.

Catherine Asaro's "The Moon's Shadow" is the final volume of a quartet within her fabulous Skolian Empire series that tells of the events in the aftermath of the Radiance War. (Newcomers are advised to read "Primary Inversion" and "The Radiant Seas" first.) While the first of these, "Ascendant Sun," was a classic space opera, in "The Quantum Rose" Asaro riffed on the once-high-tech world gone medieval theme, while "Spherical Harmonic" can perhaps best be described as a resurrection myth containing a quantum physics monograph (or perhaps the other way around).

And now in "Shadow," one of the best of the entire series, the author returns to her romantic side--plenty of sex, plenty of space opera. Above all, though, it's a novel of manners. The red-eyed Eubian "Highton" aristocracy speak with indirection and false politeness. The biggest faux pas one of them can make is to say exactly what they mean. And suddenly among them comes their naive and reluctant new young emperor, Jabriol III, who has to grow up and take charge in a hurry (a typical Asaro theme), dealing with potential assassins and dubious allies, all the while trying to start peace negotiations with the Skolians (he's half Skolian himself); more important, all the while trying to figure out what's going on. A tall and complicated order indeed.

Most delicious of all, though, readers are reintroduced to perhaps the most complex character Asaro has ever created, the Eubian finance minister Tarquine Iquar (who fans of the series will remember from "Ascendant Sun"). She's smart, she's tough, she's conflicted. For the second time in the series she appears on the book cover. Despite her age (which of course she doesn't look a bit of), she's not too old to do some growing up and taking charge herself. She knows the language of indirection, and she redirects it her way. She has plenty of secrets of her own. Will she reveal them? Indeed, dear reader, that is for you to discover.

If you haven't read THE LAST HAWK, ASCENDANT SUN and THE RADIANT SEAS you will probably miss a lot of the important story threads and character development in this story, as in a sense this is the story of the massive change in the Eubian empire that these previous novels were leading to.

At the end of the Radiance War Jaibriol Qox-Skolia was still a school boy on Earth. When he saw his parents die in a shuttle crash he opted to trade himself to the Eubians in exchange for his uncle Eldrin, the Skolian Ruby Prince who had been captured in the war. For Jai was the true heir to the Eubian empire, but he was also everything they despised - a "provider" psion and a Ruby Prince - both secrets of his past and heritage he had to keep from everyone in the empire if he was to survive even a single day.

This is the story of how Jai learned to survive as Emperor Jaibriol III and the difficult path to peace he finds at the heart of an empire that is the epitome of everything he hates. This is one of the best books in this series, but its true strength lies in the way it builds on previous events. In other books we have been given glimpse of the violent and corrupt Eubian empire and its vicious rulers the Highton caste but in this novel we get to know them in all their depravity and glory as Jai learns more about his father's people than he ever wanted to know.

This book was my favorite growing up. I would take it everywhere: to grandma's house; on doctor's visits. I had at the age of three! I still have parts of it. (I had to tear it apart when my cousins needed me to fax pages from it for their homework projects.)This book gives you a look at how we as Americans have advance upto the 1980's. The pictures are amazing and there is mythological information for each plantet and the sun (Apollo). It even gives scientic information like physics and math. There's a section on men and women scientist who's contributions make our world a better place.

When I was a child, I would borrow this book from the library as often as I could. It really sparked my interest in the solar system and space in general. Even though the information in the book is considered out-of-date, I believe it is still relevant today. It can stir anyone's interest in astronomy!

My parents had this book on our shelf since before I was born, and when I was old enough to pick it up and read it, I fell in love. Even if some of the text was beyond my comprehension, the illustrations were more than enough to capture my imagination and drive my interest in astronomy. As I got older and could understand more of my reading, the book became that much more important and influential for me. I used it as a resource for several reports through out elementary and middle school.

Sure, by this time, some of the information contained in the book is outdated and many new discoveries have been made, but the information that is there is a great resource for people of any age. I only remembered the book just now as I study for my Black Holes and Cosmic Evolution final, and how much I'd like to take a glance at it for some outside information!

Although fundamentally humanist, this book's presentation of the glories of creation is too perfect in color, imagination, tone of wonder and awe, and development-as-you-read to ignore. It was a major influence throughout my childhood on my love for science and what the rules of the universe are and what may lie in the future long after all of us are dead.
From Michael Collins' introduction through the history of man's understanding of creation to the section on the stars beyond the galaxy, "Our Universe" will draw you in and MAKE you love astronomy.

Besides my own copy, I have never seen another one of these books. It's a shame really, because this book combines information and illustration in the way only National Geographic can. The nine planets of our solar system make up the majority of text material here, which goes a long way in preserving the shelf life of this book.

Our Universe begins with a brief history of astronomy entitled from 'Sun Gods to Gamma Rays' and is written in a manner accessible for all ages. Gallant then proceeds to examine our solar system piece by piece, beginning with the sun and then the orbiting planets. Each planet is given its own chapter, complete with graphs of orbital patterns, atmospheric qualities and actual photographs if available. Stunning artwork is peppered throughout, and in my opinion makes this book a treasure.

Finally, Our Universe includes chapters on comets, asteroids and meteors, and the various galaxies outside our own Milky Way. It's a book that everyone can enjoy. Adults might learn something new, and the artwork will garner interest in kids to learn more about our universe.

What a journey! A thrill ride to other worlds- your world? Our guide, Susan, fillets her true-self for all to feast as she allows us to experience her emotion, vulnerability, and STRENGTH. This book opened my mind, engaged my imagination, and gave me hope... What a gem!

This book is like a guide through one's own personal reality into the subconscious and beyond into hidden worlds, like dreams, and many other altered states. Fascinating concepts on time and no time, reincarnation, karma, life choices, and even death and spirits. This book is above and beyond because it frees one to open their minds to encompass the scope of life beyond what we understand without adhering to any particular belief system. It is kind of like the more you open, the richer your life becomes. The whole book gives you an 'ah hah!' kind of feeling, a sense of constantly being enlightened. A good book to read over and over.

I am reading this book for the third time. It is SO packed with incredible insights and usable thought processes I was folding most every page so I could go back for reference. It was very well received at our womens' health fair in clinic. Kalior is my new favorite author, I have read all 4 of her books. Some fantasy, all life enriching.

This book is a most soulfully interwoven journey the dives deeply into the adventure of self-exploration. It reflects all of life's internal issues on multiple levels and is cram packed with plenty of real substance. A very courageous book to steps out of the norm and yet is delivered in the most delightful way. It's brilliant!


This writer Susan truly has an amazing gift!

Linda Post

This is an extremely amazing book. It takes you on a very deep journey of love and life. Very inspirational. Susan did a wonderful job on this. Thank you.