 | EUROPE'S MOST VISITED SF/F WEB SITE |
|
Unto
Leviathan by Richard Paul Russo check out website: www.OrbitBooks.co.uk and www.TimesWarnerBooks.co.uk
The tensions between the various factions
in the ship (crew, bishop and workers) are almost at breaking point when they
pick up a radio transmission from another planet.
This allows him to travel through the various levels of the ship presenting an almost birds-eye view of events. He is a very interesting character, particularly the subtle romance between him and Father Veronica, a priest, who is unusual on the ship because of her belief in God. However, Russo overplays the idea of the disabled man being bitter
and twisted on the inside and this aspect of Aguilera does grate
after a while, detracting from an otherwise believable and likeable
character. This is an important consideration because this is a book where story is essential. Therefore, the storyteller has to appeal to you and in the main he does. The themes and questions raised seem to rise out of the plot like steam coming out of a kettle, necessary but not central to making a cup of tea. Luckily the story is strong enough to take on this
central role, pulsating with life and with more twists and turns that a car salesman
caught doing a dodgy deal. Russo is an expert at creating tension and there are
some genuinely scary moments. He is also a very visual writer and therefore this
book reminded me of the Science Fiction film 'Alien' - with its dark brooding
setting and the gradual build up to the climatic ending. This novel
weaves together powerful characters, interesting themes and a strong plot to produce
finely crafted and executed novel. If you like your heroes on the edge and be
perched on the edge of your seat with tension when reading then I would recommend
this book to you. Katie McGivern
|
OTHER REVIEWS - December 2003
Other reviews this month Dreams Underfoot by Charles De Lint Spirits In The Wires by Charles De Lint First Rider's Call by Kristen Britain Roma Eterna by Robert Silverberg The Life Eaters by David Brin and Scott Hamilton Midnight Lamp by Gwyneth Jones Dreams of the Compass Rose by Vera Nazarian One Lamp: Alternative History Stories edited by Gordon Van Gelder The Druid King by Norman Spinrad Star Trek: Nemesis novelisation by J.M. Dillard Unto Leviathan by Richard Paul Russo The Sundering by Walter Jon Williams Nylon Angel by Marianne de Pierres Falling Out Of Cars by Jeff Noon The Darkest Part Of The Woods by Ramsey Campbell Lord Of Snow And Shadows by Sarah Ash Tales Of Ten Worlds by Arthur C. Clarke Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Radio Sunnydale Dante's Equation by Jane Jensen Archform: Beauty by L. E. Modesit Jr
| ||||||||
The
Argonos is a spaceship that for generations has been on a mission
to find human life. The reasons and the original planet that the
mission came from have been lost down the passages of time.
Bartolome
Aguilera is our narrator and despite being the captain's unofficial
lieutenant is an outsider on the spaceship. 
 | |
| nest home | search engine | site directory | shop | library | tools | about us | | |
| |
... www.sfcrowsnest.com © 2001 CWant a ? Then send an e-mail to: hologramtales-subscribe@topica.com