Not usually a reader of Hard Sci-Fi, but wow!
340210
I don't have much spare time this month, but I try to always post reviews about books that earned five stars in my estimation. Here, then, are a few reasons I enjoyed SPIDER STAR. (1) Great adventure on a broad canvas. (2) Memorable characters (seriously, they won't leave my head. Go on home, now, guys.)(3) The science never overwhelmed the storyline and was explained well enough for a lay person like myself. (4) The gadgetry and the ship were just plain cool. (5) There are many beautiful human moment interspersed with the cool toys. Lovely. (6) The ending's just heart-wrenching and beautiful.

All this and I am not a reader of hard sci-fi. I'm really not the target market and I still loved it. Try a sample if it's not something you'd usually pick up. Buy it if you're a hard sci-fi fan.
4237915
I want to begin by saying that when I opt for sci-fi, I tend to head toward science fantasy.  No, to be totally honest, I head for the fantasy and look toward things like Jim Butchers DRESDEN FILES, or Kat Richardson's GREYWALKER series.  That said, Andy Kaschs TEST OF MAGNITUDE is a really nice change of pace.

  We all know that sometimes things just happen, and Kasch starts with a wife-sabotaged New Years Eve celebration and the abduction of Earth-born Brandon.  But like I said, thats just the beginning.  In the writing and the reading, TEST OF MAGNITUDE opens a very large can of worms.

  Beginning with alien abduction, answers to the question of life out there among the stars, and suggestions of cryogenic survival, TEST OF MAGNITUDE also looks at questions of racial injustice, political intrigue and dynastic support, pro and con military government, and religion.  And there is a wonderful crew of imaginative and memorable characters inhabiting this story, bringing the causes and scheming to life.

  Oh, yeah, and then there is a highly addictive game in the mix  Whew, thats a lot!  But whats very interesting is that Kasch manages to make his observations and characters mesh nicely in an entertaining and thought provoking story of intergalactic intrigue.  I find it difficult to be more specific without delivering a bunch of spoilers, so you will have to read for yourself.

  While not a perfectly written story, TEST OF MAGNITUDE could easily be called rollicking because it is definitely fun, enjoyable, and full of energy.
3334263
This was my first foray into this genre, and I really, really enjoyed it.  I usually think of sci-fi as very dry, mostly by and for men; this book opened my eyes to the fact that there are interesting sci-fi books which have fully developed characters and interesting relationships.  Fluency does a great job of keeping you interested in both the plot and the people.  You root for some characters, wonder if some are good or bad, wonder what will happen, and the ending is both satisfying and a great cliff-hanger.  Luckily, book 2, Remanence, was just released - yay!!
182834
This is a wonderful science fiction book that somehow managed to transport me into both the past and the future at the same time.
I love the differences between the worlds in this universe and how they mirror our own cultures and histories in so many ways.
The story is complex and exciting, leaving enough intrigue to pull you into the next book whilst still leaving you with the feeling of a compelte book.
The POV was strange for me at first, with it constantly shifting from one to the other at the drop of a hat, but Lyra somehow managed to do it without losing me or confusing me; it worked!
Overall, I love the worlds and their cultures, the characters and their individual stories, and I will be looking to read the rest of the series.

The reason this book didn't get a full five stars is twofold.
(1) The introduction was a bit too heavy for me. I know that it is a new universe and there is a lot that I need to know to understand what is happening, but I think it could have been spread out a little more through the book. I recommend this book, and I stress that if you do feel a bit overwhelmed with chapter 1, then please push on! It is so worth it!
(2) The second reason is that there is a lot of passion and emotion in this book, which is a good thing, but sometimes the passion came so hard and fast, between characters that had barely met, that I felt a little whiplash.
1736577
The year is 2201 A.D., and humans have progressed even further in the technological field. We are now able to compete with artificial intelligence by merging man with technology  but things aren't so simple. Resources are scarce, and although although the light-speed barrier has already been broken, something else is out there, waiting for the right time to strike. But in times like these, you never know who to trust.

Admittedly, at first I was very skeptical of this genre; some high science-fiction books Ive read in the past have been difficult to get through because of the overload of technical terms. However, I thought that this book set up the scene very nicely and although I was still a bit confused at times, it was very interesting to immerse myself into this world. Everything is definitely very thought-out and it feels authentic. I especially liked how the themes in this book could be linked to real life; artificial intelligence is something that has been debated for years, and author was really able to create their own version of what it meant and tie into the world that they imagined.

I thought the main character was very likable. Although there seems an age difference between us, the main character was wise and insightful beyond his years, and I could definitely connect. Throughout the book, there was such clear emotional development as he learned who he was and how he would deal with every obstacle that came his way. Even the secondary characters had their own stories, and I really enjoyed reading about the relationship dynamic they each had with the main character.

Despite how unrealistic the world may physically seem, there were many parallels that I could draw between our world and this fictional one. With some underlying social commentary, the writing style was engaging (and oftentimes, beautiful), which really helped bring the story to life.

The plot was definitely one of the strongest part of the book; it was unique and different, and with blend of realism and futuristic, the setting was not only interesting to read about, but also made me think about how far society has already come. Overall, Adam was a very thought-provoking book and it delved into the relationship between humans and between humans and technology. It truly brings about the question of what you define as human. This was a great read, definitely one of the best sci-fi novels Ive read!
1140958
At first you look at the cover, and the summary and it's about aliens.
I know.

But fear not, it gets really good!

If you are a scifi/fantasy junkie like me, this book will not disappoint!
With witty characters, and strange devices used with a sprinkle of survival of the fittest, this book is definitely worth the try!

Without giving anything away...
The dog is a hero. I swear.
4726729
I don't generally read Science Fiction, and I some how missed that fact when I was choosing this book, but I'm very glad I did. I loved the story and the characters. I only wish I had known it was a trilogy before I got to the end of the book because I was hoping for more answers!
1810642
I'm not usually much of a science fiction reader, but a friend of mine recommended Hangar 18 because I used to live near Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Boy, am I glad I gave this book a try! Powell's main character Adam Keller is fascinating, and unlike any hero I've read about in other books. At first he seems like a straight-laced Air Force Captainexcept he has the gift of "The Sight", which he inherited from his military surgeon grandfather. And he inherited something else rather peculiar, toothe problem of what to do with an alien who's been frozen beneath Wright Field since 1947! He's thawing out now and he's angry as helland he desperately needs Adam's help to survive. So Adam is at a crossroadsdoes he engage in sympathy for the alien's plight like his grandfather once did, or run the other way? I won't spoil the action of this story, except to say that Adam ultimately enlists the help of Lisa Stark, an Air Force techie who helps him unravel the truth & becomes his love interest. What I enjoyed most about this book is its bristling pace, multi-dimensional characters & riveting plot that kept me turning the pages. I also loved the "earthiness" of this novel. Powell's descriptions & her emotional investment in her characters makes this story palpable & truly come alive, unlike some scifi works that can be so airy & technological that they drain their characters of emotional punch (aside from outrunning the sterotypical "aliens du jour"). What amazed me is that even Powell's alien is multidimensional! Part scifi, part part thriller, part engaging romance, I discovered that once I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down. So readers be forewarned, if you buy Hangar 18, you will lose definitely some sleep...
2357192
I didn't think that I would like this story nbecause I am NOT a sci-fi kind of person...BUT, it was sooo good! It really sucked me in with the story, The personalities of the character & just the whole concept!  I Loved it so much that I had to get the whole series!
2942258
Wow!  I have not been much of a science fiction reader since I was young, but this series may get me back into the genre. Particularly appreciated the Asian perspective
2161031
I have to admit, I do not usually read books that are not science fiction, however, when I read the first chapter I was hooked, I could not put this book down, I had to re-arrange my day so I could keep reading. I laughed and cried, I was drawn into the lives of each of the characters, and the period of this book makes it even more thrilling.  Well done Tallman, cannot wait for your next adventure.
1225493
While it has a pretty steep difficulty curve (by which I mean it will be a little difficult to understand at first), this is a dense and deep story about the human spirit, stagnation, and a lot of other great themes that I don't need to list.  While this is far-future science fiction, it almost reads more like a fantastical myth than science fiction, and in fact is based on one of the ancient myths (hint: the protagonist's name).

If you peruse the first few pages of this book, don't be put off by the jargon.  Yes, the book starts out a bit slower than many other pop-sci fi books would, and yes it can be difficult to grasp what's happening, but the little bit of work you put in up front will be worth it.  If you like fantasy (real fantasy, not the modern schlock), sci-fi or even just great story telling then this book is definitely for you.  I imagine it has had a hard time finding a very mainstream audience due to the seemingly inaccessible use of language, which is a shame because this is one of the best books I've ever read.

On that note, Phaethon is probably one of the best characters I've ever read.  His strength-of-will in the face of any opposition and even temptation kept me completely hooked on the story.  He's not the only great character, but I don't want to get too wordy so I'll avoid giving a description of my other favorites.

I can't think of too much negative to say.  There's some pacing problems.  I just started the second book, but I'm not sure really what the details of all of the technology are.  For all I know, there are major inconsistencies or even plot holes, but since I don't completely grasp this distant culture's technology I can't be certain.  But, I feel like I don't need to get it 100%.  Sure I could read it slower and really study it out, but the story is what hooked me and all of the sciencey jargon is just a backdrop for the great story and characters.

You probably won't like this book if you're really into the dour, nihilistic sci-fi of yesterday (such as Neuromancer - which is a great book, but can be kind of a bummer).  If you prefer hopelessness you won't find that here.  This book is about big ideas and while it does deal with negative themes, in the end it's uplifting if only to see people who haven't crumbled under the weight of those negative things.

I'd say give it a chance.  You may not love it, but I can't imagine anyone walking away from this saying, "That was a horrible book".  I can only see some people saying, "Well, that wasn't my cup of tea."
2589565
I don't usually read romances -- I typically prefer sci fi for genre fiction -- but to my surprise I found myself enjoying this book greatly.  Although I am male, I really identified with the protagonist and the hard choices she has to make in rebuilding her life and choosing who she will become.  The writing was wonderful, with strong character development, and kept me hooked throughout.  I thought I'd read this a bit at a time, but actually I couldn't put it down.  There are sudden plot twists, be forewarned.  The story won't go how you expect it...  Highly recommended.  Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
3806231
I am normally a highly critical reader of the sci-fi genre. I was highly intrigued by the plot of this book. How much change must one person enact to officially change the resilient future?
In truth at times the tale jumped a bit, and thoughts were not 100% fluffed out. However this is entirely forgivable once you become fully immersed in the story.
I will be picking up book 2 in the series once it is available, since I cannot wait to see what the future holds.
84382
I started binge-reading this series about 10 days ago, and finished this afternoon.  I had seen the cover and passed the series by because of it... Do not be deceived, this is not a mixed species romance series.  What I like most is that it is not space opera with never ending descriptions of weapons or battles, it is not another apocalyptic gloom and doom series, and in fact it really defies description in common sci-fi language.

This is a series about humans becoming galactic citizens, a benevolent, though difficult to understand, race, and the mostly peaceful interactions of the people of Earth with other species.  And yes, this is true science fiction, because at the root of the stories is a lot of commentary about human nature.  Mr. Foner has a sly sense of humor and made me laugh quite a number of times while reading.

I didn't have any trouble keeping up with the characters, but that may be because I read the whole series in about ten hours of reading time over several days.  This is character driven fiction and as such one must keep track of who is who.  Some of the characters lack development because of the minor roles they play, but I never found myself wondering if all of the characters were really necessary.

I really can't wait to read the next story!
4118424
My latest read is a sci-fi novel about an attempt by a group of scientists to create a method of instantaneous travel. They claim everything is working fine, but the government agency funding them thinks something is wrong. So they send in a high-school English teacher from Maine (who happens to have a photographic memory) to take a look.

The premise of The Fold, Peter Clines' newest novel, may sound really strange. And it is! But the book is a page-turner that I could not put down. The story takes all sorts of twists and turns, many of which I was not expecting. Although it deals with scientists and crazy theoretical physics, the book doesn't delve deep into the science of how everything was happening, which is fine by me. I wouldn't have understood it anyways!

At first most of the characters all jumbled together, but across the course of the book you got to know them. Some were more interesting and well-developed than others, but the main characters were really well written.

If you are looking for a unique sci-fi book you can't put down, I would highly recommend The Fold!

I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review, but all opinions are my own.
4224874
I normally do not like the whole sci-fi genre. The idea of other planets and other beings out there scares me a little. BUT this book was AMAZING.

The author made the "alien" seem so real, very human. (And super gorgeous in case you were wondering) Cara was also my type of girl. Non-social and such. In the beginning of the book I wondered if her gift for planting would grow into some special power, because of the cover. Will and Cara I think are amazing for each other.

I can't believe Liv (Cara's sister) didn't knife Will when she found out his secret! I would have. I think the author did a really good job at captivating the different reactions of Cara and Liv when they find out Will's secret. I personally would have run away and not looked back.

My favorite scene in the book would have to be when Cara has her first hang over and begins opening her birthday presents. "This one is from Dad." She handed me the second package, a smaller box that rattled as I took it from her. I peeled off the paper, and inside found ... a box of tampons." You'd be surprised at what actually was in that box.

I don't understand why, if she loves Will so much, Cara doesn't ask Will to stay. The climax of the story though is toward the end when everything crumbles. The alien is wanted and Liv is being held captive. Will the alien turn himself in? ;) READ the book to find out.

There may or not be a fight at the end involving the main characters, guns and maybe even someone out to avenge their mother.

I give it 4/5 stars.