Oracle

Another good book! I really enjoy books that take science, near-future science, and extrapolate into the science fiction realm. It's hard to read books about the future that have no influence in today's discoveries and increasing pace of discoveries and inventions. But back to the book... Mr Richards writes a fascinating tale that weaves many different aspects of present and near-future science into an incredible tale that takes us from a homicide detective to an intergalactic conflict in a believable way. I enjoyed reading this book because it kept me entertained and didn't trip my bs detector ;-)

If I had to critique anything it was that the two alien races we discovered from the book were a bit stereotypical and shallow. Oh sure, the book could be double in size with intricate details and stories of the races but that would get boring. I just couldn't connect very well with either of the races in a way that made me care about them. I know... the story was about the humans and I don't fault the writer in it. I enjoyed it and finished it satisfied so my rating reflects that!

I must say, the description didn't quite hold me, and I went into this with a slight sense of trepidation. Then, to see scientific things Richards has already explained in previous novels rehashed in an almost word-for-word fashion was another blow.

But that's where the disappointment stopped. I got swept up in the story, pulled along by his prose and style, and finished it with as much satisfaction as I could have hoped for. A worthy work, and if it lays the groundwork for a more variegated series, all to the better.