The three books in the Manifold Trilogy were a mind stretching journey. While the characters are somewhat one-dimensional, they keep you grounded enough to enjoy the science which is presented on an immense scale. Why isn't there any evidence of other sentient life in the universe? What is the purpose of intelligent life at the end of billions of years of evolution. What would the "old ones" do to change things "downstream", to make life more meaningful? Baxter's characters search for the answers to these questions in unique and fascinating ways.

Stimulating, entertaining, and ultimately satisfying. ( )

This was a bit surprising and quite good. It starts out with a Burt Rutan-ish entrepreneur determined to build and launch a space ship, despite the best efforts of the government. He succeeds, and then things get even stranger. ( )

my first impressions are below. upon finishing the book, i'd have to say that Emma became less annoying as the book went on. this is a plot-focused book and not a character-focused one, so once i got over that, it was pretty good. (why is everyone constatly aware of the earth rotating?) i can't say i'm interested enough in the characters to pick up the second book in the series., though i have to add that this one ended with such a cliffhanger that i wouldn't mind seeing what happens next.

cancer? what?

.......

granted I just started the book, but Emma's character is, so far, irritating enough to make want to put this down. i don't buy that a woman who has absolutely no interest in science would follow an ex-husband rocket scientist around only to be constantly lectured to. and my disbelief isn't quelled with a few intermittant "i can't help following my ex around even though its stupid" statements from Emma. Sad thing is, Malenfant's lectures to Emma are actually interesting... I just wish that Emma wasn't so obvious a literary device whose purpose is only to get the background knowledge across to the reader. the premise is interesting enough for me to probably keep reading, but so far... Emma's irritating me to the core. tell me there's more to her, guys, or tell me she gets blown up somewhere or abandoned on an asteroid ( )

http://comunidadumbria.com/?MW=3&SW=5... ( )

http://www.amazon.com/review/R3HM19CI... ( )