This dual Hugo/Nebula Award winning science fiction novel certainly takes the cake for originality. A spaceship captained and piloted by dolphins? The premise of this work is that sentient species are scattered throughout the galaxy, seeded by a mysterious group referred to as The Progenitors. As each species attains a certain level of “consciousness”, they are able to “uplift” other species to a level of sentience through genetic engineering, hence the dolphin and chimpanzee, which are “client” species, with humans their “patrons”. The political/social/military relationships between and among the different “patron” species and their “clients” are what make up the bulk of this novel.

This is actually the second novel in the Startide series, though I have been assured that it can be read independent of the original and has generated far more acclaim than the others. I never felt that I needed any more background information than was provided within the text of this book.

I can’t say that the writing was poor, or that the plot and characters were in any way deficient. However, I really never felt like I was pulled into the story. Others may disagree and reinforce the awards that this novel has earned, but I don’t rate it in the upper tier of science fiction novels I’ve read recently. ( )

A complex story of selfish, galactic civilisations competing for status by "uplifting" promising species. Brin pieces together a wonderful array of self absorbed "clans" interacting and sabotaging eachother within conventions that make the United Nations genaral assemblies look like at tea party. Erik von Daniken lives again in the pages of this series, as the "wofling" humans try to slip the leases of greedy superpower races. ( )

my friend lent me this and i had to put it down, I'm not sure why the author felt it necessary to reitterate the differences between bottlenose and steno dolphins every couple pages, but did not decide to endure the rest of the book to find out ( )

aka Dolphins in Space.

Sounds stupid but this book is a cracker. Dont waste your time with the rest of the series. This one is the bomb. ( )

One of my favorite Sci-Fi books. You are just plopped into the middle of this immense saga without warning. The sheer array of aliens is boggling and each one has a totally different motivation. The shifting alliances, vast battles, and human drama just drew me in and would not let me go. The crew of the Streeker trying to survive on cunning against odds a Vegas card shark would never even consider. ( )