Just before the Earth was destroyed by a black hole sent by aliens, a ship full of human children was sent out to get revenge. Once out in the universe, they face many challenges, not the least of which is how, and why to continue the mission. Good stuff! ( )

For a time Greg Bear was THE name for hard sf that challenged readers with big ideas. This sequel to what was an absorbing 'end of the world' novel, 'Forge of God' is a perfect example of the author's strengths. Tasked with avenging Earth's destruction, a group of surviving Earth children set forth on a warship provided and run by the robot intelligences that saved humanity in the first place. But Earth itself was destroyed by automated weapons launched thousands of years ago. Where did they come from? And is visiting vengeance on the descendants of the civilization that built them so long ago truly justice? And by committing themselves to the task of vengeance, the humans are forever cutting themselves off from the humanity they knew. What then is their mission worth? The ambiguities in what seems like a straight-forward quest for revenge are endless and its these ambiguities that make this an outstanding novel of speculative fiction. ( )

Never-never land = space.

The few people that survived the destruction of Earth are now travelling by spaceship.

Not sure that political organisation via Peter Pan is really that great an idea, however that is what they do.

Infighting problems to be overcome before they can think about alien destroyer slaying, though.

Just another decent read.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2007/10... ( )

Greg Bear and i have a teensy bit of a troubled relationship. i read him for ideas, so it's unfair to fault him on the entertainment end, but sometimes i just do. his ideas aren't always translated into engaging characters and/or story. but this one held my interest all the way through. bit stiff, but worth the read. a study of vengeance as a measure of humanity. i liked my ending better, though.*g* ( )

I agree with cmoore's comments regarding this book. It was disappointing copmpared with the 'Forge' and the 'Ender's Game'bit was not nearly as good as Orson Scott Card's offering. ( )