Quite a good book. Not one of David Brin's best but still good. ( )

David Brin has made his name writing hard science fiction, but this earlier work (1984) is one of his softer pieces.

The premise of a new world which has slightly different physical laws from Earth, and how those laws affect everyday life, is fascinating. However, the reader should not expect any great depth of insight from this novel, since is it written in the manner of a nonstop action adventure. It is highly readable in the manner of pulp fiction like Burroughs' A Princess of Mars, and science fiction is mixed with traditional fantasy elements such as castles, dungeons, an imprisoned princess who needs rescuing, and an calculating baron who wants to take over the world.

The storytelling is engaging, but the characters could perhaps have been developed more fully and the central concept explored in more depth. But on the other hand, it is evident that Brin was not aiming for any great profoundness of meaning when he wrote this work, since a light-hearted humour permeates the whole book.

Although it is an action adventure, it reads more like science fiction than fantasy, and Brin provides a scientific explanation (albeit not a very convincing one) for everything at the end of the novel.

For me it was a light but thoroughly enjoyable read.

( )

NA

Language: not subtle
Characters: flat
Plot: ludicrous, Isamoor wrote "old school", very pulp
if you want "cheap" undemanding entertainment it's ok -
if you are 14 it's ok
if you want more food for thought . drop it
i managed to read 50 pages.... ( )

i thought this book was very clever. The basis for how things work on this particular world is based on practice and repetition - what if you could really 'practice up' and get better at things, or make tools better by using them or sharpening them over and over? Someone who discovers this and masters it can use it to great effect.... ( )