Angelmass
 Timothy Zahn
 (Reviewer - - D. H. BROWN)
 2001 TOR Books
  ISBN: 0312878281


Scientists on the planet Seraph within the lost independent human colonies, have encountered “angels” who mysteriously emit from a black hole.

Because these “angels” hold the ability to render people who are within close proximity to them reasonable, calm & almost incapable of lying, the Empyrean, in a last-ditch effort for peace, harness these “angels”, distributing them throughout their government.

The leaders of the Earth-based Empire, the Pax, are suspicious of these “angels,” & spread rumors that they are the linchpin of an alien plot to subvert humanity.

Enter Jereko Kostas, a mild-mannered academic, who is dispatched on a reconnaissance mission to find out the truth about the “angels.”

Along with Chandris, who has spent her young life as a petty thief & grifter, Jereko signs on with an “angel-hunting” ship in search of the truth about Angelmass.

Senior Staff Reviewer D. H. BROWN writes:

For more years than I can count off the top of my head, I have found myself transported into the future by Timothy Zahn.

He seems to have a knack for writing stories out of whole cloth, & weaving them into a future universe that I've never read about before. The last book of his I had read was The Icarus Hunt.

I find Timothy Zahn's storytelling to be complex & yet very laid-back. I like his characters, & even those on the dark side, seem to develop some redeeming qualities by the time he's finished with them.

Angelmass has all of the aforementioned characteristics. Like any good Sci-Fi read that grabs me, this one held me from page one, clear through to the end, & dominated every spare moment of my time, until I'd finished it.

The future universe created in Angelmass follows a lot of my own thoughts on the subject of our species' development, & especially since we seem to be growing toward money as the beginning & end of social activity. Economics plays such a large part in warfare, even today, it seems only plausible that it shall continue growing in importance as we leave this cradle of ours behind & head for the stars.

Angelmass was a gripping & time-absorbing read! I recommend it very highly, as a prime example of Timothy Zahn's abilities. It is surely worth an honored place on any Sci-Fi fan's shelf. Highly recommended.

Timothy Zahn is a Hugo Award winner whose works include: The Blackcollar; A Coming of Age; Cobra; Spinneret; Cobra Strike; Cascade Point and Other Stories; The Backlash Mission; Triplet; Cobra Bargain; Time Bomb and Zahndry Others; Deadman Switch; Warhorse; The Icarus Hunt
He has written three Star Wars books: Heir to the Empire; Dark Force Rising; The Last Command
The Conqueror Trilogy: Conquerors' Pride; Conquerors' Heritage; Conquerors' Legacy
The Hand of Thrawn books: Spectre of the Past; Vision of the Future.
(05/05/02)

D. H. BROWN
A RebeccasReads.Com Reviewer -

Reviewer's Bio:
D. H. BROWN is the author of the critically acclaimed HONOR DUE and the Citizens Warrior Series. The son of missionary parents and with the help his Uncle Sam, he has touched base in more than 40 countries. In 1986 he produced the independent children's film Lessie's Rainbow. During the late 80s and early 90s, he wrote the book Common Sense and delivered the seminars of the same name for the Community Action Network of Seattle (CAN). While doing his early Vietnam recovery work, he counseled Veterans and spoke widely to men's groups in Washington state, and was a founder of The Lodge of the Wolf.

D. H. BROWN has worked as a Logistics and Weapons Specialist in Viet Nam; day laborer; Director of Security; Armored Car Driver; Police Officer; Professional Hunting Guide; Trapper; Dog Sledder; Homesteader; Truck Driver; General Contractor; Minister; Editor; Writer; Speaker; Restaurateur; Movie Producer; Antique Restoration Specialist; Personal Care Worker; PC Repair Specialist; Computer Instructor; Webmaster and Web Designer. "I write about what I know."

He lives deep in the Pacific Northwest rainforest with his wife, author and editor Rebecca and Buddy Dog, working on his next book.
Visit him at: www.dhbrownbooks.com