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Science fiction takes many forms. Philip K. Dick frequently examines individual morality’s existence in authoritarian avant-garde governments. Arthur C. Clarke’s focus is often on overall changes technology might unleash. In this novel, Brooks tackles the conundrum of whether or not to interchange knowledge that could not only advance or destroy our world, but others as well.
Chriton Industries is run by a genius. He’s a hands-on founder and leader more secretive and reclusive than Howard Hughes ever dreamed of being. His accomplishments dwarf all who have come before him. Outside the walls of his corporate fortress, the world doesn’t know he’s actually mastered interplanetary travel to galaxies unknown to man. Chriton is an enlightened voyager who shares knowledge with alien life forms yet never interferes in disputes, conflicts, or wars. He is teaching his son to do the same. However, on the young man’s maiden voyage his teachings are sorely tested.
Brooks is a formidable storyteller who steeps this tale in everything from human genome projects to cloning, artificial intelligence, wormholes, space streams, cloaking devices, neoprene thermal enhanced exoskeleton suits, and more. His characters transcend one-dimensional stereotypes be they people, miniature kry’ciaths, or fierce monsters named Kalikron. The pace of this adventure moves at a controlled warp speed and the author does a first-rate job of plotting, depicting innovative action sequences, and steeping the reader in appropriately impressive pseudo scientific jargon. The same can’t be said for his dialogue, which frequently feels less like Wachowski Brothers films and more like Flash Gordon serials. Still in all, if sci-fi’s your thing, this cosmos could satisfy.