Thousands of years hence,many racesinhabit a universe where a mind's potential is determined by itslocation in space - from superintelligent entities in the Transcend,tothe limited minds of the Unthinking Depths,where only simple creaturesand technology can function. Nobody knows what strange force partitionedspace into these'zones of thought',but when the warring Straumlirealm use an ancient Transcendent artefact as a weapon,they unwittinglyunleash an awesome power that destroys thousands of worlds and enslavesall natural and artificial intelligence.Fleeing the threat,afamily of scientists,including two children,are taken captive by theTines - an alien race with a harsh medieval culture - and used as pawns ina ruthless power struggle. A rescue party,not entirely composed ofhumans,must free the children - and retrieve a secret that may save the rest ofinterstellar civilization.
Publisher: Orion Publishing CoISBN: 9781473211957Number of pages: 608Weight: 418 gDimensions: 195 x 132 x 39 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
A tale that burns with the brazen energy of the best space operas of thegolden age. Vinge has created a galaxy for the readers of the'90s tobelieve in...immense,ancient,athrum with data webs,dotted withwonders - Interzone
The first grand SF I've read in ages...Vinge is one of the best visionary writers of SF todayVinge's climax is suitably mind-boggling. This epic combines the flashand dazzle of old-style space opera with modern,polished thoughtfulnessWide-screen science fiction epic of the type few writers attempt any more. A novel of great ingenuity,energy and narrative sweep - Washington PostThoughtful space opera at its best,this book delivers everything it promises in terms of galactic scope,audacious concepts and believable characters both human and non-human - The New York Times
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