Starred review from August 4, 2008
Acclaimed SF writer Flynn (Eifelheim)
delivers an epic tale of adventure, intrigue, suspense and mystery. Forced to land for repairs on an unnamed, remote planet, Captain Amos January and crew discover a cache of artifacts left by a cryptic alien race “long before humans went to space.” They soon retrieve the Dancer, a shape-changing stone that defies analysis. Possibly the scepter of a legendary prehuman king, certainly unique, the priceless trophy is desired by diverse governments, military powers, plutocrats and cabals throughout human-settled space. Flynn knits a richly detailed story of hunters, bandits and patriots that will keep even the most diligent readers on their toes. The plot evokes old-school space opera with its whirlwind pace, immense scope and twist ending, but cutting-edge extrapolation breathes vivid life into this universe of scoundrels, heroes and romantics. This multi-layered story demands much of the reader, but offers more than equivalent rewards.
September 15, 2008
A harper wanders into a bar on Jehovah, the focal point of an interchange on the spaceways, and asks for the story of the Dancer, a prehuman artifact discovered by the crew of a ship commanded by one Captain January, which set down for repairs on an empty planet. They lost it trading for a working ship, and it changes hands many times over the course of its story. It shows up again on civil war-wracked New Eireann, then makes its way to a pirate fleet. If the legends are true, its an artifact of great and terrible power, and among its seekers are the Fudir, a Terran; Little Hugh OCarroll of the Eireannaughta; and the Hounds Bridget Ban and Greystroke. Through its story Flynn weaves the stories of the minstrel who asked about it and the man informing her, which are connected to a web of tales enveloping the Dancer. Flynn puts his world-building skills to good use, creating a context that begs to be further explored, whether by him or someone else.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)
August 15, 2008
On the distant planet of Jehovah, a harper meets a scar-faced man who offers to tell her a tale like no other, one about a prehuman artifact known as the Dancer. Once found, this artifact passes through many hands, from its discoverer, Capt. Amos January, to Little Hugh O'Carroll, assistant manager of New Eireann, and from them to a host of secret agents and counteragents from the numerous planets that make up the United League of the Periphery and the Confederation of Central Worlds. The author of "Eifelheim" recalls the intertwined structure of ancient Celtic music and storytelling in this series of connected vignettes about an object that always lies just beyond one's reach. Reminiscent of the tall tales and cautionary stories of Mike Resnick and revealing the talent of a master storyteller, this Sci Fi ESSENTIAL book belongs in most libraries and should appeal to fans of sf adventure and space opera.
Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.