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A review by tomasthanes
Sundiver by David Brin
5.0
This novel is the first book in the "Uplift Saga Series" (and the author's first published novel) and from what I understand the series gets better and better but you usually have to start at the beginning. It's a "very good place to start".
There is so much to like about this book:
* The science runs deep. This is certainly a "hard scifi" (meaning that the author took special care to get the science right).
* It's about space ships that dive into the Sun and live to tell about it!
* There are uplifted creatures (and later, a vast hierarchy of uplifted species).
* There are societal layers (sort of like the Citizens in Starship Troopers) except that you have a radio implanted in your butt; not a big radio; okay, I may be exaggerating.
* Oh, and there are aliens (and not the Star Trekky humanoid aliens, men in rubber suits); creatures who are truly alien and very "exo" (like the "protomolecule" in the Expanse novels). Oh, and there are "aliens" on the Sun (in the novel, not IRL). Never trust a Pil; they're tough to swallow. Beware of aliens who shoot lasers with their eyes.
I wonder if the author will return to the Needle episode and provide more context in future novels.
There was a lot happening under the surface of the story that was hard to see, as if through a Lyot window.
There were Tolkien references in the book: "...Imperturbable as Bombadil."
Dr. Jeffery died. It was a shame. He had a wicked sense of humor.
There is so much to like about this book:
* The science runs deep. This is certainly a "hard scifi" (meaning that the author took special care to get the science right).
* It's about space ships that dive into the Sun and live to tell about it!
* There are uplifted creatures (and later, a vast hierarchy of uplifted species).
* There are societal layers (sort of like the Citizens in Starship Troopers) except that you have a radio implanted in your butt; not a big radio; okay, I may be exaggerating.
* Oh, and there are aliens (and not the Star Trekky humanoid aliens, men in rubber suits); creatures who are truly alien and very "exo" (like the "protomolecule" in the Expanse novels). Oh, and there are "aliens" on the Sun (in the novel, not IRL). Never trust a Pil; they're tough to swallow. Beware of aliens who shoot lasers with their eyes.
I wonder if the author will return to the Needle episode and provide more context in future novels.
There was a lot happening under the surface of the story that was hard to see, as if through a Lyot window.
There were Tolkien references in the book: "...Imperturbable as Bombadil."
Dr. Jeffery died. It was a shame. He had a wicked sense of humor.