This is a finely crafted tale of intersteller war between the Zor and human kind. It is also window into a 24th century that may be, a detailed blending of the physics common to hard SF with less concrete "sensitives" and communal alien minds. The author achieves the difficult task of presenting a truely alien intelligence and culture in a fashion that is easily read and very natural. Wonderfully descriptive, the reader is part of alien architectures. I could feel what it was like to walk along a narrow walkway thousands of feet in the air with no hand rails (since on their homeworld Zor can fly). While written long before the events of last September, this book raises some questions about the nature of war and the difficulties of total war and the operation of politics surrounding a war that I found timely in our current circumstances. Best of all the various aspects of the story and its characters work and it flows exceptionally well. I read the entire book in a single day. Its a terrifc "read", a tour de force from an author with more to come.

Disclaimer: I have been priviledged to number Walter Hunt among my friends since 1984. He is a man of immense talent and imagination and I offer him my congratulations on one "heck" of a good book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story is well written, with well-developed characters. The plot woven with so many threads of personal and political agendas, I couldn't put it down. The Zor are painted as such a unique and completely different race, I am very fascinated by them, and want to know more. After reading this book I find myself thinking about the characters (especially Stone) and wondering when the next book will be forthcoming. Walter H. Hunt needs to look no further for a day job. This -- his first book -- shows he is an excellent author and storyteller, and should continue to write. I will definitely be watching for the release of the next, in what I hope will be many volumes. Long live the Solar Empire!

Walter H. Hunt has created a remarkable -- and believable -- future for mankind. In the 24th century, humanity has FTL jump capability and is colonizing the planets beyond Sol as a united people. Then they meet the zor, a bloodthirsty race intent on wiping out humankind. From the first battle to the tense drama of the ending, I was enthralled. I read this book -- all 491 pages -- in two days. Hunt has created not only credible characters, a believable universe, and a fastmoving plot, he has also created an enemy race that is as mysterious as it is true-to-form. The zor -- their language, culture, and religion -- feel as real as any race described in Middle Earth. Well done. Now, when is the next book due?

Disclaimer: I know Walter Hunt personally; however, my review above is by no means exaggerated because of that relationship. If anything, my expectations were higher. Walter has not let me down. This is an excellent novel.