This was a good book. A fun book. UNfortunately, it doesn't quite live up to Zahn's potential. Everything else of his I've read has a lot of gray areas. Not this one. It's just Blackcollars good, alien conspirators bad. This was still a fun book, and I highly recommend it, it just didn't have that great sense of balance that his other books, like Cobra, or Angelmass have.

If you enjoy science fiction mixed with martial arts, as well as a book with plenty of action, this book is for you. It's companion novel, "The Backlash Mission", is also a worthwhile read. After re-reading the novels for the -nth- time recently, I'm ready for the (long awaited) third novel in the series!

With the exception of books by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein, I hadn't read fiction of any kind--let alone science fiction--for several decades until I got hooked by Tim Zahn. This book takes an utterly imaginative premise--that, because of some mysterious occurrence in the past, humans are able to use telekinesis UNTIL puberty--and does wonderful things with it. How to control a society when the kids are immeasurably more powerful than adults? The characters are very real and likeable, both kids and adults (at least the good-guy adults). Both kids and adults end up having to deal with strong internal conflicts. There are cops and robbers, as it were. There are both up-tight and laid-back authority figures. And there's even a twinge of romance. In the end, the question is whether a preteen can save the world. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

I'm going to have to go with a five-star rating here despite the fact that it's a four-star kind of book; light reading that's not going to change your life. But the thing that's so special about this book is that I'd uphold it (particularly the first chapter) as a how-to for sci-fi authors: it's a great example of how to create a unique world without having to stop and (directly) explain things to the reader. I don't think Zahn ever states outright that "teekay" stands for telekinesis (TK), he just uses the phrase in context enough so the reader can figure it out within a few pages. The same approach is emplyed throughout the book - we eventually learn what we need to know in order to understand the story about the setup and history of Tigris, but it's blended seamlessly into the narrative and never feels like an interruption.

The narrative itself is interesting, if not brilliant. Per usual with this author, we get very competent prose and intelligent, likable protagonists. There are a few flaws here: the villain is pretty bland, the storyline is only barely strong enough to last 300 pages, and there're a few plot contrivances here and there. Plus for the first half of the book one basically has to take the author's word that the different story arcs have anything to do with each other. But since I've spent two whole sentances on flaws, I'll also have to mention that Zahn does a good job with most of his characters; I particularly liked the kids, Lisa and Tonio. And the central concept is a nice twist on the old "magical power that comes at a certain age" cliché.

I'm not an expert on Timothy Zahn - until about a year ago I only knew his Star Wars stuff - but I'd highly recommend A Coming Of Age along with any other Zahn you can find, since everything I've read so far from this guy has been top-notch.

Zahn pulls his usual mix of action and plot twists, though perhaps not quite as elegantly as in his later work. I enjoyed this book thouroughly (not quite as much as the Thrawn books, but it is better than Icarus Hunt) as it gives the reader insight into the child - adult power struggle as well as being a cracking good story. It's a book with thought put into it.

Smuggler Jordan McKell feels certain his pseudonymous employer hasn't told him everything about the mysterious sealed cargo he's supposed to pilot to Earth. And sure enough, before McKell can even blast off, things heat up. First he's detained by the port authorities as a suspected murderer. Then his employer disappears, leaving him with a note, a cash box full of wages, and a hastily assembled crew of mismatched humans and aliens flying the strangest looking ship McKell has ever seen.

Things can only get worse--so naturally they do. After the death of a crew member, McKell realizes that he has a murderer on board, and then he discovers that every government in the quadrant is in pursuit of the Icarus. Before long he begins to suspect that his cargo could change the future of the galaxy--and now it's his responsibility.

The opening chapters of ICARUS HUNT promise a strong mystery/suspense novel, and indeed this book does not disappoint. Zahn rockets the reader along, lobbing plot twists at every turn. The characters are stock, yet well drawn and entertaining. I especially enjoyed McKell's partner, Ixil--an alien whose two symbiotic pet 'ferrets' act as his extra eyes and ears.

Zahn has written a number of Star Wars novels, and ICARUS HUNT reads as though it was originally outlined for the Star Wars series (with Han Solo and Chewbacca as protagonists?), and then the set dressings were changed slightly to make it more mainstream. But who cares if the technology is WWII with blinking lights, and every spaceport has a Star Wars bar scene? Well, I didn't. I got swept right along.

I consider this as a terrific airplane book or a good cure for a rainy day.

...

This book is one of the most enjoyable I have ever read. Zahn has outdone himself with this book - it is much more enjoyable than even his previous excellent work in the Star Wars universe and elsewhere.

Yes, the characters were rather flat and predictable, and the universe wasn't terribly scientifically accurate, and the book in general wasn't any piece of "great philosophical literature" that pushed your mind to its limits. Because it wasn't trying to be - it's just trying to be an entertaining story set in a universe that, albeit unrealistic, is pretty damn cool. And the main character, McKell - I mean, c'mon, how can you not like him? He's Sherlock Holmes rolled into Han Solo, with a dash of Indiana Jones. He's suave, clever, and seems to be thrust into a bad situation. You can't help but empathize with him.

And the plot was most enjoyable. The unending plot twists are well-developed: surprising enough to, well, surprise you, but logical and reasonable enough to maintain the plausability. I was kept guessing up till the very end. And yes, the very end did stretch it a *little* bit, but by the last page, it doesn't matter. You've grown so attached to the characters and universe that you don't care if the solution is a tad cliche, as long as it works. (Which it does.)

All in all, this is one of my new favorite books.

"The Icarus Hunt" was a recommendation to me by a friend whose advise I trust enough to take. This is important, as I confess to not being the biggest Timothy Zahn fan otherwise. His recommendation was well-given, though, and (as a Drill Sgt. might say) I was born again hard.

The novel was a pleasant surprise, full of interesting characters in a fleshed-out science fiction universe. Most of all, Zahn has created a first-rate espionage thriller that brings to mind the best yarns of Alistair MacLean and John LeCarre.

The main character, Jordan McKell, is a science-fiction version of the same world-weary protagonists we expect to see Richard Burton playing on the big screen. Surrounding him is a labyrinthine plot made all the more snake-like by a supporting cast whose loyalties are always in question and never what they seem. It's all a vintage turn on the genre, with the sci-fi twist and some well-crafted writing by veteran author Zahn.

The thrust of the story concerns a crew of professionals, strangers to each other, hastily recruited to fly a ship from a far-flung planet back to Earth with a sealed, mysterious cargo and their employer disappearing when it is time to leave. To give away any more, as with all good thrillers, would be of no service to the reader. Suffice to say, if you are a science fiction fan and, what's more, if you are a fan of the espionage thriller, "The Icarus Hunt" is a supurb entry into both genres.

"Cobra - the most deadly guerrilla warriors mankind has ever produced." The Cobra series are based on the lives of the Moreau generations. The first book, "Cobra", is about the life of Johnny Moreau, one of the first Cobras.

The alien Troft forces have taken over the colony worlds of Adirondack and Silvern. Outnumbered and on the defensive, the humans on Earth make a decision to not atttack the aliens from space, but on the ground. Thus the Cobra units were created, a guerilla force whose weapons and other devices are surgically implanted, invisible to the human eye yet deadly. When Johnny Moreau signs up for the army, he is surprised to be among the few to be made into Cobras. He is sent to Adirondack to fight the Trofts. But being a Cobra isn't at all what Johnny expects it to be, and must learn the uses and abuses of his abilities. From Trainee to Warrior, Veteran to Loyalist, then finally to become from Politician to Statesman, Johnny will learn what it really is to become... a Cobra.

Timothy Zahn is truly one of my most favorite Science Fiction writers and "Cobra" is a truly good example of one of his best books. I love all the twists and turns in the plot, so many surprises at every corner. And I really liked the character of Johnny Moreau. He is smart, thoughtful, and always tried to help others. I felt so sorry for him when he returned home after the war. Everyone was afraid of him and despised him for being a Cobra. Another of my favorite characters in the books is Cally Halloran, another Cobra from Johnny's unit.

As I said, this is the first book of the Cobra Series. The next books are "Cobra Strike" and "Cobra Bargain". "Cobra Strike" is about Johnny's son, Justin Moreau, who becomes a Cobra and is sent on a dangerous mission to an unknown planet. "Cobra Bargain" is about the daughter of Justin whose dream of becoming the first woman Cobra comes true. Though these books are very hard to find, if you can get them, I'm sure you'll love them!

I really enjoyed this book and have read it 3 times. I also read the sequel Cobra strike which is a great book as well. I would love to get my hands on the third book, but it appears these books are very hard to get ahold of. That is too bad.

After reading the review of the man who thought this book deserved a one star, and had to defend my favorite author and one of my favorite books. The book is not about the war, but rather the life of a man turned from a man into a fightine machine. The war was just one of the things that influenced this mans life. And about the weak characters, and i don't know what book you were reading, but the characters were great, and i really enjoyed the character developement from a young idealistic boy to the great statesman that developed out of him.

There are some books that when they end, you want to run to the book store to make sure your copy wasn't missing any pages. Angelmass is one of those. It's a pretty good book right up to the end, where things just end without being resolved. There are more questions than answers at the end, which leaves room for a sequel, but left me feeling that all the build-up was for nothing. When all is said and done the Pax still hold Lorelei, Angelmass is still a threat (not an immediate one), and Empryan society is about to be thrown into chaos.

I shouldn't be surprised really. All of the Zahn books I've read: the Star Wars Thrawn Trilogy, the Conquerors Trilogy, Star Wars Hand of Thrawn Duology, and Icarus Hunt all have the same kind of open-ended finish, but in those cases there was always enough excitement to make the trip worthwhile. Angelmass, however, moved along slowly but didn't have much of a payoff for readers who plodded through the first 500 pages waiting for the "secret" of Angelmass to be revealed and for the big showdown between the Pax and Empryans.

The good thing about Angelmass, though, is that Zahn sticks to his strengths. The overall universe is about the same as the Conqueror's Trilogy and Icarus Hunt (and even his Star Wars books) and similar enough to our own that he doesn't need to spend the whole book explaining how everything works. There's more science featured in Angelmass, making it less approachable than his last efforts, but in small enough doses so that it doesn't dominate the entire book. The characters are fairly well-written, though some seemed like warmed-over versions of characters from previous novels. And as always, Zahn uses a mix of political intrigue, military strategy, science, and con artistry to full advantage. No other SF author I've read comes close to smoothly integrating all those elements.

If you're a fan of Zahn's other books like me then you'll definitely want to read this. While maybe not as good as his others, Angelmass still blows away a lot of SF books I've read.

This is not your everyday novel involving a massive interstellar plot. It involved few character to keep track of. It was definatly a change of pace. I realy enjoyed it. Instead of all out war there was subtle hints of a possible alien invasion.
The Empyrean has found a way to keep their polititions and high ranking military members ethical. The use of angels. The angels are produced by a small black hole aptly named Angelmass. The Pax, a goverment that seems like the good guys at the begining, see the angels as a alien intelligence trying to warp the minds of the Empyreans. The Pax has sent a young inexperienced spy, Jeriko Kosta, to find out the truth behind the angels. But instead finds the whole thing to be utterly confusing. Meanwhile the Pax is sending a task force to "liberate" the Empyrean's form the angels. This presses Kosta for time to find what is really going on out at Angelmass.
I was expecting a plot more like the other Timothy Zahn books I have read. Nevertheless i still enjoyed this novel aproach on the whole good vs. evil idea. The only thing I didn't like was the sub plot with the Adjutor's real agenda came out at the very last and didn't have the mystery and guessing I would have liked with plot twists. All in all, a good book.

...but not excellent. At first look, the actual concept is very original and promising. It is both of those, but there's something about how Zahn takes it that doesn't make it as interesting as it could have been.

Synopsis: Jereko Kosta is a spy from the Pax government who is inserted into the Empyrium, a seperatist collection of planets, to learn about a particle of matter called angels. It seems aparent that angels influence people to do good things, and Kosta's there to study their effect on humans and determine if this is a natural phomenon or an alien invason bent on conquering Humanity.

It's a little different in its writing style, and it comes off as a hard sci-fi book. There's a lot of scientific words and concepts, and it's harder to read than his other books. It was still a good book, definitely not his worst, but it's not quite up to the Conquerors' Trilogy or his Star Wars books. There's still some classic Zahn concepts in there, and the space battle scenes are excellent. I've always been amazed at how real he could make his space battles, and I like how he mixes a lot of tactics and strategy in. You can always picture what's happening where and how it's being counteracted, etc.

Can't wait for Manta's Gift!

Deadman Switch is a moral composition, dealing with non-violence, integrity and the value of life. All of these themes are played out in a galactic empire with all the problems of a modern government. The science fiction setting includes elements that are more in tune with meta-physics than hard physics. However, the story and its characters draw the reader into their world and their difficulties. I would compare it in style, and timelessness to the Odyssey, if not in scope and grandeur. An enjoyable read.

A bit creepy, but full of interesting ideas. In this sense comparable to "Warhorse", but the story line is a bit weaker here. Still well worth reading to those interested in unusual sci fi. Complete with two alien species, not counting the Watchers.

This one was pretty nifty. Interesting that there's a religious order capable of seeing the truth of things just because they better understand the will of god. Sounds vaguely familiar...

This short story collection, while it cannot lay claim to any spectacular, classic stories, is solid. It is an enjoyable read for those who have read and enjoyed Zahn's work. Unfortunately, like most of his work, it is out of print and shows no sign of resurfacing (the biggest shame on this front is the fact that "Spinneret," probably his best book, is long out of print). If you like Zahn, you'll like this; if you haven't read anything by him yet, try to find spinneret.

An excellant collection of early short fiction by Zahn I particualrly liked 'Shadows of evening" and the sequel 'Not only to the stong". Some stories are clearly showing a writer still learnign hsi craft, but are still veryu good, and the title story is top-notch.

The story of a man who finds himself transformed into a fighting machine and then shunned by his fellow beings. The government sends him and others like him to a planet to colonize the place. The story is gripping and has a very unusaual ending. I find this book fun to read. I've read it 3 times

A great collection of short stories. Zahn exploits ideas & technologies (as always) in ways you would never expect. The stories include: A kid that can transport himself an inch at a time. A doomed "plane". People who can travel back and witness events as they happened, and much more.