โ Scribed by Marusek, David
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
Starred Review. Marusek's wide-ranging and creative imagination is very much in evidence in this ambitious second novel. In 2007's Counting Heads , a rocket ship crash, apparently sabotage, killed powerful financier Eleanor Starke and left her adult daughter, Ellen, gravely injured. Ellen, whose damaged head has been grafted onto the body of an infant, insists her mother is still alive, an apparent delusion that complicates her efforts to assert control over the family business empire. As clones and artificial intelligences begin to redefine humanity and sentience, powerful executives derail a space colonization plan for their own profit. While newcomers might wish for a short prologue or a glossary, those omissions don't significantly detract. With ambitious narrative scope and small moments of perfect prose, this tale of 22nd-century politics repays the close reading necessary to follow its many interweaving plots. (Jan.)
Copyright ยฉ Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Ellen Starkeโs head, recovered from the crash that killed her mother, Eleanor, has a lot to deal with. She has a clone, but its body is a babyโs; sheโs responsible for the teetering empire her mother created; sheโs surrounded by people plotting against her; and she believes Eleanor canโt be dead. Applied Peopleโs corporate fortunes are about to take a tumble, partly because Fred Londenstaneโs on trial for his part in Ellenโs rescue. Andrea Tiekel, head of E-Pluribus, is maneuvering to take over the clone market and, in fact, angling for control of even more, including Heliostream and the entire extrasolar colonization plan. Heliostream CEO Merrill Meewee, one of Eleanorโs loyal agents, discovers some very interesting fish while skipping rocks in a pond on the Starke Enterprises campus. Intrigue, plotting, adventure, and bizarre conspiracies abound in this eminently satisfying follow-up to Counting Heads (2005). Marusek has built a solid world and paces the unfolding of corporate takeover and social mayhem so as to keep the reader fascinated. And the resolution is elegant and satisfying. --Regina Schroeder
๐ SIMILAR VOLUMES
### From Publishers Weekly Starred Review. Marusek's wide-ranging and creative imagination is very much in evidence in this ambitious second novel. In 2007's *Counting Heads*, a rocket ship crash, apparently sabotage, killed powerful financier Eleanor Starke and left her adult daughter, Ellen, grav
Since the first druid came into their lives, Fritjof prayed he would never meet the druid that was destined to be his fated love. He knew that emotion would always lead to devastation and heartache. Heโd seen it, experienced it, when his mother disowned him for not being able to save his father.
Beatrice Alexander is no ordinary schoolteacherโshe can move objects with her mind, an embarrassing skill she hasnโt yet mastered or embraced. After nearly killing her brother by accident, she joins the F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad, the Federal Response to Extra-Sensory and Kindred Supernaturals. This top-sec
Paranormal heroes take on zombies in this funny and thrilling debutVery few people know the truth about Beatrice Alexander. She's no ordinary schoolteacher with a fondness for classic movies. Beatrice can move objects with her mind, an embarrassing and dangerous skill that she's never learned to mas
Theatrical agent Aurora Fields kept her personal life strictly separate from her professional one, but lines were crossed the moment she met David Brady. He had asked her client to participate in his documentary on paranormal phenomena. Aurora agreed, but she stayed on hand to protect the woman from