Call from a Distant Shore

I have read about a million books. This is one of the most enjoyable I have read thus far. I bought Mr. Burns's first book basically because it had decent reviews and a neat cover. I was surprised to find that it really was a good book. Good enough to buy this other book from him. Well, this book is leaps and bounds better than "flesh and silver". The character development is amazing. The plotline is compelling. He provides just enough detail that you actually feel as if you are living the story along with the characters. But not too much detail as to be excessive (Anne Rice). One part even made me bust out laughing. That hardly ever happens with me. I had to explain to a friend what was going on in the book so that he didn't think I lost my marbles. The author's views of how our future may very well turn out is exciting, and fun. The way in which the book is written is very down-to-earth...and not technical or too far out. I can see this becoming a movie one day. I sure hope so. But a movie wouldn't do it justice (they hardly ever do)....but while I was reading the book I could actually see what movie stars could be filling the roles in the book. The hacker in the book could be the black guy in "the green mile"...and so on...You have to read this one. Trust me.

Like reviewer John Rauth, Jr., reading this novel made me want to write my first review. I agree with what many of the other reviewers have said, both good and bad, about Call From A Distant Shore. In the end, however, it is nice to read a feel good space opera (including hokey foreign accents, deus ex machina, perfect loves, super talents and all) that is hard to lay aside. This novel does its job; it provides a way to escape from everyday life for awhile and let you live in a simpler world. I think that it would make a great movie.

It has been many years since I have read such a wonderful amalgam of humor, action, and science fiction. The characters are a pleasure to interact with, and the plot is a non-stop rocket sled ride.... full of powerful emotion, wry humor, and cyber-opera goodness.

A great follow on to his first book. A wonderfully down-to-earth (read bawdy) tale in the style of Asmivov. A good sense of Twilight-zone justice and characters that you give a damn about with a healty dose of lust and science-fact. I read it in a weekend and wished it went on forever....