Cusp

I read this book twice. I thought it was that good. And unlike some, I understand that it is science FICTION, not real science. Yes, there were a lot of very cool cutting edge ideas thrown about and I really enjoyed the execution of it, unlike some here. The plot was well worked and I was enthralled with Metzger's twists and turns. And people that want to throw real physics in to trash Metzger's plot are = poop.

In the year 2031 a solar flare shifts the Sun and history will never be the same. Power and politics, survival and greed, make things even more complex as the many sides try to save themselves or mankind from...what? That's the whole point of the story. We follow, unfolding, uncovering the puzzle, getting nearer and nearer to the cause of what is happening. And as it turns out the answers change just as fast as the questions as Robert A. Metzger takes us on the ride of our lives. Robots, transhumanism, aliens, computer intelligence, nanotechnology, spacecraft, and....well, I'll let you find out. Too many ideas? Heck no, I wanted more. I wanted more details, more books, more time to enjoy the story. And at 517 pages it still ended too soon.

There are so many ideas in this book that you almost need a road map. The basic problem -- how to save the earth as the sun begins to act strangely and giant rings appear on the earth -- which will apparently propel the earth to a new star system. From there, we get to plots that are 65 million years old, quantum manipulation, teams of lemurs and dinosaurs in flying astroids, debates on free will -- you name it, it is in this book. The love interest? The love between family members and friends. This is really a great, challenging book. If you like hard science fiction, then read it.

I'm one of the few people who have read this in paperback form. The advanced reading copy, or uncorrected proof. Facts can be found elsewhere. I'm going to stick to opinions. There are lots of good science fiction books out there that are both good to read and are a good reading. And then months later you don't remember many details. Only that it was a good read. I don't think you'll be able to do that here. Scenes will stick. Parts will be so vivid that you'll swear you can hear the John Williams' music as you read it. And that should be more useful in a review than merely repeating the facts. William Taylor

In the year 2031, two events change the earth as we have known it. The sun moves into a different position and two rings made of photonic energy encircle the earth from the north to south poles and around the equator. The geography of the earth changed as land bases are torn apart and sent into a sea that is vastly depleted due to the rings. Billions die. By 2051, with food in short supply, much of the United States population is indentured to the agricultural collectives. Many of the remainder are Tools, people that are part machine. General Sutherland effectively runs the country and is responsible for integrating his daughter to CUSP (Controllable Universal Sentient Plasma) causing her to go post point (the next step in evolution). The general knows that the rings are firing up as is the jet in the sun so that the journey to alpha centaury can be made. The hope of earth surviving what is coming rests on the shoulder of a woman who is no longer human but something much more. Anyone who likes hard science fiction reminiscent of the works of Arthur C. Clark and Mike Resnick will definitely enjoy CUSP. There is a lot of advanced science research used for some of the concepts in the book but readers will understand it because the author smoothly explains them through the voice of his characters. General Sutherland is portrayed as a Machiavellian manipulator but readers don't get turned off by his arrogance because he does what is needed to save earth and its remaining inhabitants. Robert A. Metzger has written a fast-paced action packed work that will keep readers turning the pages to see what happens next. Harriet Klausner