Firestar

. . . example of "not too distant future" hard Science Fiction. In "Firestar", Michael Flynn has written a rare book: one which combines some fairly scathing social commentary, believable and realistic (and, I suspect, doable) science, and a truly amazing cast of characters which are more human -- and more developed -- than the vast majority of science fiction and fantasy writers today. Written in the mid-late 1990's and set in the immediate (end of 20th, beginning of 21st century) future, Flynn presents us with a nation in educational decay, political incompetence, and economic chaos -- but a nation in which great men and women can still be found -- as both heroes, villains -- and sometimes as a combination of them both. In Ned DuBois and Barry Fast, one finds people who are real, flawed, and likable in spite of those (very real) flaws). In Marisa von Huytens, one finds a character in which there is much to admire -- but overwhelmed by an obsession, which the reader doesn't know if she can overcome. In Styx, one finds a "lost child" of a "lost generation" -- who has important things to say . . . but is unsure, in her anger, insecurity, and angst, just how to say them. And the premise? Private industrialization of space? We're all ready beginning to see it. In the novel, what the government won't (or can't) do -- corporate industry is doing. Is this a reality "just around the corner"? I could go on, but I think I've made my point. A truly fine read, but not for the faint of heart. The sheer number of major characters and the many intertwining plot lines are an effort -- and occasionally, the author himself gets a bit bogged down. But, in the mind of this reviewer, it is an effort well worth making. I shall be most interested in the three sequels, to see if the author is truly able to bring this immense story together. Highly Recommended.

To a lot of folks, Firestar may look intimidating. It's 960 pages long. It's labelled "Hard SF." It has three pages of Dramatis Personae. The listed 1.5 inch thickness was certainly measured in a vise (mine was almost 3 inches thick by the time I finished with it). It's yet another story about the collision of the Earth with another heavenly body... are you yawning yet?Wake up! That means nothing for Firestar. It sucks you in from the first page, where heiress Mariesa van Huyten witnesses a giant meteor hurtling through the daylight skies over the Rocky Mountains. The characters and plot threads of this riveting, complex epic all revolve around Mariesa, and her reaction to witnessing this event.What if it had struck? Why don't we do something about it? Well, over the next 3000 pages of Firestar, Rogue Star, and Lodestar, Mariesa does. And she has to build everything from scratch, including her allies and experts. (The enemies, of course, don't need any help.)For a while, I couldn't put my finger on what drew me back to this book so strongly. The science and speculation aren't very deep. The central conflict is at first nebulous and later, a bit counterintuitive. And Mariesa, the main character, is difficult for most of us to identify with. Mareisa and the other players are all very skillfully characterized, but few are compelling. But eventually, I realized it was the execution - like the way addictively good fresh bread can be made from simple ingredients. Each character has his or her own conflict, and the stories are entwined to relate each conflict to the central one.I personally seek out complex novels with multiple threads and page counts in the thousands. I like getting lost in a story that's so big I can't see the boundaries. And Firestar has just raised my standards.

Will begin when it becomes profitable to go into space. Period. Anything else is simply propaganda. Having said this, Flynn does a pretty good job of describing how this transition is going to occur, although he is somewhat optimistic about the technical issues involved with SSTO flight. His books are very grand in scope, encompassing a vast number of issues that go far beyond simply putting a rocket in LEO. This obviously helps to account for the great length of his novels. Firestar is a great book because it takes an honest look at the state of society in America today and shows how fundamental changes are necessary to allow mankind to move to the next stage of history. This is something I find contemptibly lacking in contemporary modern literature.BTW I started reading this book the first time around at 7 PM on a friday night, and was unable to sleep until I finished it nearly 30 hours later. I do not recommend reading 980 pages in a single sitting unless you have a bountiful supply of highly caffeinated substances, so stock up on Jolt cola and nacho chips before buying this one.

I have been a fan of Michael Flynn since I read his first story in Analog. Firestar did not disappoint me. I found it hard to put down. Flynn made me care about his characters and share in their triumphs and disappointments.I gave this book to my wife to read. She is not a big sf fan, but tolerates the odd book if she considers them well written. She cursed me for inflicting it on her. She likes to read herself to sleep at night, but Firestar was too gripping for her to nod off.I have been told to buy the sequel.

One of the best reads I've had in years! Good story line development with reasonable extrapolation of technology rather than the fantasy tales of many other authors. Liked especially the detailed character development and the interaction between them and our central visionary, Mariesa. She was at times a bit vague and removed on feelings toward others (somewhat unrealistic) but "Dreaming the Vision" of what our future in space could be is what makes this book so real. For those of us who lived through the excitement of the early lunar landings and the ultimate rise and fall of high technology in aerospace during the mid sixties to the early eighties it provides a renewed enthusiam for sustained development of the high frontier. I also felt that the approaches for education are refreshing. As any parent with college age children can attest, our high schools need encouragement to develop a more challenging approach to nuture stronger values and problem solving. Would definitely recommend this book for highschool through adult ages. I am sure you will find yourself, as am I, waiting with high expectations for the sequel. Give this book to your children to stimulate them about the future that is there if they reach for it! A great gift.