"The Bones of Time" revolves around the secret of the preserved bones of the greatest of the old Hawaiian kings, Kamehameha. This big, rich, complex hard science fiction novel confirms Goonan as a leading SF writer of the 1990s.
Ms. Goonan creates a hauntingly beautiful love story, a suspenceful high-tech thriller, and a policaly charged story of both the future and the history of Hawaai - all in one. Her power to weave seemingly seperate storylines, decades, even centuries apart is captivating. This is THE BEST historical Science Fiction book I've ever read. There is nothing like it. The closest would be "The Diamond Age" or "Lincon's Dreams". THE BONE'S OF TIME has the power to make me care deeply about a long dead Hawaain princess. It's the story of a math genius boy named Century who's in love with a girl seperated from him by time. It's also the story of a political struggle in future Hawaai, and cloning, and space travel, but ultimately it's a story about time; how it binds us and how we can break those binds.
Captivating and unique
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
In "The Bones of Time" Ms. Goonan combines cutting edge science fiction with traditional Hawaiian culture in a suspenseful and captivating race against time itself. The pace of the novel will keep you glued to the page and the climax is as stunning as it is satisfying. One of the finest science fiction stories I have ever read.
Very good time travel/near future SciFi
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
Intriguing book, although rambling at times. Also, the author tends to build suspense and then drop the subject, leaving the reader hanging. Still, great characters, a fun and exotic setting, and an intelligent plot make this book well worth reading.
The Bones of Time - a very favorable impression
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 27 years ago
I picked this book up because it was 20% off; I'd never heard of it or Ms. Goonan. It was a great find. Ms. Goonan is current on all of the cutting edge science - cloning, genetic manipulation, nanotech, and even the cutting edge super-string theory of physics, which implies the possibility of time travel. All of this could be incredibly boring, though, but Ms. Goonan hangs it all on a great plot populated by some memorable characters. The novel is set in Hawaii. Some of the characters are native Hawaiians, and members of the underground Homeland Movement; another is the Japanese daughter of the founder of Interspace, an organization with the lofty goal of settling the stars, but as corrupt and underhanded as any modern organization. The way all of these elements are tied together is really incredible. You'll have to read it to see for yourself
The book is great!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 27 years ago
Another incredibly wonderful book! This is one of the most creative and interesting long reads I have had in a while. Run, don't walk and buy this book!
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