The Siege of Eternity (Eschaton)

This is the second book in a three part series, but when I picked it up at a used book shop I didn't really know that was the case. It was only after I finished the book that I realized there had to be more to the story. Right up until the ending the book flows well and doesn't come up against any problematic plot devices from the first novel that it is unable to explain. That said, I would not have been surprised to see... Read Full Review

Part of a true three novel trilogy Eschaton, including (The Other End of Time, The Siege of Eternity, The Far Shore of Time). This trio deals with first contact but Pohl couldn't let it be a simple aliens encounter, there are two different and of course warring alien alliances but that is as far as the "of course" goes. The leaders of earth first have to come to terms among themselves so they can choose correctly from slim,... Read Full Review

Although a sequel, I read Siege of Eternity as a stand alone novel -- and found it highly satisfying. Fredrik Pohl tells a good tale and creates a contemporary story that is both entertaining and thought provoking. As with his Gateway/Heechee novels, he has created aliens that tell us much about ourselves through their actions while providing a memorable tale of good solid science fiction. Highly recommended.

The Siege of Eternity doesn't quite live up to the expectations I had after reading The Other End of Time, as Pohl chooses to mostly ignore the eschaton issue which made the first novel so fascinating. However, the Siege of Eternity has a taut plotline that was somewhat lacking in the first. Eternity reads more like a techno-thriller than the contemplation on the nature of the universe and man's place therein. As a thriller,... Read Full Review