The Wardove/The

I've never read a bad piece of writing by L.Neil Smith, which is more than I can say even for other sci-fi greats. This book, however, comes through edgy and somewhat pessimistic-appropriate for a quasi-tragedy. If you want brain-candy, forget it-this one, as do all Neil's books, makes you think and question cherished assumptions.Neil, as a musician himself, does a wonderful job of portraying the bizarre alchemy of glitter and sleaze that is the music industry. If anything, his work is almost too realistic. You can smell the stale cigarette smoke and sense the sweaty ambience of dressing-room miasma as you read.If you want to get 'Henry Martyn' or 'Bretta Martyn' but haven't yet, do yourself a favor and get 'The WarDove' first; it contains background essential to Neil's later, bigger books. Be warned: the style of the 'Martyn' tales differs greatly, and may not be to everyone's taste. Still, Neil ties it together masterfully at the end of 'Bretta Martyn.' You'll want to read all three--unless you're a Clinton/Gore supporter who substitutes emotional reaction for clear thinking.

ONE OF L. NEIL SMITH'S LEAST KNOWN WORKS, BACK IN PRINT AGAIN AFTER A LONG HIATUS. A VERY INTERESTING FUTURE WORLD, MUCH MORE REALISTIC/DARK THAN HIS "NORTH AMERICAN CONFEDERACY" NOVELS. WELL-WRITTEN AND HARD-HITTING, WITH A VERY BELIEVABLE PROTAGONIST, NATE BLACKBURN. I AM VERY HOPEFULL THAT WE'LL SEE THE OTHER TWO BOOKS OF THE TRILOGY ONE OF THESE DAYS.