Dark Light (Engines Of Light: Book 2) by Ken Macleod
01/12/2002 . Source: Katie McGivern 
Pub: Orbit. 368 page paperback. Price: £ 6.99 (UK), $ 9.99 (CAN). ISBN: 1-84149-109-8. Buy from Amazon US - Buy from Amazon UK
nb: US titles may only be available from Amazon US, and UK titles from Amazon UK. Check out website(s):
www.orbitbooks.co.uk
'Dark Light' by Ken Macleod tells the
story of the starship Bright Star's arrival on the Second Sphere -
a planet founded by Gods and populated by kidnapped alien races.
Skilfully
mixing blockbuster adventure and thoughtful commentary, Ken Mcleod charts the
impact that the first human light speed space craft has on the main city of the
planet, Rawlinston.
 The
opening paragraph is one to savour and the rest of the book delivers.
The characters are well-rounded and believable. The Second Sphere
is obviously a place where the men are men and women are feisty!
There is also a subtle thread of
humour throughout the book - which while not making me laugh on the bus did afford
me a few wry smiles! There are enough plot twists and conundrums to keep me reading
till two o'clock in the morning but not too much so that your brain gets dizzy.
It is also a novel that lingers in your mind, that gives you something
to ponder will making yourself a strong cup of coffee because you were up all
night reading!
Unfortunately, this is the second book in a series and
having not read the first I felt that my enjoyment of the novel suffered. I felt
that there were gaps in my understanding that couldn't be explained by my natural
stupidity! However I found the 'Dark Light' to be an enjoyable read and
I intend to read the first and third in the series - as should anybody who enjoys
fast-paced, thought-provoking, wry smile inducing Science Fiction.
Katie
McGivern 
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