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Runner
Jak Rebo, Runner
Job Description: Interstellar courier
Mission: To change the status quo...
In a crumbling futuristic society, Earth is only a myth, the technological advances of centuries have faded inot distant memory, and space travel depends on a fleet of run-down, unreliable ships. Only the brave - or foolhardy - undertake such risky journeys. The brave, the foolhardy - and the runners...
Jak Rebo is one such runner, whose current job is to deliver a future religious leader to his people, while avoiding assassins. If that's not enough, he gets involved with a very beautiful woman who holds the secret to instantaneous travel between star systems - a secret that some would kill for.
With death waiting at every port, Jak soon realizes that this time he is running for his life...
Job Description: Interstellar courier
Mission: To change the status quo...
In a crumbling futuristic society, Earth is only a myth, the technological advances of centuries have faded inot distant memory, and space travel depends on a fleet of run-down, unreliable ships. Only the brave - or foolhardy - undertake such risky journeys. The brave, the foolhardy - and the runners...
Jak Rebo is one such runner, whose current job is to deliver a future religious leader to his people, while avoiding assassins. If that's not enough, he gets involved with a very beautiful woman who holds the secret to instantaneous travel between star systems - a secret that some would kill for.
With death waiting at every port, Jak soon realizes that this time he is running for his life...
424 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
26 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
William C. Dietz
124 books453 followersNew York Times bestselling author William C. Dietz has published more than fifty novels, some of which have been translated into German, Russian, and Japanese. He grew up in the Seattle area, served as a medic with the Navy and Marine Corps, graduated from the University of Washington, and has been employed as a surgical technician, college instructor, and television news writer, director and producer. Before becoming a full-time writer Dietz was director of public relations and marketing for an international telephone company. He and his wife live near Gig Harbor, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 23, 2024
Interesting setting alert.
Runner is set in a far, far future. After the fall of a big star faring empire (following the assassination of the emperor) planets are isolated when the sentient A.I. governing the star gates disappears (absconds, if you will).
With planets cut off from the historical seat of power, knowledge, economy and governance (and more interested in their own ideologies and factions, and in fighting over the titbits of their own crumbling corners of the galaxy, than with general housekeeping) things are going to pot. Society (such as it is) is sliding into technological barbarity as time goes on.
Ancient ships governed by aging AIs still follow pre-programmed routes between planets. Annual planetary arrival of these ships is treated as a holiday or religious event, or at least until the day inevitably comes that there is no arrival, since many of these ships eventually retire themselves by dropping into orbit around stable planets and placing their ailing systems on standby.
The knowledge of “how things work” seems to have faded into obscurity, so to speak.
People from different planets still make use of these ships, using them as a hop-on, hop-off transport between worlds, but it is a dangerous undertaking with no real guarantee that they will reach their destination(s).
All of the above make for a rather fun backdrop for planet hopping adventure across an assortment of environments.
Add to this a rather ruthless protagonist (of the shoot first, ask questions later variety) and you have a rather fun read dealing with different factions looking for the missing star gate AI, the spirit of the dead emperor and a boy who may, or may not, be a reincarnation of the most important spiritual leader of the empire.
3.5 stars
Runner is set in a far, far future. After the fall of a big star faring empire (following the assassination of the emperor) planets are isolated when the sentient A.I. governing the star gates disappears (absconds, if you will).
With planets cut off from the historical seat of power, knowledge, economy and governance (and more interested in their own ideologies and factions, and in fighting over the titbits of their own crumbling corners of the galaxy, than with general housekeeping) things are going to pot. Society (such as it is) is sliding into technological barbarity as time goes on.
Ancient ships governed by aging AIs still follow pre-programmed routes between planets. Annual planetary arrival of these ships is treated as a holiday or religious event, or at least until the day inevitably comes that there is no arrival, since many of these ships eventually retire themselves by dropping into orbit around stable planets and placing their ailing systems on standby.
The knowledge of “how things work” seems to have faded into obscurity, so to speak.
People from different planets still make use of these ships, using them as a hop-on, hop-off transport between worlds, but it is a dangerous undertaking with no real guarantee that they will reach their destination(s).
All of the above make for a rather fun backdrop for planet hopping adventure across an assortment of environments.
Add to this a rather ruthless protagonist (of the shoot first, ask questions later variety) and you have a rather fun read dealing with different factions looking for the missing star gate AI, the spirit of the dead emperor and a boy who may, or may not, be a reincarnation of the most important spiritual leader of the empire.
3.5 stars
August 16, 2013
A bit of a hidden gem. Good characters are lightly traced here, but its entirely forgivable since they only serve as pleasant vehicles for the real star: a hi-tech future skidding irretrievably into barbarism. Managing to parse fantasy and cyberpunk (with a well crafted Buddhism in space plot) the Author packages the potentially lumbering affair into an interesting blend of one part action, one part internecine religious warfare and one part societal commentary on progress; and surprisingly it works. Entertaining and often evocative, a good summer scifi read.
July 3, 2019
It's hard to beat an entertaining space opera, and this one fits the bill. Jak Rebo is the eponymous runner, a courier, who travels interstellar routes on ships that are falling apart as the technology decays and no one knows how to replace it. His latest job seems straightforward--just get a young boy, one of the rival claimants (the real one, of course) to the head of the church to the holy city on a distant planet in time to secure his place. But he didn't count on so many assassins and traps along the way. Nor did he expect to team up with Lanni Norr, a "sensitive" who channels the spirits of the dead. She's in danger because she's currently the only way the deceased tech genius will communicate--and she needs to find the AI Logo who survived the devastation of most of his kind. So lots happening; plenty of action and danger all happening at a brisk pace. Black and white characters we love and hate; rich descriptions of the alien landscapes; suspenseful tone though all works out in the end and even a touch of romance. Dietz is a good storyteller and his skill shines here.
April 17, 2009
In the far future, mankind has spread throughout the galaxy, via a system of portals between star systems. Now their location has been forgotten, so mankind is reverting back to a state where magic becomes very important, and each star system is on its own. The little interstellar travel that is left is handled by a rapidly diminishing fleet of aging ships. Only the brave, the foolhardy or professional couriers called runners make such journeys.
Jak Rebo's mission is to deliver a young boy to a faraway planet, to find out for sure if he is a legitimate religious apostle (based on present-day Buddhism). This religion has two sects, and members of the other sect have plenty of reason for wanting to make sure that Rebo and his human cargo never reach their destination.
Things get more complicated when a female "sensitive," (a clairvoyant and channeler) named Lanni Norr joins the group. With the reverting of mankind away from interstellar travel, science has been reduced to the level of a religious cult. Milos Lysander, the long-dead founder of the Techno Society, seems to have chosen Norr as his way to communicate with this world. The present-day members of the Society want Norr very much, because they think that Lysander has the secret to the location of the long-lost interstellar travel portals. If necessary, they are more than willing to kill anyone who gets in their way.
First of a series, this one is very good. The author has written a number of military/action SF novels in the past, so he very much knows what he is doing. This novel does a fine job of keeping the reader's interest.
Jak Rebo's mission is to deliver a young boy to a faraway planet, to find out for sure if he is a legitimate religious apostle (based on present-day Buddhism). This religion has two sects, and members of the other sect have plenty of reason for wanting to make sure that Rebo and his human cargo never reach their destination.
Things get more complicated when a female "sensitive," (a clairvoyant and channeler) named Lanni Norr joins the group. With the reverting of mankind away from interstellar travel, science has been reduced to the level of a religious cult. Milos Lysander, the long-dead founder of the Techno Society, seems to have chosen Norr as his way to communicate with this world. The present-day members of the Society want Norr very much, because they think that Lysander has the secret to the location of the long-lost interstellar travel portals. If necessary, they are more than willing to kill anyone who gets in their way.
First of a series, this one is very good. The author has written a number of military/action SF novels in the past, so he very much knows what he is doing. This novel does a fine job of keeping the reader's interest.
August 19, 2008
I haven't found a good book to read in awhile, so when I started reading this book I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. I like Dietz's style. The plot was sufficient to capture my attention and there was an appropriate amount of time spent describing the setting, not too much, but enough to allow me to visualize it. Set in a war torn futuristic universe featuring interplanetary travel, western type outlaws, and a religious overtone. Overall a fun read.
The one thing I would have liked was a bit more closure. However it appears this may be the first of a series so perhaps Dietz was simply setting up for the next book.
The one thing I would have liked was a bit more closure. However it appears this may be the first of a series so perhaps Dietz was simply setting up for the next book.
January 1, 2014
An enjoyable action-adventure sci-fi novel situated in a post-intergalactic period where folks live in an increasingly medieval society where some of the technology still works but nobody can fix it. Otherwise more of an intrigue/spy/escape from the establishment novel centered around a courier delivering a young man to another world and the escapades trying to get past all the various folks trying to catch them. Good character development and a fun page-turner of a read for those that enjoy this genre.
January 26, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It was pretty much non-stop action and fairly exciting. Hard to put down.
In the distant future, universal technology has crumbled, leaving humankind to exist in a kind of medieval/20th century existence, minus any real technology -- with the exception of a series of rapidly decreasing star ships that go from planet to planet, transporting what people they can, as they were programmed to do hundreds of years ago. It's a bit of a bizarre premise, but if you can accept it, you're off.
Jak Rebo is a runner. Runners are hired to travel from planet to planet to deliver items for a stiff price. He's hired to deliver a young boy to another planet. This boy is part of a large religious sect that thinks he's the reincarnation of their leader and has to be tested against another boy from another sect. The problem is, this other sect wants this boy, Lee, dead. (The religion is obviously based on Buddhism.) Along the way, they pick up a female sensitive (clairvoyant) named Lanni Norr, through whom Milos Lysander, the dead founder of the Techno Society has chosen to reveal himself. The Techno Society wants to get the long dead star gates working again, the AIs working, technology working, and will stop at nothing to achieve this, so it's imperative they communicate with Lysander, who doesn't want to communicate with them, only to the general population through Norr. So Norr becomes their target. Additionally, to complicate matters, along the way they pick up another traveler, a giant who's wanted dead or alive, preferably dead. The chase all makes for good reading.
This is the first book in a series, apparently, and I enjoyed this one so much, I'll have to get the next one. I don't know how many books there are in this series, however. If you like an entertaining read and enjoy sci fi, this book's for you. Recommended.
In the distant future, universal technology has crumbled, leaving humankind to exist in a kind of medieval/20th century existence, minus any real technology -- with the exception of a series of rapidly decreasing star ships that go from planet to planet, transporting what people they can, as they were programmed to do hundreds of years ago. It's a bit of a bizarre premise, but if you can accept it, you're off.
Jak Rebo is a runner. Runners are hired to travel from planet to planet to deliver items for a stiff price. He's hired to deliver a young boy to another planet. This boy is part of a large religious sect that thinks he's the reincarnation of their leader and has to be tested against another boy from another sect. The problem is, this other sect wants this boy, Lee, dead. (The religion is obviously based on Buddhism.) Along the way, they pick up a female sensitive (clairvoyant) named Lanni Norr, through whom Milos Lysander, the dead founder of the Techno Society has chosen to reveal himself. The Techno Society wants to get the long dead star gates working again, the AIs working, technology working, and will stop at nothing to achieve this, so it's imperative they communicate with Lysander, who doesn't want to communicate with them, only to the general population through Norr. So Norr becomes their target. Additionally, to complicate matters, along the way they pick up another traveler, a giant who's wanted dead or alive, preferably dead. The chase all makes for good reading.
This is the first book in a series, apparently, and I enjoyed this one so much, I'll have to get the next one. I don't know how many books there are in this series, however. If you like an entertaining read and enjoy sci fi, this book's for you. Recommended.
January 27, 2021
So I was doing a load of seriously heavy reading for work (educational theory yay!) and I decided I needed a bit of a break.
This was another charity shop pick-up that looked quite trashy (cover is awful, it's a big old book too so I was hoping to get super immersed in Dietz's world set some super distant future.
The story has a very traditional adventure style plot with a rag-tag gang of planet-hoppers traveling on massive decrepit sentient space ships that are filled with all sorts of ropey galactic stowaways; traipsing across deserts and cities and all sorts of interesting well structured environments. There is a really nice pace to the story that really makes you get excited for every new part of the journey, you feel like you're moving whilst reading which is super nice.
The main protagonist is Jak Rebo, at first a bit cheese but after a while you do kind of fall for him, I mean he is no Cheradenine Zakalwe! *swoons* but he is a pretty enjoyable albeit unoriginal character.
He is accompanied by a "sensitive" psychic woman called Lani who is a like a Marion Ravenwood in space which is pretty cool.
Anyway, they are accompanying a special child across space (cant be bothered to talk about the kid, he's a dull macguffin) and are pursued by many determined enemies,
Some of the bad guys are quite brutal characters, there was even a touch of space villain campness to one of them which just added to his depth and made it that much more enjoyable.
Some great world building, loved the different planet nations and religions and cultures, really vibrant reading that immersed me.
Yea, that ending though....
This was another charity shop pick-up that looked quite trashy (cover is awful, it's a big old book too so I was hoping to get super immersed in Dietz's world set some super distant future.
The story has a very traditional adventure style plot with a rag-tag gang of planet-hoppers traveling on massive decrepit sentient space ships that are filled with all sorts of ropey galactic stowaways; traipsing across deserts and cities and all sorts of interesting well structured environments. There is a really nice pace to the story that really makes you get excited for every new part of the journey, you feel like you're moving whilst reading which is super nice.
The main protagonist is Jak Rebo, at first a bit cheese but after a while you do kind of fall for him, I mean he is no Cheradenine Zakalwe! *swoons* but he is a pretty enjoyable albeit unoriginal character.
He is accompanied by a "sensitive" psychic woman called Lani who is a like a Marion Ravenwood in space which is pretty cool.
Anyway, they are accompanying a special child across space (cant be bothered to talk about the kid, he's a dull macguffin) and are pursued by many determined enemies,
Some of the bad guys are quite brutal characters, there was even a touch of space villain campness to one of them which just added to his depth and made it that much more enjoyable.
Some great world building, loved the different planet nations and religions and cultures, really vibrant reading that immersed me.
Yea, that ending though....
April 2, 2019
Things seemed promising at the beginning. By the halfway point I started to wonder where the story was going. I persevered to the end, and was sorely disappointed. The story just ended when there was nothing else to say. There were no interesting revelations, and very little character or relationship development. Blah.
July 12, 2018
Dietz, William C. Runner. Runner No. 1. Ace, 2006.
Our hero here is a courier who specializes in delivering packages that some people don’t want delivered. To do this, he has to navigate multiple interstellar cultures in various stages of decadence, tyranny and barbarism. Space travel is conducted by transports run by autonomous AIs that are worn out and obsolescent. The package this time is a young boy who may be destined to become a charismatic religious leader. The inspiration here, Dietz tells us, is the Dalai Lama. There is also a sexy psychic whom they pick up along the way. In other words, what we have here is space opera that borrows bits and pieces from several genres. The plot moves right along with plenty of action to keep you turning the pages. Fun.
Our hero here is a courier who specializes in delivering packages that some people don’t want delivered. To do this, he has to navigate multiple interstellar cultures in various stages of decadence, tyranny and barbarism. Space travel is conducted by transports run by autonomous AIs that are worn out and obsolescent. The package this time is a young boy who may be destined to become a charismatic religious leader. The inspiration here, Dietz tells us, is the Dalai Lama. There is also a sexy psychic whom they pick up along the way. In other words, what we have here is space opera that borrows bits and pieces from several genres. The plot moves right along with plenty of action to keep you turning the pages. Fun.
abandoned
June 24, 2019I've tried to read this twice and it's just not working out for me. I enjoyed reading an excerpt and I'm not 100% sure where the book loses me. I do know that the only character I actively liked was the first spaceship mentioned. The time with her was too short and is unlikely to come again. Meanwhile, the other characters were not objectionable just not...people I cared about. Finally, the thread of misogyny--which I believe was one of Dietz's ways of showing this was a backwards leaning society--also did not endear me.
February 12, 2022
A motley cast of characters, some well fleshed out, others less so, and in a few cases some characters without flesh at all! A pretty straightforward story set in a world/ worlds that I would like to see more of. I feel that this book either needed a series or that it should have been about 200 or so pages longer. I know there is another one, but the end part of this story felt a bit rushed. I’d actually rate this a 3 and 3/4 but, you know. It’s not going in the reread pile but I’d recommend it if someone is looking for a catchy story with interesting ideas.
April 26, 2018
A departure from his normal series works. Much more in the vein of Jack Vance world hopping cultural explorations. We grow to care about all the characters on the quest. It brought to mind the classic Journey to the West. What disappointed me was that Ace seemed to go low budget on the cover. There were no mazes in the book that I recall. It also felt like they shorted him on the editing effort. There were many long sentences in dire need of a comma or the removal of the word twosome
March 28, 2019
Shouldn't say 'finished reading'—should say 'done with it'.
I usually try reading everything started to the end, but there are books that don't 'turn my crank' no matter what. Rare situation yet does happen.
Got to page 152 before bailing.
I usually try reading everything started to the end, but there are books that don't 'turn my crank' no matter what. Rare situation yet does happen.
Got to page 152 before bailing.
November 9, 2025
good stuff from dietz as usual. (fan after the flood)
setting is unique and fresh - mix religion, intergalatic stuff and a bit of magic.
setting is unique and fresh - mix religion, intergalatic stuff and a bit of magic.
June 22, 2012
Okay, so this book is definitely not a bad read, it's quite the opposite. It's really something that draws you in and makes you use your imagination.
Star 1 goes to writing style: It was pleasant, humorous at moments, and just very in tune with the characters. I thought it was descriptive and just...it was good. I can't really critique anything about it.
Star 2 goes to characters: These people...hmph. I mean, we have the usual, no? I had just finished reading another story where we have a ten year old character, with the tough guy having to take him somewhere, so I was shocked when I found something so similar. But if I had to choose between Bane or the kid from this book...it would SO be this kid. He's wise, kind, reckless at times, but always good at heart. The other regulars in books like this are the main guy--gun-toting, fearless, changes greatly because of the people around him, he's the typical dude, though a touch more human than most. We have the hot chick/romantic interest who of course is clever and the perfect match for the tough dude. Then we have the tough dude's friend/the other dude. He's there for humor, and for some added drama. And then we have the bad guy...who is just...evil. Through and through...I didn't like him. He killed way too easily for my liking...I mean, I didn't feel like I got to know many other sides of him but the ruthless cunning killer.
Star 3 goes to plot: This is a really creative story. Star gates, the ships' names like--Hewhosingstosuns and Shewhoswimsamongthestars, they're beautiful and really human, I loved them. I thought I was a bit more interested in Logos and Lysander, so I can't wait to read the next book. I want to get a peek at this ancient civilization Earth, which would be our future. I kept feeling so connected to the people of ancient earth, even though we won't have their technology for like, another 300 years or so. Ah well. The plot was a bit slow at time, describing EVERY single place! How many detours can one group go on! Some were necessary, but others...I think just...the book went too many places. I guess it served its purpose in the end, but eh.
Overall it was a good read, and I'm glad I finished it so I can read Logos' Run. I would recommend this book to all sci-fi people out there interested in futuristic dystopistic-worlds. Not really a dystopia, but all the technology is dying, and well...you'll see.
Star 1 goes to writing style: It was pleasant, humorous at moments, and just very in tune with the characters. I thought it was descriptive and just...it was good. I can't really critique anything about it.
Star 2 goes to characters: These people...hmph. I mean, we have the usual, no? I had just finished reading another story where we have a ten year old character, with the tough guy having to take him somewhere, so I was shocked when I found something so similar. But if I had to choose between Bane or the kid from this book...it would SO be this kid. He's wise, kind, reckless at times, but always good at heart. The other regulars in books like this are the main guy--gun-toting, fearless, changes greatly because of the people around him, he's the typical dude, though a touch more human than most. We have the hot chick/romantic interest who of course is clever and the perfect match for the tough dude. Then we have the tough dude's friend/the other dude. He's there for humor, and for some added drama. And then we have the bad guy...who is just...evil. Through and through...I didn't like him. He killed way too easily for my liking...I mean, I didn't feel like I got to know many other sides of him but the ruthless cunning killer.
Star 3 goes to plot: This is a really creative story. Star gates, the ships' names like--Hewhosingstosuns and Shewhoswimsamongthestars, they're beautiful and really human, I loved them. I thought I was a bit more interested in Logos and Lysander, so I can't wait to read the next book. I want to get a peek at this ancient civilization Earth, which would be our future. I kept feeling so connected to the people of ancient earth, even though we won't have their technology for like, another 300 years or so. Ah well. The plot was a bit slow at time, describing EVERY single place! How many detours can one group go on! Some were necessary, but others...I think just...the book went too many places. I guess it served its purpose in the end, but eh.
Overall it was a good read, and I'm glad I finished it so I can read Logos' Run. I would recommend this book to all sci-fi people out there interested in futuristic dystopistic-worlds. Not really a dystopia, but all the technology is dying, and well...you'll see.
September 7, 2024
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
Jak is a runner - a messenger carrying messages from planet to planet on the few rundown starships that still function. But when he's asked to take a boy - possibly the incarnation of a new spiritual leader - the job gets much more complicated and dangerous than he expected.
Review
I first ran across Dietz’ books in a discount warehouse, and soon picked up several books – this series and one other. While he seems best known for the Legion of the Damned series, I haven’t read that. This duology, though, is satisfying.
I say ‘satisfying’, and I think that’s a fair summation. This first book is perfectly solid, with some interesting worldbuilding and engaging characters. However, there’s little real surprise to it, either in plot or character development. The story goes smoothly, skipping over minor credibility issues (such as the ease with which the group accretes new members), but most of the scene-to-scene progress is perfectly adequate.
I think that the problem for me was that, despite nice prose, the story appeared to be made up of pretty familiar elements. That, and the fact that the end – the goal toward which they’ve all been theoretically working – is given remarkably short shrift. It felt clear to me that Dietz’ interest was in the journey, not the destination. I wish he’d spent another 25-50 pages on the ending so that it didn’t feel quite as much of an epilogue tacked on to the adventure.
All that said, a satisfying quest story that won’t require too much of you, but likely also won’t stay with you in any detail for long.
The cover, by the way – a runner in a maze – has very little do with the story, other than metaphorically (and faintly).
Summary
Jak is a runner - a messenger carrying messages from planet to planet on the few rundown starships that still function. But when he's asked to take a boy - possibly the incarnation of a new spiritual leader - the job gets much more complicated and dangerous than he expected.
Review
I first ran across Dietz’ books in a discount warehouse, and soon picked up several books – this series and one other. While he seems best known for the Legion of the Damned series, I haven’t read that. This duology, though, is satisfying.
I say ‘satisfying’, and I think that’s a fair summation. This first book is perfectly solid, with some interesting worldbuilding and engaging characters. However, there’s little real surprise to it, either in plot or character development. The story goes smoothly, skipping over minor credibility issues (such as the ease with which the group accretes new members), but most of the scene-to-scene progress is perfectly adequate.
I think that the problem for me was that, despite nice prose, the story appeared to be made up of pretty familiar elements. That, and the fact that the end – the goal toward which they’ve all been theoretically working – is given remarkably short shrift. It felt clear to me that Dietz’ interest was in the journey, not the destination. I wish he’d spent another 25-50 pages on the ending so that it didn’t feel quite as much of an epilogue tacked on to the adventure.
All that said, a satisfying quest story that won’t require too much of you, but likely also won’t stay with you in any detail for long.
The cover, by the way – a runner in a maze – has very little do with the story, other than metaphorically (and faintly).
August 18, 2013
Runner, William Dietz (2)
While I found nothing wrong with this book, it really does not stand out to me as a notable Sci-Fi story. All the words I associate with it are milquetoast: e.g. fine, ok, all right. There was one interesting concept – the idea that the technology in space ships had devolved and degenerated to such a point that the advanced machines could no longer be fixed and that travel between planets was oddly risky. The ‘runner’ of the title is the main character. He is part of a group that is like a future postman, though the runners take messages or packages between planets. He gets an unusual request to take a package – in this case a person – and the perilous journey has begun. Add the obligatory side-kicks to join him and you have a group of five who must get to their destination(s) while being chased by bad guys and dealing with each new planet’s challenges. I really can’t point to anything bad about this- but it was formulaic and not particularly refreshing.
While I found nothing wrong with this book, it really does not stand out to me as a notable Sci-Fi story. All the words I associate with it are milquetoast: e.g. fine, ok, all right. There was one interesting concept – the idea that the technology in space ships had devolved and degenerated to such a point that the advanced machines could no longer be fixed and that travel between planets was oddly risky. The ‘runner’ of the title is the main character. He is part of a group that is like a future postman, though the runners take messages or packages between planets. He gets an unusual request to take a package – in this case a person – and the perilous journey has begun. Add the obligatory side-kicks to join him and you have a group of five who must get to their destination(s) while being chased by bad guys and dealing with each new planet’s challenges. I really can’t point to anything bad about this- but it was formulaic and not particularly refreshing.
December 6, 2013
Well imagined universe, but plodding and lacking something to bring it above an average rating for me. The book tends to tell rather than show. The various planets, the AI machines, the societies presented are rushed through and left me feeling that there was so much more beneath the surface. There are two main plot threads: 1) the quest to get a potential reincarnation of a holy man to a sacred city, 2) the need to escape the techno society who is seeking to use the knowledge of one of the characters to gain power. The first thread is more enjoyable, playing off a real historical conflict among Buddhist sects. The second thread simply ends with a hasty conclusion. None of the challenges faced by the heroes really held me under too much suspense. Ultimately, the value of the book for me was the worlds presented and the hints at their various societies.
October 6, 2014
Rebo, a professional courier, undertakes to deliver a lad who just might be the reincarnation of a great religious teacher to his sect's headquarters for evaluation. Along the way he picks up companions--notably a genetically altered woman who can perceive auras and speak with the dead--and both human and robotic pursuers in the course of practically nonstop ambushes, chases and escapes. Though this seemed a little long, that may just be because I read it in surges....but it features an engaging ensemble and doesn't take itself too seriously. On to the sequel!
Typical passage: "Perfect. Just what we needed. A high-visibility, three hundred pound fugitive with a price on his head." "It could be worse, Lee allowed philosophically. After all, it's not like Bo is being pursued by religious fanatics or homicidal robots."
Typical passage: "Perfect. Just what we needed. A high-visibility, three hundred pound fugitive with a price on his head." "It could be worse, Lee allowed philosophically. After all, it's not like Bo is being pursued by religious fanatics or homicidal robots."
August 16, 2008
Genre: Science Fiction (space opera)
A fast-paced action-adventure set in the crumbling remains of a star-spanning technological society. The hero is Jak Rebo, a sort of cross between James Bond and a post-man, the heroine is Lonni Narr a "sensitive" (i.e. a person with telepathic and telekinetic abilities that can see/communicate with the dead). The goal is to deliver this kid, Lee, to one of the core worlds where he will/should/might be recognized as the reincarnation of a big-name religious figure (something like the Dali Lama) except a different set of monks want _their_ chosen boy to be recognized as the reincarnated religious figure. Trouble ensues. And gloriously fun trouble to read about, it is ;-)
A fast-paced action-adventure set in the crumbling remains of a star-spanning technological society. The hero is Jak Rebo, a sort of cross between James Bond and a post-man, the heroine is Lonni Narr a "sensitive" (i.e. a person with telepathic and telekinetic abilities that can see/communicate with the dead). The goal is to deliver this kid, Lee, to one of the core worlds where he will/should/might be recognized as the reincarnation of a big-name religious figure (something like the Dali Lama) except a different set of monks want _their_ chosen boy to be recognized as the reincarnated religious figure. Trouble ensues. And gloriously fun trouble to read about, it is ;-)
Read
March 19, 2009 I am writing this review over 2 years since reading the book so don't believe a word I say. Feb 26, just over two years later, I discovered a sequel "Logos Run" and devoured it. If you've read my review of "The Two Moons" then you may get the sense that Dietz, is first a scientist and second a science-fiction writer, that's just not true. He is science-fiction much like Asimov and enthralling from his scientific exploration to his activating of those utilizing his creations. More Dietz is definitely in the cards, or should I say stars, for me.
May 31, 2011
I don't love sci-fi as a genre, generally, but I came across this book for $1 at my local used bookstore, and thought I would give it a shot. It was imaginative (which I love), beautifully descriptive (another positive), and didn't get bogged down in the details. The dialogue was a bit stilted (seems to be a theme in everything I've read recently), but the story was enjoyable nonetheless. I haven't yet decided if I'll read the next books in the series, although I do feel somewhat driven to find out what happens to the characters.
April 12, 2014
Strangely enough not as good as the second book (which I read first) and the manner in which the 'who is the real 'Nom Ma' question was finally dealt with wasn't very satisfying.
This is basically a book about a couple of people trying to get from A to B while being chased by several groups and that may not sound too interesting/original but Dietz presents us with a very interesting world that's steampunky in nature with the supernatural woven into it as well.
I will definitely read some more of Dietz' books.
This is basically a book about a couple of people trying to get from A to B while being chased by several groups and that may not sound too interesting/original but Dietz presents us with a very interesting world that's steampunky in nature with the supernatural woven into it as well.
I will definitely read some more of Dietz' books.
July 31, 2015
Summary: Really enjoyable SF caper, lots of interesting worlds, the plot is a little contrived, but well thought out and flows along nicely. There are a few things that simply don't work, but these are forgiveable
Plotline: Good plot following the lives of 4 linked individuals and their dash across the galaxy
Premise: This is the best part of the book, failing space ships, stargates and humanity fallen far below their past achievements
Writing: Simple, characteristic, engaging
Ending: Oh yes, plenty of action
Pace: Never a dull moment!
Plotline: Good plot following the lives of 4 linked individuals and their dash across the galaxy
Premise: This is the best part of the book, failing space ships, stargates and humanity fallen far below their past achievements
Writing: Simple, characteristic, engaging
Ending: Oh yes, plenty of action
Pace: Never a dull moment!
September 26, 2009
A straight-forward story set in a universe built from elements based on Buddhist theology. Although there are some interesting ideas here, the writing is workmanlike, and certain aspects of the author's worldbuilding aren't very convincing. Characters are stock and fairly shallow. I was not impressed, obviously. Perhaps Dietz's military sci-fi is better.
January 15, 2009
A fantastic sci-fi adventure that takes place thousands of years in the future, but doesn't get bogged down by trying to impress the reader with the technological advances in society. Quite the opposite, in fact.
At any rate, a fun read and I'm already reading the sequel...
At any rate, a fun read and I'm already reading the sequel...
October 16, 2010
I would give this a 3 1/2 stars if I could. There are 2 main story lines and the more interesting one was not resloved.....though it looks like there is a sequel. Great imagining though of what happens to technology when men forget how to maintain it.
February 1, 2013
Man, this book is super-fun! It won't make you think, but it's the equivalent of an awesome summer blockbuster. . . It does lean on a few tropes, but on the whole it's quite enjoyable! I recommend highly for a fun book!
April 23, 2008
Fast paced chase across the universe.
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