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The Continuing Time #4
The A.I. War: The Big Boost
Reviews for The Tales of the Continuing Time“If Moran can keep it up, he will gift us with one of the greatest series in memory. Don’t miss.” – Analog“Moran has a deft touch … A fine, fast ride.” – Locus“Exciting … full of intrigue ... an original and well-thought out background. For once, here is a novel that you want more, not less, of.” – Asimov’sProduct DescriptionAI The Big Boost is the long awaited, fourth installment of the science fiction epic Tales of the Continuing Time.The Unity was seven kilometers long. It was not merely the largest spacecraft that had ever been built, it was nearly the largest artifact humans had ever built. In 2080, sixty years after the end of the Unification War, Peaceforcer Elite Commander Mohammed Vance intends to see that the Unification of Earth become the Unification of Sol. Only Trent the Uncatchable stands in his way.Although Daniel Keys Moran’s 5-star rated paperbacks have long been out of print, hardbound limited editions are listed as high as $400. All four books in the series, Emerald Eyes, The Long Run, The Last Dancer, and The AI War are now available as e-books. Emerald Eyes includes novella, “The Star, ” not available with the original paperback
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 13, 2011
Daniel Keys Moran's Continuing Time series is one of the finest unknown works of science fiction. The second book in the series, The Long Run, is the best sf novel about a hacker yet written. Book 3 - The Last Dancer - connected the stories of near-future rebellion against a world government to a far future/distant past mythology set on other worlds. However, it took Moran more than ten years to publish this sequel, which is actually only the first half of a fairly long book. DKM has stated before that the full series will run more than thirty volumes, so patience is urged over the coming centuries as the remaining volumes emerge.
However, I found A.I. Wars worth the wait. T
However, I found A.I. Wars worth the wait. T
May 5, 2011
Two words: TOTALLY AWESOME (was worth a multi-year wait)
March 19, 2012
Why oh why does this man not write full time?
Moran is in the ranks of Neal Stephenson.
This is an outstanding continuation of The Last Dancer and The Long Run. Far too short.
Moran is in the ranks of Neal Stephenson.
This is an outstanding continuation of The Last Dancer and The Long Run. Far too short.
August 23, 2013
Trent the Uncatchable returns to the fore in this, the 4th book of Moran's outstanding Continuing Time series. Having Trent as a focal character makes this an easier narrative to follow than the very ambitious book 3.
So: Trent has gone into hiding in the outer planets after the events of The Long Run: A Tale of the Continuing Time. The Peacekeeper Force (PKF) still have him as their #1 fugitive but are held at bay by the fiercely-independent StarFarers Collective, and a few other Trent friends. Following a chance citing by a tourist, the PKF get hot on the trail of Trent, and the various forces, including AIs, wealthy patrons, and musicians, come together is another monster mash up presented in the distinctive style of Moran.
It's rather short considering the long break between book 3 and 4. It seemed to me to have ended abruptly with Trent in the middle of plans to return to earth. So maybe that's what's planned for the next book. Or not. There is a teaser online with 2 chapters of book 5 but those don't reveal too much.
I am glad to have caught up to this series even though I started about 30 years after the first book, and I do hope, as many other fans, that Moran will continue.
So: Trent has gone into hiding in the outer planets after the events of The Long Run: A Tale of the Continuing Time. The Peacekeeper Force (PKF) still have him as their #1 fugitive but are held at bay by the fiercely-independent StarFarers Collective, and a few other Trent friends. Following a chance citing by a tourist, the PKF get hot on the trail of Trent, and the various forces, including AIs, wealthy patrons, and musicians, come together is another monster mash up presented in the distinctive style of Moran.
It's rather short considering the long break between book 3 and 4. It seemed to me to have ended abruptly with Trent in the middle of plans to return to earth. So maybe that's what's planned for the next book. Or not. There is a teaser online with 2 chapters of book 5 but those don't reveal too much.
I am glad to have caught up to this series even though I started about 30 years after the first book, and I do hope, as many other fans, that Moran will continue.
January 27, 2015
I can't tell you how happy I was to see that this book came out, 20 whole YEARS after the first 3 books. That would have been 5-stars on its own merit.
I thought the book started a little choppy, with a bit too much flitting from viewpoint to viewpoint, almost like watching a music video, but it soon settled down into a more comfortable rhythm.
As I've read in other reviews, this book did feel a lot like The Long Run, but that's awesome, not a problem. One of the guilty pleasures about these books is playing witness to how great Trent is and watching him foil the evil PKF. It was great in the Long Run and I'd say it is just as great here.
My only complaint is that I was done with it too fast and there is no timetable for the next installment. Some great setups here for future books though, as the AI war doesn't seem to have really started just yet...
You won't go wrong if you like sci-fi with these books.
I thought the book started a little choppy, with a bit too much flitting from viewpoint to viewpoint, almost like watching a music video, but it soon settled down into a more comfortable rhythm.
As I've read in other reviews, this book did feel a lot like The Long Run, but that's awesome, not a problem. One of the guilty pleasures about these books is playing witness to how great Trent is and watching him foil the evil PKF. It was great in the Long Run and I'd say it is just as great here.
My only complaint is that I was done with it too fast and there is no timetable for the next installment. Some great setups here for future books though, as the AI war doesn't seem to have really started just yet...
You won't go wrong if you like sci-fi with these books.
February 12, 2013
After a 25-year break, DKM has written another book about Trent the Uncatchable. Bout time I say.
This time Trent has to not only stay ahead of relentless killer cyborgs, he also has to figure out how to stop the launch of a monster warship intended to bring the entire solar system under The Unification of Earth -- like it or not. Needless to say, Trent is one of those who would prefer to keep his freedom, and he is not without resources of his own.
This time Trent has to not only stay ahead of relentless killer cyborgs, he also has to figure out how to stop the launch of a monster warship intended to bring the entire solar system under The Unification of Earth -- like it or not. Needless to say, Trent is one of those who would prefer to keep his freedom, and he is not without resources of his own.
August 28, 2016
Great fun, and worth waiting the 20 years since the previous book in the series.
My only regret is that it's quite short (can zoom through it in a single sitting), only tells one incident of the AI War, and it might be another 20 years before the next volume!
Also, it would make a great movie or RPG scenario, visual and full of action.
My only regret is that it's quite short (can zoom through it in a single sitting), only tells one incident of the AI War, and it might be another 20 years before the next volume!
Also, it would make a great movie or RPG scenario, visual and full of action.
April 15, 2023
I have, nearly twenty years after meeting him, fallen head over heels for Trent Castanaveras AGAIN. I sure hope DKM keeps these coming and doesn't torture us with another long hiatus between them. I don't think I can take it again.
October 26, 2015
A book that I waited 15 years to read. The long awaited sequel to "The Long Run" starring Trent the Uncatchable. I liked this book a lot but I am a big Moran fan and had been waiting forever to read it so it is hard to be objective about it.
August 27, 2011
Trent is the man. I managed to make this last by reading a chapter a day, until about the last half of the book which was done in one stretch. It was so great to read a reprise of the Genies!
More!!!!!!!
More!!!!!!!
Read
November 25, 2019What a smooth continuation the the trilogy!
In classic DKM style, the story explodes into action and catches your attention right from the beginning, which is a big plus IMHO.
Of course it might to be as groundbraking as the first 2 books (Emerald Eyes, The Long Run), and that is to be expected given it tells a new story but based on old characters, however it does not fail in being exiting and griping and leaving you wanting more, as all DKM books are!
A great book to read, though i would suggest reading the 3 prequels first.
Also, I just found out that the second "A.I. War" book is (was been?) serialized on the Patreon page of DKM (https://www.patreon.com/FatSam) for $5 / month on the highest tier!
That's a bargain if I ever saw one!
Going there to sign up as soon as a finish this review!
:-)
In classic DKM style, the story explodes into action and catches your attention right from the beginning, which is a big plus IMHO.
Of course it might to be as groundbraking as the first 2 books (Emerald Eyes, The Long Run), and that is to be expected given it tells a new story but based on old characters, however it does not fail in being exiting and griping and leaving you wanting more, as all DKM books are!
A great book to read, though i would suggest reading the 3 prequels first.
Also, I just found out that the second "A.I. War" book is (was been?) serialized on the Patreon page of DKM (https://www.patreon.com/FatSam) for $5 / month on the highest tier!
That's a bargain if I ever saw one!
Going there to sign up as soon as a finish this review!
:-)
April 9, 2021
Just barely a 4 star.
I don't know what it was exactly with the book that I don't rate it as high as the others in the series. I think it is the interactions with Trent and the other characters. Even though he is supposed to have a Charisma stat of 19 or 20 even, it just seemed a bit too easy at times. Maybe the whole thing was a double reverse honeypot for Mohamed Vance, I guess that works.
However the finish is really good. And the last scene is worth it.
And I do want to say it is a fun read and its always fun to see how Trent gets out of things.
I don't know what it was exactly with the book that I don't rate it as high as the others in the series. I think it is the interactions with Trent and the other characters. Even though he is supposed to have a Charisma stat of 19 or 20 even, it just seemed a bit too easy at times. Maybe the whole thing was a double reverse honeypot for Mohamed Vance, I guess that works.
However the finish is really good. And the last scene is worth it.
And I do want to say it is a fun read and its always fun to see how Trent gets out of things.
April 2, 2018
This book came out almost 20 years after 1993's The Last Dancer, a long wait for a sequel. And after all that time, how was it? Well, it was all right. It lacked the depth and breadth of the previous entries in the series, and was largely the kind of heist novel where, since the protagonist is a super-genius, even the things that look like they might be going wrong for him end up mostly being stuff he Planned All Along. This made for a certain lack of tension in the plot, apart from the dramatic opening. There were definitely fun moments, including those tense first few chapters, but overall I felt it lacked some of the oomph that the previous books in the series had.
February 13, 2018
I continue to be weirdly, inexplicably obsessed with this series after twenty-five years.
I'm slightly sad that Moran lingered on Trent instead of telling a story of November, Lady Ola or Camber next, but glad to get a fairly coherent one-shot story.
There's some cute dialogue that I'm sure was more fun to write than read, and most of the major plot points are still unrevealed, but I'm grateful this exists nonetheless.
I'm slightly sad that Moran lingered on Trent instead of telling a story of November, Lady Ola or Camber next, but glad to get a fairly coherent one-shot story.
There's some cute dialogue that I'm sure was more fun to write than read, and most of the major plot points are still unrevealed, but I'm grateful this exists nonetheless.
January 16, 2020
Recent Reads: The AI War - The Big Boost. Daniel Keys Moran sends Trent the Thief to steal the biggest spaceship ever built. Can he avoid the trap that's been set for him and keep true to his values? A welcome return to an old favourite setting, reworking classic adventure themes
April 11, 2023
*Who* knew a password could be a crossover event!
Develops the story & legend of Trent, Melissa and Mohammad very nicely.
As for the AI War? Not yet started, though I suspect we saw a couple of the players move into position.
Develops the story & legend of Trent, Melissa and Mohammad very nicely.
As for the AI War? Not yet started, though I suspect we saw a couple of the players move into position.
June 22, 2019
more like this please.
April 29, 2024
Great read. Trent does it again.
January 5, 2025
very enjoyable similar to his other continuing time books.
November 19, 2012
There's an upside: It's more of the Continuing Time, with Trent the Uncatchable continuing to be so. It has been a long, long wait for more of this series, and it's mighty nice to see more come.
The downside? It strikes me as too reminiscent of The Long Run, which was a previous long chase between Trent and the UN. Moran has been so good at coming up with dramatically different things. (The Last Dancer is *so* different from The Long Run, and in unexpected ways.) The Big Boost doesn't have so much of the "different."
In effect, it's a return to familiar territory, and I'm happy with that, as long as the followup gets to some keen new places.
The downside? It strikes me as too reminiscent of The Long Run, which was a previous long chase between Trent and the UN. Moran has been so good at coming up with dramatically different things. (The Last Dancer is *so* different from The Long Run, and in unexpected ways.) The Big Boost doesn't have so much of the "different."
In effect, it's a return to familiar territory, and I'm happy with that, as long as the followup gets to some keen new places.
August 16, 2013
Another brilliant installment in the Continuing Time series. This book cements Trent the Uncatchable as one of the most memorable sci-fi characters I've encountered. Once I got about half way through, I basically couldn't put this book down. Highly diverting, highly recommended.
The only thing I found odd about this book was the complete disappearance of the far-future story arc. It seemed like a strange omission, given its presence in the first three books. The Continuing Time does not appear here, so if you're looking for any more resolution about how all the pieces fit together, you're not going to find it in this installment...
The only thing I found odd about this book was the complete disappearance of the far-future story arc. It seemed like a strange omission, given its presence in the first three books. The Continuing Time does not appear here, so if you're looking for any more resolution about how all the pieces fit together, you're not going to find it in this installment...
January 5, 2015
if left on a desert island in the middle of the pacific there are only a few things I'd want. a steady supply of iced tea, unlimited amounts of spam, and despite the lack of good taste in my previous selection, the complete works of Daniel Keys Moran.
I've spent good portions of my forty years on wasteful things but these books are reality's way of telling you its OK. the books are that very good.
I've spent good portions of my forty years on wasteful things but these books are reality's way of telling you its OK. the books are that very good.
April 13, 2016
I love the continuing time.
I wish this author had a better/larger audience.
If he could rate better advances, he could produce more.
I'm never going to get the answers to half my wonders at this rate.
The story of Trent the uncatchable are utterly engaging.
I highly recommend them, as well as the story of Jalian of the fires.
I wish this author had a better/larger audience.
If he could rate better advances, he could produce more.
I'm never going to get the answers to half my wonders at this rate.
The story of Trent the uncatchable are utterly engaging.
I highly recommend them, as well as the story of Jalian of the fires.
August 24, 2012
Great Great Great but short. After so many years I'd lost faith I'd see Trent in a book again, but this was a true return to form. I wish it was longer, and I wish the other books would continue to come out on a regular schedule - but I'm happy I got at least one more.
November 9, 2012
I have been waiting for this for a long time so when I found out it was available, I had to get it and start reading!
Well I finally finished it today. It was worth the wait! And of course it ends in a cliffhanger. Now the waiting begins again until the next volume is out.
Well I finally finished it today. It was worth the wait! And of course it ends in a cliffhanger. Now the waiting begins again until the next volume is out.
May 3, 2014
If I could give half stars it'd be a 3.5. Solid SF romp. First book I'd read in the universe (oops), but it was ok enough that I'll probably go back to read the first three when I run out of Hugo nominees.
May 23, 2015
Can't wait for more!
Trent the Uncatchable is a great character and I'd love to read more stories about him. This was truly an excellent read and kept moving from one scenario to another without pause. Moran has created a believable universe, one that I want to know more about.
Trent the Uncatchable is a great character and I'd love to read more stories about him. This was truly an excellent read and kept moving from one scenario to another without pause. Moran has created a believable universe, one that I want to know more about.
May 10, 2011
boring. the first couple Moran books I liked quite a bit. this one just bored me.
March 6, 2017
amazing
loved it... now i need to wrote eighteen words though. i mean, it's great. it doesnt need selling. it just is.
loved it... now i need to wrote eighteen words though. i mean, it's great. it doesnt need selling. it just is.
May 15, 2013
Glad to see DKM writing again. Pretty straight forward story, not as "heavy" as the happenings in The Last Dancer, but I'll take what I can get.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews