Mothership

Mothership #1

by John Brosnan

Since the Day of Wonder, when all the electric lights stopped working, there have been rumors of unrest in the neighboring domains—and no one has seen any of the Elite, the ruthless technocrat class that have ruled Urba for centuries. What most of the inhabitants don't realize is that their world of Urba is actually a giant spacecraft, an ark built more than a thousand years ago to save as much of the Earth's population as possible before the sun went nova. The Elite were originally the ship's crew, but as the centuries passed, they became decadent, corrupt, and cruel, and the truth about Urba became hidden. And now Jad and the courageous Prince are about to find out what happened to the Elite—and what's happening to the people of Urba.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

* Pen names:
Harry Adam Knight, Simon Ian Childer, James Blackstone, John Raymond

John Raymond Brosnan was an Australian writer of both fiction and non-fiction works based around the fantasy and science fiction genres. He was born in Perth, Western Australia, and died in South Harrow, London, from acute pancreatitis. He sometimes published under the pseudonyms Harry Adam Knight, Simon Ian Childer (both sometimes used together with Leroy Kettle), James Blackstone (used together with John Baxter), and John Raymond. Three not very successful movies were based on his novels–Beyond Bedlam (aka Nightscare), Proteus (based on Slimer), and Carnosaur. In addition to science fiction, he also wrote a number of books about cinema and was a regular columnist with the popular UK magazine Starburst.

Reviews

[Carlex · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars

[Kristina · Rating 1 out of 5]

A lot of unnecessary swearing; a cliche plot line; absolutely no resolution at the end. Pretty disappointing.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storytelling side of the book was fun. The book begins set in a feudal-ish place with a number of kingdoms (and occasional references to mythological beings.) A prince has decided to travel to get away from issues at home and takes his friend, the court jester, with him. I'm not inclined toward fantasy or future-feudalism fiction, but I knew there was more to come. The discovery that these kingdoms (and people believing that was all there was in the universe) were actually in a vast generation interstellar ship added extra facets to the story. And, later, the fact the human generation ship had encountered an alien generation ship which was trying to take over the human ship. (It was a convenient plot trick, but also an uncommon idea that the aliens lived and thought at a slower pace than humans.)

For my taste, the actual science fiction elements and ideas didn't make up enough of the story and/or were dealt with on a more shallow level than I would have preferred.

This is the first book in a series. It can be read alone, but it ends with the story preparing for the next book. I don't expect to continue with the series.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

i discovered this book in the cheap section in BW, and what a book was very funny and thought provoking, i looked into the author only to discover he died in the UK in the 80's and was orginaly from Perth Western Australia....

[Hugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

good fun

[Margaret Windsor · Rating 3 out of 5]

odd. medieval world in a spaceship. Humour was good. Ending was rubbish, I guess he was planning on a sequel, but I wouldn't bother with another of his.

[Cliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A variation on the theme of the generation ship which left Earth centuries ago and where those inside have lost all memory of Earth and no longer believe that they are space farers. The world inside this has become split into the mundanes who live in small medieval groups and the Elite who have grown vicious and appear to have modern technology. Two youths leave their home domain, one the court jester and the other the prince. They set out on an odyssey to find the fabled citadel of the Elite and the reason why their power was suddenly terminated. On their way, they rescue an elite girl from death at the hands of murderous mundanes. Thereafter, they pass through many perils. I enjoyed the book and the writing. Although set in a quasi medieval world, it is free of archaisms. They eventually, and inevitably, meet up with aliens. The author has created a very interesting species. No spoilers though. The book ends on a cliff hanger. I looked to see if there is a sequel. Yes, there is to be one, apparently not yet realised according to Amazon. I can preorder, but my card won't be charged until 2035! I should live so long!

[David Sastre · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unassuming book which was quite a gem! Funny, fast paced, and interesting. A creative blend of fantasy and science fiction. I really enjoyed it and I will definitely check out the sequel!

[Rosalind Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea at all. I will actively avoid the sequels.

[Roddy Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘What is left of humanity is being transported to a new world on board the Mothership Urba. Over the centuries, most of Urba’s inhabitants have forgotten where they come from and where they are going; they aren’t even aware they’re on a spaceship. the loss of group memory is no disease, but a carefully engineered social experiment devised and implemented by the cruel, tyrannical Elite, the technocrats who rule the Mothership. Prince Kender is the son of one of Urba’s greatest war lords; Jad is his boyhood friend and unwilling sidekick: a failed jester who wants nothing more than to snuggle up with a warm kitchen maid and a cool beer and forget about the cares of the world. But Kender wants adventure and the perfect opportunity presents itself when the Elite suddenly lose their powers and Urba’s downtrodden populace rise up against their now-impotent leaders. Against all of Jad’s screaming instincts he agrees – at blackmail point – to accompany Kender on a mission to find out what happened to the Elite. What no one bargained for is that the Elite have been replaced by a new threat: a threat from deep space itself….’

Blurb from the 2005 Gollancz paperback edition

Prince Kender, known fondly as Ken, heir to the rule of a small kingdom, is sent on a mission to discover what has happened to the Elite (the ruling technocracy which maintains order between the various kingdoms) since ‘The Day of Wonder’ when all the electric power went off throughout the world of Urba. He takes with him the unwilling King’s jester (and Ken’s best friend) Jad.
Along the way the pair rescue a woman, Alucia, from a band of mercenaries and Jad begins to realise that the world he lives in is a vast cylindrical spaceship which has been travelling through space for centuries.
Also, it now appears that humans are not alone in space, and that aliens are in the process of invading their world.
Brosnan employs a fast-paced and witty style, managing to get a surprising amount of comic mileage out of the fact that the protagonists’ entire culture was designed in order to provide a stable civilisation during the time that the ship was flying between stars.
Even dragons exist here in this ‘artificial’ culture, put there by a designer who was a big ‘Lord of The Rings’ fan. There are also many references for genre fans, such as when Alucia saves her companions from a rogue dragon by shouting ‘Klaatu Barada Nicto’ at it. It turns out that this is one of the safety phrases used when training and controlling dragons.
Brosnan deftly balances the fantasy medieval with the hi-tech and succeeds (to a moderate degree) in putting a new spin (no pun intended) on the traditional generation ship story.

[Andrew McClarnon · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unusual combination, perhaps a little like an episode of Dr Who - we have 'funny' dialogue, simple characters, a sci-fi setting, and an adventure story thrown together. It was a quick read, just let the plot pull you along and don't get too hung up on its simplicities. I read it because it was leant to me, I don't think I'd have come this way otherwise, but after 900 pages of Neal Stephenson this was just fine to relax with.

[Riti B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was going to be very interesting. But then I kept reading, and the writing just killed it all. It was entertaining at times, but some of the scenes were just plain weird and gross. I wouldn't recommend this to the young and curious.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty disappointing. As a generational ship type story, it was just campy, and didn't fulfill the promise of interesting cross species conflict. You'd be better off with Clark's Rendezvous with Rama.

[Robert Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

better at the start. interesting throughout, but less funny and a little ungratifying. lots of theories drive the story along, never are really proved first hand, just taken as "that's what's happening." easy and light hearted, so if you want a quick fun read its worth it.

[Sorcha]

I liked it! Daft, funny, ridiculously stupid in places. Good if you can take it in the manner I hope it was written in.

[Mark Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picaresque comic novel of the medieval society on a spaceship sub genre. Very like a cream bun. No nutritional value, probably bad for you: but once you have it in your hand you have to consume it.

[Falbs · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let's see. How do you work a medieval adventure into space? Set on a world-sized spinning cylinder ensconced in a giant spaceship and then add evil, yet slow, starving aliens. It's actually worse than I'm describing. So bad I just kept reading on and on to see if at some point there would be some redeeming social commentary- but alas, no... There must be drivel to make the great stuff stand out.