The Spires of Denon

Diving Universe

by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Kristine Kathryn Rusch's novel Diving Into The Wreck spawned a universe so vast that one novel can't contain it. The Spires of Denon doesn't involve Boss or her crew. Instead, this powerful short novel follows Meklos Verr, hired to guard an archeological dig near the mysterious Spires of Denon. There Verr encounters the prickly Gabrielle Reese who heads the dig, and he meets some cave divers who aren't quite what they seem. Verr knows that someone wants to harm the dig, but he isn't sure if the attack will come from outside the tall mountain range or from the group of archeologists within. Verr must figure out the threat before it destroys him, his crew, and the beautiful Spires of Denon.

Genres: Science Fiction, Novella, Space Opera, Science Fiction Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Fantasy

178 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2010

About the author

Kristine Kathryn Rusch is an award-winning mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy writer. She has written many novels under various names, including Kristine Grayson for romance, and Kris Nelscott for mystery. Her novels have made the bestseller lists –even in London– and have been published in 14 countries and 13 different languages.

Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.

In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".

She has also published as:
Sandy Schofield (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kristine Grayson - romances
Kathryn Wesley (collaborations with husband Dean Wesley Smith)
Kris Nelscott - mysteries
Kris Rusch - historical fiction
Kris DeLake - romances

Reviews

[William]

I listened to this as part of the Ninth Science Fiction Megapack. 2023

[Scott S.]

This was a good read. It is set in the highly entertaining Diving Universe, sadly, there was nothing that tied this story to the other books. This novella can be read independently of anything else, unlike the other novella, which explored a character's back story.

Mrs. Plumb narrates the short novellas in this series and to be truthful I just don't care too much for her narration. She makes every character sound dreadfully old, so much so, that I'm surprised when I'm reminded of a character's youth. When Mrs. Plumb is narrating, every story takes place in a nursing home.

That's mean I suppose. The first novella wasn't so bad because it was really short, this one is a little longer and the quavery reading is getting to me.

Luckily the next book in the series is due for release in September.

[Laz the Sailor]

While the writing and plotting in this novella (?) is as good as you'd expect from KKR, the ending seemed a bit abrupt, and the resolution left too many unanswered questions. The mysterious technology of the ancient culture is almost magical, but the purpose is never revealed, so it felt like I was back where I started at the end of the book.

KKR sets a high standard, so "coming up short" still earns 4 stars.

[Rachel-RN]

A quick read. Denon is an interesting city, one no one knows much about.

[Leo]

The Diving Universe Reviewed.
I am not doing separate reviews, just some general remarks--this review will appear on all the Diving books starting with Stealth. I read from Stealth forward in the series through Squishy's Teams--still waiting for (and looking forward to) Chase.
So, these are very pleasant engaging reads. The Diving universe is coherent, well-imagined, and intriguing. For serious fans (what I used to call 'fan-boys', but that's too gendered) of Rusch, I recommend reading them all. For less committed readers, it is probably enough to just read the full-length novels and skip the novellas. There is some overlap between the novels and the novellas, but it is often fascinating, as when one gets to see the same incident from two different directions. But the novellas are often short and padded out to printable (sellable) length with previews or other stuff. The novels carry the whole narrative and major characters forward on their own. The novellas can be outtakes of the novels, or fun original stuff.
This is not my usual space opera. The orbital mechanics sometimes don't make sense and so on, but the writing and editing are very good.
Enjoy!

[Kimberly Hughes]

This novel is an archaeological dig site mystery set on a planet in a sci-fi setting. There are a lot of characters and since it was so short, only really one or two had depth. I really enjoyed this but I just felt that so much that could have been discussed was left out. I was left wanting after finishing it or I would have rated it higher. That may have been the point though as there are novels which it may be a lead in to read.

[C. Scott Kippen]

The weakest of all the novellas in the series. The story is a of archeological and the mystery therein. Not bad, as it does tweak my fill of archeological and caving, but it, as of now, has now discernable tie-into the entire series as a whole. I know Rusch will tie this in at some point, and it will make more sense in the grander scheme of things, but right now it is just a random stories in the series.

[Kavita Favelle]

I have just read the Diving Series back to back (the 16 books that exist thus far, including novels and novellas) and have to say that I absolutely love this series.

The Spires of Denon is a short novella, very much a side story, and do note that this one does not relate directly to any of the arcs we've read so far. It's a good quick read, nonetheless.

[Gregory M Fernald]

Just a total fan of the author. I've read the first 3 Diving Universe novels and about to buy th

4th. I highly recommend her books. Though The Spires isn't a book about Boss, it's still a good read. Enjoy!

[Lisa]

It almost feels like cheating, but I don't think people are really following me for my reviews and I know that Rusch writes amazing books so if she comes out with some new sci-fi, I'll be there to read it eventually. Great series.

[Howard Brazee]

This short novel is probably in her Diving universe. Rusch doesn't write bad books. This one has different people involved in studying an archeological artifact on a planet. (From an earlier advanced human civilization)

[Smalltowncat]

Now I want more stories about Denon, Miklos and Navi. Surprised this is considered part of the Diving Universe, unless it's the fact that archaeology/history is involved. Too short, not enough character development, but very enjoyable. Maybe there's a story tie-in down the road.

[Charl]

Well. The ending was not what I expected, and I never even guessed at the other thing.

Can't really say anything else about it that isn't already in the blurb, so if you're a fan of the Diving stories, groundhog it! ("Gopher" it!)

[jamie keenan]

Quick tricks

Quick not fast story . The Diving Universe is filling out nicely and this tidbit may or may not meet up with Boss and company but is good alone for the unfamiliar.

[M.G. Herron]

A fast, fun tale of archaeological mystery. Set in Kris Rusch’s Diving Universe, this novella shows that ancient ruins can turn out to be a lot more than meets the eye.

Reads fast. It will make a good evenings entertainment and Rusch’s prose has got punch.

[Noodle The Naughty Night Owl]

7/10: Good solid read, something to get your teeth into.

[Michael]

Another enjoyable story in Rusch’s Diving Universe although it does not seem related to any of the others I have read.

[Carolyn F.]

3-1/2 stars

While I read this I kept thinking that I wanted more. And I felt it the most when I finished the book. This book had actual water dives instead of space dives.

[Emmalyn Renato]

A novella from 2009 set in the early days of Rusch's Diving Universe series (and not featuring Boss)

[Ed Dragon]

3.5 Stars. Too much tell not show. Not enough action. Good w.b. and characters.

[James]

This lucid and bracing novella has an entertaining mystery at its heart.

[Ita]

Nice twist at the end.

[Tressa]

I really enjoyed The Spires of Denon. I liked Meklos and the twist. It was a fascinating story and I really hope that there will be more stories in The Diving Universe.

[Jjohn_galt]

This book is plagued by under-developed characters, meaningless foreshadowing, and sloppy exposition. An example: the villain is revealed as has having been willing to commit murder to protect her secret archaeological digs. The protagonists discover the secret. The villain then never comes into conflict the the protagonists again.

[Eleanor With Cats]

Rusch is really great at creating atmosphere, especially a strange menacing one. The Spires are a beautiful and dreamlike setting. And I like Meklos, the protagonist (although not the only viewpoint character). The ending doesn't really support all this awesomeness though.

[Christine]

Enjoyable, if slightly predictable short novel. What really makes the story are the well drawn characters.

[BBFlyer]

nice science fiction story.

[William]

I listend to this as part of the Ninth Science Fiction MEGAPACK. It is a very enjoyable novella. 2023