Ecolitan Prime

Ecolitan Matter #3-4

by L.E. Modesitt Jr.

his new omnibus from L.E. Modesitt includes the third and fourth of his four volume Ecolitan series, The Ecologic Envoy and The Ecolitan Enigma, both starring Nathaniel Whaler. Four hundred years after winning secession from the Terran Empire (as chronicled in the earlier omnibus, Empire Ecolitan), the star system Accord wants to sign a simple trade treaty with the Empire on microchip export tariffs. But if the agreement is so minor, why is Professor Nathaniel Whaler-chief economist at the Ecolitan Institute, and his world's top commando killer-chosen Accord's envoy? Because the Imperial capital is a maddening bureaucracy of sniveling diplomats, high profile figureheads, powers behind the throne, and spies-everywhere, spies. So the Envoy has to face red tape, politics, prejudice-and a gauntlet of kidnappers, assassins, snipers, and bombs. And some Ministry-but which?-doesn't want the treaty. In fact, some in the Empire still blame Accord for Earth's poisoning and for the defection of fifty star systems after the war between Imperial nuclear might and Ecolitan bio-ecological weaponry. A hidden cabal want to fight that war again-even if, this time, the entire galaxy dies. Only Nathaniel Whaler, the Ecologic Envoy, has the power to stop the catastrophe. This omnibus concludes one of L.E. Modesitt's most powerful science fiction series.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

492 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

L. E. (Leland Exton) Modesitt, Jr. is an author of science fiction and fantasy novels. He is best known for the fantasy series The Saga of Recluce. He graduated from Williams College in Massachusetts, lived in Washington, D.C. for 20 years, then moved to New Hampshire in 1989 where he met his wife. They relocated to Cedar City, Utah in 1993.

He has worked as a Navy pilot, lifeguard, delivery boy, unpaid radio disc jockey, real estate agent, market research analyst, director of research for a political campaign, legislative assistant for a Congressman, Director of Legislation and Congressional Relations for the United States Environmental Protection Agency, a consultant on environmental, regulatory, and communications issues, and a college lecturer and writer in residence.
In addition to his novels, Mr. Modesitt has published technical studies and articles, columns, poetry, and a number of science fiction stories. His first short story, "The Great American Economy", was published in 1973 in Analog Science Fiction and Science Fact.

-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

every bit as wonderful as the first pair.

This was a very wild ride of a story. With scope as sweeping as Star Wars, and questions of intent and morality that I’m still wrestling with, I can only wish that this author had penned another pair of books in this saga.

To be a practicing Ecolitan would be dreadfully difficult. To be asked to wear the diplomatic black uniform and find a way for 2 people to engineer the human settled universe away from all going to war against each other at once is an inspired tale and an amazing story.

This book purports to be composed of 2 separate books. Together they make an extraordinary piece of fiction.

[Kumar Mehta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a good one

Far too preachy and too slow in developing the story line. Earlier ones in the series were much better developed and moved quickly

[Cris · Rating 5 out of 5]

RaG! A gripping store. Master negotiator Nathaniel Whaler avoids a full scale war by wiying out the aggressor's military command.


[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good finish to this story line. Enjoyable series

[Eddie Edgerton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not his usual best.

Good reading, but I have read much better from Mr. Modesitt. This was definitely not as good as his others.

[Thom Thomsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

fast paced, good read.