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Stellar Guild
Inci
“Nobody spins a yarn better than Mike Resnick”—Orson Scott Card,
New York Times
bestselling author of Ender’s Game.
Four people uncover a secret that has the power to shake the foundation of faith as we know it.
Reverend Joshua Barker feels that it is his duty to bring the Word to the oppressed beings on alien worlds, to teach them to repent their sins and cherish the teachings of the Good Book. It’s a noble ambition… until he discovers something that challenges his understanding of everything he believes.
Barker’s heretical discovery is buried for centuries until Anita Inkle digs it up and rekindles her sense of hope. Thomas, her husband, will grasp at any straw if it will save his dying wife, even a straw that may have unseen consequences affecting not merely Anita, but every member of the race.
It remains for Gar Matthews, a professional iconoclast, a man with a mission to poke holes in every outrageous claim and story that comes his way, to uncover a truth that no one ever suspected, and to give a very special meaning to it.
Each of the four will be forever affected by the secret – as will every sentient being in the galaxy.
Four people uncover a secret that has the power to shake the foundation of faith as we know it.
Reverend Joshua Barker feels that it is his duty to bring the Word to the oppressed beings on alien worlds, to teach them to repent their sins and cherish the teachings of the Good Book. It’s a noble ambition… until he discovers something that challenges his understanding of everything he believes.
Barker’s heretical discovery is buried for centuries until Anita Inkle digs it up and rekindles her sense of hope. Thomas, her husband, will grasp at any straw if it will save his dying wife, even a straw that may have unseen consequences affecting not merely Anita, but every member of the race.
It remains for Gar Matthews, a professional iconoclast, a man with a mission to poke holes in every outrageous claim and story that comes his way, to uncover a truth that no one ever suspected, and to give a very special meaning to it.
Each of the four will be forever affected by the secret – as will every sentient being in the galaxy.
- GenresScience Fiction
176 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2015
10 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Mike Resnick
813 books552 followersMichael "Mike" Diamond Resnick, better known by his published name Mike Resnick, was a popular and prolific American science fiction author. He is, according to Locus, the all-time leading award winner, living or dead, for short science fiction. He was the winner of five Hugos, a Nebula, and other major awards in the United States, France, Spain, Japan, Croatia and Poland. and has been short-listed for major awards in England, Italy and Australia. He was the author of 68 novels, over 250 stories, and 2 screenplays, and was the editor of 41 anthologies. His work has been translated into 25 languages. He was the Guest of Honor at the 2012 Worldcon and can be found online as @ResnickMike on Twitter or at www.mikeresnick.com.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 11, 2015
INCI is the eighth Stellar Guild novel co-written by an established science fiction writer and a protege. In this case the team is Mike Resnick and Tina Gower.
This is the first example I have read and I think the effort is only partially successful. The first two sections are by Tina Gower. Book One establish the basic universe and setting. The human beings are stereotyped but the aliens are quite interesting. Book Two moves forward in time to develop some of the implications of the actions in Book One with a completely different locale and cast of characters. These sections certainly have atmosphere and there are some clever parallelisms linking the otherwise disparate contexts. Tina Gower also has the ability to create an intense psychological mood though her characters are not the most sympathetic. I certainly felt a sense of menace and looked forward to seeing how Mike Resnick would develop this ambience in Book Three..
Unfortunately the tone and style change completely in Book Three. The character who ends the second section apparently goes on a quest to assess the accuracy of the information provided by the main character in Book Two. We get a series of repetitious planetary excursions, with admittedly interesting alien cultures but which lead, in my opinion, to a predictable unsatisfying conclusion and leave the interesting religious questions of the first two sections unexplored.
INCI is a book with some interesting ideas but in the end one gets the feeling that it never lives up to its potential.
This is the first example I have read and I think the effort is only partially successful. The first two sections are by Tina Gower. Book One establish the basic universe and setting. The human beings are stereotyped but the aliens are quite interesting. Book Two moves forward in time to develop some of the implications of the actions in Book One with a completely different locale and cast of characters. These sections certainly have atmosphere and there are some clever parallelisms linking the otherwise disparate contexts. Tina Gower also has the ability to create an intense psychological mood though her characters are not the most sympathetic. I certainly felt a sense of menace and looked forward to seeing how Mike Resnick would develop this ambience in Book Three..
Unfortunately the tone and style change completely in Book Three. The character who ends the second section apparently goes on a quest to assess the accuracy of the information provided by the main character in Book Two. We get a series of repetitious planetary excursions, with admittedly interesting alien cultures but which lead, in my opinion, to a predictable unsatisfying conclusion and leave the interesting religious questions of the first two sections unexplored.
INCI is a book with some interesting ideas but in the end one gets the feeling that it never lives up to its potential.
September 1, 2015
https://koeur.wordpress.com/2015/09/0...
Publisher: Phoenix Pick
Publishing Date: August 2015
ISBN: 9781612422664
Genre: SciFi
Rating: 2.0/5
Publisher Description:
Four people uncover a secret that has the power to shake the foundation of faith as we know it. Reverend Joshua Barker feels that it is his duty to bring the Word to the oppressed beings on alien worlds, to teach them to repent their sins and cherish the teachings of the Good Book. It’s a noble ambition… until he discovers something that challenges his understanding of everything he believes.
Review: This was a compilation of stories based on the same plot that moves through time as the story line advances. Resnick talks about his writing protégé that pens some of the stories. Oddly, I think that Tina Gower should have written the entire novel as her stories were at once compelling and subtly riveting. She crafts the emotive while delivering the innumerable facets of an alien culture as viewed from a human perspective.
Where Gower excels at character development, Resnick fails to deliver a meaningful story line with a one dimensional character coupled to halting movement. His anti-hero travels here and there in the universe looking for an alien spiritual connection under the veil of a centuries long cover up. In the end the novel held no interest for me as Gower’s writing is a tough act to follow.
Publisher: Phoenix Pick
Publishing Date: August 2015
ISBN: 9781612422664
Genre: SciFi
Rating: 2.0/5
Publisher Description:
Four people uncover a secret that has the power to shake the foundation of faith as we know it. Reverend Joshua Barker feels that it is his duty to bring the Word to the oppressed beings on alien worlds, to teach them to repent their sins and cherish the teachings of the Good Book. It’s a noble ambition… until he discovers something that challenges his understanding of everything he believes.
Review: This was a compilation of stories based on the same plot that moves through time as the story line advances. Resnick talks about his writing protégé that pens some of the stories. Oddly, I think that Tina Gower should have written the entire novel as her stories were at once compelling and subtly riveting. She crafts the emotive while delivering the innumerable facets of an alien culture as viewed from a human perspective.
Where Gower excels at character development, Resnick fails to deliver a meaningful story line with a one dimensional character coupled to halting movement. His anti-hero travels here and there in the universe looking for an alien spiritual connection under the veil of a centuries long cover up. In the end the novel held no interest for me as Gower’s writing is a tough act to follow.
September 25, 2015
“INCI” eBook was published in 2015 and was written by Mike Resnick (http://mikeresnick.com) and Tina Gower (http://www.tinagower.com). Mr. Resnick is an experienced author with over 70 publications, while Ms. Gower is just beginning with just three.
I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this novel as ‘PG’ as there are instances of Mature Language. This Science Fiction novel (really a collection of three novellas) is set in a far future where Earth is colonizing other worlds.
In the first novella by Gower, the Reverend Barker is sent along with scientists to the distant world of Kaus to bring Christianity to the local primitive inhabitants. He stumbles upon what he sees as a very distinct parallel to the story of Jesus being crucified in the native’s history and, as on Earth, it spawns a following.
Fast forward about 500 or so years to the second novella, also by Gower. A film editor, Thomas Inkle, and his sick and dying wife, Anita Inkle, stumble upon mention of the Barker Testament. They investigate further and discover that the Testament tells of a story similar to that of Jesus on Earth. Soon their world turns upside down as electronic systems at their home fail and data mysteriously disappears.
In the third novella by Resnick, Tom Inkle takes what he and Anita have learned to a noted investigative journalist, Gar Mathews. Mathews digs into the story, traveling to Kaus and other worlds following a trail of crucifixion stories. Whys has the Barker Testament been suppressed?
The three novella concept worked well with this story arc. This is a book coming out of the Stellar Guild (http://www.stellarguild.com) that teams up established authors with a protege. I am not a fan of short stories, but this combination turned out well. While I think that Resnick’s piece was the best, the three worked well together and I enjoyed the 3.5 hours I spent with the book. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I obtained a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I would categorize this novel as ‘PG’ as there are instances of Mature Language. This Science Fiction novel (really a collection of three novellas) is set in a far future where Earth is colonizing other worlds.
In the first novella by Gower, the Reverend Barker is sent along with scientists to the distant world of Kaus to bring Christianity to the local primitive inhabitants. He stumbles upon what he sees as a very distinct parallel to the story of Jesus being crucified in the native’s history and, as on Earth, it spawns a following.
Fast forward about 500 or so years to the second novella, also by Gower. A film editor, Thomas Inkle, and his sick and dying wife, Anita Inkle, stumble upon mention of the Barker Testament. They investigate further and discover that the Testament tells of a story similar to that of Jesus on Earth. Soon their world turns upside down as electronic systems at their home fail and data mysteriously disappears.
In the third novella by Resnick, Tom Inkle takes what he and Anita have learned to a noted investigative journalist, Gar Mathews. Mathews digs into the story, traveling to Kaus and other worlds following a trail of crucifixion stories. Whys has the Barker Testament been suppressed?
The three novella concept worked well with this story arc. This is a book coming out of the Stellar Guild (http://www.stellarguild.com) that teams up established authors with a protege. I am not a fan of short stories, but this combination turned out well. While I think that Resnick’s piece was the best, the three worked well together and I enjoyed the 3.5 hours I spent with the book. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
August 27, 2016
Inci is a volume in the Stellar Guild series in which an established sf author partners with someone new to the field to produce a collaborative book. This one contains two novelettes by Tina Gower followed by a novella by Mike Resnick that all share a common background and progression. Despite a title that I didn't really think was fitting, I found them all to be enjoyable stories that I believe could stand alone and they all examine a religious theme. (It's a familiar topic for Resnick; I recommend an earlier collection of his called Blasphemy for some of his earlier explorations of the subject.) The book doesn't come to a cheerful conclusion and reminded me of Moorcock's Behold the Man. The interplay between his main character Gar Mathews and the aliens he encounters (and his spaceship, named Cuddles!) are all most enjoyably written. It's a nice, thoughtful book.
September 25, 2015
This is actually three stories and Resnick’s is the last one. The two by Tina Gower set the background. Resnick’s starts as a search and ends on an unusual note. Don’t look for a happy ending. It just is not there. Interesting to read but not one of my favorites. However, all three are very well written. This is one I looked at when attending World Con but did not buy. I picked it up when it appeared on Netgalley.
June 1, 2018
Interesting idea.
The idea of teaming a new writer with an accepted master of the genre is not new. But it is interesting. In the case of this book the pairing leads to a trio of novellas united by a common core theme. The final novella of the trio being written by Mike Resnick with the first two written by Tina Gower. The stylistic differences between the two is quite pronounced but that's all right and does not harm the final product. The stories were good but overall didn't quite thrill me. I liked but didn't love them. Nothing wrong with that...
The idea of teaming a new writer with an accepted master of the genre is not new. But it is interesting. In the case of this book the pairing leads to a trio of novellas united by a common core theme. The final novella of the trio being written by Mike Resnick with the first two written by Tina Gower. The stylistic differences between the two is quite pronounced but that's all right and does not harm the final product. The stories were good but overall didn't quite thrill me. I liked but didn't love them. Nothing wrong with that...
February 8, 2017
I really enjoyed this - I think my only gripe is that Gower's story about Reverend Barker wasn't actually longer. I really loved her worldbuilding and how the stories were all tied together.
April 24, 2019
A missionary is plopped down along with crew at a planet far away. He finds interesting parallels with Earth.
February 25, 2022
3.5 Liked it didn't love it
November 1, 2022
Great twist at the end and perfect last words. Throughly ended this book.
October 5, 2016
This is the first of the Stellar Guild Series I've tried, but I will happily look for more. Some really interesting writing in a very different format, but it totally works. Great way to get new writers more exposure.
October 23, 2015
Review of INCI by Mike Resnick and Tina Gower
(spoiler alert)
INCI is a series of three short stories, or books. The first two stories are written by Tina Gower, the final one by Mike Resnick. It is one book in the Stellar Guild series, where a well-known author chooses a relative newcomer to their genre. They each write a part of the book. This is the first Stellar Guild series book I’ve read, and I’ll be looking for more.
In a populated universe, the discovery of religion shouldn’t be surprising. Until it is.
INCI throws some questions about religion into the air in the three stories that make up the novel. It does not, however, make judgements or preach.
In the first story, Reverend Joshua Barker, a missionary on another planet, there to share stories of the bible with its inhabitants. In spite of communication difficulties, he connects with one of them. Through that connection Reverend Barker discovers a story reminiscent of the story he was there to share, about a crucifixion and a religion. Taken with the hint of discoveries on a different planet, the missionary is left to question what exactly he’s discovered.
The second story introduces Thomas and Anita Inkle. Because of a piece Thomas was working on, Anita latches onto a reference to Reverend Barker’s discoveries. The information the two of them uncover could impact a lot of lives. For Anita it offers hope and something important that she can leave behind after she dies.
After some suspicious events leave Thomas with questions, he takes everything to an investigative journalist he believes is inviolable. Gar Matthews’ questions, and investigation, take him from world to world asking about a well-known earth story. It begins with a crucifixion and ends in a religion. But what does it mean when the same story is discovered on another world? Matthews can’t begin to know how much his life will be affected by this investigation.
Review:
INCI is a great read! It takes a look at religion and the nature of people and culture without being preachy. The characters are interesting to get to know, their perspectives so varied that it takes the end of the book to show you just where the stories are headed. A light science-fiction read, even newcomers to the genre will find INCI accessible and interesting. My only complaint is wishing there were more details to dig my teeth into.
I definitely recommend giving it a try.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
(spoiler alert)
INCI is a series of three short stories, or books. The first two stories are written by Tina Gower, the final one by Mike Resnick. It is one book in the Stellar Guild series, where a well-known author chooses a relative newcomer to their genre. They each write a part of the book. This is the first Stellar Guild series book I’ve read, and I’ll be looking for more.
In a populated universe, the discovery of religion shouldn’t be surprising. Until it is.
INCI throws some questions about religion into the air in the three stories that make up the novel. It does not, however, make judgements or preach.
In the first story, Reverend Joshua Barker, a missionary on another planet, there to share stories of the bible with its inhabitants. In spite of communication difficulties, he connects with one of them. Through that connection Reverend Barker discovers a story reminiscent of the story he was there to share, about a crucifixion and a religion. Taken with the hint of discoveries on a different planet, the missionary is left to question what exactly he’s discovered.
The second story introduces Thomas and Anita Inkle. Because of a piece Thomas was working on, Anita latches onto a reference to Reverend Barker’s discoveries. The information the two of them uncover could impact a lot of lives. For Anita it offers hope and something important that she can leave behind after she dies.
After some suspicious events leave Thomas with questions, he takes everything to an investigative journalist he believes is inviolable. Gar Matthews’ questions, and investigation, take him from world to world asking about a well-known earth story. It begins with a crucifixion and ends in a religion. But what does it mean when the same story is discovered on another world? Matthews can’t begin to know how much his life will be affected by this investigation.
Review:
INCI is a great read! It takes a look at religion and the nature of people and culture without being preachy. The characters are interesting to get to know, their perspectives so varied that it takes the end of the book to show you just where the stories are headed. A light science-fiction read, even newcomers to the genre will find INCI accessible and interesting. My only complaint is wishing there were more details to dig my teeth into.
I definitely recommend giving it a try.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2015
The question of whether or not Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Messiah - and if so what of other worlds with sentient beings - is hardly new. Elements are touched on by Arthur C Clarke ('The Star') and by James Blish ('A Case of Conscience'). Here the approach is slightly different but no less logical and it is presented in an unusual way - the main novella is by an established writer (Mike Resnick - I have read some of his books but I must confess that while some of the titles are familiar I can't recall details, embarrassing when one looks at his bibliography and his awards and nominations) and is preceded by two shorter pieces, both of which dovetail into the Resnick story. There are a number of other books in this format and it's probably safe to say that I'll be picking up some of the others.
This volume is intriguing at the very least. The two introductory pieces, at least one of which is referenced in the Resnick story, have a different 'feel' to the main story - not a problem as they are quite different even though they are essential to the overall development. They are written by Tina Gower, a name new to me but herself an award-winning writer who may well be a name to watch. The Resnick story which follows is a somewhat light-hearted tale, initially at least though the ending is, perhaps predictably, rather more sombre. It does, however, not answer the question posed at the start of this review! (And I wish I could work out the acronym forming the title!)
Worth reading? Definitely! And successful in that I'll be reading others in this series, as well as other work by both the authors.
I received a free copy of this book in return for a review.
This volume is intriguing at the very least. The two introductory pieces, at least one of which is referenced in the Resnick story, have a different 'feel' to the main story - not a problem as they are quite different even though they are essential to the overall development. They are written by Tina Gower, a name new to me but herself an award-winning writer who may well be a name to watch. The Resnick story which follows is a somewhat light-hearted tale, initially at least though the ending is, perhaps predictably, rather more sombre. It does, however, not answer the question posed at the start of this review! (And I wish I could work out the acronym forming the title!)
Worth reading? Definitely! And successful in that I'll be reading others in this series, as well as other work by both the authors.
I received a free copy of this book in return for a review.
November 22, 2015
I read this book for NetGalley.
This novel (actually three interrelated, interdependent short stories) is one of the latest publications from the Stellar Guild, a division of Phoenix Pick. The mission behind Stellar Guild is to team a very famous and adept science fiction writer with a promising newcomer. Mike Resnick is the old hand, and Tina Gower is the newcomer. And they both write in such a seamless fashion that the three stories work as one. Excellent collaborative writing.
On to why I enjoyed reading "INCI" so much. "INCI" deals with profound issues that have puzzled humanity for thousands of years. This novel explores those topics in the context of humanity and alien cultures in the far future, when we have achieved almost instantaneous interstellar travel.
This is a future with people similar to us, with similar problems, lives and needs. The setting is of a Star Trek type future and not a dystopia. A big plus for me! The plot, dialogue and characters were very good, and the novel had a feel of classic space/future science fiction. And very well written.
If you like thought provoking, classic science fiction this is an excellent novel. I enjoyed it, and look forward to reading more from the Stellar Guild.
This novel (actually three interrelated, interdependent short stories) is one of the latest publications from the Stellar Guild, a division of Phoenix Pick. The mission behind Stellar Guild is to team a very famous and adept science fiction writer with a promising newcomer. Mike Resnick is the old hand, and Tina Gower is the newcomer. And they both write in such a seamless fashion that the three stories work as one. Excellent collaborative writing.
On to why I enjoyed reading "INCI" so much. "INCI" deals with profound issues that have puzzled humanity for thousands of years. This novel explores those topics in the context of humanity and alien cultures in the far future, when we have achieved almost instantaneous interstellar travel.
This is a future with people similar to us, with similar problems, lives and needs. The setting is of a Star Trek type future and not a dystopia. A big plus for me! The plot, dialogue and characters were very good, and the novel had a feel of classic space/future science fiction. And very well written.
If you like thought provoking, classic science fiction this is an excellent novel. I enjoyed it, and look forward to reading more from the Stellar Guild.
October 24, 2015
In INCI, the authors explore what religion and questions of God would come with finding life on other planets. In the future, one man looks to spread the word of the Christian God on one such planet, only to discover that the seemingly uncivilized people already appear to have their own seemingly similar Christ-like figure and spiritual beliefs. This discovery sets off the rest of the story, where curious people are exploring information around the populated planets to get a greater grasp on what this could mean and the pushback from those afraid of the answers.
I really liked how this book pairs two writers, getting greater exposure for a newer science fiction writer. I thought each piece worked really well together and enjoyed the variations in style and voice in the individual pieces. I especially liked the character of the Reverend in Gower’s opening chapter, and liked the more earnest building of understanding of the Kaus people and the mystery of their beliefs. I thought it was an interesting look at what finding intelligent life would be like in relation to religious belief.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked how this book pairs two writers, getting greater exposure for a newer science fiction writer. I thought each piece worked really well together and enjoyed the variations in style and voice in the individual pieces. I especially liked the character of the Reverend in Gower’s opening chapter, and liked the more earnest building of understanding of the Kaus people and the mystery of their beliefs. I thought it was an interesting look at what finding intelligent life would be like in relation to religious belief.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2015
This book is a part of “The Stellar Guild Series” books that team up an experienced, well established author, with a newcomer. INCI teams up veteran writer Mike Resnick with Tina Gower.
The book takes place in a distant future where human kind has expanded into the stars, has encountered other species but is still somehow afflicted by religion. First part of the book is written by Tina Grower who provides a decent foundation for the main part of the book which is written by Mike Resnick, who provides the stronger part of this book. The book is fairly short, but the length fits the story and there is no unnecessary fluff.
The story centers around religion and which forms it might take on other worlds with different sentient species. I found the storyline interesting but not extraordinary. My favorite part of the book were the conversations between one of the book’s characters and his space ship’s snarky artificial intelligence. That truly saved the book for me and made it worth reading. The ending was somewhat predictable but made a solid point that gave the book a purpose lifting it beyond a simple pointless story.
I received a free copy of the e-book for a review.
The book takes place in a distant future where human kind has expanded into the stars, has encountered other species but is still somehow afflicted by religion. First part of the book is written by Tina Grower who provides a decent foundation for the main part of the book which is written by Mike Resnick, who provides the stronger part of this book. The book is fairly short, but the length fits the story and there is no unnecessary fluff.
The story centers around religion and which forms it might take on other worlds with different sentient species. I found the storyline interesting but not extraordinary. My favorite part of the book were the conversations between one of the book’s characters and his space ship’s snarky artificial intelligence. That truly saved the book for me and made it worth reading. The ending was somewhat predictable but made a solid point that gave the book a purpose lifting it beyond a simple pointless story.
I received a free copy of the e-book for a review.
October 16, 2015
INCI by Mike Resnick and Tina Gower
This is part of the Stellar Guild Series which pairs newbie authors with the old guard. This volume deals with religious coincidents across galactic distances.
There appears to be a universal savior who is crucified in numerous cultures, in innumerable shapes across unimaginable distances that leads to the theory of a universal God.
That is the premise of the book. Tina Gower sets the stage and Resnick brings down the curtain. Ms. Gower provides two short stories that sets up the finale. Her stories did not resonate with me as well as Resnick's. I don't know if that is due to experience or style. The premise was intriguing. I particularly liked Gar's interplay with his ship.
I received a copy of this book with the understanding I would do an honest review, I have done so.
Web site http://www.tinagower.com/
http://mikeresnick.com/
This is part of the Stellar Guild Series which pairs newbie authors with the old guard. This volume deals with religious coincidents across galactic distances.
There appears to be a universal savior who is crucified in numerous cultures, in innumerable shapes across unimaginable distances that leads to the theory of a universal God.
That is the premise of the book. Tina Gower sets the stage and Resnick brings down the curtain. Ms. Gower provides two short stories that sets up the finale. Her stories did not resonate with me as well as Resnick's. I don't know if that is due to experience or style. The premise was intriguing. I particularly liked Gar's interplay with his ship.
I received a copy of this book with the understanding I would do an honest review, I have done so.
Web site http://www.tinagower.com/
http://mikeresnick.com/
June 18, 2016
So, so, so disappointing.
This is a great example of a good story idea poorly executed. This would have been so much better if they'd written it about one planet and the mystery of uncovering the similarities to Christianity. Maybe different points of view by a religious figure, an archeologist character, an anthropologist...something like that.
Instead you have the main discovery (which they really don't go into very much or treat as if it's special in any way) and then a reporter goes to other planets looking for the same things (again, not treated specially or anything).
I was expecting something researched and well plotted. I got something that reads as if written by a high schooler. This could have been such a good idea if they'd done it right. I really wanted to give one star, but I have two because the story had so much potential.
This is a great example of a good story idea poorly executed. This would have been so much better if they'd written it about one planet and the mystery of uncovering the similarities to Christianity. Maybe different points of view by a religious figure, an archeologist character, an anthropologist...something like that.
Instead you have the main discovery (which they really don't go into very much or treat as if it's special in any way) and then a reporter goes to other planets looking for the same things (again, not treated specially or anything).
I was expecting something researched and well plotted. I got something that reads as if written by a high schooler. This could have been such a good idea if they'd done it right. I really wanted to give one star, but I have two because the story had so much potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2015
Interesting science fiction book. This book was nothing that I expected, but in a good way. With science fiction you expect certain elements, and this novel did not disappoint. Religion is involved throughout this book, but nothing that's overkill or pushy. This book is consists of three short stories. Two stories are written by Tina Gower, and the last story is written by Mike Resnick. Both authors have a great style of writing and their stories were interesting which keep me engaged throughout this short book. I would recommend this book to young adults and older. If you've never read a science fiction novel, this would be a great book to start with.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
November 27, 2015
Two authors working together on the same book can be tricky but this collaboration is a perfect marriage. Told as three personal stories, the first two recounted by Tina Gower and the final section taken by the very talented Mike Resnick, INCI relates the strange discovery of possible similar holy, historical happenings and myths leading to the formation of powerful movements which tend to threaten the status quo wherever they begin. That these similarities appear on very different alien and completely unrelated planets and not only the human ones raises intriguing ideas.
The writing throughout is simple and direct, the individual but interlinked stories are intriguing, almost plausible and, even though the conclusion is predicable, the journeying there is well worth the travelling
October 12, 2015
Just a good read for anyone. I did like the book! The writing was very good, the plot was interesting and far into the future. Unexpected and yet the plot was somewhat predictable. The author has a good way with words and feelings about religion and human nature. He made the futuristic ship that belonged to Gar have thoughts and feelings, too. Calling the ship "Cuddles" and continuing to make him a friend was quite convincing, actually sensing that the ship was a person. I wonder if that is the way it will be someday. Just a fun book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I would recommend it for anyone, teens or older folks.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2015
INCI is a set of three interrelated religiously-themed stories based on a Reverend Barker's attempt to convert an alien race. He finds that the aliens confuse his teachings with tales of their own.
The first two stories, written by Tina Gower, are straight forward and fairly somber in their telling. Mike Resnick's story takes a more humorous track, disturbing the flow of the story line. Nevertheless, the stories are well-written and enjoyable.
As religion-based speculative fiction, INCI is fairly shallow in treating religion and what it might mean to good and evil in the greater universe.
The first two stories, written by Tina Gower, are straight forward and fairly somber in their telling. Mike Resnick's story takes a more humorous track, disturbing the flow of the story line. Nevertheless, the stories are well-written and enjoyable.
As religion-based speculative fiction, INCI is fairly shallow in treating religion and what it might mean to good and evil in the greater universe.
January 10, 2019
A minor but adequate entry in the Birthright universe. I must agree with other reviewers: the first two parts, written by Tina Gower, do a perfectly atmospheric and capable job of setting up the background for the last part by Resnick--but he drops the ball somewhat, with a predictable ending and lack of development of the themes initiated by Gower. Still, his flair and wit are present throughout.
December 15, 2015
Rare SF subgenre: Religious SF
An interesting example of religious SF. Would have liked to have seen a visit to one of the non-messianic worlds where a version of Buddhism or Islam was present. Leaves it to the reader to decide what it all means.
An interesting example of religious SF. Would have liked to have seen a visit to one of the non-messianic worlds where a version of Buddhism or Islam was present. Leaves it to the reader to decide what it all means.
June 17, 2016
An enjoyable read (really three novellas rather than a single novel) albeit the ending was somewhat predictable. I very much applaud the idea of major authors "paying forward" by helping new authors get much needed publicity and have read with enjoyment all the books in this series.
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