What do you think?
Rate this book
Brainship #2-3
Brain Ships
Includes PartnerShip by Anne McCaffrey with Margaret Ball and The Ship Who Searched by Anne McCaffrey with Mercedes Lackey complete with a cover by Tom Kidd.
528 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2003
126 people are currently reading
702 people want to read
About the author
Anne McCaffrey
481 books7,805 followersAnne Inez McCaffrey was an American writer known for the Dragonriders of Pern science fiction series. She was the first woman to win a Hugo Award for fiction (Best Novella, Weyr Search, 1968) and the first to win a Nebula Award (Best Novella, Dragonrider, 1969). Her 1978 novel The White Dragon became one of the first science-fiction books to appear on the New York Times Best Seller list.
In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its 22nd Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted by the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on 17 June 2006. She also received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for her work in 2007.
In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its 22nd Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted by the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on 17 June 2006. She also received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for her work in 2007.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 9, 2016
Brain ships contains part 2 and 3 of the Brainship books: The ship who searched and Partnership.
The first book is about the brain ship Hypatia, or Tia. She is an exceptional brain ship, because she was quite old when she became a shell person: 7. She is interested in archeology and finds a brawn who is interested in the same. Together they get into a few scrapes...
The book was written in typical McCaffrey style, not over-emotional, but compelling nonetheless. I love this world with people who become ships and I like seeing how they interact with the world. The story itself is not overly brilliant, it is more a collection of adventures that show off the world, much like the first book. Only in this book, the adventures are more connected. I thought the ending was a bit too happy, but other than that, this was a very nice book.
The second book is about Nancia. On her first trip, she transports several young people from high families. Unfortunately, they are all corrupt and she overhears their plans, but is persuaded that she shouldn't have, since she didn't identify herself as a brain ship. Her first brawn happens to be extremely stuck up regarding his morals, so it takes a while before the situation gets rectified...
I liked this book a little less. It was still entertaining, but I was annoyed by the moral brawn, and Nancia herself at first agrees with him. Fortunately she loosens up later on. The book followed the young criminals quite a lot, and this was ok, but I still would have preferred reading more about Nancia. I did like the descriptions of Singularities and particularly the Singularity incident that Nancia has to get out of later on in the book.
The first book is about the brain ship Hypatia, or Tia. She is an exceptional brain ship, because she was quite old when she became a shell person: 7. She is interested in archeology and finds a brawn who is interested in the same. Together they get into a few scrapes...
The book was written in typical McCaffrey style, not over-emotional, but compelling nonetheless. I love this world with people who become ships and I like seeing how they interact with the world. The story itself is not overly brilliant, it is more a collection of adventures that show off the world, much like the first book. Only in this book, the adventures are more connected. I thought the ending was a bit too happy, but other than that, this was a very nice book.
The second book is about Nancia. On her first trip, she transports several young people from high families. Unfortunately, they are all corrupt and she overhears their plans, but is persuaded that she shouldn't have, since she didn't identify herself as a brain ship. Her first brawn happens to be extremely stuck up regarding his morals, so it takes a while before the situation gets rectified...
I liked this book a little less. It was still entertaining, but I was annoyed by the moral brawn, and Nancia herself at first agrees with him. Fortunately she loosens up later on. The book followed the young criminals quite a lot, and this was ok, but I still would have preferred reading more about Nancia. I did like the descriptions of Singularities and particularly the Singularity incident that Nancia has to get out of later on in the book.
January 20, 2020
I LOVE any writing by Anne McCaffrey - she is one of my absolute favourite authors, and the Brain Ships series is a particular favourite with me. This volume contains 2 stories that I hadn't read before - both as collaborations with different authors.
PartnerShip (in collaboration with Margaret Ball) is in the style I remember and love, Tia (a very clever child, the daughter of 2 renowned archaeologists) contracts a disease that leaves her paralysed - once she becomes a 'Brain Ship' however, she realises more of her potential than she could possibly have dreamed. McCaffrey & Ball manage to have you laughing and crying on the same page and this is the style that I am used to with McCaffrey books.
The Ship who Searched (in collaboration with Mercedes Lackey) although in the style of McCaffrey seems to me to have been more influenced by Lackey - the plot isn't a classic McCaffrey plot and the compartmentalised chapter style is not one that I would necessarily attribute to McCaffrey. The story works well though, but is not one that will remain with me like so many of her other books.
PartnerShip (in collaboration with Margaret Ball) is in the style I remember and love, Tia (a very clever child, the daughter of 2 renowned archaeologists) contracts a disease that leaves her paralysed - once she becomes a 'Brain Ship' however, she realises more of her potential than she could possibly have dreamed. McCaffrey & Ball manage to have you laughing and crying on the same page and this is the style that I am used to with McCaffrey books.
The Ship who Searched (in collaboration with Mercedes Lackey) although in the style of McCaffrey seems to me to have been more influenced by Lackey - the plot isn't a classic McCaffrey plot and the compartmentalised chapter style is not one that I would necessarily attribute to McCaffrey. The story works well though, but is not one that will remain with me like so many of her other books.
October 20, 2020
OK, so I'm lying a bit here. I've flagged this a "Read", but in fact I never finished it. I love Anne McCaffrey, and I thoroughly enjoyed the first novel in this series. But then along come Margaret Ball and Mercedes Lackey. I've never ready anything by Margaret Ball, at least not that I remember, but I have enjoyed something by Mercedes Lackey. The issue here is that the writing styles in books 2 and 3 (and presumably those following) is so different it doesn't feel like they belong to the first book.
Anne McCaffrey was a Master! She was right there with Asimov, Heinlein, and Clarke. The Ship Who Sang was a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I thought Partnership and The Ship Who Searched would follow suite, but also... they do not. It felt like... read books titled "Issac Asimov's" Robots City or something. They broke canon and are inconsistent with Asimov's world. These two Brain Ship novels effect me the same way.
I would absolutely recommend The Ship Who Sang, it would not recommend other books in the series. There is nothing to connect them aside from the idea of "brain ships". There is no continuity of a story line and no real "canon" to adhere to.
Anne McCaffrey was a Master! She was right there with Asimov, Heinlein, and Clarke. The Ship Who Sang was a great book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I thought Partnership and The Ship Who Searched would follow suite, but also... they do not. It felt like... read books titled "Issac Asimov's" Robots City or something. They broke canon and are inconsistent with Asimov's world. These two Brain Ship novels effect me the same way.
I would absolutely recommend The Ship Who Sang, it would not recommend other books in the series. There is nothing to connect them aside from the idea of "brain ships". There is no continuity of a story line and no real "canon" to adhere to.
August 2, 2021
I love this series
Both books in this volume are excellent. Some of the best McAffree out there. Something about this series inspires me. It makes other science fiction better in relation. Makes me want to play video games involving space.
I don't get that same kick from more realistic science fiction.
Both books in this volume are excellent. Some of the best McAffree out there. Something about this series inspires me. It makes other science fiction better in relation. Makes me want to play video games involving space.
I don't get that same kick from more realistic science fiction.
March 19, 2024
I read The Ship Who Sang when I was a kid, and decided recently to work my way through the series, since I remembered the first story well. I was not disappointed. This is an entertaining story that ties together a variety of personalities. It begins with a bet and ends with a nice and mildly exciting resolution. Entertainment sf the way it was intended.
May 24, 2018
Brains and Brawn
If you followed me and I understand some do, you know I don't give out 5 stars unless it's earned. I would like to think that in the future there may be brain ships.
If you followed me and I understand some do, you know I don't give out 5 stars unless it's earned. I would like to think that in the future there may be brain ships.
July 10, 2020
As always excellent story telling
McCaffrey, keeps your on your toes with exciting scenes and insight into the human phycology, all in an exciting universe of space travel and leaps of science and technology.
McCaffrey, keeps your on your toes with exciting scenes and insight into the human phycology, all in an exciting universe of space travel and leaps of science and technology.
December 31, 2021
Love this
Whilst these two ships are not connected, it is enthralling to see different sides of the CS world. As stories they stand alone but for beautifully into the constructed world.
Whilst these two ships are not connected, it is enthralling to see different sides of the CS world. As stories they stand alone but for beautifully into the constructed world.
December 17, 2017
I launched into this right after the first book in the series; finished #2, but paused before going on to #3. The characters were starting to sound the same.
March 5, 2020
The Ship Who Searched (#3) *****
PartnerShip (#2). ***
PartnerShip (#2). ***
July 7, 2021
I love these B and B stories!
August 14, 2022
This includes two books: The Ship Who Searched by Anne McCaffrey & Mercedes Lackey, and Partnership by Anne McCaffrey & Margaret Ball.
THE SHIP WHO SEARCHED
A wonderful combination of science fiction and adventure (with a sprinkling of romance), that will keep you engaged from the first page.
Hypatia (Tia) Cade is seven years old when she comes into contact with a mysterious virus on a planetary dig with her archeologist parents, and is left almost completely paralysed. Fortunately, she is an extraordinarily intelligent child and a good candidate for the shellperson programme. Upon her graduation, she begins what will be a successful career as a brainship, assigned to A and E.
This book is a genuine page-turner and reads just as well a second or third time. Tia is a sparkling character, particularly as a child, and her response to the heartbreaking consequences of the virus which infects her, will bring genuine tears to your eyes. As a brainship, Tia has a number of hair-raising adventures and, despite the fact that these are set in space and on unknown worlds, you will find yourself completely fascinated and engaged. The only criticism would be that the ending feels a little too convenient and far-fetched, but this is certainly not enough to detract from the overall quality of the story (and it could be argued that the concept of brainships themselves is equally as far-fetched).
If you like adventure, science fiction, some romance, and well-written characters, you can’t go wrong with this book.
PARTNERSHIP
A science fiction, adventure story told from the perspective of multiple characters, with a number of twists and a very satisfying denouement.
This story starts with an introduction to Nancia Perez y de Gras, sixteen years old and a newly graduated brainship, who is setting out on her first mission, transporting five other “High Families” graduates to their first jobs. What should have been a simple courier service assignment becomes complicated when Nancia overhears them discussing their unethical, immoral and illegal plans for “getting ahead”.
As the story continues, different chapters are narrated from the point of view of the other five “High Families” graduates, which is perhaps why this is not one of my favourite Anne McCaffrey stories. As much as it is possible to like and admire Nancia, the same cannot be said of these other protagonists. That being said, it is interesting to follow the story from a number of different perspectives, and there are a number of twists in the story that make this another real page-turner. Despite, or perhaps because of, their very different strengths and flaws, all the characters have depth and draw you in to their reality.
If you like character-driven science fiction and unexpected twists in a story, this book is worth a read.
THE SHIP WHO SEARCHED
A wonderful combination of science fiction and adventure (with a sprinkling of romance), that will keep you engaged from the first page.
Hypatia (Tia) Cade is seven years old when she comes into contact with a mysterious virus on a planetary dig with her archeologist parents, and is left almost completely paralysed. Fortunately, she is an extraordinarily intelligent child and a good candidate for the shellperson programme. Upon her graduation, she begins what will be a successful career as a brainship, assigned to A and E.
This book is a genuine page-turner and reads just as well a second or third time. Tia is a sparkling character, particularly as a child, and her response to the heartbreaking consequences of the virus which infects her, will bring genuine tears to your eyes. As a brainship, Tia has a number of hair-raising adventures and, despite the fact that these are set in space and on unknown worlds, you will find yourself completely fascinated and engaged. The only criticism would be that the ending feels a little too convenient and far-fetched, but this is certainly not enough to detract from the overall quality of the story (and it could be argued that the concept of brainships themselves is equally as far-fetched).
If you like adventure, science fiction, some romance, and well-written characters, you can’t go wrong with this book.
PARTNERSHIP
A science fiction, adventure story told from the perspective of multiple characters, with a number of twists and a very satisfying denouement.
This story starts with an introduction to Nancia Perez y de Gras, sixteen years old and a newly graduated brainship, who is setting out on her first mission, transporting five other “High Families” graduates to their first jobs. What should have been a simple courier service assignment becomes complicated when Nancia overhears them discussing their unethical, immoral and illegal plans for “getting ahead”.
As the story continues, different chapters are narrated from the point of view of the other five “High Families” graduates, which is perhaps why this is not one of my favourite Anne McCaffrey stories. As much as it is possible to like and admire Nancia, the same cannot be said of these other protagonists. That being said, it is interesting to follow the story from a number of different perspectives, and there are a number of twists in the story that make this another real page-turner. Despite, or perhaps because of, their very different strengths and flaws, all the characters have depth and draw you in to their reality.
If you like character-driven science fiction and unexpected twists in a story, this book is worth a read.
February 22, 2013
I saw that Baen Books was (re)releasing The Ship Who Searched and that reminded me that I had a copy of both that book and PartnerShip, in this one volume. I'd read it years ago but I thought it would be fun to re-read it. And it was.
I very much like the big idea here: people who would be crippled or dead can find a new life as the living brain of a ship, city, or space station. Full neural connections to the ship allow the person to experience the ship as their own body and operate it as smoothly as we operate our own limbs.
The stories are fun too.
I very much like the big idea here: people who would be crippled or dead can find a new life as the living brain of a ship, city, or space station. Full neural connections to the ship allow the person to experience the ship as their own body and operate it as smoothly as we operate our own limbs.
The stories are fun too.
December 23, 2024
Brain Ships (Brainship, #2-3)
by Anne McCaffrey
one of the most dynamic series, using technology to enhance the lives of injured and disabled individuals starting with the Ship who sang, continuing into the brain and brawn ships, and lastly into cities and places controlled by the minds of the individuals whose enhancements allow them to explore space, and control cities with a thought.
by Anne McCaffrey
one of the most dynamic series, using technology to enhance the lives of injured and disabled individuals starting with the Ship who sang, continuing into the brain and brawn ships, and lastly into cities and places controlled by the minds of the individuals whose enhancements allow them to explore space, and control cities with a thought.
January 8, 2011
The Brain Ships are great stories. I'm pulled in. It's written so well that I can almost believe that this is real. Ms. McCaffrey at her best with relationships and alt-futuristic worlds. This is a must read for every young adult.
September 25, 2012
A book for young adults in my opinion. Somehow this book did not capture my imagination. I only read the first part and quit there. Maybe some day I'll surprise myself and read the second part of the book.
February 23, 2017
This book contains 2 volumes from the Brain Ship series. After having read the Crystal Singer series, I decided I wanted to read more about the Brain Ships. I wasn't disappointed. I borrowed the whole set from the library one after the other. I wished there were more.
September 26, 2014
reread October 2009 - reread September 2014
Read
January 9, 2010baen ebook
June 2, 2016
This was two novellas but I enjoyed them.
November 7, 2016
"The Ship Who Searched" = 4 stars
"Partnership" = 3 stars
"Partnership" = 3 stars
May 7, 2018
For the Audiobook version. Nancia is a human chosen to made into an encapsulated human cyborg to overcome incurable paralysis. A brain in life support capsule and trained as a human computer to fly a starship. Paired with a "brawn" human,Tia; Nancia heads to her first assignment. Good basic SF, with a little intrigue and romance thrown in a fairly short book
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews