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StarWings #2
Arachne’s Webs
The only thing keeping Jenny Starchild alive is her interface with the Arachne, an artificial brain that keeps Jenny's organs operating and controls a warship. But the situation also makes her powerful, and she knows what she's going to do with her life. She is going to weave a new star nation out of the materials she has at
A strand of compassion here, a strand of fierce pride there. The love of community of the alien Parthians woven together with human individuality. The computing and reasoning abilities of artificial brains woven together with the genetically engineered Cybrants.
It's going to take all of Jenny's exuberance and all of Arachne's powers, not to mention some luck. But if they can weave this new nation, then billions of people—humans and other sorts of people—will have life, liberty, and a chance to pursue their own happiness in their own way.
On the other hand, if Jenny, Arachne, and her human and Parthian allies fail in the task, they're probably all going to be destroyed—and so might whole star systems.
A strand of compassion here, a strand of fierce pride there. The love of community of the alien Parthians woven together with human individuality. The computing and reasoning abilities of artificial brains woven together with the genetically engineered Cybrants.
It's going to take all of Jenny's exuberance and all of Arachne's powers, not to mention some luck. But if they can weave this new nation, then billions of people—humans and other sorts of people—will have life, liberty, and a chance to pursue their own happiness in their own way.
On the other hand, if Jenny, Arachne, and her human and Parthian allies fail in the task, they're probably all going to be destroyed—and so might whole star systems.
- GenresScience Fiction
371 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2019
15 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 21, 2020
A fun follow up to Pandora's Crew. I enjoyed it, and would be interested in buying any sequels.
The book does a good job of making a future feel real, though very different from most SF out there currently. They keep the technology constant, and avoid the trap of inventing something new just to move the action. There were a lot of political pieces moving around, and occasionally I needed to go back 2 or 3 pages just to keep all the players straight. While I would have liked to see even more emphasis on Jenny, the lead character, the story emphasized the truth that real life is complicated, and everyone has a different idea of what should happen.
One nit, communication between the aliens and humans was just too easy. Communication is tough enough between English speaking humans. However, that is common in almost all stories that include aliens. To make it real, there should be far more slow, bumbling translators, miscommunication, and mis-understandings.
The book does a good job of making a future feel real, though very different from most SF out there currently. They keep the technology constant, and avoid the trap of inventing something new just to move the action. There were a lot of political pieces moving around, and occasionally I needed to go back 2 or 3 pages just to keep all the players straight. While I would have liked to see even more emphasis on Jenny, the lead character, the story emphasized the truth that real life is complicated, and everyone has a different idea of what should happen.
One nit, communication between the aliens and humans was just too easy. Communication is tough enough between English speaking humans. However, that is common in almost all stories that include aliens. To make it real, there should be far more slow, bumbling translators, miscommunication, and mis-understandings.
October 10, 2020
Volume 2 of the StarWings series, begun with Pandora. Gorg Huff weaves a complex yarn about the dissolution of two merchant space empires and the efforts of a band of humans to unite with an alien species and create their own star nation.
Leading protagonist is Jenny Starchild, an orphan adopted by a kindly ship pilot with an unusual skill of discerning social interactions and motivations of those around her. His skills are vastly enhanced due to a merger with the ship Arachne's AI. Now she knows and senses everything her AI does. She is supernaturally fast at space battles.
Jenny sets her mind to weave a new society aliens, human castoffs, and oppressed star systems. Too bad the most powerful nations in the universe are out to destroy her.
Leading protagonist is Jenny Starchild, an orphan adopted by a kindly ship pilot with an unusual skill of discerning social interactions and motivations of those around her. His skills are vastly enhanced due to a merger with the ship Arachne's AI. Now she knows and senses everything her AI does. She is supernaturally fast at space battles.
Jenny sets her mind to weave a new society aliens, human castoffs, and oppressed star systems. Too bad the most powerful nations in the universe are out to destroy her.
March 23, 2020
There are entirely too many POVs, though it's a pleasure seeing the story from different vantages. It's too easy, though, to forget that Jenny Starchild/Arachne is the main character. BUT, the book starts with the observation that, while stories are most often about main characters, history is actually made by the masses.
What we are reading is history in the making - future history.
What we are reading is history in the making - future history.
November 29, 2022
Great sci fi adventure
Although the authors do a good job of refreshing the reader's memory about book 1, I still recommend reading the books in order. The body count is very high, and one evil person stands above the rest. The Parthians are fascinating, as are the ship brains. All in all, Webs is an entertaining read.
Although the authors do a good job of refreshing the reader's memory about book 1, I still recommend reading the books in order. The body count is very high, and one evil person stands above the rest. The Parthians are fascinating, as are the ship brains. All in all, Webs is an entertaining read.
December 10, 2023
Spinning Web Dancer!
The bugs got out last book, and now the bugs are working it out.
Arachne and Jenny are going to get Your Number!
8 6 7 5 3 So Fine!
Tommy Tutone most of known that there was more to come when he skipped the 4.
The future of the Pamplona sector and the Combines are now in question.
Read on and get in on the action!
The bugs got out last book, and now the bugs are working it out.
Arachne and Jenny are going to get Your Number!
8 6 7 5 3 So Fine!
Tommy Tutone most of known that there was more to come when he skipped the 4.
The future of the Pamplona sector and the Combines are now in question.
Read on and get in on the action!
January 16, 2024
Good Read. This is a space opera with multiple political gamesmanship and characters. The plot continues from the first book and will continue in future books. Interesting characters and lots of action. I like how the aliens are handled. The book keeps you involved in what is going on. Read these books in order.
January 7, 2023
Book Two
Here our characters continue to develop and exciting new horizons are opened up. Our Ships girl has new challenges and opportunities which make this sequal well worth reading.
Here our characters continue to develop and exciting new horizons are opened up. Our Ships girl has new challenges and opportunities which make this sequal well worth reading.
December 8, 2022
Not quite a space opera
Sort of reminds me of the original Dune....
A lot of political maneuvering, some interesting tech, and a few near-supermen.
Sort of reminds me of the original Dune....
A lot of political maneuvering, some interesting tech, and a few near-supermen.
May 8, 2023
Good good!
Web of jumps is the best description. I need a Portuguese rudder to follow what's going on. Three more words.
Web of jumps is the best description. I need a Portuguese rudder to follow what's going on. Three more words.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews