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Lords of the Starship #4
The Siege of Wonder
Original vintage paperback book. Used, Acceptable condition. All pages and cover in tact. Book presents well given its age (1976). Kept in a Smoke Free Environment.
190 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 13, 2013
A better than average sci-fi/fantasy hybrid that depicts a future where, after magic has reappeared in the world, there is a war between the forces of technology and the adherents of magic. Fusion bombs and hovercraft versus dragons and magicians in a world divided into two dramatically opposed camps.
October 24, 2011
Siege of Wonder pits Technology versus Magic, with many of the usual clichés. The scientists are cold and calculating, their buildings and clothing are utilitarian, they engage in collective and highly regimented behavior. The magicians are imaginative, their architecture and fashion follow aesthetic principles, they are individualistic and chaotic.
In the centuries-old war between the two sides, magic enjoyed a significant advantage,but the book begins shortly after the scientists have turned the tables. In all the battles, they observe the enemy, trying to understand how and why magic works, analyzing, categorizing, and dissecting, and finally comprehending, the system that the magicians do not understand. As the forces of science roll inexorably forward, each conflict becomes an effective loss for the forces of wonder, since each conflict gives away another secret to the watchers.
Assisting in the data collection is the Special Office. They are spies, who are never fully trusted by their own side, since they live too long in the realms of magic, influenced by the beautiful barbarism.
Geston captures the sense of loss as the more efficient society (but not necessarily superior) supplants the old traditions. The agents of Special Office feel the loss most poignantly. The scientists feel it less acutely, but there is an irrationality in their hatred of the Men of Power that suggests some sort of transference -- an admiration for the magical world that turns to disgust because of the failure to protect that world (preferring internecine squabbles to a united defense).
Some of the book is badly edited, but there is one moment that makes Siege of Wonder a four star book for me:
The book was published in 1976, and like much of science fiction from that time, suffers from poor predictions.
In the centuries-old war between the two sides, magic enjoyed a significant advantage,but the book begins shortly after the scientists have turned the tables. In all the battles, they observe the enemy, trying to understand how and why magic works, analyzing, categorizing, and dissecting, and finally comprehending, the system that the magicians do not understand. As the forces of science roll inexorably forward, each conflict becomes an effective loss for the forces of wonder, since each conflict gives away another secret to the watchers.
Assisting in the data collection is the Special Office. They are spies, who are never fully trusted by their own side, since they live too long in the realms of magic, influenced by the beautiful barbarism.
Geston captures the sense of loss as the more efficient society (but not necessarily superior) supplants the old traditions. The agents of Special Office feel the loss most poignantly. The scientists feel it less acutely, but there is an irrationality in their hatred of the Men of Power that suggests some sort of transference -- an admiration for the magical world that turns to disgust because of the failure to protect that world (preferring internecine squabbles to a united defense).
Some of the book is badly edited, but there is one moment that makes Siege of Wonder a four star book for me:
The book was published in 1976, and like much of science fiction from that time, suffers from poor predictions.
May 13, 2014
After his previous works had me gripped, I thought this would be a great book. Lords of the Starship was a quick historical context setup for Dragon. Dragon was a very interesting take on an end of the world scenario - though it is incredibly melodramatic at times. Siege starts strong, introduces you to a character that achieves some level of roundness. The main character's motive for the second half of the book is clear and easily empathized with. Then it just falls apart. Lost and incoherent for large sections, you get the feeling that the author was more intent on filling pages with incomprehensible word play than telling the story. Stick with it, though, if you choose to read the book. As it approaches it's conclusion, things settle back into a cadence that works well and leaves things wrapped up in a thought provoking way.
November 23, 2014
1977 grade C-
May 21, 2012
Could have been a lot better... just didn't gel for me
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews