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'NetWalkers #2

by Jane S. Fancher

A secret binds the colonists of HuteNamid, a secret for which they will risk everything, even genocide. Admiral Loren Cantrell, insystem to investigate diruptions in the vital interstellar data 'Net, has only one the code phrase Dena Cocheta. And only one source of Stephen Ridenour, the tormented, neurotic, and incrasingly hostile young genius assigned to solve HuteNamid's mysteries.

The answers Cantrell seeks lie buried in Stephen's own tragic past. Is there a link between the madness that destroyed his homeworld and the growing insanity that grips HuteNamid? Proping Stephen's mind could destroy him and the colonists -- perhaps all humankind. But one young man's life and the existence of one colony weigh very little against a threat to the 'Net itself -- and the powers that command Cantrell.

Genres: Science Fiction, Cyberpunk

ebook

First published April 1, 1992

About the author

On October 24, 1988 in Oklahoma City, OK, at a suggestion from SF author C.J. Cherryh, I began writing. I kept writing because two hours after starting, I had to find out what happened. A little over a year later, I was the startled owner of a three book contract based on the rough draft of my first novel.

I've been writing ever since.

What appeals to me about writing in general is the constant challenge. I'm a generalist and writing is the one thing that will happily use every bit of information and experience you have to put into it. It's constant problem solving, method acting and soul-searching all rolled up into one 24/7 job.

What I love about writing SF/F is...everything. I love the optimism of believing there is a future for humanity. I love the challenge of imagining what that future might be. But most of all, I love the thrill of exploring that future with the interesting and courageous people I find living in it.

But SF/F has another, less obvious, appeal: the ability to write with a social conscience without preaching. It lets writers create worlds in which they can shed light on aspects of current society in a less charged environment. Its a way to help raise awareness without pointing fingers at anyone.

Yes, I have same gender relationships. Yes, I have gender-identification-challenged characters. Yes, sex and obsessive attraction are definitely issues in my books, as are power and its use and abuse. But the genre's one-step-removed perspective also lets me explore the human ramifications of a too-effective educational system (be careful what you wish for), or the curious problems of being siblings and growing up with the kind of misconceptions only close association can create, or what it means to a culture to lose an entire generation's knowledge.

Can you do this in contemporary fiction? Absolutely. But SF/F lets you add extreme ramifications...like what if those sibling misconceptions were suddenly stripped away with the ability to know exactly what those sibs were thinking? What if the educational system were so effective, the subsequent misinformation threatened the very fabric of the universe itself?

In my contemporary vampire fantasy...I hesitate to call it urban fantasy, because in all honesty, it hasn't the right tropes...I'm enjoying exploring the perspective of virtual immortality and what might make life worth living after three thousand years.

And with SF/F you can do all this while have a rip-roaring adventure! What more can a writer ask for?

My formal educational background is in Math, Physics, Astrophysics and Anthropology. I've raised and trained horses, flown planes, and at 51, took up figure skating. I love building things, from costumes to computers, model ships to koi ponds. I play a little guitar, some piano and like to sing.

I actually got started in the publishing world doing art. I worked on WaRP Graphics' Elfquest, helping with inking on the last few volumes of the original black and white, also helping with the colors in the original color volumes. After that, I moved on to my own project, an adaptation of C.J. Cherryh's first novel, Gate of Ivrel.

These days, after many years away from art, I find myself returning to it to do covers for my newest venture, Closed Circle Publications. A couple of years ago, C.J., Lynn Abbey and I decided to join the ebook movement and bring out both our orphaned backlist and some new works that weren't quite what NY was looking for but which our loyal readers were demanding.

I absolutely love hearing from my readers. My blog should echo here, but feel free to join us at:
http://www.janefancher.com/TheCaptain...

Reviews

[Joe Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mistakenly read Harmonies of the Net before I read this and now wish I had been intelligent enough to read them in the intended order. This book cleared up lots of the questions I struggled with when reading "Harmonies". In retrospect, the whole series is much more coherent now that I have the intended background to understand "Harmonies", my fault for fouling the intended order. Interesting story and the queued "Protection" the the Cocheta's conditioned the cave seekers to provide at the expense of their abilities to function in their society explains the hostile actions of Nayati and even Stephen's "Papa". This book draws the series together and makes the concerns of both the Alliance and the Recons more understandable. Stephen's early conditioning by his "Papa" also explains his extreme sense of "guilt" and sensitivity to tactile senses that are part of his confusing public persona. Once Wesley/Anevai decode his desire for physical contact for what it is rather than an attempt to use sexuality as a manipulative tool, they become much better at supporting his extreme lack of self confidence and allow him to recognize his unique abilities. Series is really much better than I had imagined. Now I need to take the time to read again in the proper order and see if the implications presented provide a tangible philosophical case.

[Teri Dluznieski · Rating 5 out of 5]

this finished super fast.. like aged brandy.. smooth and rich. several different threads interweave beautifully. multiple perspectives and interests reflect both personal and political motivations and realities. nicely done;)

[Haldoor42 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting premise and I'm looking forward to reading the last book in the series.