Odd Girl Out – Quadrail – by Timothy Zahn REVIEW February 23, 2009
Posted by showmescifi in scifi.Tags: Frank Compton, Night Train to Rigel, Quadrail, Sci Fi, science fiction, sciencefiction, scifi, spiders, Timothy Zahn
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Odd Girl Out
We thoroughly enjoyed this book which takes a dramatic new spin on the central conflict in this series – between the master of the spider and the evil coral based Modhri.
The basic layout of the book from a plot perspective is very similiar to the previous two books – but that’s what makes it work so well. There is a murder of some sort and then off onto the Quadrail to figure out what’s going on. Along the way a few twists, a few deaths and a whole lot of speculation by Frank Compton on what is actually happening.
And again the final revelation of what is going on came as a total surprise to us (the readers) though somehow Compton had it all figured out.
Another brilliant romp on the Quadrail and we’re already looking forward to the next book!
The Third Lynx (Quadrail) by: Timothy Zahn REVIEW February 2, 2009
Posted by showmescifi in scifi.Tags: Frank Compton, Night Train to Rigel, Quadrail, Sci Fi, science fiction, sciencefiction, scifi, spiders, Third Lynx, Timothy Zahn
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We really enjoyed the first Quadrail novel from Timothy Zahn – Night Train to Rigel – This second outing isn’t quite the trip the first one was, but still a great ride.
The coral group mind, the Modhri is back this time collecting some art objects and desperately seeking the Third Lynx.
Our hero Frank Compton once again is well written and fully fleshed out as are the other characters. We spend a lot of time with Compton trying to figure out what’s going on as he figures it all out.
This time around the plot isn’t as cohesive – the characters spend most of the book looking for the third lynx but in the end does it really matter? Seems kind of foolish to me the way this story concludes.
That said, Zahn is an amazing writer and the Third Lynx overall is a fun, engaging and entertaining read. This is the second Quadrail book and without a doubt we’re hooked and will be ready any/all/every Quadrail book that Zahn puts out.
The basic tennant – that there is an interstellar train system controlled by a benevolent force –that is under attack (silently) by a group hive mind is just such an awesome premise – that no doubt there is a lot more to go till this trip is finally over (or at least we hope so!).
Night Train to Rigel – By Timothy Zahn – What a ride! January 19, 2009
Posted by showmescifi in scifi.Tags: Frank Compton, Night Train to Rigel, Quadrail, Sci Fi, science fiction, sciencefiction, scifi, spiders, Timothy Zahn
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We’ve been fans of Timothy Zahn – mostly due to his extraordinary Star Wars books. So why not take a look at some of his other (non-Star Wars work).
Night Train to Rigel is an intricately woven tale of conspiracy within conspiracy within yet another conspiracy. You think you’ve got it figured out – but then Zahn throws out another twist.
Amazing.
The basic story is that there is a network of trains called the Quadrail that spans the Galaxy. The Quadrail is run by the Spiders who keep to themselves and no one knows who they really are or how the Quadrail works – Compton figures it all out.
The story is written as a first person narrative, but our narrator (Frank Compton) doesn’t clue us in on everything right away. At first it was a little annoying that Compton is holding out on us, and we went back several times to re-read sections to see if we missed something. But the final paragraph of this book makes up for it all – just a brilliant conclusion.
Highly enjoyable overall.
Show Me SciFi 