Manta's Gift

Timothy Zahn is one of my best friend's favorite authors. He was introduced to him through his Star Wars novels and then gifted me with Manta's Gift before I left on a business trip. Usually, I am not a fan of science fiction novels-- high-tech mechanical weapons, bionic armor, and people being blasted to death with laser beams kindof loses my interest, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Just yesterday, I loaned this novel to my older brother, he read the back and said, "This sounds just like Avatar". He was right. Manta's Gift is VERY similar to Avatar. A sentinent, intelligent race was found on Jupiter, Americans strive to contact and befriend the race, and the race forms an alliance presenting the quadriplegic Matt Raimey with the opportunity to study the alien's culture first hand....as one of them...did I mention they look like humongous manta rays?

In this new world (which is higly impressive--complements to Timothy Zahn on his world building skills), Matt experiences feelings of mixed allegiance, aloofness, and obviously love, plus the thrill of starting a new life...allbeit a strange one ;) Even though the plotline is almost identical to Avatar, don't strike Manta's Gift off your reading list. Zahn is an extraordinary author, the depictions of the new world are amazing, and his characters are very realistic and believable...isn't that weird?!

The story flows smoothly, is easy to read, and is very touching. I would be lying if I said the story didn't move me. My heartstrings were tugged (do we even have heartstrings?) and my emotions were stirred. Read this book, you won't regret it and your imagination will thank you.

5 out of 5 bookmarks

A Good Old Book

I have to admit, I am easily swayed by bookcovers. If the cover of a book looks new, vibrant, and interesting, it usually calls to me like chocolate. Great cover art captures and entices me. That is why my find in an old, used book store surprised me. Among all the novels and tempting book covers, I found a diamond in the rough--emphasis on rough!

 After conducting an intense two-hour investigation,  two battered books nestled in the comfy confines of my book-filled grocery bag. At first I was worried, these books weren't flashy, the rips and tears can attest to that, but upon careful scrutiny and a self-reminder that I'm buying a story and not a book in bad condition, Gregg Bear's The Infinity Concerto and The Serpent Mage needled their way into my private collection. And I am glad they did.

The cover art of The Infinity Concerto may seem dull and boring, but the content inbetween is a montage of fantastical fantasy and imagery. The story set in LA transcends the norm of Earth and wanders through the realm of Faerie and back again. The author introduces us to young Michael Perrin, a well-behaved, seventeen-year-old poet and introvert. At a party, Michael is acquainted with the famous composer Arno Waltiri, whose mysterious musical masterpiece rivaled the beauty of Beethoven and the danger of the mythic siren...fore many of the listeners vanished.  Perhaps it was for this reason, that the scores for Waltiri's Opus were never recorded or found. This notable composer befriends young Perrin and gifts him with instructions and a peculiar key.

 Upon the old composer's deathbed, Waltiri repents and laments his ill-given present which later exposes us to mysterious characters, racial conflicts, and magical happenings....not altogether pleasant.

As I said, these books are diamonds in the rough and enjoyable as chocolate..without the fat ;) Read the first, don't mind it's cover, and it will most assuredly pull you into the second book, The Serpent Mage. Both books are amazingly well written and worth the read. Hope you find them...and a last word: Enjoy!

4 out of 5 bookmarks