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Reviews (4)
Publisher's Weekly Review
At the start of Dietz's fast-moving sequel to Runner (2005), human civilization is about to lapse into a new dark age after the collapse of an interstellar empire threatens to isolate many of the inhabited worlds. However, the web of star gates that once spanned the empire may be reactivated if the duo of super-courier Jak Rebo and ESP-sensitive Lonni Norr can deliver the shape-changing AI, Logos, to the control center housed in the artificial satellite of a remote planet. Antitechnology fanatics would do anything to prevent that, the unscrupulous Techno Society craves the power that will accompany control of the restored network, and Logos has selfish plans of its own. In addition, the disembodied spirits of dead characters hang around to influence the action and sometimes to possess the bodies of the living. In a military SF novel that will entertain readers with a taste for cheerfully casual mayhem, much treachery and betrayal ensue, and there's seldom a dull-or quiet-moment. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Review
Second adventure in Dietz's planet-hopping, far-future series (Runner, 2005). Interstellar courier Jak Rebo promised the dead scientist Milos Lysander that he would convey the supercilious artificial intelligence named Logos to the planetoid Socket, where the AI can restore the downed system of star gates and thereby arrest humanity's long slide toward barbarism. In this universe, dead people hang around on the spirit plane, communicating via psychic "sensitives" and occasionally taking over their bodies. Jak's team consists of the sensitive Lonni Norr (she channels for Lysander) and hulking bodyguard Hoggles. Via Lonni, Lysander provides occasional advice and assistance, inasmuch as he is the former Emperor Hios, creator of the original star-gate system before he succumbed to megalomania--a general trend among these characters--and only he knows that there's another Logos, a version 1.2 now known as Sogol, as capable as Logos but without the latter's lust for power. Jak's task is no easy one, however, because the Techno Society intends to grab Logos so it can control the star-gate system itself. The Techno Society is formidable enough, with deformed genius Omar Tephos, dead megalomaniac Jevan Kane, Kane's sensitive channel Arn Dyson, combat variant Shaz and alluring assassin Du Phan; worse, they control most of the star gates that still operate. Also throwing roadblocks in Jak and company's direction are various religious-fanatic anti-technology locals, a bunch of homicidal clowns and roustabouts from a traveling circus, a starship infested with cannibals and, unbeknownst to Jak, Logos itself, which hates humanity and intends to control the star gates for itself. Some arresting ideas, but given only a cursory workout in favor of nonstop action and starship velocity. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Dietz's stories have in common intrigue, action, romance, and a well-realized setting. Here the intrigue comes from runner Jak Rebo's efforts to deliver an artificial intelligence named Logos to its destination. The romance comes from Jak's sensitive female companion. The action comes from everybody else and their brother-in-law trying to stop this run. And the setting is a postholocaust universe that Logos may help to recover and that meanwhile recalls H. Beam Piper's classic Space Viking (1963). --Roland Green Copyright 2006 Booklist
Library Journal Review
Accompanied by the beautiful Lonni Norr, a Sensitive with the uncanny ability to perceive danger, interstellar courier Jak Rebo must transport the brilliant artificial intelligence known as Logos to an out-of-the-way planet where it can restore the system of star gates that allowed travel among distant worlds. When forces that oppose the recentralization of the star systems give chase, Jak and Lonni try to stay one step ahead. The sequel to Runner by the author of Earthrise is filled with intrigue, action, and a smattering of romance. For larger sf collections. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
