 "On the brink of war" | 2009-03-08 |
| - Reviewed By Ritesh Laud from Houston, TX USA |
Following the thrilling "A Dark and Hungry God Arises", Angus Thermopyle and his crew aboard Trumpet flee forbidden space with several craft in pursuit and the Amnioni prepared to commit an act of war to recover or destroy Trumpet. While this is happening, the political struggle back home at Earth between Dios and Fasner intensifies.
Though the plotting is looser and less intense than in Book 3, this is a satisfying tale of cat and mouse. Except with four cats after one mouse. Trumpet, already carrying people and information of vital importance to both species, raises the stakes even higher by paying a visit to a very capable research installation hidden in an asteroid swarm. The ship combat at the end of the book was laughably unrealistic (only one way in and out of the asteroid swarm despite three dimensions of movement??), but it still made for an exciting climax to the book. |
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| "A wild ride" | 2004-10-20 |
| - Reviewed By Avid Reader from Franklin, Tn |
Yet again there is action, counter-action, plot twists, side stories..it's almost dizzying in its MTVish momentary presentation. Maybe that's why it was either widely acclaimed or panned to the skies. For some time, humans have been working on an anti-alien (mutagen) drug that prevents them from converting to something not human.
Thantos, that hell of a place, explodes and Nick manages to rescue several people including Nick (downgraded from hero to simple pirate with illusions of grandeur), Morn, Davies, her son who was aged rapidy by the evil aliens, the sadist Angus, etc. We have lovers, family, enemies -the whole gambit, from good and bad and they are all on the same small vessel. One undercurrent is the struggle against the evil mining company that has control of their brain.
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 "Superb, best one yet" | 2004-09-13 |
| - Reviewed By An Amazon User |
I felt bad giving A Dark and Hungry God Arises four stars--it was sooo close to five. I'm glad to say that this book is even better than the last. Actually, I see why some people are liking the third one more, as there are differences.
Many people, including myself, raved about the complex political intrigues in the previous book. So many new characters were introduced and fully developed with simultaneous plot development. Sometimes it was a sensory overload...a good sensory overload, but an overload nonetheless.
Chaos and Order sticks with the same characters as in the third one. Consequently, readers are better prepared to deal with the lightning pace of the plot, as they are now familiar with the characters orchestrating it.
The bulk of the story takes place aboard the Trumpet, Angus' ship. Morn, Nick, Angus, Davies, Mikka, Vector, and Ciro agree to head toward the Massif 5 (pardon the potentially incorrect spelling) system in order to concoct a counter to the Amnion biological threat. On their tail, however, are three dangerous ships: the Amnion controlled battleship Calm Horizons, the rogue Free Lunch, and Sorus' Punisher.
This is a great addition to the series with a smattering of unique ideas introduced. I like the singularity gun, with ammunition that upon detonation creates a black hole. I hope This Day All Gods Die can maintain the momentum with which the series has coasted for the past three parts. |
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| "Real people" | 2004-02-28 |
| - Reviewed By An Amazon User |
| One of the reasons that I liked the gap series and other novels by Donaldson are that his main characters aren't always good. In most other novels written in this era the main characters are always battling depression and other "bad" feelings but in the gap series the main characters are tough vicious and would eat you alive if you didn't beat them to the punch. The simple fact is that "good" people just wouldn't survive in the worlds that science fiction and fantasy authors create. Most authors depict the main character as someone who at their core is honorable and the simple fact of the matter is honorable people don't stand a chance of a snowball in hell in the situations that they are usually painted in. The concept of you have to use fire to fight fire is hundreds if not thousands of years old and I always find it refreshing to see authors use this concept when depicting characters that have to challenge each other. |
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 "A disappointment" | 2001-05-04 |
| - Reviewed By shammill from Eureka, Mt United States |
| Donaldson can tell a story, but this series was weak. Character development is excellent; but theme clarity is muddy; and there is no climax - in fact - there is no ending, just loose ends fairly disconnected from the developed nature of the characters. My recommendation is to re-read the Thomas Covanent Series. |
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| "Convoluted, fast, exciting. Fasten your seat-belts!" | 1999-08-13 |
| - Reviewed By Loren Rosson III from New Hampshire, USA |
| The fourth book in the Gap Series is nearly as excellent as its predecessor, "A Dark and Hungry God Arises". Angus and crew flee Billingate, and a rip-roaring space-chase ensues. Aboard the ship "Trumpet", Angus, Nick, Morn, and other remnants of Nick's old crew find themselves bound together in an unholy alliance as they flee countless pursuers -- the Amnion, the UMCP, and a mercenary paid to destroy them. The big question is who will get to them first. Eventually, "Trumpet's" crew dock at a space-lab so that Vector Shaheed can complete a special formula the Amnion would kill for. Meanwhile, Nick -- ever true to character -- begins inflicting his trademark sadism and cruelty on his "allies". When pursuing ships finally converge on "Trumpet", the ensuing space-battle is one of the most memorable in science-fiction drama. (And there is an absolutely priceless scene involving Angus going EVA in the midst of it all.) Just when you're ready to breathe again, you're assailed by more chaotic and mind-numbing action. Without question the most fast-paced installment in the Gap Series. Catch your breath after this one, then read the satisfying conclusion, "This Day All Gods Die". |
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