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Angelmass

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Angelmass by Timothy Zahn is a science fiction novel that delves into a society where the government is influenced by mysterious entities known as Angels. The plot follows characters from different factions, such as the Pax system and the Empyrean system, as they navigate the complexities of the Angels' influence and the white hole, Angelmass, from which they originate. The book combines elements of space opera with hard science, political intrigue, and character-driven storytelling, leading to a gripping and thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of ethics, control, and the unknown.

Characters:

The characters are complex and multifaceted, battling personal and ethical challenges within the larger narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by ambitious vocabulary attempts mixed with strong character dialogues and descriptive elements.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative centers on the enigmatic angels that affect human behavior, intertwined with political and philosophical themes.

Setting:

The setting is a richly constructed universe centered around a black hole and its quantifiable angels, with political conflicts among human factions.

Pacing:

The pacing varies significantly, starting slowly but transitioning to a fast-paced and engaging latter half.
There were two of them waiting as Jereko Kosta climbed awkwardly up the ladder through the shuttle hatch: a young ensign and an equally young crewer second class, both clothed in shiny black and silve...

Notes:

The story features a unique premise where tiny quantum particles called 'angels' influence people to behave ethically.
The book contrasts two different systems: the Empyrean system, which embraces the angels, and the Pax system, which fears them and believes they might control people's minds.
The main characters experience the angels in diverse ways, impacting their lives significantly.
The ending of the book is noted to be tense and exciting, but the philosophical wrap-up felt abrupt and inconsistent with the narrative's buildup.
Zahn attempts to create a unique vocabulary for the book's culture, but it is criticized as awkward and poorly integrated into the story.
The first half of the book is described as slow, with most excitement occurring in the second half when all plot pieces come together.
Many readers find the book's exploration of black holes and quantum particles to be fascinating, despite some being skeptical of the realism.
Characters are complex, with different motivations and arcs that capture reader interest throughout the story.
The prose is highlighted for its engaging dialogue and effective descriptions, enhancing the believability of the universe.
Despite some criticisms, readers still find much to enjoy in the story and characters, indicating Zahn's ability to create captivating science fiction.

From The Publisher:

“Fast-paced action . . . first-rate sf space adventure” (Library Journal) from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Star Wars: Thrawn. Deep in space lies the black hole known as Angelmass, so called because it emits enigmatic particles with the unusual ability to render humans calm, reasonable, and incapable of lying—which would normally be seen as a good thing.

But not by everyone. For while Empyrean human colonies on the edge of the galaxy utilize the power of the “angels,” the Earth-based Pax empire views the emissions as a threat that could be used to subvert humanity.

Academic Jereko Kosta is pressed into service by the Pax to spy on the Empyrean, joining the crew of a ship actively hunting the particles. But what he learns turns out to be both scientifically fascinating and morally frightening.

When the Pax make an aggressive move that may lead to all-out war with the Empyrean, Kosta is the only one who can stop the conflict between the human powers and force them to see that the angels they’re about to fight over are far from holy .

. . Timothy Zahn combines provocative ethical questions with the same level of vivid sci-fi action that made his Star Wars: Thrawn a New York Times bestseller to deliver “a serious SF novel sneakily posing as an enormous golden-age thrill ride” (Locus).

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