Publishers Weekly
Hendrix's latest overstuffed near-future thriller (after 2005's The Labyrinth Key) tracks a multiparty global race to control various meteorites that may contain missing keys to human evolution, according to scientists Michael Miskulin, Darla Pittman and Susan Yamada. Hendrix wraps a high-stakes plot around this idea: a ruthless rogue army research group interested in using the power of the meteorites to develop super soldiers competes with religious zealots looking to spark world war three. But the author goes into detail about the scientific nuances of his concept at the expense of character development and pacing. Readers willing to wade through lists of government acronyms and thick scientific jargon explaining alternate-reality meteor science will find the action picks up a bit in the novel's last 50 pages. (Nov.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
A global search for meteorites said to cause those exposed to them to develop extraordinary powers results in the near extinction of a small tribe of apparently primitive residents of the Amazon. The four survivors, three girls and a boy, fall under the protection of a pair of scientists, Michael Miskulin and Susan Yamada, until they all become targets of a conspiracy to control both the meteorites and the children. Set in a plausible near future where global concerns clash with individual rights, Hendrix's (The Labyrinth Key) latest novel proffers a superb blend of hard science and sf adventure sweetened with strongly developed characters. Recommended for most sf collections. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Near-future quasi-sequel to Better Angels (1999), about a space-fungus that, when ingested by humans, produces cosmically connected mental development, and what-all besides. Readers, to their probable confusion, eventually will learn that the actions of Better Angels took place in a universe parallel to that described herein. First, however, meteorite fanatic Michael Miskulin and biologist Susan Yamada explore a South American tepui (isolated tableland-think The Lost World) only to stumble across a dreadful scene: an entire native tribe slaughtered by troops with modern weapons-the same fungus-worshipping tribe that, in Angels, communed with Jacinta Larkin and vanished through a wormhole. Four children survive; Michael and Susan bring them to Paul, Jacinta's brother, where they soon show evidence of telepathy and other remarkable mental powers. The meteorite that held the tribe's attention contains the same space-fungus, whose properties are so remarkable that various groups-generals, artists, religious fanatics, scientists-want to get their hands on it. At the same time, somebody mounts a series of well-organized robberies aimed at stealing meteorites from reputable collections around the world; and somebody (else?) attempts to assassinate the children. Trying to figure out what's going on is good-cop Jim Brescoll, the NSA director, and Michael, determined to prove his panspermia theories. Meanwhile, as Darla Pittman investigates the fungus in a secret military lab, raiders strike; Darla, shot multiple times, touches the fungus culture . . . and miraculously survives. Though Hendrix tends to gnaw his ideas to bits, he has a genuine knack for writing snappy, realistic action sequences;pity he obliges his readers to slog through what seems like hundreds of pages of exposition to reach them. Agent: Ralph Vicinanza/Ralph M. Vicinanza Ltd.
