The groundbreaking novel that launched Gear's sci-fi career—this 20th anniversary edition introduces readers to the thrilling Spider trilogy
The Directorate was run by the powerful few—genetically-altered humans permanently linked with the GI-net, the massive computer network that contained everything there was to know about the planets and space stations claimed by humankind. For centuries, the Directorate had ruled over countless star systems, its authority absolute and unquestioned. But now stirrings of rebellion were being felt in the far-flung commercial empire.
And at this crucial time, the Directorate had discovered a planet out beyond its farthest reaches, a place known only as World, where the descendants of humans stranded long ago by a starship crash had survived by becoming a race of warriors, a race led by its Prophets, men with the ability to see the many possible pathways of the future. Men who had already foreseen the coming of the Directorate’s Patrol ship Bullet—and were preparing their warriors for this first contact in which even one wrong choice could destroy both World and empire....
The Directorate was run by the powerful few—genetically-altered humans permanently linked with the GI-net, the massive computer network that contained everything there was to know about the planets and space stations claimed by humankind. For centuries, the Directorate had ruled over countless star systems, its authority absolute and unquestioned. But now stirrings of rebellion were being felt in the far-flung commercial empire.
And at this crucial time, the Directorate had discovered a planet out beyond its farthest reaches, a place known only as World, where the descendants of humans stranded long ago by a starship crash had survived by becoming a race of warriors, a race led by its Prophets, men with the ability to see the many possible pathways of the future. Men who had already foreseen the coming of the Directorate’s Patrol ship Bullet—and were preparing their warriors for this first contact in which even one wrong choice could destroy both World and empire....
Book Details
Format:
Paperback
Price:
10.99 CAD / 8.99 USD
Published: 2008-07-01
ISBN: 9780756405151
Imprint:
DAW Books
Page Count: 400
Trim Size: 4-3/16 x 6-3/4
Praise for the author:
“What a ride! Excitement, adventure, and intrigue, all told in W. Michael Gear's vivid, compulsively readable prose. A terrific new science-fiction series; Gear hits a home run right out of the park and all the way to Capella.” —Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of Quantum Night
“A marginal colony on a living world—where human life and human will are tested to the limits. An intriguing and inventive new work from Michael Gear, first of a trilogy. Recommended!” –C. J. Cherryh, Hugo Award-winning author of Downbelow Station
"Mike Gear does for science fiction what J.R.R. Tolkien did for fantasy, and he does it with panache and elan." —Rave Reviews
"Flowing imagination, storytelling marvels. The Gears have a fine time drawing the various interclan rivalries and clashes of cultures." —Kirkus
"Galactic intrigue combines with military SF in a tightly woven, intricate storywith strong male and female characters.... Highly recommended." —Library Journal
"Gear has managed to develop a vivid world, and in it set in motion a sweeping conflict." —Locus
"Gear handles characters and plot twists with equal ease.... The different alien species are distinctively drawn and interesting." —Science Fiction Chronicle
