Available:*
Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... McMinnville Public Library | Zahn, T. | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Monmouth Public Library | Fic (sf) Zahn, T. 2012 | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
The climactic novel of the star-spanning Quadrail space opera
In Timothy Zahn's Judgment at Proteus , the Quadrail that connects the twelve civilizations of our galaxy has been the flashpoint of a battle for dominance fought mostly unnoticed by humankind. But Frank Compton of Earth, aided by the enigmatic woman Bayta, has fought on the front lines, using every bit of his human ingenuity and secret agent skills to outwit the Modhri, a group intelligence that would control the minds of every sentient being it can touch.
Following a trail of deception and death to Proteus Station, Compton has discovered a conspiracy that threatens all life in the galaxy: the Shonkla'raa, an ancient enemy thought to be long dead, is rising again. So serious is the danger that the Modhri, the enemy of his enemy, may now be his friend, as the burgeoning threat of a race of invincible soldiers emerges.
If Compton and Bayta can't stop them, the Shonkla'raa will decimate all who oppose them, destroying the Quadrail and billions of lives throughout the galaxy.
Author Notes
Timothy Zahn was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 1, 1951. He received a B.S. degree in physics from Michigan State University in East Lansing in 1973 and a M.S. degree in physics from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1975. In 1975, Zahn began writing science fiction as a hobby. When his thesis advisor died in 1979, effectively wiping out three years of work, he decided to try making a living at writing. Since then, Zahn has published short stories, novelettes, novels, and short fiction collections. He is best known for writing the Star Wars the Thrawn Trilogy: Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command. The novella, Cascade Point (1984) won a Hugo Award. He also writes numerous series including Cobra, Blackcollar, Dragonback, and Conquerors' Trilogy.
Zahn co-authored with David Weber A Call To Duty, the first book in the Manticore Ascendant Series, which made the New York Times bestseller list in October 2014.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (2)
Kirkus Review
The fifth installment of Zahn's science fiction thriller series concerning the Quadrail, an interstellar train system, brings the series to a close. Quadrail investigator Frank Compton has discovered (The Domino Pattern, 2010) that the Shonkla-raa, the conquering aliens defeated into extinction more than 1,000 years ago, were actually a genetic variant of a living species, the Filiaelians--and that variant has now been revived. Frank and his partner/love interest, Bayta, have traced the new Shonkla-raa to Proteus Station, a medical and diplomatic center. Once there, Frank is accused of murder (which happens at least once every book), forcing him to combat the legal system in addition to spearheading the secret war against the Shonkla-raa and protecting a sullen, pregnant human girl of especial interest to their foes. It's been fascinating to observe the evolution of the Modhri, the sentient, body-snatching coral who was Frank's chief antagonist but becomes one of his most valuable allies after experiencing slavery from the other side for a change. However, the conceit of a train thriller wears a bit thin when stretched across five volumes, particularly when so many plot elements repeat. Zahn's constant references to Casablanca and Hitchcock films suggest we should draw appropriate comparisons to his own work, but, alas, convoluted storylines, tense, cocky dialogue with the bad guys (who seem to work far too hard to avoid killing Frank while piling up the body count everywhere else), and quests for MacGuffins do not necessarily a classic thriller series make. Don't put away the popcorn, though: There are still some enjoyable twists and turns and a reasonably satisfying ending. Finishes with enough loose ends to allow for sequels, but that shouldn't be encouraged.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
The fifth novel and climax of Zahn's Quadrail series finds Frank Compton, former agent for Earth security forces and now agent for security on the interstellar transport, the Quadrail, and his companion, Bayta, chest deep in trouble and getting deeper. The murders that occurred in the series' previous novel (The Domino Pattern, 2010) have to be explained, and someone has framed Compton. But that's minor. Compton has discovered that the Shonkla'raa, an ancient enemy believed to be long dead, aren't, and are planning galactic conquest. This is so dire a threat that the Modhri, a group mind that has its own plans for conquest, may be willing to ally with those who battle the Shonkla'raa. Packed with intrigue and action and with questions of who is really on the side of whom up to the last chapter this is must reading for all who liked the previous Quadrail novels.--Murray, Frieda Copyright 2010 Booklist