Sunday, August 19, 2012

Children of the mind by Orson Scott Card

The planet Lusitania is home to three sentient species: the Pequeninos; a large colony of humans; and the Hive Queen, brought there by Ender.  But once again the human race has grown fearful; the Starways Congress has gathered a fleet to destroy Lusitania.

Jane, the evolved computer intelligence, can save the three sentient races of Lusitania.  She has learned how to move ships outside the universe, and then instantly back to a different world, abolishing the lightspeed limit.  But it takes all the processing power available to her, and the starways Congress is shutting down the Net, world by world.

Soon Jane will not be able to move the ships.  Ender's children must save her if they are to save themselves.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Shadows in flight by Orson Scott Card

Bean stole away from the wars of Earth with three of his children - the three who share his genetic mutation that gives brilliance and a short life.  A ship to the stars will give them a chance - a chance for the scientists of Earth to find a treatment, if not for him, then for his children.  As the long decades on Earth flash by in a moment on their near-lightspeed ship, they flee into the future.
         The three, called Ender, Carlotta, and Sergeant, work to learn enough to help in the effort.  But Earth holds no minds more brilliant than those of bean and his children, and there is no cure.  As the generations pass, there comes a time when no one on Earth remembers them, save as a voice on the ansible, a distant whisper from the stars.
         And then their ship's life support begins to fail, and Bean's children must save themselves.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Outcast of Redwall by Brian Jacques

Abandoned as an infant by his father, the evil warlord Swartt Sixclaw, Veil is raised by the kindhearted Bryony.  Despite concerns from everyone at Redwall, Bryony is convinced that Veil's goodness will prevail.  But when veil commits a crime that is unforgivable, he is banished from the abbey forever.  Then Swartt and his hordes of searats and vermin attack Redwall, and Veil has to decide: Should he join Swartt in battle against the only creature who has ever loved him?  Or should he turn his back on his true father?