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489th out of 2,946 books
—
12,409 voters
The Icarus Hunt
by
Timothy Zahn (Goodreads Author)
From Timothy Zahn, Hugo Award winner and New York Times bestselling author of two landmark Star Wars® series, comes anoriginal new tale featuring a renegade space pilot, his unusual alien partner, and an unknown cargo that can change the course of galactic history.
Jordan McKell has a problem with authority. Unfortunately for him, the iron-fisted authority of the powerful P...more
Jordan McKell has a problem with authority. Unfortunately for him, the iron-fisted authority of the powerful P...more
Paperback, 457 pages
Published
July 5th 2000
by Spectra
(first published 1999)
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A brother of mine turned me on to SF writer Timothy Zahn (the author of a number of Star Wars novels as well as the Conquerors' Trilogy and Dragonback series). My introduction to Zahn came via The Icarus Hunt - a fun and fast-paced space opera jaunt through the galaxy. I thoroughly enjoyed the engaging characters, witty dialog and repartee, as well as the adventure laden plot (that reads like an Agatha Christie in space along with the requisite locked room mystery and Poirot-like denouement). Go...more
A mystery, it just happens to be in space. I don't really have anything bad to say about this book. The characters are interesting, the premise and conflicts are fun, and you'll be trying to figure out what the heck is going on right up until the very end.
Also, Zahn's world-building is in top form in this book. I can't stress this enough. He created a whole universe, just for this book, and made it seem incredibly vast. With a couple sentences he can introduce a brand new race, social order, or...more
Also, Zahn's world-building is in top form in this book. I can't stress this enough. He created a whole universe, just for this book, and made it seem incredibly vast. With a couple sentences he can introduce a brand new race, social order, or...more
I am a big fan of Timothy Zahn. He is (deservedly) best known for his Star Wars novels, which are excellent and probably his greatest works.
However he has also written several phenomenal original works, of which Icarus Hunt is my favorite.
Jordan McKell is a down on his luck independent shipper who isn't "all that independent, actually, not anymore." A small fry smuggler for an organization that bailed him out of his debts, McKell gets in further over his head when he accepts a side job to pilot...more
However he has also written several phenomenal original works, of which Icarus Hunt is my favorite.
Jordan McKell is a down on his luck independent shipper who isn't "all that independent, actually, not anymore." A small fry smuggler for an organization that bailed him out of his debts, McKell gets in further over his head when he accepts a side job to pilot...more
Every time I read this authors name I imagine fat, old Kirk shaking his fist and yelling, "Zaaaaahhhhhn".
Anyway, I actually read this because Nathan was wondering if Zahn was similar at all to David Weber. I hadn't read any Zahn before (except the first 30 pages or so of a Star Wars novel, I just can't read Star Wars novels for some reason, can't do it.)He rec'ed this one so here we are.
The Icarus Hunt is the story of a renegade space smugglerHan Solo Jordan McKell, who is hired by a mysterious...more
Anyway, I actually read this because Nathan was wondering if Zahn was similar at all to David Weber. I hadn't read any Zahn before (except the first 30 pages or so of a Star Wars novel, I just can't read Star Wars novels for some reason, can't do it.)He rec'ed this one so here we are.
The Icarus Hunt is the story of a renegade space smuggler
3 likes · like · see review
view all 4 comments
Aug 17, 2007
Brynhild
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
scifi fans
Shelves:
desk-shelf-old-favorites
The twist at the end was totally unexpected and awesome, and I had to reread the book almost immediately with the new information. This book also has one of my all-time favorite quotes:
For a change, Lady Luck seemed to be smiling on me. Then again, maybe the fickle wench was just lulling me into a false sense of security while she reached for a rock.
For a change, Lady Luck seemed to be smiling on me. Then again, maybe the fickle wench was just lulling me into a false sense of security while she reached for a rock.
5 likes · like · see review
I truly enjoyed this book, and loved the twists and turns included. Characterization was good, making the story easy to follow, even when things began to get complicated. The world was clearly defined, with the various species and people described in detail easy to remember. I wasn't originally planning to read this book (I am more inclined towards fantasy), but after the first chapter or two I realized I was going to have to take this book home. The mystery of the spaceship, as well as the murd...more
A pretty fun and fast-paced murder mystery/space chase thriller.
The galaxy of the book is populated with not-very-alien aliens, much like Star Wars. But as much as I prefer biologically/behaviourally unique aliens in science fiction, the relative samey-ness of the world-building didn't really bother me, as the setting is really just an inconsequential backdrop for Zahn's mystery plot.
I would have liked a little more character development, particularly for Ixil, who was the coolest and best chara...more
The galaxy of the book is populated with not-very-alien aliens, much like Star Wars. But as much as I prefer biologically/behaviourally unique aliens in science fiction, the relative samey-ness of the world-building didn't really bother me, as the setting is really just an inconsequential backdrop for Zahn's mystery plot.
I would have liked a little more character development, particularly for Ixil, who was the coolest and best chara...more
The Icarus Hunt
by Timothy Zahn
isbn: 0553573918
464pp.
This book is about a person called Jordan. He is hired by a person named Arno Cameron to pilot the ship Icarus which is holding something important. Jordan is to bring it back to Earth. He is thwarted in his attempts to get to Earth. He gets captured but gets freed later on and he now celebrates his rescue while Cameron thinks up of another plan to get to Earth.
If you want to read a futuristic world this is the book to read. It is like those ol...more
by Timothy Zahn
isbn: 0553573918
464pp.
This book is about a person called Jordan. He is hired by a person named Arno Cameron to pilot the ship Icarus which is holding something important. Jordan is to bring it back to Earth. He is thwarted in his attempts to get to Earth. He gets captured but gets freed later on and he now celebrates his rescue while Cameron thinks up of another plan to get to Earth.
If you want to read a futuristic world this is the book to read. It is like those ol...more
Don't expect anything exceptional here, but still a good read.
As a science fiction novel, this is good stuff. Zahn does a great job with the setting and has a world that feels alive. Characters are pretty good, some of the relationships are streched a bit, but he makes up for it other ways. The plot was a bit weak, but that is explained by...
As a mystery novel, this was not really good. I could tell hew as really trying hard to setup some classic mystery plot threads, but man, they were either t...more
As a science fiction novel, this is good stuff. Zahn does a great job with the setting and has a world that feels alive. Characters are pretty good, some of the relationships are streched a bit, but he makes up for it other ways. The plot was a bit weak, but that is explained by...
As a mystery novel, this was not really good. I could tell hew as really trying hard to setup some classic mystery plot threads, but man, they were either t...more
My husband and two of my sisters-in-law love science fiction. Me, not so much. The Icarus Hunt is the sci-fi book for people who don't like sci-fi, much as the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich is the mystery series for people who hate mysteries.
What Timothy Zahn has created is basically a gumshoe novel based in space. His characterization is wonderful, and the plot is more than satisfying. I've recommended this book to just about everyone I know.
And, you sci-fi fans, my husband -- a cert...more
What Timothy Zahn has created is basically a gumshoe novel based in space. His characterization is wonderful, and the plot is more than satisfying. I've recommended this book to just about everyone I know.
And, you sci-fi fans, my husband -- a cert...more
I thought I would enjoy this book more than I did. Perhaps I just wasn't in the proper mood. Although I was interested in the story and liked the witty remarks and how the adventure unfolded, I found myself drifting off more than usual.
The whole novel had a kinda cheesy feel to it, and I suspect that was the point. But the story is good and I didn't expect the twist at the end.
I read this book after reading the Sword & Laser book group thread discussing books for fans of Firefly. This defini...more
The whole novel had a kinda cheesy feel to it, and I suspect that was the point. But the story is good and I didn't expect the twist at the end.
I read this book after reading the Sword & Laser book group thread discussing books for fans of Firefly. This defini...more
I read this book just after I finished his Star Wars: Vision of the Future and I was craving his writing style. This book is a rollicking whodunnit set in outer space. It's an absolute page turner that twists and turns right through to the end without feeling choppy. Just when you think you've finally gotten to the bottom layer, he flips the whole universe he's created upside down. It would make an awesome amusement park ride.
It's full of Zahn's wordplay, smart characters and intrigue. Is anyone...more
It's full of Zahn's wordplay, smart characters and intrigue. Is anyone...more
A fun and terrifically interesting read.
The annoying feature of a 1st person narrator who makes no bones about figuring things out and NOT explaining them to the reader works, shockingly, as do the array of alien races and odd crew members. I'm not sure about all the technology, but it's played down and the focus is on the action and characters.
Love the protagonist, love Ixil, love the ferrets. I also love that I've finally really enjoyed a book Joseph has recommended to me. (Whew!)
There was a p...more
The annoying feature of a 1st person narrator who makes no bones about figuring things out and NOT explaining them to the reader works, shockingly, as do the array of alien races and odd crew members. I'm not sure about all the technology, but it's played down and the focus is on the action and characters.
Love the protagonist, love Ixil, love the ferrets. I also love that I've finally really enjoyed a book Joseph has recommended to me. (Whew!)
There was a p...more
My goodness. This is easily one of my favorite books of all time. I always thought Zhan was overrated with his Star Wars books, but when I read The Icarus Hunt for the first time in high school over ten years ago, I was floored. Having recently reread this fine novel, I was not surprised too learn that it is still just as great. A space mystery more than anything, this novel moves so fast that there is no time for extraneous... crap, and that's wonderfully refreshing. the characters are interest...more
What an awesome gem. This was recommended by aida, so I have her to thank for it. Not much to add here that hasn't already been said. This book keeps the mystery very close to its chest, and it's a hell of a fun ride discovering things along with the protagonist. The world-building is quite fun. I can't believe there aren't any other novels written in this universe.
Great cast of characters (loved Ixil and his ferrets), great adventure. Reminded me of the days when I used to play the game Privat...more
Great cast of characters (loved Ixil and his ferrets), great adventure. Reminded me of the days when I used to play the game Privat...more
It's Timothy Zahn, so it's not bad, but it's his take on a commonplace SF theme, and he doesn't add much to it. Pilot gets offered a position on a ship, takes it, find that ship is carrying a huge secret, and trouble ensues. He as always has some nice detail, but there's really nothing novel about the plot to reach out and grab you.
There's really only so much you can do with the formula, and unfortunately he doesn't take any real risks with it. This may be a plus for you if you are tired of the...more
There's really only so much you can do with the formula, and unfortunately he doesn't take any real risks with it. This may be a plus for you if you are tired of the...more
- in brief: sci-fi suspense/mystery
- expansion: Jordan McKell is a small-time cargo runner who is asked to captain a ship, the Icarus, across the Orion Arm and back to Earth. He is in over his head almost at once. A crew member is murdered, a ruthless organization is after the Icarus’ mysterious cargo, and Jordan’s own past is warring with his current problems to see which can kill him first.
- my thoughts: Zahn can build a universe out of matchsticks and play-dough; this is perhaps his best, and...more
- expansion: Jordan McKell is a small-time cargo runner who is asked to captain a ship, the Icarus, across the Orion Arm and back to Earth. He is in over his head almost at once. A crew member is murdered, a ruthless organization is after the Icarus’ mysterious cargo, and Jordan’s own past is warring with his current problems to see which can kill him first.
- my thoughts: Zahn can build a universe out of matchsticks and play-dough; this is perhaps his best, and...more
Decent bit of space opera with a nice mix of big sci-fi ideas and some hard science, but it all felt too dry and like I'd read it before, but done better.
Zahn is a solid writer and has created an interesting world, but it felt very by the numbers and there was no spark that made me love the characters.
Why is it in sci-fi when aliens are in charge it's nearly always a bad thing and the humans have to rebel, but in the other 90% of sci-fi when the humans are in charge or the major race that's okay...more
Zahn is a solid writer and has created an interesting world, but it felt very by the numbers and there was no spark that made me love the characters.
Why is it in sci-fi when aliens are in charge it's nearly always a bad thing and the humans have to rebel, but in the other 90% of sci-fi when the humans are in charge or the major race that's okay...more
The Icarus hunt is a spaceship book by Timothy Zahn. Jordan is piloting the ship called Icarus which is guarding a treasure trying to bring it back to his homeland earth. Throughout his journey he encounters enemies that try to take the treasure away from him and you get to be on the edge of your seat reading the details of the intense action going on. I reccomend this book to people who like sci-fi flying ships related books and about people with a mission and they have to overcome obstacles to...more
Read July 2000
Read May 2007
May 2007 Review:
I really liked this novel. An outlaw captain is hired to pilot a ship with a secret cargo with a random crew, with someone from within trying to sabotage them and an alien government without trying to get their hands on whatever the secret cargo is. This novel was like Zahn tried to be Alistair Maclean, and succeeded brilliantly in my opinion. Hints, clues, saboteurs, murder, shadowy criminal masterminds, supersecret agents, and all mixed with aliens, s...more
Read May 2007
May 2007 Review:
I really liked this novel. An outlaw captain is hired to pilot a ship with a secret cargo with a random crew, with someone from within trying to sabotage them and an alien government without trying to get their hands on whatever the secret cargo is. This novel was like Zahn tried to be Alistair Maclean, and succeeded brilliantly in my opinion. Hints, clues, saboteurs, murder, shadowy criminal masterminds, supersecret agents, and all mixed with aliens, s...more
Apr 25, 2008
Johnny
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Johnny by:
David Wilson
Shelves:
science-fiction
My younger brother, David, gave me this book. As I began to read it, I quickly realized why he did so. The protagonist, Jordan McKell, is amazingly similar to certain Traveller characters that my brother has played over the years. And also, let me say without spoiling it, that I was completely fooled as to the overall motivation of said protagonist. But when all was revealed in the final chapters, I knew why my brother had enjoyed this book so much.
But before that final revelation/climax, I felt...more
But before that final revelation/climax, I felt...more
I am currently "reading" this by having it as the book on tape in my car. That means that I get about an hour's worth of book everyday during my drive to work and from work to home.
So far I really like it, I'm witholding my rating until I finish it though, just to be safe.
I would say that this deserves a new(ish) category. I'd say this is Space Noir. It's like Future Noir but it's set in space! That is to say that this is at heart a mystery, and a space opera. It's the first time I've read somet...more
So far I really like it, I'm witholding my rating until I finish it though, just to be safe.
I would say that this deserves a new(ish) category. I'd say this is Space Noir. It's like Future Noir but it's set in space! That is to say that this is at heart a mystery, and a space opera. It's the first time I've read somet...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
The Icarus Hunt is a grand science-fiction novel. It is about a spaceship captian named Jorden McKell who seems to get himself in a lot of trouble. He has an alien friend named Ixil. Jorden takes a job transporting mysterious cargo to Earth in a ship called The Icarus. He finds out that the man that hired him is a bad guy. McKell finds out there is something fishy going on with the Icarus, and throughout the book he is tries to figure out what it is and what the mysterious cargo is.
An entertaining read - the pacing was acceptable, and there was a bit of a mystery, which was kind of fun. Eventually, though, little things started to nag at me - I found the characters to be very flat (including the narrator) and the writing style didn't really do much for me - too many "presume"s and "small wager"s. Also, the science was much too soft for my liking, and I found I had to seriously suspend my disbelief one too many times. All this combines to make the book acceptable light fare...more
I read this book because I was curious to read some of Zahn's work outside of Star Wars. What I found was a more than decent standalone tale that held up quite well when compared to many of today's scifi authors. It was in fact better than 90% of what comes out these days, as scifi goes. I'd recommend it to anyone that's a fan of modern scifi and those that loved Golden Age scifi but have run out of stuff to read.
With a slow start and a ton of clichés (a group of adventurers starship crew are assembled in taverns) popping up right away I wasn't sure if this was going to be a good read for me. Luckily the prose reads easily enough (utilitarian) and the plot with its closed-room mystery kept me going. The plot , especially the somewhat unexpected and satisfying ending, is also what redeems this novel: The world building is solid but very traditional (star wars universe with new names) and the characters do...more
A great Sci-fi mystery. The characters are well put together, the story moves quickly enough to be interesting and it reminds me alot of some of Bogey's Sam Spade movies. A little bad guy, a little good guy, and a lot of being in trouble. The language is very clean, I don't remember anything stronger than PG. It's well written and will keep you guessing right up till the end, I very much enjoyed it.
Jul 21, 2009
Andrew
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of Mystery & Sci-Fi or of Zhan
Recommended to Andrew by:
Kristoff
Shelves:
sci-fi
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This is literally the best mystery story I've ever read. It's classified as sci-fi because it takes place in the future on space ships, but it's basically a whodunit where the narrator has to solve the mystery before the crime gets pinned on him or he gets killed. I read this over 12 years ago, but I'm still trying to find a story as well written and mysterious as this one.
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Timothy Zahn attended Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physics in 1973. He then moved to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and achieved an M.S. degree in physics in 1975. While he was pursuing a doctorate in physics, his adviser became ill and died. Zahn never completed the doctorate. In 1975 he had begun writing science fiction as a hobby, and he bec...more
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