His name: Miles Flint. His occupation: Retrieval Artist. His job: Hunt down the Disappeared--outlaws on the run, wanted for crimes against alien cu...
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Jan 17, 2012
Josh
rated it: 
I really enjoyed the world building in this book. Characters were secondary to me, but the writing and characters were in decent shape (no horrific breaks or unexplained choices).
The world created is a fascinating one. Humanity is now a small interstellar civilization, and has encountered a number of other species, bound together by a loose set of treaties and agreements in a League of Nations style, complete with inter-species courts (called Intercultural Courts).
Each spec More...
The world created is a fascinating one. Humanity is now a small interstellar civilization, and has encountered a number of other species, bound together by a loose set of treaties and agreements in a League of Nations style, complete with inter-species courts (called Intercultural Courts).
Each spec More...
Sep 24, 2011
Deanna
rated it:
I was torn on whether I liked this one or not, right until the end.
The beginning of the book is based on really, really obvious reader manipulation: it's not just enough that a woman has to leave her whole world behind, but she has to take a last-minute phone call from her fiance, who has no idea. That kind of thing. A little boy who isn't just stolen by aliens, but afraid that the aliens will take his little sister.
The other major book that hit me this way was The Hunger More...
The beginning of the book is based on really, really obvious reader manipulation: it's not just enough that a woman has to leave her whole world behind, but she has to take a last-minute phone call from her fiance, who has no idea. That kind of thing. A little boy who isn't just stolen by aliens, but afraid that the aliens will take his little sister.
The other major book that hit me this way was The Hunger More...
Jun 08, 2009
Beth
rated it: 
This was like an old-fashioned detective story set on the moon. There was no character or relationship development to speak of, and the writing was...adequate. I'm never impressed by 3rd person omniscient narrators, popping in and out of characters' heads. The plot was just interesting enough to keep me reading without any particular concern for the characters involved.
What I did find intriguing was this exploration of one possible cultural conflict with alien cultures. The premise o More...
What I did find intriguing was this exploration of one possible cultural conflict with alien cultures. The premise o More...
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Jan 25, 2012
Kathleen
rated it:
I do get irritated when the blurb on the book (back cover in this instance) doesn't get it right. Sure, we know that this book is the first in the series Retrieval Artist, but the blurb says
No More...
Retrieval Artists help the lost find their way back home .... Well, we aren't even introduced to the concept of Retrieval Artists until we get really close to the end of this novel. The blurb then goes on to say something else that's incorrect. Did the blurb writer not read the book first??!
No More...
Mar 07, 2011
Andrea
rated it:
A fascinating, compelling read. In this universe Earth has negotiated, for the sake of trade, a set of very disadvantageous diplomatic agreements which force humans to face the consequences of legal transgressions under alien laws. It is such a difficult problem that an industry of 'disappearances' has grown to allow people to hide from aliens.
This story sees the lead character, Miles, a newly minted detective, face the extreme difficulties these agreements can produce.
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This story sees the lead character, Miles, a newly minted detective, face the extreme difficulties these agreements can produce.
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Aug 29, 2009
Stevebri
rated it: 
I was disappointed in this book. I picked it up and thought it had a very intriguing start. People choose to disappear rather than subject themselves to the courts of aliens with strange justice. But the more I read the harder it was to suppress my disbelief. (And I watch musicals so suppression of disbelief comes naturally)
The whole idea that Humans would submit to alien laws was a bit odd. I cannot think of a county that would do this much less the whole of earth. Secondly (an More...
The whole idea that Humans would submit to alien laws was a bit odd. I cannot think of a county that would do this much less the whole of earth. Secondly (an More...
Jan 08, 2012
Laurian
rated it:
I burned through this book pretty quickly, which I found surprising given its more than lack-luster cover. Additionally, I had purchased her Black Queen and Black King series half a dozen years ago but haven't had a chance to read it yet. All signs pointed towards it being something that I would pick up from the library but not get around to reading it.
I can only be thankful for this magical thing that I have discovered called "paid leave". For four days vacation time I got More...
I can only be thankful for this magical thing that I have discovered called "paid leave". For four days vacation time I got More...
Jun 18, 2011
Sheila
rated it:
So the writing isn't stellar...and there isn't much action...there are some holes that could have been filled...but, but I liked it. I liked the concept. Even though, I would say the premise would start an intergalactic war among the bowling-pin aliens, the humans, the gangster fuzzballs, and the flat-Stanleys. We mere humans would rule because we know our limits with caffeine (sometimes). But in this book, the humans are the naivete, the underdogs, and the complete pushovers when in comes to cr
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Apr 25, 2011
Breck
rated it:
I found this book per a recommendation by Orson Scott Card who called this series "some of the best science fiction ever written". It happens 100+ years in the future and so far it has played out like a detective novel/murder mystery with two officers investigating an alien kidnapping and grisly murder on a habitat on the Moon. Since humans and aliens have to respect each others laws aliens can kidnap or perform "vengeance killings" on humans who have violated their laws.
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Mar 29, 2010
Al
rated it:
Light science fiction fare; good plane reading. In a future time, man has explored and colonized various alien worlds. Under future law, aliens are allowed to try humans, and punish them (including capital punishment), for crimes under local laws, even if the miscreants return to earth. Needless to say, this results in some inequitable results and, for those lucky enough to escape "justice" in alien worlds, unending fear that they will be tracked down, caught and punished.
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May 02, 2010
Princessjay
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 01, 2009
Kalyn
rated it:
I read books #6 and #7 in this series first and wanted to go back to read the series from the beginning. This first novel sets up the series very well providing just enough background of Miles Flint to be interesting and give a basis for his actions. The writing wasn't as good as in later books, but the style improves as the writer becomes more comfortable with the series.
The third person narrator was a bit jarring when it switched focus character but I found the choice of which c More...
The third person narrator was a bit jarring when it switched focus character but I found the choice of which c More...
Jan 28, 2009
Kendall
rated it:
Two stars suggest I didn't enjoy this book, but it would not be fair. It was a fairly typical space opera with aliens that have only a few warts separate them from stock; and the same for the humans. The premise sounds so much like the political correctness of our day I can't believe it's coincidental. I had a few plausibility issues, but hey, it's scifi. In spite of all this, I read it through quickly--Rusch kept enough hooks around to keep me going--and I had a good time. You don't have to
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Jul 28, 2011
Jeffrey
rated it: 
Nutshell version? This is an exploration of multi-cultural impacts seen through the lens of a traditional detective/mystery novel. The setting, story and cultures all transform this into science fiction, but when you distill it down you find a very classic story about a detective confronted with a conflict between enforcing the law and following his personal moral code.
The story is a solid story that engages rather quickly and rapidly tosses the primary characters from incident to inc More...
The story is a solid story that engages rather quickly and rapidly tosses the primary characters from incident to inc More...
Apr 27, 2010
Maria V.
rated it:
I'm listening to this one during long car rides so it may take me a while to finish it :)
I finished on my trip to upstate NY and home - about 10 hours in a car!
This was a true science fiction book, with alien races and cultures. I enjoyed returning to the genre, and the story held my interest. The characters were engaging and I liked how the author explored how humans and aliens clashed over each of their laws - for example what is legal for humans might be a horrible cri More...
I finished on my trip to upstate NY and home - about 10 hours in a car!
This was a true science fiction book, with alien races and cultures. I enjoyed returning to the genre, and the story held my interest. The characters were engaging and I liked how the author explored how humans and aliens clashed over each of their laws - for example what is legal for humans might be a horrible cri More...
Jun 24, 2011
Larry
rated it:
A very thought-provoking book, that at it's core deals with the relationship between justice and mercy. It does so by illustrating the complexities of American style human justice interacting with three different alien systems. A very good science-fiction and mystery novel.
After I wrote the above I had a look at the other reviews, which in general were less complimentary. I guess it depends on what you bring to the table. I think that fans of Orson Scott Card would be more inclined to More...
After I wrote the above I had a look at the other reviews, which in general were less complimentary. I guess it depends on what you bring to the table. I think that fans of Orson Scott Card would be more inclined to More...
Nov 12, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
This book brought out the drama of cops versus the politicians. I hadn't thought much about how detectives might feel about enforcing laws they felt were unfair. Kristine Rusch has imagined a world with layers of detail. She's thought about how settlements on the moon would evolve and ways that international relations with aliens might influence laws. As with her descriptions of the moon city, her descriptions of the people and their emotional turmoil is well thought out.
Apr 01, 2011
Bryan
rated it:
The opening Retrieval Artist novel sets the stage in high fashion for what follows. Rusch is not just world building, she's Universe building and she builds not just people and planets but cultures. The culture clashes at the heart of this novel kept me rapt with interest. The characterizations as with the book I read prior to this (book 3 in the series) is fantastic and the tension and pacing masterfully done. I can see why this series is so popular and cannot wait to read the other books.
Feb 10, 2011
Bookmole
rated it:
Police Procedural meets Moon Base Alpha.
Rusch has developed a world mixing an older style of science fiction with modern, forensics-type story telling. She keeps you guessing, which is good. Storyline is somewhat sparse, but I must have like it - I am now reading Extremes, book two in the series.
I would have given this 3.5 stars, but half a star is not possible in good reads.
Rusch has developed a world mixing an older style of science fiction with modern, forensics-type story telling. She keeps you guessing, which is good. Storyline is somewhat sparse, but I must have like it - I am now reading Extremes, book two in the series.
I would have given this 3.5 stars, but half a star is not possible in good reads.
May 12, 2009
Brad
rated it:
My sense is that this book is setting the table for a larger saga, and I am willing to go back for the second. The post-modern world in which it is set certainly feels like a reasonable future if we are not alone in the universe, and gets at some thought provoking ideas about how difficult it is to communicate with other cultures.
Nov 04, 2010
Doug
rated it:
This is a great series. While the idea (PI in space) may not be new, the idea of just what this PI does is - and that is try to track down people who have deliberately disappeared to escape justice - and alien justice at that. They are all good reads - some of course better than others, but all enjoyable!
Dec 19, 2008
Interesting read. Some rehashing of prose (She had no time... It was her last chance...) got a little annoying, but the story and characters kept me interested. Sci fi meets crime novel. Series of 5 or 6 books.
It is written almost like the author is seriously thinking "movie rights."
It is written almost like the author is seriously thinking "movie rights."
Dec 05, 2011
Scott
rated it:
As a Sci-Fi book it would not normally be at the top of the pile to begin with. This was a fun time though and after a slow start, kept me going through at a pretty good pace. Not going to buy a copy for my family but felt it was worth the time that it took me to read it.
Nov 13, 2010
Michele
rated it:
Okay so this is really more science fiction than fantasy but only because it takes place on the moon and aliens are involved. Really, I'd classify it as a detective story. Very character driven - which is good because her characters are very real. I love that she took the time to develop distinct cultures for the different alien races and even for the different human colonies.
Mar 03, 2011
Mollie
rated it:
This was a fun scifi/detective story. Interesting interspecies (human/alien) interactions and imagined cultural differences. A good hook for the rest of the series. Will read them when I'm needing something easy!
Maybe (?) a few bible swears, no sexuality, some violence.
Maybe (?) a few bible swears, no sexuality, some violence.
Jul 18, 2011
Brent
rated it:
I liked the other books in this series better, but because it's the first I enjoyed seeing how the main character became a retrieval artist. To get a good review of the series, go here:
http://www.hatrack.com/osc/reviews/every...
http://www.hatrack.com/osc/reviews/every...
Jun 07, 2009
Chris
rated it:
Does anyone remember that episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation where the young Mr. Crusher faces a horrible punishment for breaking a fence? The idea behind that episode forms part of the background for this seasons.
The Disappeared is sci-fi C.S.I. with a twist. Inter-galactic treaties have led to a simple rule. You commit a crime on a planet, you face that planet's punishment, even if it means handing over your baby because you stepped on something. It's this premise that m More...
The Disappeared is sci-fi C.S.I. with a twist. Inter-galactic treaties have led to a simple rule. You commit a crime on a planet, you face that planet's punishment, even if it means handing over your baby because you stepped on something. It's this premise that m More...
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Oct 20, 2008
Mistybell
rated it:
I just got through listening to this on audiobook and it was very good. I didn't have a lot of hopes about the book because Audible was offering it for free, but I was pleasantly surprised. Man has made it into and encountered many alien cultures with different customs. However the violation of those customs can lead to extreme repercussions. Three people who have managed to hide from their alien pursuers for more than 15 years are now being sought by them with relentlessness. How have 3 di
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Oct 22, 2011
Betsy
rated it:
This was a fun scifi mystery story with a lot of converging storylines, set in an interesting future world. Humans have colonized other planets, and have encountered other intelligent species. There is a complex intergalactic legal system where each species has their own set of laws and punishments that the others must follow when interacting with them. Enter the protagonist, working as a cop and disillusioned from enforcing laws that he believes are too severe and cruel (forfeiting your firs
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Jul 24, 2008
Emily
rated it:
I only read this book because they gave it away free on audible.com, which shows my standards, I guess. But it was surprisingly clean, very little swearing (which is my literary pet peeve), and an interesting sci-fi world. Problem was, it was all one long build up to the rest of the series. It was almost like a prequel, written after the rest of the books but showing where the conflict started, for those die-hard fans that can't get enough. Sadly, I am not a die-hard fan, and wish the book h
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