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272nd out of 321 books
—
245 voters
Diamond Mask (Galactic Milieu Trilogy #2)
by
Julian May
The 21st century was drawing to a close, and metapsychic humankind was poised at last to achieve Unity to be admitted into the group mind of the already unified alien races of the Galactic Milieu. But a growing corps of rebels was plotting to keep the people of Earth forever separate in the name of human individuality. And the rebels had a secret supporter: Fury, the ins
...more460 pages
Published
1994
by Pan Books (Macmillan)
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The scope of this saga spanning eight novels is staggering. A gate is opened to the past, specifically the Pliocene era. But it is a one-way trip. Adventurous souls travel back, and find a world unlike any they could imagine. Epic conflict rages between ancient races, and the future destiny of man is decided. The initial four books make up The Saga of Pliocene Exile.
* The Many-Coloured Land
* The Golden Torc
* The Nonborn King
* The Adversary
These can be read as a standalone series, but who wou...more
* The Many-Coloured Land
* The Golden Torc
* The Nonborn King
* The Adversary
These can be read as a standalone series, but who wou...more
The weakest book is a fabulous series, this is the penultimate book in an eight book series, and the second book of the trilogy which wraps up the loose ends of the story and fills in some background in an odd sort of prequel/sequel. Still, perhaps because of the amount of time which has passed since I last read it, I enjoyed it.
The Galactic Milieu Trilogy is itself not as powerful or as exciting as the Saga of Pliocene Exiles, though is very different. However, it does not pack the punch that m...more
The Galactic Milieu Trilogy is itself not as powerful or as exciting as the Saga of Pliocene Exiles, though is very different. However, it does not pack the punch that m...more
Apr 13, 2009
CD
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fiction/Fantasy fans looking for a new tale!
Shelves:
fantasy,
science-fiction
I first read this at almost one sitting several years back. I've only read it two or three times since as I have trouble putting it down.
The style, the story, the pacing all make for an edge of the chair, hang on for the ride read. Yes, I like it more than perhaps it is 'worthy' of but I don't care! This is a recreational favorite that in adding to my books at Goodreads finds me putting this on the special shelf to read once more. I just know that it will consume a rainy Saturday or an overnigh...more
The style, the story, the pacing all make for an edge of the chair, hang on for the ride read. Yes, I like it more than perhaps it is 'worthy' of but I don't care! This is a recreational favorite that in adding to my books at Goodreads finds me putting this on the special shelf to read once more. I just know that it will consume a rainy Saturday or an overnigh...more
Good book, but don't start this universe here - this is just a small part of an enormous epic. If you haven't read the others, then start with either The Many-Coloured Land (my review here ) or possibly with Intervention (my review here ).
This is good, though some of the mindpower scenes stretched my 'suspension of disbelief' rather beyond my comfort zone - hence four stars rather than five.
This is good, though some of the mindpower scenes stretched my 'suspension of disbelief' rather beyond my comfort zone - hence four stars rather than five.
The 21st century was drawing to a close, and metapsychic humankind was poised at last to achieve Unity -- to be admitted into the group mind of the already unified alien races of the Galactic Milieu. But a growing corps of rebels was plotting to keep the people of Earth forever separate in the name of human individuality. And the rebels had a secret supporter: Fury, the insane metapsychic creatrue that would stop at nothing to claim humanity for itself. Fury's greatest enemy was the mutant geni
May 16, 2011
Hali Sowle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
adventure,
aliens,
collective-mind,
galactic-milieu,
julian-may,
kindle,
mystery,
psi,
psychooperative,
science-fiction
It's hard for me to know where to begin reviewing this book. The obvious things - it's the second book in the Galactic Milieu Trilogy and the 8th book in the overarching plot that Julian May created between the Pleistocene Era, Intervention and Galactic Milieu series. It introduces Dorothea Macdonald who plays just as important a role in the cause of Unity as Jack himself. It, like the first and last book, is told by a combination of Uncle Rogi's memoirs and regular story telling which can be a...more
can't find the first book of this trilogy, need to re read that as this one ( obviously) starts in the middle. May's plots & character description / development are not aging well for me, I liked this a lot better when I read it the first time.
I have a huge bias about these books because I think they're so damn good, and my impression from 13 is reinforced nearly fifteen years later. I'm sure there are flaws, because there are always flaws, but May brings this world so vividly to life for me and the characters have such depth.
There's a clear bias towards the Western worlds (though she does win lots of points for inclusivity, especially in the late seventies/early eighties before it was common practice) but her loving descriptions of...more
There's a clear bias towards the Western worlds (though she does win lots of points for inclusivity, especially in the late seventies/early eighties before it was common practice) but her loving descriptions of...more
We see the childhood of Dorothee MacDonald. Really wonderful story - I'm so glad that I chose to reread these after I had initially read them with a huge gap in time between books.
The whole Galactic Milieu (AND the Intervention books) series knocked my socks off. I think it's time for another read. I need a little deserted island time...
This book is a bit of a change of pace. Marc's tale takes a back seat, with Diamond Mask & Jon the centre of attention, though the hunt for Fury and its Hydra acolytes binds it all together.
A stunning final sentence, too! Well done, anyone who saw it coming - I didn't, first time around....
A stunning final sentence, too! Well done, anyone who saw it coming - I didn't, first time around....
Diamond Mask (Galactic Milieu Trilogy) by Julian May (1995)
A GREAT READ
Loved it
#2 Galactic Milieu ser
read in May 1994
Simply the best space opera, and the best series of novels I've ever read. This is the first of the nine, and while the last three show signs of fatigue, these novels capture a cast of characters, and one in Marc Remillard, that are truly memorable. From the worlds and milieu May imagines to her evocative themes, the novels capture humanity with all its foibles and promise, and if you stick around for #6, you'll get the best plot twist in all of bookdom.
I don't know why I kept going after the first one was such crap. I guess I just felt guilted into it. Don't make the same mistake I did! This is just a crappy mystery story with a setting and characters that are ridiculously unimaginative, but mostly just ridiculous, even within the genre. I mean, a planet full of Scottish people? What the fuck?!
I read this years ago when it was first published. After that, I would wait avidly for the next to arrive at the local bookshop. These books made an impact somehow. I sold them at a garage sale in the '90's then re-bought the set recently. Fantasy + science fiction + metas + in depth character development = excellent read.
Some over-long background-bits; some brilliant prose. I still want to be a Grand Paramount operative, with lots of mind powers!
The story of Hydra and Fury continues as well as the further stories of Jack the Bodiless and Diamond Mask. May gives us the typical middle-of-the-trilogy dip this time, but the only major issue I had was the focus on DM instead of more Jon Remillard.
From one of my favorite authors, this is part of a companion series to her first series, Pliocene Exile. Sounds like hokey pulp sci-fi, but these are actually wonderful books.
Got bored at 57% so stopped reading it
Great series that tells the story of why Marc went into exile.
recommended by Ernie
Jun 17, 2013
Josh
marked it as to-read
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