When the terraforming crews introduced the alien Quill to worlds where they did not belong, they saw them only as a mindless form of fungal life wh...
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reviews
Jan 01, 2012
Cindy
rated it: 
It took time to get into the crowded confusing world of the overpopulated space station, but once it got going, the story was a lot of fun. Earth's terraforming projects have gone disastrously awry and too many people have been waiting on space stations - no safe planets to emigrate to and Earth won't take them back. 20 odd years later, an ambitious scientist shows up, ready to save humanity, but she must first deal with station culture and politics. The romance does get a bit goofy by the en
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Jul 23, 2009
Ruth
rated it:
When humans reach space and start terraforming new worlds, they first encounter an extra-terrestrial organism they called the Quill. The terraformers thought them a barely sentient oddity, and kept them as a sort of pet. But when the first wave of colonists try to land on the new worlds, the Quill turn mysteriously lethal, killing any who land on the new planets. As panicked colonists turn back to the space stations who don't have room for them, and an overcrowed Earth fires on returning colo
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Oct 20, 2008
Mistybell
rated it: 
One of my favorite books of all time and one of my favorite Czerneda books. I also love A Thousand Words for Stranger. This was a very character driven novel and I think this was the first time I was really aware of a character driven story vs. a plot driven story. I loved the characters in this book. (I read it years ago and so I don't remember anyone's name.) What happens to people when they are offered an entire universe to settle, and then are forced to live on space stations due to an a
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Dec 09, 2010
While I tried really hard to like this book, the flavor of the story did not appeal to me. While I adore the other Mitford series books, this book seemed to me more of the journal of some long forgotten person, who lived on the island. I could not get into the other characters, as well. I had to stop reading this book. I was disappointed. I liked the small town feel of the other Mitford books. It was sorely lacking for me, in this one.
Jan 18, 2012
This is one of my favorite books by Czerneda that I have read repeatedly. An alien life form, The Quill, has interfered with people's ability to colonize planets, as in human's exposure to it kills them.
Dr. Gail Smith is looking for a solution and/or cure and believes that Aaron Pardell holds the key.
Dr. Gail Smith is looking for a solution and/or cure and believes that Aaron Pardell holds the key.
Dec 17, 2009
S.A.
rated it:
I had serious trouble putting this book down while reading it, and considering the length, it swallowed a large amount of my time. The alien Quill have taken over Earth's terraformed worlds, stranding colonists on overcrowded space stations. Since the Quill Effect is deadly, no one has been able to grasp a sample to figure out a way to clear it off the colony worlds. Throw together a determined scientist, a man who survived the Quill Effect as a newborn, a jack-of-all-trades stationer, and a mil
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Nov 17, 2011
Catwinc
rated it: 
I loved this book. I hated this book. There were great moments and incredibly vivid characters but it also seemed really drawn out. I am glad I read it but at the same time when I was finally done I wanted to donate it to my brother's pet rabbit. I kept it in the end.
Dec 03, 2008
Charlene
rated it: 
A successor in style, I think to Cherryh and Cyteen with more environmental/moral issues thrown in. To be honest though, this was a four star book until the end game started up, which I found to be not as fulfilling as I hoped. Still a good read though.
Feb 23, 2011
Cindywho
rated it:
It took time to get into the crowded confusing world of the overpopulated space station, but once it got going, the story was a lot of fun. Earth's terraforming projects have gone disastrously awry and too many people have been waiting on space stations - no safe planets to emigrate to and Earth won't take them back. 20 odd years later, an ambitious scientist shows up, ready to save humanity, but she must first deal with station culture and politics. The romance does get a bit goofy by the en
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Nov 09, 2007
Chessa
rated it:
Really great book! I would have given it 4.5 stars if possible, just because a few things felt a little contrived (the love story was a little weird and I felt like the revelation of the 'siders on the space station was kind of confusing - like, so what about it? The mystery/combustible nature of that secret was not clear to me for quite a while, I just couldn't understand why it was such a secret/revelation). But overall, this was just a really solidly written SF story. The characters are
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Feb 11, 2012
Terry
rated it:
Czerneda writes Science Fiction that avoids the trite formulas. She develops complex characters (such as Aaron Pardell) who are often unpredictable.
Aug 30, 2009
Doranna
rated it:
It's obvious from my ratings that I enjoy of all Julie Czerneda's books, but this--and her first--are my very favorites.
Jan 12, 2011
Beth
rated it:
I just really like Jan Karon's writing. This one is set entirely in Ireland, and the characters are memorable.
Feb 27, 2008
S.
rated it:
This book looks at the prospect of living off-planet in a closed society. It looks at what it means to be different--so different that you are alone. How do people act when they are in fear of you? What will you do about it. And all from an well-written science fiction base.
Mar 17, 2008
Morgan
rated it:
More aggressive than Czerneda's other books that I've read in terms of sci-fi ideas, this is also slightly more flawed with a handful of jarring mistakes. As always, the emotional situations and impossible romance are gripping and tender.
Apr 07, 2008
Pax
rated it: 
I rad this as an act of devotion to a beloved author. I learned that she either had a terrible editor for her first book, or completely ignored her editor and miraculously was allowed to publish again.
Dec 22, 2011
Otb4evr
rated it:
I love the way Julie Czerneda writes. This is a great book that has a feel-good ending. Great concepts about aliens and how things have unintended consequences.
May 16, 2008
Peter
rated it:
slow start but real nice-lots of twists turn character development etc.
Feb 10, 2012
Feb 07, 2012
