A Rose from Old Terra: A Novel of the Scattered Worlds

Scattered Worlds #7

by Don Sakers

LIBRARIANS IN SPACE... A single yellow rose summons Jedrek nor Talin back to Old Earth. A decade ago, he served the Terran Grand Library as one of the guardians of Humanity's collected knowledge. Now the last Librarian has called together the memrbers of Jedrek's broken work circle to protect the Library from its greatest threat. Four millennia after the Terran Empire fell, the Galaxy's communications system is breaking down. Jedrek and his coworkers set off into deep space to repair ancient Imperial equipment. But the aren't the only ones.for the warring remnants of the old Empire have also dispatched ships on the same mission. Suddenly, a peaceful settlement becomes ground zero in a clash of Galactic cultures-and a bare handful of Librarians are all that stand between the Galaxy and disastrous interstellar war..

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera

268 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2007

About the author

Don Sakers was launched the same month as Sputnik One, so it was perhaps inevitable that he should become a science fiction writer. A Navy brat by birth, he spent his childhood in such far-off lands as Japan, Scotland, Hawaii, and California. In California, rather like a latter-day Mowgli, he was raised by dogs.

As a writer and editor, he has explored the thoughts of sapient trees (The Leaves of October), brought ghosts to life (Carmen Miranda's Ghost is Haunting Space Station Three, Baen 1989), and beaten the "Cold Equations" scenario ("The Cold Solution," Analog 7/91, voted best short story of the year.)

Sakers is a member of the CoastLine SF Writers Group. He has taught sf-writing through Howard Community College.

In 2009, Don took up the position of book reviewer for Analog Science Ficiton & Fact, where he writes the "Reference Library" column in every issue.

In his day job, Don works for the Public Library.

Don lives at Meerkat Meade in suburban Baltimore with his spouse, costumer Thomas Atkinson.

Reviews

[Naticia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Space opera that started a little slow but used that time to develop the characters and set up the world. I found the world building a little confusing - it was hard to imagine some of the space habitats, for example - but generally it all made sense and never felt excessive (I am not one of those readers who enjoy 10 pages of sketchy "science" explanations). I truly thought there would be no way out of the final conflict, and thought that the ending was very satisfying. Also, the premise of Librarians saving the universe is kind of great. A solid three stars, definitely worth the time invested.

I haven't read other stories in the Scattered Worlds but think I might go find some now.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just started this--fine science fiction. The author's writing skills pulls one into a far future's technology, history and cultures smoothly, and catches us with an intriguing mystery.

Disclosure: The author is a coworker and friend of mine. I'm striving to be objective.