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Shan Takhu Legacy #1
Legacy of Pandora
Alone, beyond the edge of Civilization.
A routine exploration mission explodes into chaos and throws Commander Jephora Cochrane and the crew of the prospector ship Jakob Waltz into a crisis that tests his experience to the limit.
After a puzzling message from FleetCom warns him of an impending interplanetary war, Cochrane isn’t sure who he can trust. Yet somehow, regardless of their hidden agendas, he must push his crew to new levels to save their ship.
Together, they discover - something , buried at the edge of the solar system, that will alter the course of history. A secret, that changes everything.
But only if he can keep them alive until the truth gets out.
If you liked The Expanse or The Arrival , you should grab Legacy of Pandora now and unlock a half billion-year-old mystery that will shape the future of civilization.
A routine exploration mission explodes into chaos and throws Commander Jephora Cochrane and the crew of the prospector ship Jakob Waltz into a crisis that tests his experience to the limit.
After a puzzling message from FleetCom warns him of an impending interplanetary war, Cochrane isn’t sure who he can trust. Yet somehow, regardless of their hidden agendas, he must push his crew to new levels to save their ship.
Together, they discover - something , buried at the edge of the solar system, that will alter the course of history. A secret, that changes everything.
But only if he can keep them alive until the truth gets out.
If you liked The Expanse or The Arrival , you should grab Legacy of Pandora now and unlock a half billion-year-old mystery that will shape the future of civilization.
- GenresScience FictionAmazon
323 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2019
166 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Eric Michael Craig
23 books120 followersEric Michael Craig is a "harder-edged" Science Fiction writer living in the Manzano Mountains of New Mexico. He is the former Director of Research for a private consulting laboratory in Phoenix, where he experimented with inertial propulsion and power generation technologies.
Eric is a founding member of the SciFi Roundtable. The SFRT is an active online group dedicated to supporting indie and traditional authors by networking them with other writers and professional resources.
When not writing, Eric is active in Intentional Community Design, plays guitar and bass, occasionally dabbles in art of various forms. He also owns way too many dogs.
Eric is a founding member of the SciFi Roundtable. The SFRT is an active online group dedicated to supporting indie and traditional authors by networking them with other writers and professional resources.
When not writing, Eric is active in Intentional Community Design, plays guitar and bass, occasionally dabbles in art of various forms. He also owns way too many dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 3, 2019
A stonking, action-packed, hard sci-fi, adventure and political thriller
The crew of the Jakob Waltz find themselves facing a sudden existential crisis in the middle of what should have been a leisurely and routine ice collecting mission. Their ship is nearly pulled apart, trapped in a gravity field unable to escape. The commander, Jephora Cochrane, faces some impossible decisions and makes an impossible discovery.
Meanwhile, back ‘home’ things are not any less tense. Katryna Roja is facing a political fight over nothing less than the future direction of humanity. Intrigue, infighting, cover-ups and betrayals litter the pages as much as techno-concepts and incredibly believable hard sci-fi developments.
What I liked:
The idea of an all-action hard sci-fi is not a familiar one, but this book pulls that off incredibly well. There are both elements in spades!
The technical detail is amazing, everything from the impact of living on planets with differing gravities to how life on board a spaceship might actually be. It is researched to a T and all completely believable.
The storyline. I could rave on about this for paragraphs of spoilers, so I won’t and I’ll just say that it is genuinely page turning.
What I struggled with:
I am not a regular fan of hard sci-fi so I did just occasionally get that ‘woosh!’ sensation as the techno-babble or descriptions of technology, especially of the crew of the Jakob Waltz (which was probably all good physics and not ‘babble’ at all), parted my hair on the way over. Hard sci-fi fans will adore it, though.
The repeated occurrence of incredibly short chapters finishing on a cliffhanger. I found it very difficult to keep in the flow of the story at times because of this. I even flipped forwards on occasion to keep with the storyline I had been following and then went back to read the other bit afterwards. That said, I’m sure many readers will enjoy this and find the staccato style a huge plus.
This is that rare beast - a genuinely good read. It will appeal to people who read a broad spectrum of genres from hard sci-fi purists, through action-adventure book lovers, to those who like a damned good mystery, and those who enjoy nail-biting political thrillers. It’s all there in one volume - and with two more to follow up with right away, what’s not to love?.
The crew of the Jakob Waltz find themselves facing a sudden existential crisis in the middle of what should have been a leisurely and routine ice collecting mission. Their ship is nearly pulled apart, trapped in a gravity field unable to escape. The commander, Jephora Cochrane, faces some impossible decisions and makes an impossible discovery.
Meanwhile, back ‘home’ things are not any less tense. Katryna Roja is facing a political fight over nothing less than the future direction of humanity. Intrigue, infighting, cover-ups and betrayals litter the pages as much as techno-concepts and incredibly believable hard sci-fi developments.
What I liked:
The idea of an all-action hard sci-fi is not a familiar one, but this book pulls that off incredibly well. There are both elements in spades!
The technical detail is amazing, everything from the impact of living on planets with differing gravities to how life on board a spaceship might actually be. It is researched to a T and all completely believable.
The storyline. I could rave on about this for paragraphs of spoilers, so I won’t and I’ll just say that it is genuinely page turning.
What I struggled with:
I am not a regular fan of hard sci-fi so I did just occasionally get that ‘woosh!’ sensation as the techno-babble or descriptions of technology, especially of the crew of the Jakob Waltz (which was probably all good physics and not ‘babble’ at all), parted my hair on the way over. Hard sci-fi fans will adore it, though.
The repeated occurrence of incredibly short chapters finishing on a cliffhanger. I found it very difficult to keep in the flow of the story at times because of this. I even flipped forwards on occasion to keep with the storyline I had been following and then went back to read the other bit afterwards. That said, I’m sure many readers will enjoy this and find the staccato style a huge plus.
This is that rare beast - a genuinely good read. It will appeal to people who read a broad spectrum of genres from hard sci-fi purists, through action-adventure book lovers, to those who like a damned good mystery, and those who enjoy nail-biting political thrillers. It’s all there in one volume - and with two more to follow up with right away, what’s not to love?.
January 10, 2019
I first discovered Eric Michael Craig through his Atlas and the Winds series. The first book, entitled Stormhaven Rising, cemented my fandom in a big way. This is an author with a keen understanding of physics, a pragmatic view of political strife, and a healthy sense of humor. As many readers can attest, this is a trifecta of talent that you just don’t find in the hard science fiction genre.
These days, it’s rare for me to anticipate a new work. My to-read pile is always growing and I churn through it one book at a time. However, once I got wind of a new EMC series, I started following the release like a giddy teen. When Legacy of Pandora dropped, it shot to the top of my reading list. I thought for sure that my gusto was a bit inflated and that I should temper my expectations. But much to my delight, the Shan Takhu Legacy hooked me right out of the gate.
Legacy of Pandora is the tale of the Jakob Waltz, an ice harvester vessel that encounters a gravitational anomaly and is thrust into an unforeseen conflict. It’s the kind of narrative that can easily get bogged down by technobabble, but Craig manages to unfold a riveting drama while tending to the science in a thoughtful and interesting manner. All of his signatures are present, from the gripping power plays to the random pops of comedy.
And that ending. Holy crap, that ending.
Eric Michael Craig is one of the few authors who can generate accessible works within the hard science fiction genre. Legacy of Pandora is another great example. It’s an engaging read that you don’t need a degree to understand. I highly recommend this book and eagerly await the rest of the Shan Takhu Legacy.
These days, it’s rare for me to anticipate a new work. My to-read pile is always growing and I churn through it one book at a time. However, once I got wind of a new EMC series, I started following the release like a giddy teen. When Legacy of Pandora dropped, it shot to the top of my reading list. I thought for sure that my gusto was a bit inflated and that I should temper my expectations. But much to my delight, the Shan Takhu Legacy hooked me right out of the gate.
Legacy of Pandora is the tale of the Jakob Waltz, an ice harvester vessel that encounters a gravitational anomaly and is thrust into an unforeseen conflict. It’s the kind of narrative that can easily get bogged down by technobabble, but Craig manages to unfold a riveting drama while tending to the science in a thoughtful and interesting manner. All of his signatures are present, from the gripping power plays to the random pops of comedy.
And that ending. Holy crap, that ending.
Eric Michael Craig is one of the few authors who can generate accessible works within the hard science fiction genre. Legacy of Pandora is another great example. It’s an engaging read that you don’t need a degree to understand. I highly recommend this book and eagerly await the rest of the Shan Takhu Legacy.
January 6, 2019
I really enjoyed the Atlas and the Winds series from this author, so it's no surprise to me that this is a great slice of science fiction.
The heart of the story lies in two mysteries - one for the crew of the ice prospector ship Jakob Waltz as they encounter an anomaly that could threaten their lives, and the other for Fleet Chancellor Kathryn Roja, who uncovers a plot to undermine the government and perhaps tilt the solar system into chaos.
Both mysteries are deftly handled, both the hard sci-fi as the ship's crew must fend for themselves to unravel a puzzle that leaves their ship battered and their bodies bruised and worse - and the hard politics as Roja tries to work out who is behind a scheme that could see the construction of a secret fleet of ships.
The author deftly moves the pieces of the puzzle into place - just in time for all hell to break loose!
I really enjoyed this book - Craig has a real talent for not just explaining scientific detail well but to use the science to advance the story itself. This is rollicking, knock-it-out-of-the-park sci-fi, an adventure that sizzles across the stars. It's the kind of writing that stands comparison to Larry Niven or Greg Bear - and would be a great read for fans of the Expanse series.
This is the start of a series, and I'm truly hooked - count me in for the next books!
The heart of the story lies in two mysteries - one for the crew of the ice prospector ship Jakob Waltz as they encounter an anomaly that could threaten their lives, and the other for Fleet Chancellor Kathryn Roja, who uncovers a plot to undermine the government and perhaps tilt the solar system into chaos.
Both mysteries are deftly handled, both the hard sci-fi as the ship's crew must fend for themselves to unravel a puzzle that leaves their ship battered and their bodies bruised and worse - and the hard politics as Roja tries to work out who is behind a scheme that could see the construction of a secret fleet of ships.
The author deftly moves the pieces of the puzzle into place - just in time for all hell to break loose!
I really enjoyed this book - Craig has a real talent for not just explaining scientific detail well but to use the science to advance the story itself. This is rollicking, knock-it-out-of-the-park sci-fi, an adventure that sizzles across the stars. It's the kind of writing that stands comparison to Larry Niven or Greg Bear - and would be a great read for fans of the Expanse series.
This is the start of a series, and I'm truly hooked - count me in for the next books!
January 2, 2019
If you haven’t been reading Eric Michael Craig’s sci-fi spectaculars, you don’t know what you’re missing. Nobody does hard science fiction with the precision and detail of this masterful author. And nobody will delight you more with a blend of terrestrial and cosmic politics set in multiple complex layers weaving future, technology, and human drama. Like all of this author’s works, Legacy of Pandora has substance and intrigue. If you are a fan of The Expanse, you will like the setting and the plot for this first in a series.
My only complaint is that the book is hard to put down. Once you think you are beginning to understand what’s going on, plot twists and unexpected developments make you want to rocket through till the end. Legacy of Pandora leaves me hungry for more.
My only complaint is that the book is hard to put down. Once you think you are beginning to understand what’s going on, plot twists and unexpected developments make you want to rocket through till the end. Legacy of Pandora leaves me hungry for more.
January 6, 2019
Another thrilling sci-fi ride from Eric Michael Craig! If you like political intrigue, stories involving hard science, interplanetary conflict, and relatable characters, you will really enjoy this first in a series by the author of Stormhaven Rising. The action bounces back and forth between the danger facing a small ice-trawler out around Jupiter and the machinations involving politicians of the central government of our solar system. The ending will surprise you and you'll be salivating for more!
Think 'The Expanse' series but smarter!
Think 'The Expanse' series but smarter!
January 2, 2019
Two hundred years into the future humanity has left the Earth and colonized most of the solar system. The crew of the Jakob Waltz are returning from a routine ice harvesting mission when they suddenly discover they are off course. As they try to find out why they are not where they are supposed to be, they get caught in a gravity well near Neptune. Struggling to find out what has happened, a strange gravity pulse hits the ship, injuring several of the crew and damaging the ship. While the crew of the Jakob Waltz deals with this gravity anomaly, down system at Galileo Station near the moon, FleetCartel Chancellor Katryna Roja is dealing with her own problems. Tensions are rising among the members of the Executive Council and Chancellor Roja is fighting off the political maneuvers and machinations of other cartels. Katryna soon learns that there is significant rot within the well-run technocracy as she discovers that other cartel leaders are plotting against her. Seemingly disconnected, the problems facing both the crew of the Jakob Waltz and Chancellor Roja come into focus and each must struggle to understand what is happening as their separate worlds devolve into chaos.
Legacy of Pandora is the first book in the Shan Takhu Legacy, a new trilogy by Eric Michael Craig. If you are familiar with Eric’s other novels – the Atlas in the Winds series – you know that he is a strong hard sci-fi writer, who puts a lot of real science into his stories. Legacy of Pandora is no exception even though it is set 200 years into our future. The science and technology are completely plausible and well-thought out, relying on real science and technology. On top of this add in two great storylines and you have an unbeatable combination.
The Jakob Waltz storyline focuses on the crew and their accidental discovery of a gravity anomaly at the Neptune L-4 Trojan Cluster. This storyline focuses on the crew as they must investigate the anomaly and try to find out what is going on. When the ship is damaged, and several of the crew injured, by an unknown gravity pulse, the ship’s crew must bring all of their skills and knowledge to bear to figure out what is going on. They soon discover something that should not exist at the center of the Neptune L-4 point and must come to terms with what they find. This storyline has the feel of a well-thought out and well-written Star Trek episode.
Chancellor Roja’s storyline focuses on the politics of the Human Union – the well-run and effective technocracy that has kept humanity alive and thriving after the Earth became uninhabitable. This story line is filled with political intrigue, back-room deals, espionage, and power struggles. It is up there with the best of science fiction political dramas – like the newest Battlestar Galactica series– as Chancellor Roja must deal with the threats and accusations thrown at her as other members of the Executive Council try to gain control and power.
Each of these storylines would make for a powerful and entertaining read on their own but Eric has blended them together to create a masterpiece of hard science fiction. I’m sure other readers will make comparisons with The Expanse series, but I think that Eric has added a unique element – the mystery of the anomaly the Jakob Waltz must investigate – that makes the Shan Takhu Legacy stand out. Eric weaves the politics and drama that are the focus of Chancellor Roja’s story with the mystery and adventure of the Jakob Waltz story into a seamless whole. I found the characters to be strong and compelling, and the plot well-thought out and complex enough to keep even the most well-read reader guessing until the very end.
I highly recommend Legacy of Pandora for anybody who loves science fiction. Whether you enjoy the high stakes drama provided by political intrigue, or the heart-pumping adventure of mystery and adventure you will find both in this compelling novel.
Legacy of Pandora is the first book in the Shan Takhu Legacy, a new trilogy by Eric Michael Craig. If you are familiar with Eric’s other novels – the Atlas in the Winds series – you know that he is a strong hard sci-fi writer, who puts a lot of real science into his stories. Legacy of Pandora is no exception even though it is set 200 years into our future. The science and technology are completely plausible and well-thought out, relying on real science and technology. On top of this add in two great storylines and you have an unbeatable combination.
The Jakob Waltz storyline focuses on the crew and their accidental discovery of a gravity anomaly at the Neptune L-4 Trojan Cluster. This storyline focuses on the crew as they must investigate the anomaly and try to find out what is going on. When the ship is damaged, and several of the crew injured, by an unknown gravity pulse, the ship’s crew must bring all of their skills and knowledge to bear to figure out what is going on. They soon discover something that should not exist at the center of the Neptune L-4 point and must come to terms with what they find. This storyline has the feel of a well-thought out and well-written Star Trek episode.
Chancellor Roja’s storyline focuses on the politics of the Human Union – the well-run and effective technocracy that has kept humanity alive and thriving after the Earth became uninhabitable. This story line is filled with political intrigue, back-room deals, espionage, and power struggles. It is up there with the best of science fiction political dramas – like the newest Battlestar Galactica series– as Chancellor Roja must deal with the threats and accusations thrown at her as other members of the Executive Council try to gain control and power.
Each of these storylines would make for a powerful and entertaining read on their own but Eric has blended them together to create a masterpiece of hard science fiction. I’m sure other readers will make comparisons with The Expanse series, but I think that Eric has added a unique element – the mystery of the anomaly the Jakob Waltz must investigate – that makes the Shan Takhu Legacy stand out. Eric weaves the politics and drama that are the focus of Chancellor Roja’s story with the mystery and adventure of the Jakob Waltz story into a seamless whole. I found the characters to be strong and compelling, and the plot well-thought out and complex enough to keep even the most well-read reader guessing until the very end.
I highly recommend Legacy of Pandora for anybody who loves science fiction. Whether you enjoy the high stakes drama provided by political intrigue, or the heart-pumping adventure of mystery and adventure you will find both in this compelling novel.
January 10, 2019
Mystery, Political Intrigue, Horror & Discovery: Legacy of Pandora is a Gripping Hard SciFi Read!
Set in a future where Earth has become all but uninhabitable and human colonization has extended throughout the inner Solar System, Legacy of Pandora follows two separate storylines. Out in the cold dark of the Neptune L-4 Trojan Cluster, the ice harvesting research vessel Jakob Waltz is about to run into serious trouble. Back home in the governing Council of the Human Union, FleetCartel Chancellor Katryna Roja is just beginning to uncover a twisted web of corruption, resource theft, and murder.
These storylines combine to produce a gripping blend of mystery and deep-space horror, dark political intrigue and thrilling scientific discovery. Both narratives move along at a blistering pace as the peril facing Chancellor Roja and the intrepid crew of the Jakob Waltz ratchets upward. The tension rises further as it becomes apparent that the research vessel may have been deliberately sent to its doom and the fate of the Human Union itself hangs in the balance.
The author has created a realistic projection of extra-Earth colonization and a fairly plausible (and plausibly flawed) system of governance. If humanity ever manages to cooperate our way into space, this is quite likely how it’ll happen. And even if we make it to the stars, chances are our own self-destructive tendencies will follow us there. Which poses the question: even if we survive poisoning our home, will we be able to survive transitioning into a space-faring species?
And will we survive what we may find out there?
Legacy of Pandora is an ambitious tale and the start of what is sure to be a fascinating trilogy. I highly recommend giving it a read!
Set in a future where Earth has become all but uninhabitable and human colonization has extended throughout the inner Solar System, Legacy of Pandora follows two separate storylines. Out in the cold dark of the Neptune L-4 Trojan Cluster, the ice harvesting research vessel Jakob Waltz is about to run into serious trouble. Back home in the governing Council of the Human Union, FleetCartel Chancellor Katryna Roja is just beginning to uncover a twisted web of corruption, resource theft, and murder.
These storylines combine to produce a gripping blend of mystery and deep-space horror, dark political intrigue and thrilling scientific discovery. Both narratives move along at a blistering pace as the peril facing Chancellor Roja and the intrepid crew of the Jakob Waltz ratchets upward. The tension rises further as it becomes apparent that the research vessel may have been deliberately sent to its doom and the fate of the Human Union itself hangs in the balance.
The author has created a realistic projection of extra-Earth colonization and a fairly plausible (and plausibly flawed) system of governance. If humanity ever manages to cooperate our way into space, this is quite likely how it’ll happen. And even if we make it to the stars, chances are our own self-destructive tendencies will follow us there. Which poses the question: even if we survive poisoning our home, will we be able to survive transitioning into a space-faring species?
And will we survive what we may find out there?
Legacy of Pandora is an ambitious tale and the start of what is sure to be a fascinating trilogy. I highly recommend giving it a read!
January 3, 2019
Legacy of Pandora book one of the Shan Thaku Legacy by Eric Michael Craig is a thrilling story of space exploration and political intrigue. On one side there is the Jakob Walts, an ice harvester stuck in the Neptune L4 Lagrangian point with a numerous crew and Dutch the useful, when operational, AI. On the other side there is Chancellor Katrina Roja, a prominent political figure, who discovers a secret and, in spite of herself, is involved in an unprecedented galactic intrigue. Irony, battles, murder, and deceit are the spicy elements to unite them all.
This is the first story I read by this indie author, but I’m looking forward to reading more. The characters are consistent and thoroughly described. The prose flows like a river near a waterfall, even though it’s hard sci-fi and there’s a great deal of technobabble. Still, I found myself turning on the pages following the events of the crew and the risks it encounters without being disappointed. The final revelation left me on the edge, as many questions remain without answers. I can’t wait to read the sequel.
This is the first story I read by this indie author, but I’m looking forward to reading more. The characters are consistent and thoroughly described. The prose flows like a river near a waterfall, even though it’s hard sci-fi and there’s a great deal of technobabble. Still, I found myself turning on the pages following the events of the crew and the risks it encounters without being disappointed. The final revelation left me on the edge, as many questions remain without answers. I can’t wait to read the sequel.
April 16, 2019
I’m not usually a reader of hard sci-fi, as much of the finer points of detail escape my subpar knowledge of the subject. But I really enjoyed Legacy of Pandora because it was a great story, first and foremost. The technical jargon was more like the subtle flavors that enrich a good wine for those with the necessary palette and has no real negative or positive impact for others.
There are two stories happening simultaneously; one following Jakob Waltz, an ice harvester, and the other following Chancellor Katrina Roja, which keeps the story moving along and the intrigue building as we begin to guess how one will impact the other. This is the first of a long series, so if you’re looking for a gripping new hard sci-fi series to get hooked on, look no further!
There are two stories happening simultaneously; one following Jakob Waltz, an ice harvester, and the other following Chancellor Katrina Roja, which keeps the story moving along and the intrigue building as we begin to guess how one will impact the other. This is the first of a long series, so if you’re looking for a gripping new hard sci-fi series to get hooked on, look no further!
January 3, 2019
Outstanding read that had me gripped from the start. Commander Jephora and his crew land into a huge crisis. It’s impossible to stop reading as you want to make sure they’re alright. Ready for the next.
August 14, 2019
First Craig showed us how the world could end in his debut Atlas in the Winds books, now he reveals what humanity is doing after Earth! What faction of humanity is building a ghost fleet? Will it be to start a civil war across the solar system? Will a small ice mining ship unlock the mystery of a gravity well they are stuck in?
Let a guy who developed equipment for aerospace take you on the hunt for answers. As I’ve come to expect, there is a satisfying amount of hard scifi balanced with action and intrigue. I loved the end reveal as well!
One of my favorite hard scifi elements that was addressed in this book was bone density and musculature differences based on the gravity of the colony where people grew up. Some characters needed exosuits to endure higher gravities. This is something you don’t normally see in fiction but that is a real problem with astronauts after their short terms on the ISS.
I got a reviewer copy of this book because Craig and his editor have done interviews for the Science Fantasy Hub before, but I would pay. I love buying books, even though I’ve got about forty piled up to be read already. It’s a problem…
Let a guy who developed equipment for aerospace take you on the hunt for answers. As I’ve come to expect, there is a satisfying amount of hard scifi balanced with action and intrigue. I loved the end reveal as well!
One of my favorite hard scifi elements that was addressed in this book was bone density and musculature differences based on the gravity of the colony where people grew up. Some characters needed exosuits to endure higher gravities. This is something you don’t normally see in fiction but that is a real problem with astronauts after their short terms on the ISS.
I got a reviewer copy of this book because Craig and his editor have done interviews for the Science Fantasy Hub before, but I would pay. I love buying books, even though I’ve got about forty piled up to be read already. It’s a problem…
May 20, 2019
Caveats: I'm a super picky reader, and am quick to abandon books. I don't enjoy politics or a huge cast of characters. That's just me.
Bearing in mind my caveats, this book had too many characters for my liking, and even the primary ones could have used a bit more depth, but I get it. It's a plot-focussed book, moreso than a character driven one. There is a lot of politics involved, but it was handled well, and did not go overboard into unnecessary detail. It served to propel the plot forward, which I really appreciated. I did finish the book, and will likely read more of the series.
The plot was captivating, and the science intriguing. The book is very strong on plot, and weaves together a lot of storyline elements. However, some elements did not resolve by the end of the book. I'm not sure if this is simply because they will be picked up in the sequel. I'll give the benefit of the doubt that this is the case. However, I have a bit of a problem with that. There are a couple of murder mysteries involved in this plot. In my opinion, those mysteries should have been resolved, or at the very least, there should have been a more explicit indication that the investigation would continue. As it is, it seems like the author simply switched plot focus and forgot to wrap up the mysteries. I highly doubt this is in fact the case, but that's how it felt to me, which was a bit disappointing.
I really liked the way AI is handled. I enjoyed the fact that the AI are still explicitly hardware based and how, due to their complexity, they take a long time to reboot. This, and other physical limitations of radio communications etc make for enjoyable realistic problems that must be overcome.
Bearing in mind my caveats, this book had too many characters for my liking, and even the primary ones could have used a bit more depth, but I get it. It's a plot-focussed book, moreso than a character driven one. There is a lot of politics involved, but it was handled well, and did not go overboard into unnecessary detail. It served to propel the plot forward, which I really appreciated. I did finish the book, and will likely read more of the series.
The plot was captivating, and the science intriguing. The book is very strong on plot, and weaves together a lot of storyline elements. However, some elements did not resolve by the end of the book. I'm not sure if this is simply because they will be picked up in the sequel. I'll give the benefit of the doubt that this is the case. However, I have a bit of a problem with that. There are a couple of murder mysteries involved in this plot. In my opinion, those mysteries should have been resolved, or at the very least, there should have been a more explicit indication that the investigation would continue. As it is, it seems like the author simply switched plot focus and forgot to wrap up the mysteries. I highly doubt this is in fact the case, but that's how it felt to me, which was a bit disappointing.
I really liked the way AI is handled. I enjoyed the fact that the AI are still explicitly hardware based and how, due to their complexity, they take a long time to reboot. This, and other physical limitations of radio communications etc make for enjoyable realistic problems that must be overcome.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2020
Alone in the deep a routine mission suddenly goes terrifyingly wrong for Captain Jephora Cochrane and the crew of the Jacob Waltz. Both ship and crew are pushed to their limits while billions of light years from any chance of help. Mean while closer to the all but uninhabitable earth Katryna Roja Fleet Chancellor is unraveling a mystery that could have far reaching consequences. What they discover could change everything. This book is a page turner from page one and had me grabbing for the next in the series Fulcrum of Odysseus.
August 14, 2020
LEGACY OF PANDORA is an engrossing "hard science" science fiction novel, first in the SHAN TAKHU LEGACY Series. By "hard science," I mean that a diligent focus of the story is on the sciences, astrophysics for example, but also other sciences, as well as on character and plotting [think for example of SF authors Larry Niven and Peter F. Hamilton and Arthur C. Clarke.) As with these, while I enjoyed the story, I could feel my brain awakening and my mind stretching to accommodate new scientific concepts and creative, cosmic, possibilities.
March 20, 2019
Really good exploration and first contact 4.5
They have not left our solar system, but exploration is well underway. Two parallel storylines fill this book: one of somewhat unwilling explorers and a second focusing on the politics and organizations of human kind. Highly recommended
They have not left our solar system, but exploration is well underway. Two parallel storylines fill this book: one of somewhat unwilling explorers and a second focusing on the politics and organizations of human kind. Highly recommended
May 19, 2019
Medium
Well written but a little simplistic in language even though it is a good concept well worth exploring. Worth the read
Well written but a little simplistic in language even though it is a good concept well worth exploring. Worth the read
March 23, 2019
Awesome
I really liked the future that he's created. The political structure is a nice solution to the need for order and accountability as well as economic growth. The political structure and the hidden protocol bounced off each other perfectly.
I liked the characters and I thought that there was serious depth in the major characters. I'm looking forward to how the human race handles its next chapter. There are so many changes that have to follow this ending.
I really liked the future that he's created. The political structure is a nice solution to the need for order and accountability as well as economic growth. The political structure and the hidden protocol bounced off each other perfectly.
I liked the characters and I thought that there was serious depth in the major characters. I'm looking forward to how the human race handles its next chapter. There are so many changes that have to follow this ending.
July 22, 2022
Interplanetary adventure the way it ought to be written.
OK, so George RR. Martin used that phrase to describe the impact of The Expanse series of novels. Fortunately, it also could be applied to the work of Eric Michael Craig.
This series is going to get tagged with many “… like The Expanse” observations. One book into the Shan Takhu Legacy, and that seems like a fair observation. Yet, The Legacy of Pandora is distinctly original, even though Eric Michael Craig has produced a story that hit me like reading Leviathan Wakes (each of the three times I picked it up and savored again and again and again how the characters who formed the crew of the Rocinante bonded and evolved).
The space-going vessel in Legacy of Pandora is the Jacob Waltz, and I am pretty sure that naming the space ship after the 19th century German immigrant who kicked off the legend of the Lost Dutchman (gold) Mine is indicative of how Mr. Craig ‘s devious mind operates as he outlines his novels. Supposedly, the Jacob Waltz has travelled to a location in the vicinity of Neptune to capture a specific 500 billion ton iceberg. Several plot reveals later, and nothing the crew of the Jacob Waltz had assumed about their mission in the beginning was anywhere close to what they are dealing with at the end, and their Solar System will never be the same again.
As I purchased the three-novel-bundle, the segue into The Fulcrum of Odysseus was seamless, and anticipation for The Redemption of Sisyphus already has me pumped. (You may have wondered where James S. A. Corey came up with Caliban’s War, Abaddon’s Gate, Cibola Burn, etc. Apparently Mr. Craig shops at the same store for his titles as did Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck.)
In short, get the Shan Takhu Legacy Box Set, save yourself some money, avoid any delay in transitioning from one novel to the next, and get a bonus short story.
OK, so George RR. Martin used that phrase to describe the impact of The Expanse series of novels. Fortunately, it also could be applied to the work of Eric Michael Craig.
This series is going to get tagged with many “… like The Expanse” observations. One book into the Shan Takhu Legacy, and that seems like a fair observation. Yet, The Legacy of Pandora is distinctly original, even though Eric Michael Craig has produced a story that hit me like reading Leviathan Wakes (each of the three times I picked it up and savored again and again and again how the characters who formed the crew of the Rocinante bonded and evolved).
The space-going vessel in Legacy of Pandora is the Jacob Waltz, and I am pretty sure that naming the space ship after the 19th century German immigrant who kicked off the legend of the Lost Dutchman (gold) Mine is indicative of how Mr. Craig ‘s devious mind operates as he outlines his novels. Supposedly, the Jacob Waltz has travelled to a location in the vicinity of Neptune to capture a specific 500 billion ton iceberg. Several plot reveals later, and nothing the crew of the Jacob Waltz had assumed about their mission in the beginning was anywhere close to what they are dealing with at the end, and their Solar System will never be the same again.
As I purchased the three-novel-bundle, the segue into The Fulcrum of Odysseus was seamless, and anticipation for The Redemption of Sisyphus already has me pumped. (You may have wondered where James S. A. Corey came up with Caliban’s War, Abaddon’s Gate, Cibola Burn, etc. Apparently Mr. Craig shops at the same store for his titles as did Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck.)
In short, get the Shan Takhu Legacy Box Set, save yourself some money, avoid any delay in transitioning from one novel to the next, and get a bonus short story.
May 22, 2025
𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧,𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐞. 𝐒𝐜𝐢-𝐟𝐢 𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭!
I've read several of the author's books before and always been impressed, but this one really takes things to a whole new level.
The book has a lot of characters in it, but they're all written in a way that makes them stand out on their own. The story itself mixes political intrigue with military operations in space, along with an investigation into a missing spaceship and weaves all of those threads in a thoroughly enticing and enjoyable story.
If you liked the Expanse series, you'll love this. The story builds slowly at first, but by the end becomes a headlong rush. Thoroughly enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to reading the next instalment.
I've read several of the author's books before and always been impressed, but this one really takes things to a whole new level.
The book has a lot of characters in it, but they're all written in a way that makes them stand out on their own. The story itself mixes political intrigue with military operations in space, along with an investigation into a missing spaceship and weaves all of those threads in a thoroughly enticing and enjoyable story.
If you liked the Expanse series, you'll love this. The story builds slowly at first, but by the end becomes a headlong rush. Thoroughly enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to reading the next instalment.
April 17, 2022
Meh! Not What I Expected
I tried but the storyline and characters did not manage to hold my interest and I finally quit after 55%. Even at that point, there were two stories, loosely connected, and each poorly defined. The sci-fi tech was fairly solid, but the promise of mystery alluded to in the description and preview still hadn’t materialized, and what had been delivered just was not enough to keep me interested in continuing. Of the two stories presented, only the one with the ice harvester, Jacob Walsh, was of interest to me. Unfortunately, that story development is just too slow to maintain any interest.
I tried but the storyline and characters did not manage to hold my interest and I finally quit after 55%. Even at that point, there were two stories, loosely connected, and each poorly defined. The sci-fi tech was fairly solid, but the promise of mystery alluded to in the description and preview still hadn’t materialized, and what had been delivered just was not enough to keep me interested in continuing. Of the two stories presented, only the one with the ice harvester, Jacob Walsh, was of interest to me. Unfortunately, that story development is just too slow to maintain any interest.
July 20, 2022
I really enjoyed this book!
I like hard sci-fi and this book definitely fits into that category. I appreciate the little things that often are left out of your everyday space opera. Gravity, or rather the lack thereof, is never forgotten, and the full effects of months or years of weightlessness are an ever-present reminder of the peril of endless space.
What I didn't expect from this book was its slow-burn political thriller vibe that comes through. There's this energy that builds throughout and gives a satisfying turn at the end that leaves you wanting more! I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I like hard sci-fi and this book definitely fits into that category. I appreciate the little things that often are left out of your everyday space opera. Gravity, or rather the lack thereof, is never forgotten, and the full effects of months or years of weightlessness are an ever-present reminder of the peril of endless space.
What I didn't expect from this book was its slow-burn political thriller vibe that comes through. There's this energy that builds throughout and gives a satisfying turn at the end that leaves you wanting more! I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
May 5, 2019
Not usually a fan of hard Sci-fi but I found that much of what was being put forward in the book was easy to interpret for the most part, mainly due to the escalating and thrilling nature of the intrigue. I saw this book like a puzzle, not only in the science fiction element it introduces, which seemed like filler to me at the start, and by in the entanglement Jakob and crews deepspace mysteries and Roja’s political mysteries leading to the climax. Considering the cutthroat nature of much of it, it explains how a hardened people came to survive the harsh environs of space.
May 31, 2021
Good Sci Fi
Wow. This one is hard to put down—quantum sinks, sleazy politics, and ow it All Began (sort of) mix in this totally exciting, riveting novel. The solar system is at last peaceful after The Collapse (whatever that was, but it was bad). Suddenly this peaceful existence is threatened by—what? Secret war fleets being assembled? Aliens? Power politics? Great sci fi.
Wow. This one is hard to put down—quantum sinks, sleazy politics, and ow it All Began (sort of) mix in this totally exciting, riveting novel. The solar system is at last peaceful after The Collapse (whatever that was, but it was bad). Suddenly this peaceful existence is threatened by—what? Secret war fleets being assembled? Aliens? Power politics? Great sci fi.
January 30, 2020
This story was an odd one for me to read because while it has numerous secrets and unfolding dangerous conspiracies; it proved to be a rather boring read. Plenty of dialogue but not much action that is common in science fiction. The characters were okay but not worth caring about or remembering. Too bad really, its description I liked and wanted to read because of it.
December 9, 2021
Did NOT know what I was being sucked into!
Whoa! What a roller coaster ride - had NO idea where the story was going-a political thriller? A rescue mission? Doom and gloom? Apocalypse?
Now on to the next installment. Loved the hardware/mechanics (and I am usually more interested in “fuzzy” stuff).
Whoa! What a roller coaster ride - had NO idea where the story was going-a political thriller? A rescue mission? Doom and gloom? Apocalypse?
Now on to the next installment. Loved the hardware/mechanics (and I am usually more interested in “fuzzy” stuff).
June 15, 2022
Mechanics of the story were good, just found the plot underwhelming.
I won't say I forced myself to finish this book, but I also didn't find myself eager to pick it up, I just didn't find myself caring what happened to the characters, none of which spoke to me.
I wish the stakes for the story had been stronger.
I won't say I forced myself to finish this book, but I also didn't find myself eager to pick it up, I just didn't find myself caring what happened to the characters, none of which spoke to me.
I wish the stakes for the story had been stronger.
October 24, 2020
I give this book 3.5 stars. It started slowly, with 2 separate storylines that will meet up in the next book. I'm not a scientist so I don't know how accurate the physics might be, but it was a good read for a sci-fy fan.
October 21, 2021
Sensational
The more I read the more I wanted to keep reading! A wonderfully different approach to we are not alone writings. Enjoyed this book alone but am still looking forward to reading the next book!
The more I read the more I wanted to keep reading! A wonderfully different approach to we are not alone writings. Enjoyed this book alone but am still looking forward to reading the next book!
December 11, 2021
Secret Alien Technology Uncovered
Inovative and creative storey line. Clever use of alien symbols and language. Interesting perspective on humanities self image in the face of advanced technology.
Inovative and creative storey line. Clever use of alien symbols and language. Interesting perspective on humanities self image in the face of advanced technology.
August 10, 2022
Space Sci-Fi at it's Best
I enjoyed this book right from the get go.I only put it down when I had to which was often. That happens when you're an adult and have responsibilities. Yes, I'm going for the next book in the series NOW!
I enjoyed this book right from the get go.I only put it down when I had to which was often. That happens when you're an adult and have responsibilities. Yes, I'm going for the next book in the series NOW!
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