Destiny's Forge (Man-Kzin Wars Series) 
asked by davedriver on November 19, 2006 3:56 AM
For fifty thousand years the Kzinti Patriarchy thrived on battle fought for conquest. Against all odds the humans stopped them, and for five wars kept on stopping them. With its violent expansion checked internal strains have built up within the Patriarchy, and now they threaten to tear it apart. When the ambitious Kchula-Tzaatz makes a bid for ultimate power the established order comes tumbling down, and the flames of war burn hot in Destiny's Forge. Hammered on that Forge are; Major Quacy Tskombe, battle hardened warrior turned diplomat. His life is duty, his mission takes him to the Citadel of the Patriarch in a last ditch effort to avert war. When it all falls apart he's forced to choose between love and loyalty, with the fate of humanity hanging in the balance. Captain Ayla Cherenkova, starship commander. As talented as she is beautiful, her hatred of the Kzinti has driven her to the top. Her space combat genius is unmatched, but when she's trapped alone in the jungles of Kzinhome her survival will depend on a whole new skillset. Pouncer, First-Son-of-Meerz-Rritt, heir apparent to the galaxy's most powerful empire. He's reduced to a nameless fugitive with the collapse of his father's dynasty. Survival demands escape, but honor demands vengeance, and the price of his Name will be paid in the blood of worlds.
Paul Chafe presents a masterpiece in the grand tradition of epic science fiction. No fan of Larry Niven's best-selling Known Space series can miss Destiny's Forge.
Reviews
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Larry Niven may have invented the Kzin, but Paul Chafe has revealed them. There is more brilliant imagination and invention in this novel than I have seen in almost any other story in the MKW series. The story starts fast, then picks up speed. I usually read novels in fits and starts, often taking weeks to finish them; this one I completed in less than a week, making preferential time for it over other reading and tasks. And I was sorry to see it end.
And Mr. Chafe, among other fine touches, draws in an element from the work of Cordwainer Smith. Bravo, Mr. Chafe! I am envious of your talent.
Highly recommended for any SF reader.
And Mr. Chafe, among other fine touches, draws in an element from the work of Cordwainer Smith. Bravo, Mr. Chafe! I am envious of your talent.
Highly recommended for any SF reader.
reviewed by localhost on November 22, 2006 8:06 AM
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Funny how the previous reviewer mentioned Robert Saxtorph - Paul Anderson is my least favorite contributor to MKW series, and I find all of his MKW characters implausible in the context of when the stories take place (although Saxtroph is not the worst).
OTOH, Paul Chafe's characters and setting are superb, and his insights into Kzinti society are excellent. I am giving the book 4 stars because despite Chafe's attempts to justify it (see Prologue), Kzin ecology, and particularly tuskvors, are just plain impossible. No amount of photosynthesis will support herbivores THAT large and in THOSE numbers. In most books that would be a minor oversight, but in "Destiny's Forge" tuskvores are a large (pun intended) plot point, and spoil the book somewhat.
OTOH, Paul Chafe's characters and setting are superb, and his insights into Kzinti society are excellent. I am giving the book 4 stars because despite Chafe's attempts to justify it (see Prologue), Kzin ecology, and particularly tuskvors, are just plain impossible. No amount of photosynthesis will support herbivores THAT large and in THOSE numbers. In most books that would be a minor oversight, but in "Destiny's Forge" tuskvores are a large (pun intended) plot point, and spoil the book somewhat.
reviewed by redsink on November 27, 2006 4:17 PM
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This book is great...it's back to the quality the very best novellas from the Man-Kzin series. It gets into Kzin psychology as only the best of the M-K stories have. And it is a full novel length! And it is on the Kzin home world! And there are compelling new characters! (I got really tired of Robert Saxtorph)
And in addition while it fills in some holes and invents a few new concepts, it is not gratuitously re-writing the Known Space concepts as I felt some of the M-K stories were.
A great new book!
And in addition while it fills in some holes and invents a few new concepts, it is not gratuitously re-writing the Known Space concepts as I felt some of the M-K stories were.
A great new book!
reviewed by redsink on November 27, 2006 9:29 PM
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I have long loved the Man-Kzin stories but they developed a sameness about them in recent years. This book blows that away. It was compelling from the very first page and it takes a closer look at the Kzin than any previous work. It is a masterpiece of the series.
Most of the book takes place on the Kzin home world and the heir to the patriarchy is one of the central characters. His ancient dynasty has been undone in a coup and his only chance at restitution lies with the primitive Kzin who are assumed to have nothing to offer and a few human diplomats caught on Kzin at the wrong time. One of the human diplomats is a naval officer who hates the Kzin. Her attitudes change over time, though, and she becomes a hero of the Patriarchy.
This book fill in a lot of background but, mostly, it is fun to read. It is worth all 5 stars.
Most of the book takes place on the Kzin home world and the heir to the patriarchy is one of the central characters. His ancient dynasty has been undone in a coup and his only chance at restitution lies with the primitive Kzin who are assumed to have nothing to offer and a few human diplomats caught on Kzin at the wrong time. One of the human diplomats is a naval officer who hates the Kzin. Her attitudes change over time, though, and she becomes a hero of the Patriarchy.
This book fill in a lot of background but, mostly, it is fun to read. It is worth all 5 stars.
reviewed by avi on November 29, 2006 6:14 AM
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This is a long book that I planned to savour over a week of lunch hours. I wound up reading it cover to cover, just couldn't put it down. Great characters, amazing alien worlds, a very sophisticated plot. There are several nice easter eggs hidden in there for the true fan to find too. Good hard SF is rare these days, but this writer really did his homework and it shows. I put it up with Red Mars and Ender's Game. Highly recommended.
reviewed by costa on November 29, 2006 4:58 PM