Odyssey 
asked by ozone on November 2, 2006 4:23 AM
Multiple Nebula Award-finalist Jack McDevitt returns to the world of Chindi and Omega-and humanity's struggle with its own existence.
To boost waning interest in interstellar travel, a mission is sent into deep space to learn the truth about "moonriders," the strange lights supposedly being seen in nearby systems. But the team soon discovers that their odyssey is no mere public-relations ploy, for the moonriders are not a harmless phenomenon. They are very, very dangerous-in a way that no one could possibly have imagined.
To boost waning interest in interstellar travel, a mission is sent into deep space to learn the truth about "moonriders," the strange lights supposedly being seen in nearby systems. But the team soon discovers that their odyssey is no mere public-relations ploy, for the moonriders are not a harmless phenomenon. They are very, very dangerous-in a way that no one could possibly have imagined.
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The "Hutch" series -- named for Priscilla "Hutch" Hutchins -- began with the excellent "Engines of God", continued with the readable "Deepsix", staggered over the embarrassing "Chindi", and had presumably ended with the abysmal "Omega". At least, it was supposed to end with "Omega", touted (at the time) as the final book of the series. It should have, too: the mystery of the Omega clouds was insultingly revealed; Hutch had moved from the main character of the series to an unnecessary, minor character (and a beaurocrat, at that!); and the intelligent aliens that drive the action are green muppets... whose civilization and culture are taken straight from Plato, Aristotle, and Sophocles.
And now McDevitt returns to the once-concluded "Hutch" series with "Odyssey". My first complaint is that McDevitt based this novel in the Hutch universe. The major tropes of that series -- Hutchins herself, the Omega clouds, evidence of once-thriving alien civilizations now extinct -- are either underplayed (Hutch is a minor character who occasionally moves on-stage, usually to complain about something or follow someone else's orders) or unused (Omega clouds? The Monument Makers? Anybody care?). "Odyssey" would have worked better as a stand-alone title... or it could just as easily have been tacked on to the "Talent for War/Polaris/Seeker" series. Believe me, it would make as much sense in that series as it does in the Hutch series.
My second complaint is that the book is exceptionally dull. The plot is exceedingly thin: alien spheres called "moonriders" have been reported for the last twenty or thirty years (though never in any of the previous novels), and it's time to bolster public opinion of the Space Academy by dropping unmanned probes in high-traffic areas where moonriders are typically reported. If the dropping of unmanned probes doesn't scream "action," I don't know what does. (Apparently, neither does McDevitt.) Some stuff happens along the way... I guess the moonriders are throwing asteroids at planets and space hotels and whatnot. Which leads to my next complaint:
The obligatory "rescue." I'm not sure when Jack discovered that he could bulk up a novel by turning at least a third of it into a daring, seat-of-your-pants rescue. I suppose this is linked with my "dull" complaint, but really: does every novel require an elaborate, breath-taking rescue, with fingernail-biting drama? If that kind of thing is your bag, baby, then you're in luck. If not, flip ahead four or five chapters. At a time.
My final complaint is the inconsistency of the novel, as set in the "Hutch" universe. The whole point of having a series is to continue the adventures (or lives) of characters we know. But there's nothing recognizable of Hutch or Gregory MacAllister (introduced in Deepsix) in this novel. Hutch mopes around, blaming her boss and acting like a fairy-Godmother to a senator's daughter. MacAllister swoons around like a lovesick puppy, and his hellfire proclamations have been turned down to simmer... if that.
It's almost as if McDevitt needed a trustworthy-pilot-turned-pencil-pusher and a cynical newseditor to drive the action, but didn't feel like making up new characters. Whatever: Odyssey-Hutch and Odyssey-MacAllister are like pod people. They have the names and they look like the real thing, but I didn't recognize them in this novel.
Last word: Odyssey would have made a good short story set in an original universe. As it stands, it is a bloated piece of writing, forcibly rammed into what was once an enjoyable, intelligent series. I can only hope that this is the end of the Hutch-saga; maybe the obligatory rescue should be this series, from its author.
And now McDevitt returns to the once-concluded "Hutch" series with "Odyssey". My first complaint is that McDevitt based this novel in the Hutch universe. The major tropes of that series -- Hutchins herself, the Omega clouds, evidence of once-thriving alien civilizations now extinct -- are either underplayed (Hutch is a minor character who occasionally moves on-stage, usually to complain about something or follow someone else's orders) or unused (Omega clouds? The Monument Makers? Anybody care?). "Odyssey" would have worked better as a stand-alone title... or it could just as easily have been tacked on to the "Talent for War/Polaris/Seeker" series. Believe me, it would make as much sense in that series as it does in the Hutch series.
My second complaint is that the book is exceptionally dull. The plot is exceedingly thin: alien spheres called "moonriders" have been reported for the last twenty or thirty years (though never in any of the previous novels), and it's time to bolster public opinion of the Space Academy by dropping unmanned probes in high-traffic areas where moonriders are typically reported. If the dropping of unmanned probes doesn't scream "action," I don't know what does. (Apparently, neither does McDevitt.) Some stuff happens along the way... I guess the moonriders are throwing asteroids at planets and space hotels and whatnot. Which leads to my next complaint:
The obligatory "rescue." I'm not sure when Jack discovered that he could bulk up a novel by turning at least a third of it into a daring, seat-of-your-pants rescue. I suppose this is linked with my "dull" complaint, but really: does every novel require an elaborate, breath-taking rescue, with fingernail-biting drama? If that kind of thing is your bag, baby, then you're in luck. If not, flip ahead four or five chapters. At a time.
My final complaint is the inconsistency of the novel, as set in the "Hutch" universe. The whole point of having a series is to continue the adventures (or lives) of characters we know. But there's nothing recognizable of Hutch or Gregory MacAllister (introduced in Deepsix) in this novel. Hutch mopes around, blaming her boss and acting like a fairy-Godmother to a senator's daughter. MacAllister swoons around like a lovesick puppy, and his hellfire proclamations have been turned down to simmer... if that.
It's almost as if McDevitt needed a trustworthy-pilot-turned-pencil-pusher and a cynical newseditor to drive the action, but didn't feel like making up new characters. Whatever: Odyssey-Hutch and Odyssey-MacAllister are like pod people. They have the names and they look like the real thing, but I didn't recognize them in this novel.
Last word: Odyssey would have made a good short story set in an original universe. As it stands, it is a bloated piece of writing, forcibly rammed into what was once an enjoyable, intelligent series. I can only hope that this is the end of the Hutch-saga; maybe the obligatory rescue should be this series, from its author.
reviewed by goonball on November 27, 2006 7:03 AM
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I have read most of McDevitt's books, and really admired "A Talent for War", which was a reprise of the ancient Greek-Persian wars. So given the title Odyssey, I eagerly expected something also those classic lines. All the more so, when you see the flashy cover, perhaps portending some epic space opera.
Sadly, the book is a tremendous disappointment. It is set in the same universe as several of his earlier works. Some 3-4 centuries in the future, with a functioning Faster Than Light drive. But with no viable space colonies, and only a few pre-industrial races being encountered. The problem is the slow plot development. Plodding. It was an effort just to turn the pages. Very little that is unexpected. The previous books that describe how humans visited other planets are more interesting, in their depictions of alien cultures. But in this book, the only culture is human.
And of this culture, it is set in the United States, which has absorbed Canada. Global warming is now a major problem. But the society seems barely different from the current US. Sure, there are now functioning Artificial Intelligences. But we see little of major cultural changes, due to AIs or FTL. This is meant to be some 3-4 centuries in the future!
Another problem is related to the relatively minor changes. China and India barely make an appearance. Yet one might reasonably expect, given the current growths in those economies, that a future Earth would have pervasive global cultural traits that came from those 2 countries.
I could perhaps have warned you of possible plot spoilers, before I mentioned the above. But on consideration, there really is not much to spoil.
Sadly, the book is a tremendous disappointment. It is set in the same universe as several of his earlier works. Some 3-4 centuries in the future, with a functioning Faster Than Light drive. But with no viable space colonies, and only a few pre-industrial races being encountered. The problem is the slow plot development. Plodding. It was an effort just to turn the pages. Very little that is unexpected. The previous books that describe how humans visited other planets are more interesting, in their depictions of alien cultures. But in this book, the only culture is human.
And of this culture, it is set in the United States, which has absorbed Canada. Global warming is now a major problem. But the society seems barely different from the current US. Sure, there are now functioning Artificial Intelligences. But we see little of major cultural changes, due to AIs or FTL. This is meant to be some 3-4 centuries in the future!
Another problem is related to the relatively minor changes. China and India barely make an appearance. Yet one might reasonably expect, given the current growths in those economies, that a future Earth would have pervasive global cultural traits that came from those 2 countries.
I could perhaps have warned you of possible plot spoilers, before I mentioned the above. But on consideration, there really is not much to spoil.
reviewed by linda on November 28, 2006 5:26 AM
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Jack McDevitt is one of the authors I look forward to the most. I love challenging, take-no-prisoners SF, but once a year it's great to settle down with an easy, enjoyable read. His writing is concise, his plots are clear, he has a great sense of humour and there are always heroes to cheer and wonders to discover. His science is always inventive and interesting.
The setting is Earth in the 23rd century, and most of the action takes place on "Academy" ships, science vessels exploring and investigating phenomena in deep space. Famed Academy pilot Hutch and some other familiar faces are back, and it's more fun if you have read at least one other Hutch story, but McDevitt makes sure that the novel can stand alone.
Only 4 stars because it doesn't have as much adventure as the other books in the series, but for a fast, fun read, 'Odyssey' doesn't disappoint.
The setting is Earth in the 23rd century, and most of the action takes place on "Academy" ships, science vessels exploring and investigating phenomena in deep space. Famed Academy pilot Hutch and some other familiar faces are back, and it's more fun if you have read at least one other Hutch story, but McDevitt makes sure that the novel can stand alone.
Only 4 stars because it doesn't have as much adventure as the other books in the series, but for a fast, fun read, 'Odyssey' doesn't disappoint.
reviewed by librarian on November 29, 2006 2:29 PM