With these words Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman have launched another new series of realistic characters and detailed
settings set in a fully realized world. But with Starshield, they
have taken the world one step further.
Accompanying the first novel in the series, Sentinels, is the
launch of the Starshield Web Project. A project which allows the readers and fans to own a part of the Starshield Universe. Users will build their empires and interact with others and eventually, as promised by the authors, influence the story of the novels.
Now, what about the book? Well, modern day Earth plays a part. However, the universe that Weis and Hickman have created allows the existence of worlds from the fantastic to the unbelievable. Different quantum fluxes allow the possibility of magic on one world and earth-like physics on another.
The novel is filled with all the things that Weis and Hickman fans have come to expect. Suspence, intrigue, character depth through their struggles and relationships and a world packed with more than Santa's Sack of Toys. What's different about the first novel in this series than Weis and Hickman's previous works is that an awful lot happens from page one to the end and it all comes to a happy conclusion. In previous Weis and Hickman works, the conflict and struggle of the characters that makes up the entire Sentinel novel would have been a three part series at least. Want the complete synopsis as seen on the original Sentinel book cover? Click here!
'Nightsword' is the second novel set in the Starshield universe. A universe, created by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, that is so vast and complex it boggles the mind. Weis and Hickman have taken it upon themselves to completely rewrite modern science. It turns out we are niave to think that Einstein's and Newton's Laws universally apply to the entire cosmos. Instead, the universe is made up of small pockets of quantum zones, each with their own sets of laws, science and physics (or lack of).
This arrayed definition of the universe gives the authors the freedom to create whatever world, culture and species they wish and blend it with our own world.
The Starshield trilogy is a bit of a departure for the Weis and Hickman team as the novels are not being billed as a trilogy or series. While 'Nightsword' does contain the same characters introduced in the first Starshield novel: Sentinels, the story is separate and distinguished. Newcomers to the series should not feel left out or confused.
In many respects, 'Nightsword' is superior to the first novel. The pleasantries of introducing the characters and setting have been skipped and the action begins in full force.
Want the complete synopsis as seen on the Nightsword original book cover? Click here!
Dog Pound Review. All rights reserved
