The Shattered Sphere

In this exciting sequel to The Ring of Charon , the imminent invasion of the Charonian system by the Adversary, an entity that has defeated the Charonians in the past and whose appearance threatens to destroy a transplanted Earth, coincides with the naturally curious humans' own attempts to find a way back. Eventually the Charonians' Central Command is located and an attack launched against the Adversary. Those left in the old solar system ingeniously adapt Charonian technology to their own ends. Allen's scrupulous attention to detail will facilitate readers' negotiation of the plot's many technical and emotional imbroglios, while the solutions to these complex situations--in the best thriller tradition--are sure to catch the reader unaware. And though several characters are little more than caricatures, Allen's lucid prose makes his material seem at once interesting and familiar--without being jargon-laden. While the novel will especially delight readers of John Wheeler or Stephen Hawking, even those with little interest in black holes will be diverted by this fast-paced read. (July)