- Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Tor Science Fiction (Aug 15 1997)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0812549082
- ISBN-13: 978-0812549089
- Product Dimensions: 17.2 x 10.7 x 2.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 191 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
The high-tech action in Christian's debut is propelled by an intriguing conceit: that Reva, an assassin, can pick her way across different realities branching out from her "Now," allowing her to choose an alternate "line" where she can take advantage of gaps in a victim's security system. Once Reva has switched one line too many, however, she has no way of recognizing, and returning to, her original "Mainline." Reva has spent her entire life learning to adapt to this truth, which has rendered friends, relatives and lovers into slightly, or even wholly, different people than the ones she first knew. But now Reva has grown infatuated with Lish, a female "holdout" who smuggles illicit goods to the watery planet R'debh. Reva desperately wants to remain on Lish's Mainline. As the action reaches a frantic peak, smugglers, cops, aliens and sea gods converge, and it seems ever more unlikely that Reva will be able to stay in the reality she knows, with the people she has grown to love. Christian uses this premise to explore the opacity of other's true selves. While she does not give this theme the full care it deserves, she manages to pack a lot of plot into an intelligent and thoughtful package.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Reva, an assassin for hire, can slip between alternate timelines to evade detection. When the smuggler Lish befriends her, Reva vows to remain in the mainline to protect this woman?a commitment she's never before made. When security agent Vask infiltrates Lish's organization and discovers Reva's secret, the three must escape an alien hunter, foil terrorists, and outwit a crime boss while saving Lish's assets. The intricately drawn characterizations and the believability of Reva and Vask's timeslips strengthen the solid plotting. This first novel contains all the ingredients of a science fiction thriller, making this a good choice for sf collections.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
It was an old capital, sure, but who would live there if they had a choice? Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
It was an old capital, sure, but who would live there if they had a choice? Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting (but confusing) many-worlds first novel,
By
This review is from: Mainline (Mass Market Paperback)
Reva, a renowned assassin, has the useful ability to cross worldlines, to avoid pursuit or to penetrate a well-protected target. In fact, she can see several worldlines at once, the better to dodge trouble. But, if she travels too far from her Mainline, she can't find her way home -- so she leads a self-contained, lonely life.As the story unfolds, Reva gets involved with a young smuggler, and tries to stay in that mainline to maintain the friendship. Complications ensue. Mainline has some of the cheerful amorality of early Delany, and an interesting study of the implications of worldline-crossing in a many-worlds universe. Reva's ability is psi-based -- she is something of an adult, conflicted Telzey Amberdon. She does turn out to be an assassin with a heart of gold (gag), but it's more complex than that, thank heavens. The major good guys are well-drawn, but her villains are pretty cartoonish. The frequent POV shifts are distracting, and, like many first novelists, Christian tries to cram in too much stuff. And there's some dodgy (to be polite) economics in the world-building. But, overall, a worthy first effort and a fine, gripping story. Here's a cover blurb from Nicola Griffith: It's a "refreshing change to read about a woman who kills people for a living, instead of worrying about their well-being." Happy reading!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent but where is the sequel?,
By Randy L. Eveland (Valatie, NY USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Mainline (Mass Market Paperback)
Bought this book back in 1998 but it go misplaced in my "stash" of books I have kept since starting to read science fiction and fantasy back in 1959. Deborah Christian not only has produced an epic style novel but her characterizations and plotline are very well done. This reads like something from the "Masters" rather than a first time novel. It kept me awake nights trying to finish and kept my interest level high from beginning to end. Her alternate world line idea is as good as most I have read over the years and her addition of Vash (good guy undercover mutant cop) to go along with Reva (main character top line assassin with a heart) adds possibilities to the story.What I want to know is -- "Where in the heck is the sequel". This book is just to darn good to be a standalone. Does anyone know if she is writing a sequel or not? The way this cliffhanger ends it is certainly open to even a trilogy or more. My thanks to Deborah Christian for a truly great read and my heartfelt hope goes out to her for more of the same.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Looooooved it!,
By
This review is from: Mainline (Mass Market Paperback)
I love a book with a strong female heroine, especially with a bit of a dark side. We find that in Reva...assassin who has a heart.This novel is full of action and adventure. It's a great read that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
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