[ezchaos]

Has anybody here read 'Kingdom of Cages' by Sarah Zettel? If so, what did you think of it?

[Rob B]

I've been curious about Zettel's work for a while, so I'd like to see what others think of her work in general. She seems to get reviewed fairly well.

[banderscratch]

In general I like her. I've read _Fools war_, _Playing gods_ and _Quiet invasion_. I liked _Fools war_ most (Well it is her sphere of competence - she was communication engineer)

[Priestvyrce]

I know that everyone boasts how great Ian Banks, John C Wright and other scifi writers are and they truely deserve the praise. BUT... I am surprised and sadden that Sarah Zettel's name is not bandied about as much as those others. I have read two novels by her: The Quiet Invasion and Kingdom of Cages (which I just finished a few moments ago.

Both novels are incredible with credible heroes/villains, situitations and the science comes off solid(or at least sounds solid). Her novels are both plot/idea driven as well as character driven.

In Kingdom, the Trust sisters are real. They sound like sisters should sound like and act like. They are in tough situitation. Their genetic makeup is desired by the Pandorans and The Authority alike. For locked within their genetic makeup is the salvation of the universe or it's destruction. The novel is a wild ride with all the ranges of emotion and excitement Yes, there are some cliches thrown in, like the seemingly all-knowing nan Elle and the insider(Pandoran) Adminstrator, who befriends the girls, but Ms. Zettel manages to make these cliches work and not come off as being hoaky.

Her The Quiet Invasion has aliens that at first might be TOO alien, yet with patience and great descriptions and dialogue come into focus and sympathy. Her humans aren't evil, but their understanding of the world around them(Venus) is limited and short sighted. Still exciting, yet quiet action pulls you in and doesn't let you go.

So my hope is that Ms. Zettel receives the same amount of praise as her more noted authors get and deserve.

[lemming]

with credible herpes/villains

Oh good. Nothing I hate worse than an SF novel with ridiculous STDs. ;)

I'll have to give Zettel a try.