Synopses & Reviews
It all starts when a man comes to deliver a message to Frank Compton--only to fall dead at his feet. What follows is a suspenseful thriller that only Timothy Zahn, a master of hard SF adventure, could have written.
More than two hundred years from now, the Quadrail transportation system run by the enigmatic Spiders connects civilizations throughout the galaxy. But someone is threatening the entire system and the worlds it serves with a military force that could wreak interstellar havoc. Worse yet, a more subtle and sinister threat lurks: the Modhri, whose unique coral is prized throughout the galaxy, but which has properties that may create addiction--or worse. Compton, a sharp investigator, lost his job with Earth's security forces when he exposed a corrupt scheme that had roots in high places. Enlisted by the Spiders to find out who's trying to take over the Quadrail, he's got his hands full, because he's got beings of many races gunning for him to keep him from discovering a far-flung conspiracy that could destroy every civilization in the galaxy.
The result is one of Zahn's most memorable and compelling novels in years.
Review
"The direction
Manta's Gift ultimately takes is inventive and unexpected . . . Zahn plays out his suspense as deftly as always, building a tense situation and ultimately defusing it in believable and pleasing ways."
--Locus
"Through in-depth characterization, as well as toothsome scientific and political mysteries, Zahn unfold an intricate tale of adventure sure to please his many fans."
--Publishers Weekly on Angelmass
"Mixes fantasy and contemporary adventure very well, creating something both entertaining and interesting. A very enjoyable read."
--Fantastica Daily on The Green and the Gray
"Recently I was asked if anyone was still writing the kind of grand space adventure like Heinlein's juveniles or Andre Norton's tales that enticed so many people into science fiction fandom. Now I have the answer and it is a resounding yes! Zahn rocks!"
--Genrefluent on Dragon and Soldier
Review
"A highly readable thriller in space-opera trappings. A great read."
--Booklist on Night Train to Rigel
"It's always a pleasure to sit down and start a new book, and discover some time later that you've turned the last page without taking a break. This new SF adventure story by one of the most reliable writers in the genre grabbed me in the opening chapter and never relinquished its grip."
--Chronicle on Night Train to Rigel "Tim Zahn's Night Train to Rigel is SF adventure in the classic mode. Have fun!" --Analog on Night Train to Rigel
Review
"A highly readable thriller in space-opera trappings. A great read."
Booklist
Review
"Grabbed me in the opening chapter and never relinquished its grip."
Chronicle
Review
"Tim Zahn's Night Train to Rigel is SF adventure in the classic mode. Have fun!"
Analog Magazine
Synopsis
Fast-paced, suspenseful space adventure by a master of military hard science fiction
Synopsis
From a master of military hard science fiction--the author of "Star Wars(: The Thrawn Trilogy"--comes a new, fast-paced, suspenseful space adventure.
Synopsis
HUMANITY'S LAST HOPEIt begins when a man delivers a message for former government agent Frank Compton--only to fall dead at his feet. The message is a summons from the Spiders, the exotic and mysterious creatures who run the Quadrail, an incredible transportation system connecting civilizations across the galaxy. The Spiders believe that someone or something is preparing to attack their entire network and the worlds it serves, by smuggling battleships through the Quadrail--something that should be impossible to do. Compton, with the aid of a beautiful but enigmatic agent of the Spiders, is their last hope.
Because nobody else has been able to find the elusive enemy who seeks to enslave the entire galaxy...and Earth is its next target.
Synopsis
HUMANITY'S LAST HOPEIt begins when a man delivers a message for former government agent Frank Compton--only to fall dead at his feet. The message is a summons from the Spiders, the exotic and mysterious creatures who run the Quadrail, an incredible transportation system connecting civilizations across the galaxy. The Spiders believe that someone or something is preparing to attack their entire network and the worlds it serves, by smuggling battleships through the Quadrail--something that should be impossible to do. Compton, with the aid of a beautiful but enigmatic agent of the Spiders, is their last hope.
Because nobody else has been able to find the elusive enemy who seeks to enslave the entire galaxy...and Earth is its next target.
About the Author
Timothy Zahn is the
New York Times best-sellling and Hugo award-winning author of nearly thirty original science fiction novels, among them
Dragon and Herdsman, the fourth book of his Young Adult "Dragonback" series. He is also the author of
Heir to the Empire, the all-time bestselling
Star Wars novel, and the recent
Star Wars: Outbound Flight. He
and his family live in coastal Oregon.