A World Too Near

Starred review from January 7, 2008
The fate of two universes hangs in the balance in this intricately plotted sequel to Bright of the Sky
(2007). To sustain the constructed universe called the Entire, the alien Tarig have built the engine of Ahnenhoon, designed to turn the Rose—Earth’s universe—into a power source. Earth’s survival depends on pilot Titus Quinn’s plan to destroy the engine, but ambitious scientist Helice Maki claims Titus may instead use the mission to seek his missing daughter, Sydney, lost somewhere in the Entire. Successfully scheming her way into accompanying Titus, Helice plots to steal his nanotech weaponry and grab power from the Tarig. Titus’s only hope may be his wife, Johanna, captured 10 years ago by the Tarig, who has slowly taught herself enough about the engine to have a chance of disabling it. Tangled motivations, complex characters and intriguing world-building will keep readers on the edges of their seats.

February 15, 2008
Within the five-armed radial universe known as the Entire, many species, copied from other universes, dwell beneath a protective lid of plasma known only as "The Bright." Ex-star pilot Titus Quinn sets out to destroy the fortress Ahnenhoon, whose power source will soon penetrate the membrane between the worlds and destroy the universe that contains Earth. Despite threats to his wife and a plot by his daughter to assassinate him, Quinn pursues his mission and discovers the dark truth that lies at the heart of the Entire. Kenyon's sequel to "Bright of the Sky" delves deeper into the personalities of her characters. This volume by a strong storyteller with a fresh new approach to fantasy and sf belongs in most libraries.

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2008
In the second Entire and the Rose volume (after Bright of the Sky, 2007), Titus Quinn returns to the Entire, wearing a nanotech cirque, with which he intends to destroy the engine at Ahnenhoon. He isnt alone, as Minerva Corporation assured him he would be. Helice Maki, ever plotting for her own ambitions, accompanies him. His daughter Sydney continues bringing the Inyx together (when enough have gathered, theyll seek out the thoughts of the Tarig), and his wife, Johanna, attempts learning the secrets of Ahnenhoon so she can lead him to the engine when he arrives. En route, Quinn encounters old friends and new allies, Sydney and the Inyx discover an unsettling secret of the Tarig, and Johanna walks the fine edge of risk. Kenyons splinter world remains a vibrant, fascinating place. An undercurrent of convoluted politics runs through it, and intense action follows. It promises to get even more interesting in the next volume, which Kenyons knack for creating characters with shifting allegiances and conflicting loyalties makes something to look forward to.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)