Starswarm

By: Jerry Pournelle

Narrated by: Lloyd James

Length: 10 hrs

Publisher's summary

Kip has a secret. A young boy who lives with his uncle at the Starswarm Station research outpost on planet Paradise, he has heard a voice in his head for as long as he can remember. The voice guides him in all his decisions, helping him through situations with useful information and helpful insight.

One day, finally daring to ask the voice some tough questions, Kip discovers that his computer scientist parents implanted an artificial intelligence chip in his skull, which connects with a powerful mainframe computer via satellite. He also learns that his parents died under suspicious circumstances and that his very existence is a well-kept secret that will soon come to light - putting his own life and the whole of outpost Starswarm in grave danger.

©1998 Jerry Pournelle (P)2000 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"An extremely strong story....plenty of suspenseful action in a well-realized setting." (Booklist)
"This is one you won't want to miss. [A] taut, credible, fast-paced adventure story." (Science Fiction Chronicle)
"SF veteran Pournelle demonstrates his gift for traditional SF adventures in this coming-of-age tale that combines fast-paced action with...an appealing protagonist." (Library Journal)

Good book, but!

I liked this book a lot, the main players were likable. However I think this book is spot on with a few cosmetic changes to Robert Heimlines book "Citizen of the Galaxy". That doesn’t make it bad just very similar to something I already listened too.

Not bad

Not a bad effort for the team that put together this audiobook. Because the book itself is very derivitive of Robert Heinlien's "Citizen of the Galaxy" and a book by Orson Scott Card I would normaly rate it very low. However, the production values and performance of the Narrator save this otherwise mediocre story.

2nd time though was as good as the 1st

second time through and some of the courts in this book are amazing

the first time through I listen to it I was riding a bicycle

no prologue

most certainly could have used a prolapse I would have liked to have heard how the main characters developed for a while such as possibly a marriage maybe even a second book would be cool

Fun and engaging story

Hidden identity, mysterious alien intelligence, threats to life and limb. All any story needs for success. This one comes thru and I found myself grinning and engaged. Narrator was a good choice as well as much of the story is youthful characters.

Instant Classic

As a big fan of the Fantasy and Sci-Fi genres, I was extremely pleased with this audiobook. The pace of the story never leaves a dull moment and you will find yourself looking forward to your next session, even if it is your commute to work.

There aren't many books that I can recommend across the board, but this is definitely one of them. Like the Chronicles of Narnia, it may be enjoyed by young and old alike. Jerry does a fantastic job of pulling in technology, pushing the imagination, and making it all believable at the same time.

The only thing left wanting is a couple of more books to round out a series. Keep them coming.

Wonderful book

This book was well written and narrated. Kept my interest all the way through. Highly recommend it.

Talk about an abrupt end

After having just listened to several pretty deep books, this was a nice light 60's style sci-fi (but written more recently so it wasn't as misogynistic as, say, Heinlein). However, after a lot of build up, suddenly it comes to an abrupt end. And, as far as I can tell, there is no next book?

The narrator is pretty good, but you can hear him pause while turning the page. I can't recall ever noticing that in an audiobook before.

I was going to give it 4 stars for enjoyment factor, but that end lost it at least one star.

Enjoyable.

Living life on another world. Starswarm started out a bit slow but there is a mystery that needs solving. The charachters have depth. My family really enjoyed the book.

absolutely must read

not only written by one of the best writers of SciFi Fantasy (Jerry Pournel) but narrated perfectly by Lloyd James