Humanity has been faithfully serving the Citizens for years, and Kirsten Quinn-Kovacks is among the best and the brightest of the humans. She gratefully serves the race that rescued her ancestors from a dying starship, gave them a home world, and nurtures them still. If only the Citizens knew where Kirsten’s people came from.
A chain reaction of supernovae at the galaxy’s core unleashes a wave of lethal radiation that will sterilize the galaxy. The Citizens flee, taking their planets, the Fleet of Worlds, with them.
Someone must scout ahead, and Kirsten and her crew eagerly volunteer. Under the guiding eye of Nessus, their Citizen mentor, they explore for any possible dangers in the Fleet’s path—and uncover long-hidden truths that will shake the foundations of worlds.
Fleet of Worlds marks Larry Niven's first novel-length collaboration within his Known Space universe, the playground he created for his bestselling Ringworld series. Teaming up with fellow SF writer Edward M. Lerner, Fleet of Worlds takes a closer look at the Human-Puppeteer (Citizens) relations and the events leading up to Niven's first Ringworld novel.
Only for people who simply MUST have more "ringworld" ^ It's OK, I guess, but just does not tie together. All the bits are there but they don't engage. For example: one of the characters is apparently a super-genius, except that he is a moron and really doesn't do anything. Another character looks interesting but then is reported to have died 'off camera' what was that all about? And there are super-intelligent aliens with less reasoning ability than your average 12 year old child. And the main character has an interesting quirk but in the long run it doesn't seem make any difference. You get the idea.
If you really want to read something interesting set in this fictional universe read "A Darker Geometry" by Gregory Benford and Mark Martin.
My First Hard Sci-Fi Read ^ Imaginative, dramatic and lots of fun to read. Now I'm hooked on hard sci fi.
Big Niven fan, but could not complete ^ Normally I dash out to get the latest tome of Niven in hardcover. This was no exception.
However I could not finish the book. This was like the middle ringworld books until he redeemed himself with the final Ringworld novel. Something is missing. Not sure what, but hopefully Larry will return to form soon?
Excellent! More like the Niven of old ^ I first started reading Niven in my youth when he first started writing, and I loved his early stuff, especially "Ringworld" and other books in his "Known Space" series. I have been disappointed by most of his later stuff, however, especially some of his collaborations with Jerry Pournelle. The stories seemed to be just a hook to hang technology or politics on. "The Integral Trees" is a perfectly example; I barely managed to finish it. I thought the concepts were fascinating, but I kept waiting for a story.
Fleet of Worlds seems to be "back to basics", however. I think that most people who enjoy SF (or maybe even fantasy) will appreciate this book. However, you'll have a special treat if you are one of those increasingly rare individuals who didn't sleep through high school science class and who has trouble suspending disbelief while watching one of Stan Lee's creations. Niven doesn't just create aliens, he creates ecosystems; his aliens aren't just pointy-eared humanoids. They are logical products of the environment where they evolved, and when that environment is alien to us, the results are alien indeed but believable. His new technology has consequences, either good or bad (or both).
I sincerely hope there'll be more books like this from him (and whoever) in the future.
Very good, not quite great. ^ The book is very entertaining. It's nice to get some background and details about the flight of the Puppeteers. I don't know why others complained; the writing seems pretty Nivenesque to me.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
