Helpful Score: 1
Humanity tried to conquer the stars and failed. Then it was time to try again, on Destiny. But even as the new colony was taking hold, the settlers were in revolt against one another. While some stayed on the new planet with what equipment they could keep, others fled back to the stars. Now the settlements are falling into decay, and the old technology is breaking down. Spiraltown is better off than most, and Jeremy Bloocher is lucky that he will someday head the family farm there. But there is trouble, Jeremy must flee, and neither he nor Destiny will ever be the same.
Jemmy, member of a type of earth colony, accidentally kills a travelling merchant, and must somehow hide from the other merchants. He eventually ends up working for these very travelling merchants (who don't recognize him), and from there goes on to try to find out what happened to the rest of the colonists who were supposed to come and the ship which was to bring them.
A stand alone from Niven. A bit slow to start but interesting colony world story. Book in great shape.
Original, and masterfully told.
Destiny was one of those worlds settled and then forgotten. But not by the citizens. They've made it almost a religion. The road is forbidden to all but the mysterious traders. From it come all things necessary to live on. No one can just become a trader, though. Through a great mishap one of the youngs settlers must take to the road and he will not be denyed the mystery. Excellent characters and a really interesting take on what would happen.
