Maryann M. (doxymom) reviewed A Thousand Words for Stranger (Trade Pact, Bk 1) on + 53 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
The author says this was her first book and it shows. The beginning of the novel was a bit rocky, to me, because some of the dialogue wasn't realistic. But the world and description make up for it. The plot itself is interesting, as are the concepts introduced and the structure of the universe.
The characters themselves never "captured" me, but the world did. It wasn't a book that I fell "in love with" and have to keep forever, but it was interesting enough to make me want to find out what happened and to read the next books in the series.
Would I re-read it? Maybe. If the rest of the series is more memorable in terms of characterization. But I definitely recommend reading this book once if just for the aliens and worldbuilding.
There is romance in this, but it actually seems to go from "subtly, possibly there" to "There" quite abruptly.
Still, the ending is nice and fit the story well.
The characters themselves never "captured" me, but the world did. It wasn't a book that I fell "in love with" and have to keep forever, but it was interesting enough to make me want to find out what happened and to read the next books in the series.
Would I re-read it? Maybe. If the rest of the series is more memorable in terms of characterization. But I definitely recommend reading this book once if just for the aliens and worldbuilding.
There is romance in this, but it actually seems to go from "subtly, possibly there" to "There" quite abruptly.
Still, the ending is nice and fit the story well.
Helpful Score: 1
Just can't believe no one has reviewed this yet! Well, I read it a long time ago but remember loving it. Had picked it up to read in the car on a long drive. Finished it on the porch of a lakefront vacation rental. Hardly the setting for futuristic sci-fi, but still I recall being totally immersed in Czerneda's world, oblivious to the distractions of the kids swimming and the dog barking. It's a great read. Give it a try!
Barbara B. (catbookmom) reviewed A Thousand Words for Stranger (Trade Pact, Bk 1) on + 52 more book reviews
I read so many good things about Julie Czerneda's books that I had to try a couple, particularly this one, apparently good enough to need a 10th anniversary reprint. I finished it, but honestly I didn't find it all that great, a bit slow.
Mary J. (mpmarus) reviewed A Thousand Words for Stranger (Trade Pact, Bk 1) on + 133 more book reviews
pRETTY GOOD READ.
Laura P. (sfreadergrl) - , reviewed A Thousand Words for Stranger (Trade Pact, Bk 1) on + 146 more book reviews
An excellent space opera story
Enjoyed this look at mind powers. Had a little problem with the space ship "Fox" but hay maybe the "mind" changes will be explained in the next book.
HWC
HWC
Ron C. (Hophead) reviewed A Thousand Words for Stranger (Trade Pact, Bk 1) on + 285 more book reviews
An excellent first novel by the talented Julie Czerneda. The story of Sira and Captain Morgan is interesting and engaging -- especially as the story develops. Recommended.
Louise B. (luluny) reviewed A Thousand Words for Stranger (Trade Pact, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
This is a story of a woman on the run, from the law, her own people, and an unknown pursuer. Her memory taken from her by a stasis block, Sira must stay free long enough to regain her identity and the full use of her telepathic powers-for failure may cost not only her own future but that of her entire race. I enjoyed this read!
Author's Note: This was my first novel, both in terms of the first piece of fiction I ever finished and the first I sold. It started as just one of many stories I was playing with as a hobby, never thinking to see copies in the hands of readers, certainly never planning to send it out to a publisher. I'm very happy I did, but I do confess my first thought after the fateful phone call was "Oh no! What have I done!?" because by then, I knew I could do better. I harboured dark suspicions readers would take one look and say "She thinks she can write?" Fortunately, my editor had the confidence I lacked and readers kindly took a chance on an unknown. I'm proud to be able to say this book has been a bestseller, was recommended by Locus, made Editor's Choice for the Science Fiction Book Club, spawned a series, started my partnership with the talented Luis Royo, and has been reprinted several times. It was also responsible for my nomination for the John Campbell Award for Best New Writer of 1999. I expected none of this -- and I still pinch myself every time I look at it. Who knew? But I'll always have a special place in my heart for the first story of Sira and Morgan.
Mind-Blocked! Ambushed by unknown assailants, cut off from her escort, and on the run with no memory of who she was, what she was doing on the world known as Auord, or why she was driven by a compulsion to find a specific ship and head for an unknown destination, she was forced to accept the help of a space trader named Morgan. Captain Morgan gave her the name of Sira and a berth on his spaceship, but there was something about him she could not quite trust, something that he was hiding from her.
