Bowden P. (Trey) - , reviewed on 8/13/2007 + 260 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Child of the River is an interesting example of big dumb object SF, and I find it entertaining. While the Confluence is interesting, it isn't the star (the Confluence is a rectangular platform in orbit around a blackhole and star - it tilts itself to give day and night cycles as well as using engines maintain its orbit). The nightsky of the Confluence shows evidence of massive tampering with the Galaxy - it now only has three arms, as well a more ordered groups of stars. Yamamanama (shortened to Yama) and the near human inhabitants of the Confluence are the stars of the book.

Yama is an orphan found near the end of the river and raised by a local official in the city of Aeolis, known for its crypts and tombs. Yama is a unique individual - his bloodline (human variant) is unknown and finding out who his people are drives him (along with his dreams of becoming a soldier). Apparently, Dr. Dismas (the local member of the Guild of Apothecaries and Chirurgeons) has found something of Yama's bloodline in the great city of Ys, but is being cagey with it.

From there, Yama is off on an adventure.

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