Forbidden The Stars (The Interstellar Age Book 1) Paperback – August 1, 2010

Forbidden The Stars(The interstellar Age Book 1)by Valmore DanielThis is one of those stories that has to grow on you slowly.It might often be abandoned before it ripens enough for the impatient. I know I almost let this one go. It took me a while to get into it. There was a lot of extra building going on in the first several chapters that was rather drawn out. I'm glad I persevered because this was a very good story- in the long run.There were several elements that were annoying to frustrating about some of the names of things and acronyms and such.At the beginning of the story there are some oddities mentioned that have me baffled. Probably because I've not been keeping up with modern terminologies.One of these is the Septaphonic ear-mask::(sounds cool but what is it?)Now I know that pink floyd had contemplated something they started calling hyperbole coordinator and they wanted to use eight speakers but finally decided on seven. They would put two in front of the audience two behind one above and one below- they never did come up with a place for the seventh. Anyhow this was the ideal for the Septaphonic sound system and if this is what is being nodded to in this story then the ear mask would have to be something that would shroud the head and ears like a sort of helmet enclosing the head in the experience. In the story its tossed around like we toss the word headphones around these days. I suppose that it may just be quadraphonic speakers but then why not say quadraphonic speakers. Sometimes I wonder about putting words together just because they sound cool.Last I knew Septaphonics fell flat on its ear-face so I'm not sure what this is and it's not really explained- once again I might have missed something in the etymology of this word and some few other seeming inventions of language in this book.After all of this and much further into the book the story starts to take off and all that hand-waving goes away for a while.This is largely the story of Alex Manez- with a supporting cast of thousands- well not that many but a few extra hands.Alex is a ten year old who is in space with his prospecting parent who are about to make the big score for the company they work for. What really happens is his parents die and he's left an orphan. He also goes on a trip that rivals what happens in Carl Sagan's Contact.While this is going on a mission to Pluto uncovers an artifact that is reminiscent of Arthur Clark's 2001 Space Odyssey. Captain Justine Turner, a woman pilot and commander of the Pluto flight is in charge of the mission that makes this great discovery.Michael Sanderson is on earth doing the political and fundraising thing for the company that is funding Alex's parents.All these elements are going to come together to begin to unravel the great mystery of anchient Mayan history slash myth.Alex is propelled from the asteroid belt to the location of the artifact on Pluto in a matter of hours. Going close to the speed of light and riding in a habitat on a meteor he survives but he's been greatly affected.The independent (secret) lunar government finds out about this and kidnaps Alex in order to gain control of space travel which they control minimally already by controlling the moon base. Near Speed of Light travel could ruin them if they don't control it themselves.What no one has figured in this is what has happened to Alex and what he might want to do about all of this.This story has a lot of Science like stuff that sometimes sounds like hand-waving and it contains enough fantasy elements to qualify as SFF or Sci-Fi Fantasy.Anyone who like Science Fiction and who enjoys a lot of technical jargon will enjoy this one once they hack through the first bit of world building.Those Septaphonic ear-mask seem very important because they sure are mentioned a lot. Maybe the next book has an in-depth explanation of how they work and whether they are four seven or more speakers.I really did enjoy this novel despite my confusion and look forward to checking the rest of the story in Music of the Spheres.J.L. Dobias

Hey, I'm an equal opportunity book reviewer. I read a lot of high class literature and an equal amount of low-brow schlock. And you know what's interesting? I find that either category can be highly entertaining, or a depressing drag.Upon reading FORBIDDEN THE STARS I found myself enjoying a light-weight heap of science fiction fun. I was joyfully carried away by this fast-paced romp across the solar system. However, after I finished the last page, all of the things that are wrong with the book began to gnaw at my critical mind, and I began to feel dirty inside.It's a strange feeling. It's like, "Well, I really enjoyed that, but I shouldn't have." But that's ridiculous. If a writer can provide you with a few hours of enjoyment, why raise a stink? Why pick it apart? If you enjoy it - it's mission accomplished.But seriously, I think there is more right with this book than wrong. First the good:1. Pacing: Despite the droopy opening chapters, author VALMORE DANIELS quickly hits his stride, gets his plot in gear and this book takes off like an interstellar spaceship. Things start happening, cliff hangers get hung, problems are presented, characters strive to overcome them, and we cheer them on.2. Good science: One of the biggest problems with most science fiction books today is that few writers are trying, or even making the merest pretense of providing some solid plausibility by including some speculative background science - speculative science that is grounded in real science.Good "hard science fiction" should have a certain techno-geek element, and Daniels delivers that in spades. His theoretical description of a new element that can deliver faster-than-light travel is super wonky, technical, yet believable. He gets high marks on this from me. I like it when science fiction writers make an effort.3. Plot: The plot is intricate, yet hangs together with ease. I like a complex plot, which is nevertheless easy to follow. While Daniels' plot is highly derivative - meaning it's not all that original -- it is well-executed.4. Science-fictiony feel: Can is say, "science-fictiony?" Well, I just did. But you know what I mean. Those of us who dig science fiction love getting immersed in that feeling of being in a futuristic world of space ships that are flitting out and about among the planets of the solar system. There's cool gadgetry, robotics and all that. Boffo!Now let's talk about the bad:1. Characters: The characters in this book are as thin as hydrogen gas. With the slight exception of the pivotal character, young Alex Manez, the rest of the characters are bland cookie cutters that lack depth. What depth they do have is generated by one big cliché after another.2. Unfinished business: There is a major plot element in this book that absolutely inexplicably gets left hanging. I can't describe it because it would require a "spoiler warning." So let me put the issue behind behind by asking this question:"Hey, Valmore Daniels! What in the Sam hell happened to Chow Yin! I mean, seriously, what happened to him, Dude?"There, it felt good to get that off my chest.3. Plot: Hey, wait a minute. Didn't I include "plot" as one of the good aspects? Yes, but I am also going to complain mightily here that the plot is highly, highly derivative. Anyone who has ever one of Ben Bova's "Tour of the Solar System" series of books - will find this book a weak imitation of the masterful Bova style and his conception of a near-future universe where space travel is robust and developing.4.The title: "Forbidden the Stars?" Man, that's corny!But - let's just admit it -- this is a terrific read that delivered a neutron-star-bucket of fun for me. I suggest you get a copy, kick back and enjoy the interplanetary ride!

I used to love science-fiction, but it's becoming harder to write, I think.The problem is that nerds like me like their science fiction to contain some science, and it's got to be fairly accurate. The science in this book isn't accurate and can't work, sorry.I gave up not far into the book, about a quarter of the way in. The ideas are okay, and liked the 'politics' behind the space travel. I'd have liked to have found out what the Mayan connection was, not that I think a race who believed that killing people made the crops grow would have a lot to offer in terms of space travel, but it would have been interesting to see.

I wondered at the start if this book was targeted at younger readers. I don't think so now, but some aspects did make me feel that way initially. Nothing in the book would preclude younger readers but they will not be it's only audience.The blending of traditional beliefs and modern thinking has been done before, and it can take many paths. This first book sets the scene and shows some of the costs when pushing against new frontiers, but it does not reveal the longer term consequences of interstellar travel.I'll be reading the second book to find out whether the prophecies are fulfilled or perhaps reinterpreted.

This is pretty good easy reading SF, certainly enjoyable, and with a fairly well thought out background.It traces the history of teenager Alex Manez who becomes accidentally involved in the discovery of a substance that has the potential to trigger huge social and economic changes for the human race.Alex's adventures take him across the solar system, and culminate in a final confrontation with the people in power.This is perfectly good SF. Although not quite as original as the classics, it's still engaging and thought-provoking.

Well paced, kept me engrossed. The idea of the object was taken from 2001, but for me it added to the depth of the story, as clearly something/someone was hovering in the background of what was happening. The short chapters kept me reading. I liked the link to the pre Aztec Latin American Mayan culture.

Some interesting ideas obviously intended to lead the reader into buying the next book, but a bit too much jumping about the various plotlines for my taste. Instead of keeping me involved it tended to turn me off. And, as Mrs L. K. said, there are inconsistencies that take your mind off the story: if the crew wiped all the Orcus 1 programs before the “pirates” attacked, how did they then manage to control it?