I loved, I mean I absolutely loved the computer game. This book, though, was a real chore to get through. I imagine it's difficult to write a book based on a computer game, but it was painfully obvious how Ely felt compelled to work aspects of the computer game into the story. It really felt forced. I would've much preferred some character development beyond what one sees in the game storyline. Additionally, rather than go into the battle with the Spartans and Peacekeepers the way he did, he could've used those pages to talk more about the other factions. I realize the other factions are likely the subject of the second and third books in this series, but sadly, this first book turned me off so much that I won't bother with the other two. ( )

I have never played the video game on which this book is based (Alpha Centauri) nor its more famous predecessor, Civilization. This probably hampered my enjoyment. Though you do not need to be familiar with the games to understand the plot, I suspect that anyone not obsessed with the game will feel much the way I did: meh. Basically, Earth is tearing apart itself with war so a colony ship is sent off to another planet. It breaks up in space and each pod, holding roughly one thousand people and one leader, lands on a different part of the planet. The leaders are the diplomat, the warrior, the farmer-hippy, the economist, the professor, and two others I can't recall just now. Anyway, they each found their own groups following their personal philosophies, thus creating large numbers of walking stereotypes. The warriors (who call themselves Spartans, natch) are the most grievous offense here, obsessing over honor and battle even more than your average Kling-on. They are not in the least bit sympathetic, fighting the other groups for no more reason than they feel like it. The author makes some weak attempts at motive but it's not convincing. In short, this is not something I would recommend to a lover of science fiction...or to anyone, in fact, except those who simply cannot get enough of the Alpha Centauri universe. ( )