SF. Another good book by J.M. Concerns archeology studying artifacts left by a vanished alien race and why they were left.

Fun, interesting science fiction adventure set in the near future. Enjoyable writing with a page turning, rich plot and female characters that are real people, not just props. ( )

This novel is actually exactly what I think of when I hear the words “space opera.” There is nothing I have read that more fits that category than this novel.

The basic plot of the novel involves alien structures that a team of space-archeologists/anthropologists is working on placing in a historical timeline and/or researching to perhaps locate such aliens (extinct or not). At times, some of the threads of this plot were difficult for me to follow – not because, I think, that it is hard science or that it is too big a concept – honestly, I think the writing just does not sharpen the resolution enough on what is going on. Perhaps, there is not really all that much there, too. So, the concept is made to seem bigger than it is and is kept somewhat just out of focus. ( )

Rattles along nicely with great ideas and explanations neatly slotting in along the way. A scifi mystery with great characterisation. ( )

McDevitt, Jack. The Engines of God. The Academy No. 1. Penguin, 1995.
The Engines of God, the first of Jack McDevitt’s eight-volume Academy series, is not a perfect book by any means, but it is one of the best hard science fiction books of its time. First, let’s hit some of its flaws. There are so many characters that the plot is sometimes hard to follow. It is overly optimistic in predicting technological advances. The news clips, a device first used, I think, by John Dos Passos in the USA trilogy, are not the best way to build the future world in which the Academy could exist. But these are quibbles. The novel sets up an interstellar mystery that McDevitt was able to keep running for two decades. Its story is set on a large stage, with opportunities for on- and off-planet action. The large cast is in part justified by realism. An exploratory expedition on this scale could not be run by one or two adventurers. McDevitt is careful to establish believable roles for several members of his team of scientists. Finally, he is shrewdly original in introducing his protagonist, pilot Pricilla, “Hutch,” Hutchins. She will be the glue that holds the eight-book series together, but McDevitt never lets her take center stage for long. He gives her a full life, both on and off the ship. The Engines of God and the whole Academy series are still worth a read. 4 stars. ( )