A World Too Near

Starred Review. The fate of two universes hangs in the balance in this intricately plotted sequel to Bright of the Sky (2007). To sustain the constructed universe called the Entire, the alien Tarig have built the engine of Ahnenhoon, designed to turn the Rose—Earth's universe—into a power source. Earth's survival depends on pilot Titus Quinn's plan to destroy the engine, but ambitious scientist Helice Maki claims Titus may instead use the mission to seek his missing daughter, Sydney, lost somewhere in the Entire. Successfully scheming her way into accompanying Titus, Helice plots to steal his nanotech weaponry and grab power from the Tarig. Titus's only hope may be his wife, Johanna, captured 10 years ago by the Tarig, who has slowly taught herself enough about the engine to have a chance of disabling it. Tangled motivations, complex characters and intriguing world-building will keep readers on the edges of their seats. (Mar.)
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In the second Entire and the Rose volume (after Bright of the Sky, 2007), Titus Quinn returns to the Entire, wearing a nanotech cirque, with which he intends to destroy the engine at Ahnenhoon. He isn’t alone, as Minerva Corporation assured him he would be. Helice Maki, ever plotting for her own ambitions, accompanies him. His daughter Sydney continues bringing the Inyx together (when enough have gathered, they’ll seek out the thoughts of the Tarig), and his wife, Johanna, attempts learning the secrets of Ahnenhoon so she can lead him to the engine when he arrives. En route, Quinn encounters old friends and new allies, Sydney and the Inyx discover an unsettling secret of the Tarig, and Johanna walks the fine edge of risk. Kenyon’s splinter world remains a vibrant, fascinating place. An undercurrent of convoluted politics runs through it, and intense action follows. It promises to get even more interesting in the next volume, which Kenyon’s knack for creating characters with shifting allegiances and conflicting loyalties makes something to look forward to. --Regina Schroeder