Book reviews

The Merchants Of Souls - Thousand Cultures 3
John Barnes Book Review

Read a book review online (click here to search reviews)
Books Movies  
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Mystery/Thriller Literature Romance Biography History
John Barnes Books
New book search
John Barnes Message Board
Get more information about this book
Plot Summary of The Merchants Of Souls - Thousand Cultures 3
"

Tor, Nov 2001, 25.95, 398 pp.
ISBN: 0312890761

    Among the Thousand Cultures that make up the galaxy, earth already has a decadent reputation for misusing things. The latest movement on earth involves what most other worlds would say are the misuse of the recordings of the psypyx. Most of the worlds relish sharing their minds with the recordings of the deceased, but on earth the push is to place the recordings into games as virtual toys. The outrage among the Thousand Cultures and the earthlings' ignorance of this reaction could lead to war.

    Girault Leones vowed never to work for the Office of Special Projects, especially with Shan, because their last disastrous collaboration led to the destruction of the planet Briand and his own divorce from Margaret. However, circumstances makes Girault realize never say never because he knows the galaxy needs him to influence the decisions on earth. He volunteers to try to keep the planet from taking actions that could lead to war.

    The third Thousand Cultures tale, THE MERCHANTS OF SOULS, is an exciting science fiction tale that contains several intriguing premises especially the concept of sharing brain cells. The story line is overloaded so pivotal events are passively discussed between characters as having happened rather than actively described. Still, John Barnes shows why he is an award-winning author by making his futuristic realms seem authentic while fostering some novel ideas.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of The Merchants Of Souls - Thousand Cultures 3
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - saving govt/kingdom from external overthrow - preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Inner Struggle Yes
Plotlet: - search for identity/new understanding
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Cultural problems, alien culture Yes
Culture clash- - one culture tries to impose its culture on another group

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - computer programmer
Age: - 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - an organization
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount

Setting
Earth setting: - medium future 22-24th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
scientific jargon? (SF only) - a fair amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
Most similar books to The Merchants Of Souls - Thousand Cultures 3
Invader by C.J. Cherryh
Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
Defender - Foreigner 5 by C.J. Cherryh
Heart of Gold by Sharon Shinn
Mars by Ben Bova


Click here for more information about this book


John Barnes Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
PJ  

SCHOLARS:
Eric Terrell  Lowell Berman  


Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
Three ways to search for Sci-Fi/Fantasys books!

1) One-click plot searches! Simply click on a plot or subplot below!

Animal Story

Clones

Coming of age

Cultural problems, alien culture

Explore/1st contact/ enviro story

Family relations

GIANT monster(s)

Horror story?

Inner Struggle

Lifeform altered?

Mental/magical powers focus

Parody

Political power play

Religious overtones?

Repressive society story

Robots, Computers, VR

Romance

Spying & Investigations

Tech./$$$/Info hunt

Time Travel story?

Training/Apprent.

War or Invasion



or 2) Simple lookup
(title or author)

or
3) Even more search options available with a Detailed Booksearch (click here)

Use our site!
Feedback
About us
Bribe your congressman!
Rudy Giuliani



Most recent discussions:

General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
Online Dating Advice
James Patterson 5:49:20 PM
Suzanne Collins 5:45:25 PM
Kara Dalkey 5:37:03 PM
Erin Hunters 5:22:48 PM
Teri Woods 4:55:49 PM
George W. Bush 4:32:46 PM
Southampton Row 4:05:35 PM
V.C. Andrews 3:51:51 PM
Jeanette Walls 2:50:57 PM
General Discussion (All Topics) 1:22:33 PM
Ruth Minsky Sender 12:31:59 PM
Lilian Jackson Braun 10:25:33 AM
Deric Longden 7:40:15 AM
Robin Jenkins 4:55:32 AM
John Marsden 11:50:52 PM
Caroline B. Cooney 10:36:06 PM
Wendelin Van Draanen 9:56:14 PM
Lorna Freeman 9:19:46 PM
Betty Mahmoody 6:00:12 PM
Ken Catran 3:51:52 PM

More message boards