Book Review: A Signal Shattered

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

A Signal Shattered     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Eric S. Nylund
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction
Avon Eos, Sep 1999, $23.00, 384 pp.

In 2071 on a secret base on the moon, mathematician Jack Potter knows that his defaulting on his business deal with the alien Wheeler led to the mass destruction of the Earth. Billions are dead.

The few survivors who escaped Earth via Wheeler’s technology remain under attack by Wheeler. Internally, one of the members of the camp is sabotaging the earthlings’ attempts to stay alive. When all of them seem doomed, the Gersham, another advanced alien race, arrives to offer Jack a new deal. Considering the calumnious results of his previous deal with an off-planet being, Jack has doubts as to whether to sign on with the Gersham. Then again, he has few options if the human race is to survive into the next century.

A SIGNAL SHATTERED, the sequel to the insanely wonderful satire SIGNAL TO NOISE, is a fabulous tale that leaves science fiction fans desiring more novels in the series. The action-packed story line is filled with energy and irony, but never stints on its characterization even with future technology buzzing through the pages. Though he heats up the action, Eric S. Nylund shows his understanding of the human essence as he obtains empathy from his audience for his surviving earthlings, especially Jack.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner