The Clouds of Magellan - Hardcover

Nighbert, David F.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0312058349 ISBN 13: 9780312058340

Publisher: St Martins Pr, 1991

Synopsis

Anton Stryker and his companions square off against the intergalactic fugitive DeKoven and the evil clone Nemesis as they seek the gigantic space artifact, Beyond the Wheel

About this title

From Kirkus Reviews

Sequel to Nighbert's fine science-fiction debut, Timelapse (1988), featuring reformed cyborg assassin Anton Stryker, his ally Albert the mad scientist, and their foe, the evil doctor DeKoven. While Anton fights off the attack of Nemesis, a Stryker clone controlled by DeKoven, Albert discovers that the huge, mysterious alien artifact, the Wheel, is actually an instantaneous transporter. Eventually, they all journey through the Wheel to meet the pig-centipede-like Builders, a collective intelligence in dire need of Lebensraum. The Builders turn out to be treacherous but not really evil; Anton and Albert escape their clutches using Albert's suitcase-sized time machine; Anton later returns to free his beloved Lisbeth from the unwelcome attentions of DeKoven; and what had developed into a modestly intriguing human-alien confrontation settles into a routine shootout. With little of the inventiveness, exuberance, or wit of the original: a disappointing follow-up, despite the promising aliens. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From Publishers Weekly

The sequel to Nighbert's Timelapse shares the earlier novel's fast pace and light humor. Dr. Albert Samuels has learned that the gigantic Wheel, a mysterious alien artifact, provides an instantaneous gateway to a world in the distant Magellanic Clouds. Hoping to contact the Wheel's alien Builders and establish friendly relations, Samuels invites Anton Stryker and friends to join him on a trip through the device. Meanwhile, the evil Isaac DeKoven wants to use the Wheel to escape the jaws of intergalactic justice--and the race is on. Stryker and company marvel at the Builders' massive space structures and meet other exotic aliens. As they try to thwart DeKoven's attempts to sway the aliens to his side, they also wonder if the Builders' friendliness is too good to be true. Although the plot and characters, both human and alien, are relentlessly conventional (his tree-spider people are as irritatingly cute as George Lucas's teddy-bear Ewoks), Nighbert's adventure delivers plenty of action on a grand scale.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: St Martins Pr
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0312058349
• ISBN 13: 9780312058340
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 308