Probability Space (The Probability Trilogy) - Hardcover

Kress, Nancy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0765301709 ISBN 13: 9780765301703

Publisher: Tor Books, 2002

Synopsis

Nancy Kress cemented her reputation in SF with the publication of her multiple-award–winning novella, “Beggars in Spain,” which became the basis for her extremely successful Beggars Trilogy (comprising Beggars in Spain, Beggars and Choosers, and Beggars Ride).

And now she brings us Probability Space, the conclusion of the trilogy that began with Probability Moon and then Probability Sun, which is centered on the same world as Kress’s Nebula Award-winning novelette, “Flowers of Aulit Prison.” The Probability Trilogy has already been widely recognized as the next great work by this important SF writer.

In Probability Space, humanity’s war with the alien Fallers continues, and it is a war we are losing. Our implacable foes ignore all attempts at communication, and they take no prisoners. Our only hope lies with an unlikely coalition: Major Lyle Kaufman, retired warrior; Marbet Grant, the Sensitive who’s involved with Kaufman; Amanda, a very confused fourteen-year-old girl; and Magdalena, one of the biggest power brokers in all of human space.

As the action moves from Earth to Mars to the farthest reaches of known space, with civil unrest back home and alien war in deep space, four humans--armed with little more than an unproven theory--try to enter the Fallers’ home star system. It’s a desperate gamble, and the fate of the entire universe may hang in the balance.

About this title

Review:

As Probability Space opens, the future looks grim, though humanity has spread across the stars. Humans have gained control of a moon-sized, immensely powerful super-weapon abandoned by a long-gone alien race--an artifact that should protect humanity from its implacable enemy, the Fallers, a ruthlessly xenophobic alien race. Unfortunately, the Fallers have found another of these abandoned super-weapons, and if both are discharged at the highest setting at the same time, then the very fabric of space-time will be shredded, destroying not only all life in the universe, but the universe itself. But for the Fallers, victory may be more important than survival. And a violent military coup has put an insanely ambitious general in command of human space....

A novel of literary hard SF, Probability Space concludes the trilogy that begins with Probability Moon and includes Probability Sun. Author Nancy Kress has received the Hugo Award, the Sturgeon Award, and three Nebula Awards. --Cynthia Ward

From the Inside Flap:

"Kress is brilliant, one of our best. Don't miss Probability Space."- Analog

"Kress is so deft in supplying background information that I had no trouble in understanding the characters and the desperate situation they find themselves in."-Gerald Jonas, The New York Times Book Review

"Kress proves her comprehensive mastery of the hard-science tale of interstellar war and intrigue. Kress sustains the pace and the suspense at the hightest levels, and if the body count mounts largely off-stage, its emotional impact on the well-drawn characters is nevertheless crystal-clear."-Booklist

"This is the third book of a trilogy, but Kress provides all the information needed for it to stand on its own . . . it works perfectly as space opera."-The Denver Post

"The action-filled final volume in Kress' Probability Trilogy spectacularly resolves the human-Faller stalemate . . . followers of the trilogy will find much to enjoy here."-Publishers Weekly

"With a surprising and satisfying resolution, Kress offers an action-filled, thought-provoking story of space travel, political intrigue, and hard science that belongs in most sf collections."-Library Journal

About this edition

• Publisher: Tor Books
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0765301709
• ISBN 13: 9780765301703
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 368