In the book 'Anvil of Stars', a group of young adults, survivors of Earth's destruction, are chosen by alien Benefactors to seek out and eliminate a civilization responsible for creating Berzerker style robots that destroy all other life forms. The story follows the journey of these characters as they navigate interstellar battles, moral dilemmas, and the complexities of seeking vengeance while questioning the morality of their mission. The narrative blends elements of children at war novels like 'Ender's Game' with a focus on social dynamics, cosmology, and the philosophical implications of their quest for revenge.

Characters:

The characters, mainly a group of teenagers, navigate complex social dynamics and personal dilemmas within the context of their revenge-seeking mission.

Writing/Prose:

Bear's writing blends thrilling action with intricate scientific ideas, though it sometimes suffers from a lack of depth and tonal inconsistencies.

Plot/Storyline:

The story centers on teenage survivors from Earth who are on a revenge mission against the civilization that annihilated their home, exploring themes of justice and moral ambiguity.

Setting:

The story unfolds in a futuristic setting with advanced technology and alien interactions, focusing on themes of vengeance and survival.

Pacing:

The pacing fluctuates, starting slowly before accelerating into a more gripping and action-packed narrative.

marty sits in the front seat of his father’s buick, riding along a freeway in Oregon at midsummer twilight. The highway is thick with cars and rain glazes the road. Gray-blue sky, tail-lights brillian...

Notes:

Anvil of Stars is the sequel to The Forge of God by Greg Bear.

The story takes place 300 years after Earth was destroyed by alien machines.

The surviving descendants are sent on a revenge mission against the alien civilization responsible.

They are guided by a benevolent alien group known as the Benefactors.

The protagonists travel on a ship called the Ship of the Law, named the Dawn Treader.

The crew is made up of young Earthlings who are modelled after children's stories and myths.

The book tackles deep moral questions about vengeance and justice.

The initial part of the story has a claustrophobic feel, similar to Lord of the Flies.

The children undergo military training on the ship for their revenge mission.

The novel explores the complexities of their mission, questioning the validity of their revenge.

New alien species in the story, called The Brothers, are depicted as rich and complex characters.

The narrative contrasts advanced technology with human emotions and moral dilemmas.

The writing is noted for its elaborate scientific concepts and thought-provoking themes.

Some readers found the pacing slow initially but enjoyed the latter half's excitement.

The themes of interstellar war and the consequences of such actions are central to the plot.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of genocide, violence, and moral dilemmas surrounding vengeance.

From The Publisher:

Greg Bear's The Forge of God described the destruction of Earth itself by self-replicating robots, Von Neumann machines designed to use the planet's mass to create more robotic creatures and spread throughout the Galaxy. In Anvil of Stars, only a few humans have survived, aided by a mysterious alien race known only as "The Benefactors", who arrived at Earth too late.

Now the small group of human survivors is determined to track down the criminal race who launched the planet killers. Humanity is given a starship by The Benefactors, and driven only by revenge they set out to find the unknown beings who are responsible for the destruction of Earth, and many other worlds.

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About the Author:

Greg Bear is the author of more than thirty books of science fiction and fantasy, including Blood Music, The Forge of God, Darwin's Radio, and Quantico. Awarded two Hugos and five Nebulas for his fiction, one of two authors to win a Nebula in every category, Bear has been called the "Best working writer of hard science fiction" by "The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Science Fiction." He lives in the Seattle, WA area.

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Anvil of Stars

Greg Bear

Book 2 in the series:Forge of God