Far-Seer

Robert J. Sawyer

Book 1 in the series:Quintaglio Ascension

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In "Far-Seer" by Robert J. Sawyer, readers are introduced to a unique world where a species of highly evolved, sentient Tyrannosaurs called Quintaglios play out a thinly veiled version of human history. The protagonist, Afsan, an apprentice astrologer, embarks on a transformative journey that challenges the beliefs of his society as he discovers the true nature of their world through a telescope known as the far seer. The book explores themes of religion, philosophy, and societal evolution through the lens of a dinosaur society on the brink of significant change.

The writing style in "Far-Seer" is praised for its ability to create a truly dinosaur society that feels authentic and distinct from human culture. The plot unfolds with a mix of adventure, philosophical musings, and societal commentary, keeping readers engaged as Afsan navigates the complexities of his world and grapples with challenging truths that could alter the course of his society's future.

Characters:

The characters feature distinct traits that avoid caricature, though some inconsistencies in their personalities are noted, particularly in the protagonist's ignorance despite his intellect.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by straightforward prose that effectively communicates the story without unnecessary elaboration, creating a concise narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on a young Quintaglio named Sal Afsan who embarks on a journey that challenges the established religious beliefs of his society and parallels historical figures in astronomy.

Setting:

The setting is a richly constructed world where sentient dinosaurs navigate a distinct culture influenced by their environment and religious beliefs.

Pacing:

The pacing is mostly brisk, though it has moments of slower exposition, keeping the story engaging through dynamic action scenes.

Formidable? Afsan clicked his teeth in humor, figuring that the choice of adjective was a sign that he must be getting accustomed to all this. Back then, after his introduction to the master astrologe...

Notes:

The protagonist, Sal Afsan, is a young Quintaglio, a race of sentient dinosaurs.

The story is a reimagining of the historical figures Galileo and Copernicus.

Quintaglios live on a planet with a unique culture centered around hunting and religion.

The Quintaglio society has a belief that a nearby gas giant is 'The Face of God'.

Afsan discovers that their world is actually a moon orbiting a planet, which is a heretical idea.

The novel explores the consequences of challenging societal beliefs and dogma.

The book includes detailed explanations of astronomical movements and scientific concepts.

Quintaglio culture features unique behaviors, such as their inability to lie and violent territorial madness called dagamant.

The author, Robert J. Sawyer, has a passion for science, which is evident in the narrative.

Despite its science fiction premise, the book deals heavily with themes of religion and authority.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include violence and themes related to religious belief systems and heresy.

From The Publisher:

The Face of God is what every young saurian learns to call the immense, glowing object which fills the night sky on the far side of the world. Young Afsan is privileged, called to the distant Capital City to apprentice with Saleed the court astrologer.

Buth when the time comes for Afsan to make his coming-of-age pilgrimage, to gaze upon the Face of God, his world is changed forever- for what he sees will test his faith... and may save his world from disaster! At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.

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