Comment

Apr 09, 2013zipread rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
The Cassandra Projec t --- Jack McDevitt and Mike Resnick. After having read a few of McDevitt’s other novels, I thought it best to avoid any more of his Alex Benedict novels. With them you can wait an eternity for the plot line to advance an iota --- just a little too laid back. So I thought Cassandra would be different and maybe a bit more like Cauldron”. Well McDevitt uses some of his trade-mark devices: the plot is moved along by the media: press and TV appearances on fictitious talk shows. There’s at least a passing reference to worlds in collision. And, oh yes, there’s always at least some mention of Canada, eh? And when there is a reception for a big-wig president, the fare on the table is described in painstaking detail:" a choice of catfish (the catfish was good) or New York Strip, accompanied by mashed potatoes and a swirl of unidentifiable vegetables. It was finished off with strawberry shortcake and ice cream". Was there coffee too? This is about as much fun as watching your ice cream melt. This is the kind of stuff that gets in the way of the novel’s forward motion --- sort of like having to change out a spare tire or waiting at the side of the highway for the auto club to bring you a jerry can of gas.. So, after having said all those nasty things about “Cassandra” is it a novel worth reading? Yes, yes, yes. The suspense alone makes it worth the time and the time will fly by before you’re at the end. But the ending is too quick, it doesn't measure up to the rest of “Cassandra”. But like I said, go ahead, read it anyway. As for me, I’m looking for my next McDevitt novel.