Isaac Asimov

The Stars, Like Dust

It feels like the result of asking ChatGPT to write an Asimov story. Which kind of makes sense, in an anachronistic way, as this is one of his earliest works. It's not bad, just not very inspired. And the ending is incredibly lame.

Frederik De Bosschere

Aamna

Asimov's early work so not his best. Even more painful since I read this right after Robots & Empire which is terrific.

Pat G.

** spoiler alert **
           My first Asimov novel, and one of his first ever published. Glad I started here to get a feel for early Asimov. 

Definitely light and playful, which is appropriate to the time it was written. Fun story overall: exaggerated heroics and proclamations, speedy love story, epic deduction skills by the main characters. 

Hilarious ending, very American.

Adam

2nd Book in Asimov's Empire series, and probably the last I'll read. I see why Asimov called this his "least favorite novel". I only wish I knew that beforehand.

Bryan Alexander

This novel is an entertaining political thriller taking place against a space opera background. It concerns the adventures of Biron Farrill, a student and heir to a planetary fortune, as he tries to survive various attempts on his life.

Said background is Asimov's Empire series, one where human civilization has spread across the galaxy. The immediate human setting is a bit like eastern Europe during the Mongol era - indeed, the bad guys, the superbly named Tyranni, are led by a Khan. There are no aliens in this universe. 

Most of the book consists of dialogue familiar to mystery readers. Characters formulate theories about each other's actions and plans, trying to identify and out-think opposition. There is some action, but Stars Like Dust depends more on these intellectual dialogues. Which Asimov does very well.

It's very much like Currents of Space, sharing the same galactic setting, dialogue emphasis, and political intrigue structure. Stars has less science.

So, in sum: very entertaining.

The Stars, Like Dust

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