About this title: As a member of the Vigil, Faye Smallwood's mind is linked to the powerful datasphere that regulates the planet. Suddenly, she's the target of a conspiracy that threatens to unleash a new and deadly plague. Somewhere in long-abandoned ruins is an alien technology of unimaginable potential. Faye turns to Festina Ramos to help unravel the mystery--the ever-vigilant champion of those whom society deems expendable.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Eos
Date Published: 1999-03-01
ISBN-13:9780380802081ISBN:0380802082
Description: Good. Marker through UPC code on inside cover. unmarked pages, no spine creases, tiny corner creases on back cover and light edge wear. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Avon Books, Inc
Date Published: 1999
ISBN-13:9780380802081ISBN:0380802082
Description: Grade: A. Catalog: Science Fiction General Synopsis: 374 pages. The Price Of Liberty Is Eternal Vigilance. Even On Another Planet. Two species lived in peaceful coexistence on the planet Demoth until a... read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Avon Books
Date Published: 1999
ISBN-13:9780739401576ISBN:0739401572
Description: A wonderful copy with some minor edgewear to the cover. Dust Jacket has some edgewear present. -, Hard Cover, Very Good / Very Good. read more
Description: Good. Ex-Library book-will contain library markings. Book has appearance of light use with no easily noticeable wear. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Avon Books
Date Published: 1999
ISBN-13:9780739401576ISBN:0739401572
Description: Acceptable. MAY HAVE COVER WEAR, SPINE CREASES, HIGHLIGHTING, UNDERLINING & PAGES YELLOWED FROM AGE. FASTER SERVICE FROM US! ! ! read more
Description: Good. Mass Market pb. Good, with average condition problems for its age. Book has been read but remains straight, clean, and tight. No internal markings. In sealed plastic protection. 1999. Mass Market pb. read more
"A small indulgence for myself this month. I finished reading the first book in this series, Expendable, earlier this month and was enjoying Gardner's universe so much that I decided to pick up the next in the series."
"What the hell? A straight, white, male writing about a bi / lesbian sci-fi hero? While reading the Expendable series I have actually checked the author's bio four or five times to make sure I'm not being fooled. These books are great! The characters are meaningful and the plots creative and cool. I'm a fan."
"In a fractional rating system, I would have given this book a 3.7.
Sometimes I pick up a bunch of books really cheap, for ten cents apiece up in Maine. Or I get them three for a dollar in Brookline. At those prices, I can afford to take a chance on writers that I've never read before - even though I only like three modern genre writers.
Once in a very long while, I find a new modern author who can write well.
The Vigilant is actually a surprisingly good book. Gardner's not a new Zelazny, but this long science fiction novel about a plague on a colony planet surprised me several times - and didn't annoy me once. Well, okay, the author's use of the word "Dads" annoyed me. A lot. But apart from that, the characters were well-written, and the plot worked pretty well.
The heroine was a bit annoying at times, but that was intentional. And the ideas behind the story were interesting; it takes place in a galactic "League of Peoples" in which unimaginably powerful races have issued a single command: that dangerous non-sentient beings cannot travel from planet to planet.
The novel also features an interesting idea for a non-governmental organization which exists solely to scrutinize the government, and to publicize malfeasance and the consequences of government action and inaction; it's not slanted in any obvious political direction, and doesn't pretend to perfection.
There's a pretty large mystery component to the plot, which when handled properly is always good. I don't know if it would have been possible to solve the mystery before the denouement, but I didn't feel cheated, and I didn't see the various revelations coming in advance. Apparently Gardner has written a number of other books; I'll probably try them."
"I've read this book many times over. I love it. I identify with the main character and her voice is one I've had in my head many times.
That said, James Alan Gardner is simply brilliant. His books are connected but can be read separately. Of all of them, this one is my absolute favorite and makes my Top 5 books every time.
The premise, the characters and the story are all great. I don't want to describe this book, because it will take away from the story, but I cannot recommend this story more."
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