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Mind over Ship
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In a twenty-second-century world around which greedy power brokers are establishing space condos, a woman struggles to regenerate from a devastating accident, artificial intelligences endeavor to join the human race, and a group of sisters plans to leavethe planet.
A Tom Doherty Associates book
Library Journal
In the 22nd century, the program to colonize the galaxy has stalled. Heir to a financial empire, Ellen Stark has survived the fiery crash that killed her mother, but as her head strives to grow a new body, her mind ventures down strange pathways, as if deciding all over again what she wants to become. The sequel to Counting Heads proves as deliriously imaginative and fresh as its predecessor. Strong writing and a whimsically cynical vision of the future make this an excellent choice for most sf collections. Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Publishers Weekly
Marusek's wide-ranging and creative imagination is very much in evidence in this ambitious second novel. In 2007's Counting Heads, a rocket ship crash, apparently sabotage, killed powerful financier Eleanor Starke and left her adult daughter, Ellen, gravely injured. Ellen, whose damaged head has been grafted onto the body of an infant, insists her mother is still alive, an apparent delusion that complicates her efforts to assert control over the family business empire. As clones and artificial intelligences begin to redefine humanity and sentience, powerful executives derail a space colonization plan for their own profit. While newcomers might wish for a short prologue or a glossary, those omissions don't significantly detract. With ambitious narrative scope and small moments of perfect prose, this tale of 22nd-century politics repays the close reading necessary to follow its many interweaving plots. (Jan.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
Booklist
Ellen Starke's head, recovered from the crash that killed her mother, Eleanor, has a lot to deal with. She has a clone, but its body is a baby's; she's responsible for the teetering empire her mother created; she's surrounded by people plotting against her; and she believes Eleanor can't be dead. Applied People's corporate fortunes are about to take a tumble, partly because Fred Londenstane's on trial for his part in Ellen's rescue. Andrea Tiekel, head of E-Pluribus, is maneuvering to take over the clone market and, in fact, angling for control of even more, including Heliostream and the entire extrasolar colonization plan. Heliostream CEO Merrill Meewee, one of Eleanor's loyal agents, discovers some very interesting fish while skipping rocks in a pond on the Starke Enterprises campus. Intrigue, plotting, adventure, and bizarre conspiracies abound in this eminently satisfying follow-up to Counting Heads (2005). Marusek has built a solid world and paces the unfolding of corporate takeover and social mayhem so as to keep the reader fascinated. And the resolution is elegant and satisfying.--Schroeder, Regina Copyright 2008 Booklist
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Comments
I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was a sequel to the excellent "Counting Heads." In my books, Mind Over Ship isn't quite as good.
The story follows some of the same characters, as their world changes and adjusts to the events of the first book. The themes are darker - we get to see what life is like for the genetic underclass, and more of the implications of poverty in a world with rejuvenation treatment.
Sadly, the book doesn't have the same bounce as its predecessor. There's less humour. Some of the characters are a little wooden. The author's hand is apparent in some of the plot twists.
Regardless, it's still a good read. I recommend this to any sci fi fan who remembers cyberpunk fondly.