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Sliding Scales Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Sliding Scales




Del Rey, Nov 2004, 24.95, 256 pp.
ISBN: 0345461568

Flinx was forced to leave the love of his life on New Riveria to recover from serious injuries while being pursued by the Order of the Null (end of the world fanatics) and is wanted by the Commonwealth authorities. He also needs to find an invisible weapons platform made by an extinct race which could detect what is coming from beyond the Great Emptiness. His ship's A.I. has the solution to erase the stress from Flinx's life, something he has never tried before. He goes on vacation.
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His A.I recommends he goes to the neutral planet Jast where no Commonwealth authorities exist and the sentient inhabitants, the Vsses, resemble hopping mushrooms, but beings from the Aann Empire are also present. This reptilian species is bringing the planet under their control. An Aann guide accidentally knocks Flinx down a canyon and leaves him for dead.

The Tier of Sjaiinn, a native artisan group held in contempt by the Empire takes Flinx in to their compound. Since he lost his memory they take care of him. Meanwhile, someone is attacking Aann installations with plans to remove the species from the planet and the guide returns to kill Flinx.

Harriet Klausner


The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner



Chapter Analysis of Sliding Scales

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Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence 10%planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 40%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 40%Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places 10% Tone of book    -   suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?    -   science fiction story Spying & Investigations    -   Yes What is main char. doing?    -   uncovering amnesiatic memories Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Cultural problems, alien culture    -   Yes Culture clash-    -   one culture tries to impose its culture on another group

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Profession/status:    -   fighter (air/space) pilot Age:    -   20's-30's Really unusual traits?    -   Super genius

Setting

A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:    -   humans in a futuristic society Planet outside solar system?    -   Yes

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   generic/vague references to death/punishment scientific jargon? (SF only)    -   some scientific explanation How much dialogue?    -   significantly more dialog than descript

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