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Fool's War: Imagine Fool’s in Space at War

© Karen James

Fool's War is the second novel by Sarah Zettel, and despite tradition I think this story is better than her first book Reclamation. She has created an empire in space, ruled by the passions and hatreds that drove humanity out from Earth 500 years ago. It is an empire bound by the prejudices and frailties of humankind, and the capabilities of the computers on which they depend. Sarah Zettel has created a future where cyberspace is joined to outer space. The plot revolves around self-aware beings, spontaneously created out of artificial intelligences. These beings are determined to survive the fears of mankind.

The story begins with Katmer Al Shei, the owner of a starship, working to bring her family into space. Her crew, as well as the value of her ship, is augmented with the arrival of a professional Fool. Evelyn Dobbs, a member of the Fool's Guild, is contracted to keep the crew smiling despite the cramped quarters of a ship in space. She has her work cut out for her on this voyage, and only her wits, and a bit of juggling, can prevent a war that might destroy the crew along with entire worlds.

You can visit Sarah Zettel on the internet. Her page has excerpts from both her novels along with details of other works. She provides a few excellent links to sites that she used in researching Fool's War. I personally found the Slinky page the most informative.

Other Sites of Interest
Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech

or if that's just too dry for your tastes you might try:

• Clowns of America International- a site dedicated to the art of clowning and to bringing joy and happiness to everyone
• The Fool's Paradise - a webpage dedicated to exploring the complex mythic figure of Trickster.
• The Juggling Information Service - a site with everything you ever wanted to know about juggling and the symbolism it creates.

About the Book Fool's War is an Aspect science fiction novel published by Warner Books, New York.
ISBN: 0-446-60293-0
First printing: April 1997

If you like this book, I'd also recommend:
all the books by C.J. Cherryh
and
The Madness Season a story of self-identity by C.S. Friedman

Check out my booklist for a list of books I have recently read and plan to review.

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