This series starts with "Summertide", and the first four books are available cheaply on Kindle. I haven't tried to track down the fifth book, which apparently is not (it was published separately). I was interested in reading a "Forerunner" themed series written by an author with some scientific credibility. The series is the story of a quest for long lost alien technology by a motley group of not entirely altruistic characters. In fact, they never recover anything useful enough for us to see learning, technology transfer, or the impact of technological change on society. While there is an external enemy, much of the drama originates in tensions within the group itself.

The books that I enjoy most seem to have a cohesive group of characters working against a common enemy. This series does not fit into this category, and I think my enjoyment of it is lessened by that.

Treating these four books as a complete series, it does end with at least a partial reveal of the forerunners and their intentions. To jaded modern eyes this risks coming over as yet another morality play promoting diversity, but I think it is reasonably well done, and that co-operation between dissimilar entities has a long and distinguished history in SF. I just wish that the internal politics of our heroes had been a better example of it.

On 26.06.22, Andrew McDowell <mcdowell_ag@sky.com> wrote:

> The books that I enjoy most seem to have a cohesive group of
> characters working against a common enemy. This series does not fit
> into this category, and I think my enjoyment of it is lessened by
> that.

Can I pinch that text? It perfectly describes what I think of most books
I read, but my own phrasing seems to not get my meaning across. :)

--

Signature in pre-planning stage. ;P

On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 7:48:23 PM UTC+1, Ath wrote:
> On 26.06.22, Andrew McDowell <mcdow...@sky.com> wrote:
>
> > The books that I enjoy most seem to have a cohesive group of
> > characters working against a common enemy. This series does not fit
> > into this category, and I think my enjoyment of it is lessened by
> > that.
> Can I pinch that text? It perfectly describes what I think of most books
> I read, but my own phrasing seems to not get my meaning across. :)
>
>
> --
>
> Signature in pre-planning stage. ;P
If it works for you, feel free to reuse it with my blessing.

On 27.06.22, Andrew McDowell <mcdowell_ag@sky.com> wrote:
> On Sunday, June 26, 2022 at 7:48:23 PM UTC+1, Ath wrote:
>> On 26.06.22, Andrew McDowell <mcdow...@sky.com> wrote:

>>> The books that I enjoy most seem to have a cohesive group of
>>> characters working against a common enemy. This series does not fit
>>> into this category, and I think my enjoyment of it is lessened by
>>> that.

>> Can I pinch that text? It perfectly describes what I think of most
>> books I read, but my own phrasing seems to not get my meaning
>> across. :)

> If it works for you, feel free to reuse it with my blessing.

Thanks! :)

--

Signature in pre-planning stage. ;P