Book Review - The Telefax Box by Toni Seger
Category Book Review Toni Seger The Telefax Box
The Telefax Box by Toni Seger is one of those books I read because the author contacted me and asked if I'd be interested. The sci-fi premise of how machinery makes us dependent rather than liberated tweaked my interest, so I accepted. While I'm not sure I got *all* the social and political satire she was after, the story was well done with plenty of opportunities to see society in all its glory.
The general storyline revolves around a murder that's taken place at one of the most prestigious labs in the galaxy. The Machine, a computer that knows and tracks everything, doesn't show that anything happened during that time. This fact, if true, creates real issues, as everyone believes that The Machine is all-powerful and can not be manipulated. As the crime is investigated, all sorts of unusual characters and races from throughout the galaxy have to interact and overcome basic prejudices and attitudes that have been formed over millennia. And at least for me, that's where the story excelled. She has a real knack for describing and painting the creatures. There are Quamats, who have short, stubby limbs and normally move by rolling. But some have chosen to walk in a more normal fashion to fit into more "normal" society. The relief from the pain that causes is what drives part of the murder investigation. Taborites are aquatic creatures who have to communicate through tentacles attached to the surface of their tank. Zantons are creatures with elongated limbs, and commonly hold positions of great power in the galaxy. It's just one of those truths that everyone knows. And then there are Sameracs. Blue and beautiful, but completely anti-machine in their thinking. As such, they hold very low positions in society with little chance of advancement. All these creatures (and more) come into play, and it's fascinating to watch how Seger weaves their personalities into the story.
I'll admit I was a bit lost at the ending, and that's why I said I probably didn't get all the satire she was putting out there. But even with that, The Telefax Box was one of the more entertaining sci-fi stories I've read in awhile. This is supposed to be the first of a trilogy, and I wouldn't hesitate to give the future installments a read when they come out.
The Telefax Box by Toni Seger is one of those books I read because the author contacted me and asked if I'd be interested. The sci-fi premise of how machinery makes us dependent rather than liberated tweaked my interest, so I accepted. While I'm not sure I got *all* the social and political satire she was after, the story was well done with plenty of opportunities to see society in all its glory.
The general storyline revolves around a murder that's taken place at one of the most prestigious labs in the galaxy. The Machine, a computer that knows and tracks everything, doesn't show that anything happened during that time. This fact, if true, creates real issues, as everyone believes that The Machine is all-powerful and can not be manipulated. As the crime is investigated, all sorts of unusual characters and races from throughout the galaxy have to interact and overcome basic prejudices and attitudes that have been formed over millennia. And at least for me, that's where the story excelled. She has a real knack for describing and painting the creatures. There are Quamats, who have short, stubby limbs and normally move by rolling. But some have chosen to walk in a more normal fashion to fit into more "normal" society. The relief from the pain that causes is what drives part of the murder investigation. Taborites are aquatic creatures who have to communicate through tentacles attached to the surface of their tank. Zantons are creatures with elongated limbs, and commonly hold positions of great power in the galaxy. It's just one of those truths that everyone knows. And then there are Sameracs. Blue and beautiful, but completely anti-machine in their thinking. As such, they hold very low positions in society with little chance of advancement. All these creatures (and more) come into play, and it's fascinating to watch how Seger weaves their personalities into the story.
I'll admit I was a bit lost at the ending, and that's why I said I probably didn't get all the satire she was putting out there. But even with that, The Telefax Box was one of the more entertaining sci-fi stories I've read in awhile. This is supposed to be the first of a trilogy, and I wouldn't hesitate to give the future installments a read when they come out.
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