Power Lines by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough is the second book set in the Petaybee Universe. This book continues from where the last book leads off however the company has caused more problems again. While Dr. Fiske agrees with the natives that the planet is sentient the view is not shared by his son who manages to get the company to send out their prized trouble maker Matthew Luzon to try open the world for mining. At the same time certain dissident factions exist on the world which start moving with the new actions of the company. I enjoyed the cat and mouse adventures of this story much more than I did the first book in the series as I found it easier to root for the heroes when they were spouting human decency rather than Gaia theories of being. I found the villains very convincing especially the mad pedophile prophet and the pirates turned miners. I think however that what I learned most from the book is that we should not attempt to use science or reason to try and prove a view which we already have. Matthew Luzon does it very convincingly because he merely wants facts which back up his case. We must instead look at the total picture instead of simply denying facts that we disagree with without looking into them first. If we are truly going to live in this world the way God intended us to we must inspect our beliefs and face our fears while attempting to learn how to best achieve his goals. We must be willing to face things we don't like but do so in a way that we can discover why we fear them.
My full review is here on my personal website. I'll post my conclusion here, though:4.5 out of 5.0 starsAs with “Powers That Be,” the missing half-star is because of Yana and Sean. I never really see their relationship working romantically. Maybe it’s just the way my mind works or something, but I can’t quite put them together as the perfect couple. And just an FYI, by “perfect couple” I do not mean the kind that never fights and always gets along. I mean the couple that works through their problems no matter what comes their way. Technically, Yana and Sean fit that definition, but the way I interpret their personalities just doesn’t let them fit together that way.Everything else about the book is perfect! :-D I may be biased, but McCaffrey’s books are worth taking the time to read. All of them are.The very worst thing about this book is still Yana’s relationship with Sean. It still feels a little artificial to me. :-/The very best thing about this book is, also, still Petaybee the sentient planet! Petaybee is more involved in this book, I think, and that makes it even better!
What do You think about Power Lines (1995)?
Summary: A self aware planet vs greedy company. Enjoyed this second book, but the subject matter not really changed from the first and the surprise element is missing. Its dated a bit as well, wish I had read it when it came out.Plotline: Its OK, and comes together, but their are stupid weaknesses that should have been avoided.Premise: Interesting and workableWriting: Consistenely very good, simple.Ending: Good climax, happy ending, no need to read the next in the series (and I won't at least for a while)Pace: OK
—BobA707
