Rory Harper

I didn't actually finish this book, which makes me a little bit sad. I thought it was a very interesting concept and when I started reading I enjoyed the voice it was written in. Fun, slightly amusing, and original. Unfortunately my attention began to wane fairly early as I began to feel like the story was more about 'This is how oil rigs work' and less about the characters and the plot. That impression never left me, and is actually what caused me to set the book down. However, if you like details and are curious or interested in how wells/rigs work you may well enjoy this book more than I.… (meer)

I'm really fond of this book. It has a little bit of Heinleinesque quality in that the protagonist is a farm boy who leaves home to discover life, love and all that. It's funny, with decent character development and a straightforward, smoothly flowing plot. The best part about it, though, are the amazing aliens that perform the tasks of machines. They're well thought out, and make a great jumping off point for speculating on other possible kinds of aliens. I'd have liked it when I was a teenager, and I like it as an adult.… (meer)