Red Lightning (Thunder and Lightning, #2)

We all know that often, sequels don't work as well as the original. here ... that just doesn't hold.

Varley's taken the idea behind the first story, forwarded us on to the next generation, and thrown complex, relevant and timely issues into a pot and bubbled them all up into a fantastic, readable adventure. I'm still a little disappointed at how long these teens take to open up to their feelings, but perhaps the more cautious nature is warranted in such a dangerous time. The ending paves the way neatly for any future works (of which I think there are at least two, so that should keep me happy).

Yay, more Varley. Another cracker. This one might seem a little disjointed to some. During the writing process he had real world parallels with 9/11, the Indonesian Tsunami and Katrina which kind of freaked him out. I feel that the synchronicity helped inform his writing here. The premise is one generation moved on from the previous book and studies the setting through the lens of that generation. How would they be given virtually free unlimited energy and the ability to go travel in space freely because of that. Again, the touchstone is Heinlein YA but again, this is a very adult book.