Absolute top rate science fiction! The author has created characters, planets, methods of travel, atmosphere, etc. so vivid that I felt at times as though I was watching a film and not reading at all. In my opinion, Robert Davies' Specimen 959 is a brilliant work, and deserves "classic" status for his masterful details, superb imagination, and the ability to keep my attention at a peak level throughout the book. I am very excited to read his next and his next and his next books. I say that Davies is to science fiction literature what Gene Roddenberry was to TV. Captivating! ( )

Out of several possible candidates prominently discussed in this book, the identity of specimen 959 was an unknown until the end. Most of the book is about the pursuit of freedom from a maximum-security prison on a remote planet in a war loving species’ space. The main character had been erroneously incarcerated for trumped-up charges after crash landing on one of that species’ planets.

Life in prison involves trading for necessary daytime items with other inmates. While there are various layers of prisoners, many of whom are violent and must be avoided, life in the prison follows a routine with prisoners stratified based on status.

With the help of government officials who are aligned with a piece seeking faction, an escape plan is formulated and carried out. We find out who specimen 959 is only after the main character and his cellmates escape.

This is the first book in a series and it leaves the reader hanging as to the future of specimen 959. The story is captivating and I will be buying book 2 and 3 in the series to continue following Specimen 959’s adventure. ( )

Let me start off by saying that I haven't read too many sci-fi books. Having said that, this book was well worth the read. It took me a couple of chapters before I really got hooked, but once I did, I could not put the book down. The author takes us into other worlds full of interesting species and plenty of details. We are introduced to a few people and find out how their lives are intertwined with one another and how they work together towards a common goal. Each of their life stories are richly told and as you read the story, you find yourself immersed in their struggles. I would recommend this book to everyone. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Norris has led man dull existence as a mechanic on the isolated outpost of an austere frontier planet for the last 15 years. Now, on the verge of refinement, Norris' ship is snagged by an alien trap that sends him spinning into an uncharted and unknown area of space. Norris crash lands on a desert planet with temperatures so intense, he cam only venture out at night. Though the ship's sensors indicate the planet is uninhabited, Norris is surprised by an alien warship. Alone and outnumbered in battle, Norris is taken prisoner, and finds himself dumped by a suspicious alien culture into a horrible prison: Nera Nima, a gorge gouged into the planet's surface, where it's survive by strength and wits or die.

Norris is determined to escape, but how, and, if he does manage to escape, how can he avoid being scooped up and imprisoned again?

Another inmate, Heseth, tells him of an escape plan, but can he trust her? This may just be another ruse to break his will by the guards who regularly interrogate and torture him. Norris must decide whether to find another way, or trust Heart, and risk his life with her in a dangerous escape attempt.

It took some persistence for me to get through the first two chapters of this book, as the author keeps introducing new groups of characters, and each time it's like being dropped into the middle of a council meeting in which you don't know what any other the strangers are talking about.

This was an entertaining read. There were a couple of things that bothered me about it though. One was that every single character uses contractions like "could've" and "would've" throughout the whole narrative. The other was the inconsistent personality of Sergeant Rentara, who's job it is to keep everyone in line at the prison. If you can get back these aspects, the book is worth your while. ( )

Fantastic book. Wonderfully complex plot with various mysteries gradually being revealed leading to a satisfying ending. Of course not everything is resolved, leaving one rushing off to order the second book in the series.

The author has created some great and complex characters in this book. They are all developed well and one feels vested in their well-being. The environments created are also done in great depth. A section is given over to life in a dreadful prison which is truly horrifying. This section lasts long enough to make a big impact, but not too long to make one worried that the overall story is moving too slowly.

This has all the hallmarks of becoming an epic. I have started reading the second book already and that is looking very promising.

Without doubt I recommend this work to all lovers of good science fiction. ( )