Anvil of Stars

"Whether he's tinkering with human genetic material of prying apart planets, Bear goes about the task with intelligence and a powerful imagination"—Locus

"One of the outstanding sf novels of the current year is also the best book so far from an author whose versatility is continually growing. Literate hard-science or alien invasion novels are no longer rare, but a book such as this, which effectively blends these concepts and is also compellingly written, is a joy to behold."—Booklist

"One alien culture has destroyed Earth; another, called the Benefactors, has offered the survivors a chance for revenge by building a spaceship for a group of young volunteers whose goal is the extermination of their enemy. Like Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game, this sequel to The Forge of God explores the issues of morality and justice, using children as its vehicle. Bear's treatment differs, however, in that his characters have already lost their innocence and face their destiny with open eyes. As a stylist, Bear writes with a heady brilliance that communicates a sense of immediacy and credibility. A good choice for any library's sf collection."—Library Journal