Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #583048 in Books
• Published on: 2001-02
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

Customer Reviews

a delightful insight into the binary world of humanity
The "Snow Queen" is a disturbingly accurate description of the dark conflict which exists between purity and corruption, a conflict which is blatantly displayed in this narrative, yet will also be easily recognised in the realms of our current reality. Although Science Fiction, this novel is a sure demonstration of the inherent instability of this world of ours - as we know it - and in addition to invoking some wondrous moments of imaginative escapism, it certainly generates much discomfort in regards to mankind's sad failings, despite its attractively addictive and most intriguing format. It draws largely on human experience and its predictably complicated manifestation - something which is actively portrayed through the trials and successes of three major characters, the Snow Queen herself, her insubordinate clone, Moon, and their joint - if somewhat confused and malleable lover - Sparks.

Joan Vinge has the extraordinary ability to mould wonder with wisdom, fantasy with fact - and her style of writing is quite remarkable in the sense that one is rapidly transported to a vast, enthralling world of new dimensions whilst still governed by throes of one's own human emotion. It is an outstanding story controlled by the eerie evolution of some wild futuristic wonderment, though moulded still by some sense of the current. This book's adventure is a must-read, the exciting world made visible by this woman's untouchable clarity is one that would be sadly missed if not indulged. Her manner is untouchable.

AWESOME!
This book is the first science fiction novel I've ever been able to relate to, and really get into! Vinge is now one of my favorite authors, and it really depresses me that 'Summer Queen' is out of print, 'cuz I was really looking forward to reading it, once I knew it had been written!

Imagination I'd like to see come to life!!!
I first read this book as a young, impressionable freshman in High School. Since then I have read and re-read it. As I've grown up I have changed in many ways, but this book still brings me back to those fantastic days. It is an amazingly visual book. The characters, the world, the languages, both emotional and physical spoken by Joan are vivid, captivating and memorable. During my re-readings, I have many times imagined this book and it's sequal, The Summer Queen, come to life on the big screen. The story is very adaptable to that medium with high adventure, romance, amazing costumes and characters, classic good vs. evil.... I think it would be a simply wonderful movie, whether written for a young audience or a more mature one. Anyone agree?