chindi by jack mcdevitt is a pretty mediocre work of science fiction. it’s not bad, it just doesn’t offer characters of much depth, or a plot that goes in a particularly believable or interesting direction. it sort of feels like rendezvous with rama remixed by a second-rate star trek writer. perhaps it was even more of a let-down after having read a couple of other great science fiction books. this is actually the third book in a series, although it is not really promoted as such. i can’t say that i’m eager to track down the rest of the series.

the quote on the front cover calls mcdevitt the heir to clarke and asimov, and i’d have to say he’s going to have to start coming up with some more original ideas and interesting characters to pull that off.