A Matter of Profit

Last updated
A Matter of Profit
A Matter of Profit.jpg
Author Hilari Bell
Cover artistDavid LaFleur
LanguageEnglish
Genre science fiction
PublisherHarperCollins
Publication date
September 1, 2001
Pages288
ISBN 978-0-06-029513-4
OCLC 45418924
LC Class PZ7.B38894 Mat 2001

A Matter of Profit is a science fiction novel written by Hilari Bell [1] published in 2001. [2]

Contents

Plot summary

Ahvren's people, the Vivitare, have conquered the T'Chin confederacy. After spending two years fighting a brutal war on another world, Ahvren welcomes peace. However, he is suspicious of his people's easy victory, wondering why the T'Chin surrendered.

It is rumored that the Vivitare emperor is in danger of being assassinated and Ahvren offers to uncover the plot, in return for the freedom to choose his own path. To do it, he must understand what motivates the T'Chin.

Reception

Mara Albert in a review for School Library Journal said that "this is well-written, thought-provoking, and exciting science fiction. It's got cool weapons and weird aliens, but it's also got some meat to it. Fans of "Star Trek" will find it just to their taste." [3] Anita Berkam in her review for The Horn Book Magazine said that "the mystery moves at a cracking pace with plenty of action, and Bell creates several alien races with unique characteristics and philosophies, notably the Vivitare survival philosophy and the T'Chin perspective on life as a cosmic game of profit Both the bibliogoth's wise mentorship and Ahvren's gradual and believable conversion to the T'Chin way of thinking are distinctively and engagingly handled. For its winning characterization, suspenseful covert action at the climax, and intriguing conclusion, this entry in the science-fiction/ mystery genre will convert plenty of fans." [4]

Related Research Articles

Isaac Asimov American writer and biochemist (1920–1992)

Isaac Asimov was an American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. During his lifetime, Asimov was considered one of the "Big Three" science fiction writers, along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke. A prolific writer, he wrote or edited more than 500 books. He also wrote an estimated 90,000 letters and postcards. Best known for his hard science fiction, Asimov also wrote mysteries and fantasy, as well as much nonfiction.

Lois McMaster Bujold American speculative fiction author (born 1949)

Lois McMaster Bujold is an American speculative fiction writer. She is an acclaimed writer, having won the Hugo Award for best novel four times, matching Robert A. Heinlein's record. Her novella "The Mountains of Mourning" won both the Hugo Award and Nebula Award. In the fantasy genre, The Curse of Chalion won the Mythopoeic Award for Adult Literature and was nominated for the 2002 World Fantasy Award for best novel, and both her fourth Hugo Award and second Nebula Award were for Paladin of Souls. In 2011 she was awarded the Skylark Award. She has won two Hugo Awards for Best Series, in 2017 for the Vorkosigan Saga and in 2018 for the World of the Five Gods. The Science Fiction Writers of America named her its 36th SFWA Grand Master in 2019.

Sarah Zettel is an American author, primarily of science fiction. Her first short story was published in Analog Science Fiction and Fact in 1991. Zettel's novels have won multiple awards, including the Philip K. Dick Award and the Locus Award for Best First Novel, and positive reviews from critics. Her first novel Reclamation was published in 1996 and her second novel Fool's War in 1997. She has written romance novels and mysteries under the pseudonym Darcie Wilde, and the novel Bitter Angels as C. L. Anderson.

Anthony Boucher American author, critic, and editor (1911–1968)

William Anthony Parker White known by his pen-name Anthony Boucher, was an American author, critic, and editor, who wrote several classic mystery novels, short stories, science fiction, and radio dramas. Between 1942 and 1947 he acted as reviewer of mostly mystery fiction for the San Francisco Chronicle. In addition to "Anthony Boucher", White also employed the pseudonym "H. H. Holmes", which was the pseudonym of a late-19th-century American serial killer; Boucher would also write light verse and sign it "Herman W. Mudgett".

<i>This Island Earth</i> 1955 film by Jack Arnold, Joseph M. Newman

This Island Earth is a 1955 American science fiction film from Universal-International, produced by William Alland, directed by Joseph M. Newman and Jack Arnold, starring Jeff Morrow, Faith Domergue and Rex Reason. It is based on the eponymous 1952 novel by Raymond F. Jones, which was originally published in the magazine Thrilling Wonder Stories as three related novelettes: "The Alien Machine" in the June 1949 issue, "The Shroud of Secrecy" in December 1949, and "The Greater Conflict" in February 1950. The film was released in 1955 as a double feature with Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy.

Hilari Bell is an American fantasy author. She is the author of several science-fiction and fantasy novels including the critically acclaimed Farsala Trilogy. Bell worked as a reference librarian, but quit in 2005 to write full-time. She lives with her mother, brother and sister-in-law in Denver, Colorado.

<i>Asimovs Mysteries</i>

Asimov's Mysteries, published in 1968, is a collection of 14 short stories by American writer Isaac Asimov, almost all of them science fiction mysteries. The stories were all originally published in magazines between 1954 and 1967, except for "Marooned off Vesta", Asimov's first published story, which first appeared in 1939.

Azazel (Asimov)

Azazel is a character created by Isaac Asimov and featured in a series of fantasy short stories. Azazel is a two-centimeter-tall demon, named after the Biblical demon.

<i>Ancient Ruins and Archaeology</i> Book by Lyon Sprague de Camp

Ancient Ruins and Archaeology is a 1964 science book by L. Sprague de Camp and Catherine Crook de Camp, one of their most popular works. It was first published in hardcover by Doubleday in 1964, and reprinted under the same title by Barnes & Noble Books in 1992. The first British and paperback edition was issued by Fontana in 1972 under the title Citadels of Mystery, which was the de Camps' original working title; this title was retained by the first American paperback edition, issued by Ballantine Books in April 1973 and reprinted in February 1974. Translations into French, German and Portuguese have also appeared. Portions of the work had previously appeared as articles in the magazines Astounding Science Fiction, Fate, Frontiers, Natural History Magazine, Other Worlds Science Stories, Science Fiction Quarterly, and Travel.

Jim Harmon American author and popular culture historian

James Judson Harmon, better known as Jim Harmon, was an American short story author and popular culture historian who wrote extensively about the Golden Age of Radio. He sometimes used the pseudonym Judson Grey, and occasionally he was labeled Mr. Nostalgia.

Ronald Turner was a British illustrator and comic book artist.

<i>The Bones of Zora</i> 1983 novel by Lyon Sprague de Camp

The Bones of Zora is a science fiction novel by American writers L. Sprague de Camp and Catherine Crook de Camp, the ninth book of the former's Viagens Interplanetarias series and the seventh of its subseries of stories set on the fictional planet Krishna. Chronologically it is the sixth Krishna novel. It was first published in hardcover by Phantasia Press in 1983, and in paperback by Ace Books in August, 1984 as part of the standard edition of the Krishna novels. An E-book edition was published by Gollancz's SF Gateway imprint on September 29, 2011 as part of a general release of de Camp's works in electronic form. The novel has also been translated into German.

The Marvelous Effect is a science fiction novel by Troy CLE first published in May 2007. It is the first book in the Marvelous World series.

<i>An Awfully Beastly Business</i>

An Awfully Beastly Business is a series of fantasy books for children published between 2008 and 2011. Written collaboratively by David Sinden, Matthew Morgan, and Guy Macdonald and illustrated by Jonny Duddle, the series follows the adventures a werewolf named Ulf. He and many other endangered beasts live under the protection of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Beasts (RSPCB), a society founded by the late Professor Farraway. Ulf is an RSPCB apprentice who works with his companions the giant Orson, the fairy Tiana, and the veterinarian Dr. Fielding to prevent the antagonist poachers from capturing the beasts.

<i>When You Reach Me</i> American childrens novel, 2009

When You Reach Me is a Newbery Medal-winning science fiction and mystery novel by Rebecca Stead, published in 2009. It takes place on the Upper West Side of New York during 1978 and 1979 and follows the protagonist, Miranda Sinclair. She receives a strange note asking her to record future events and write down the location of her spare house key. As the novel progresses, Miranda receives three more notes with requests. The novel contains three storylines — the appearance of Miranda's mom on the game show The $20,000 Pyramid, Miranda's best friend Sal suddenly not talking to Miranda, and the appearance of a laughing man. Central themes in the novel include independence, redemption, and friendship. Stead also wanted to demonstrate the possibilities that she saw in time travel. The author hoped to show her children what New York was like in her childhood, and demonstrate how in an earlier time children were more self sufficient.

Outline of science fiction Overview of and topical guide to science fiction

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to science fiction:

Mara Hvistendahl American journalist

Mara Hvistendahl is an American writer. Her book Unnatural Selection was a finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction.

<i>Grand Canyon</i> (book) 2017 picture book by Jason Chin

Grand Canyon by Jason Chin is a 2017 children's picture book. The book tells about the plants, animals and habitats of the Grand Canyon, both now and in the past, using the premise of a hiking trip there. The inspiration for the book was a trip in high school; Chin had originally conceived of a Grand Canyon origin story. The book marked the first time Chin used die cuts, in addition to his normal use of pen and ink, watercolors, and gouache. The book was awarded a 2018 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations and a 2018 Sibert Honor for its informative text. Grand Canyon is one of only a few non-fiction books that are not biographies to be recognized by the Caldecott.

<i>Dreams of Distant Shores</i>

Dreams of Distant Shores is a collection of fantasy stories by Patricia A. McKillip. It was first published in ebook by Tachyon Publications in May 2016, with the trade paperback print edition following from the same publisher in June 2016.

The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy: Themes, Works, and Wonders is an English language reference work on science fiction and fantasy, published in 2005 by Greenwood Press. It was edited by Gary Westfahl and consists of three volumes of 200 entries each. The first two volumes contain entries organized by themes, such as "Aliens in Space", "Asia" or "Rats and Mice", while the third volume lists works such as novels and films which the are considered defining for the science fiction and fantasy genres.

References

  1. Amazon.com: A Matter of Profit: Hilari Bell: Books
  2. Rohrlick, Paula (2003). "Bell, Hilari. A matter of profit". Kliatt.
  3. Alpert, Mara (October 2001). "A Matter of Profit (Book Review)". School Library Journal. 47 (10): 148. ISSN   0362-8930.
  4. Burkam, Anita (January 2002). "A Matter of Profit". Horn Book Magazine. 78 (1): 76–77. ISSN   0018-5078.