From Publishers Weekly
Transported to the Sky Steppe of Mars in the final, satisfying book in British author Baxter's highly original Mammoth trilogy (Longtusk; Silverhair), his engaging wooly characters face an abandoned and potentially lethal terraforming experiment left there by humans (aka "the Lost"). Matriarch mammoth Silverhair's daughter, Icebones, awakens from an unnatural slumber to find herself in a land and time far from her native Pleistocene earth. The mammoths here have no knowledge of their ancient culture, such as the teachings of their mighty progenitor, Kilukpuk. Mammoth tradition says the Sky Steppe is "the Island in the sky where... mammoths would one day find a world of their own, free from the predations and cruelty of the Lost, a world of calm and plenty" yet whatever promise Mars once held is fading now as the changes made by human engineers are reversed under the assault of the red planet's uncompromising weather and geology. Icebones's companions, used to depending on the Lost for everything, can't possibly survive alone. Their only hope is to cross half the world to reach the Footfall of Kilukpuk, a rich valley full of all the sweet grass and water the mammoths need. The journey is long and treacherous, but as the beasts' great Cycle says, "The mammoth dies, but mammoths live on." Baxter fills the tale with taut adventure and splendid settings, making it easy to suspend disbelief. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
When humans colonized Mars, they populated the red planet with preserved specimens of once extinct Earth species. In 3000 C.E., humans have disappeared from Mars, but mammoths remain, unsure of how to exist without the humans they have known as keepers and tenders. Only Icebones, daughter of Silverhair and keeper of the lore of her species, bears the knowledge to keep the herds of mammoths alive despite dangers from the unforgiving planet as well as dissension from within the herd. In the tradition of Watership Down and other animal-based fantasies, Baxter brings the great creatures of Earth's prehistory to life. This conclusion to Baxter's "Mammoth Trilogy" (Silverhair, Longtusk) is suitable for both adult and YA readers of prehistoric fantasy. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
3000 A.D. Years ago, humans colonized Mars, bringing with them specimens of long-extinct Earth life for regeneration on this new frontier. But humankind has disappeared, and the animals have been left behind to fend for themselves. Icebones, daughter of Silverhair, had been the only adult mammoth taken to Mars. As such, she is now the only one of her kind who carries the accumulated knowledge of mammoth history, and it is up to her to teach her fellow mammoths how to survive -- and thrive -- without their human keepers. In the grand tradition of Watership Down, Stephen Baxter has created a complex society complete with elaborate myths and legends. With Icebones, he brilliantly and dramatically brings the acclaimed Mammoth trilogy to its resounding conclusion.
About the Author
A two-time winner of the Philip K. Dick Award and recipient of the John W. Campbell Memorial Award,Stephen Baxter has also been a Hugo nominee as well as the winner of numerous other literary prizes for his novels and short fiction. A trained engineer who took a first-class honors degree in mathematics at Cambridge University, he also has a doctorate in aeroengineering research from Southhampton University. He is the author of eleven science fiction novels and four novels for young adults. Mr. Baxter lives in Prestwood, England.
Icebones FROM THE PUBLISHER
3000 A.D. Years ago, humans colonized Mars, bringing with them specimens of long-extinct Earth life for regeneration on this new frontier. But humankind has disappeared, and the animals have been left behind to fend for themselves. Icebones, daughter of Silverhair, had been the only adult mammoth taken to Mars. As such, she is now the only one of her kind who carries the accumulated knowledge of mammoth history, and it is up to her to teach her fellow mammoths how to survive -- and thrive -- without their human keepers.
In the grand tradition of Watership Down, Stephen Baxter has created a complex society complete with elaborate myths and legends. With Icebones, he brilliantly and dramatically brings the acclaimed Mammoth trilogy to its resounding conclusion.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Transported to the Sky Steppe of Mars in the final, satisfying book in British author Baxter's highly original Mammoth trilogy (Longtusk; Silverhair), his engaging wooly characters face an abandoned and potentially lethal terraforming experiment left there by humans (aka "the Lost"). Matriarch mammoth Silverhair's daughter, Icebones, awakens from an unnatural slumber to find herself in a land and time far from her native Pleistocene earth. The mammoths here have no knowledge of their ancient culture, such as the teachings of their mighty progenitor, Kilukpuk. Mammoth tradition says the Sky Steppe is "the Island in the sky where... mammoths would one day find a world of their own, free from the predations and cruelty of the Lost, a world of calm and plenty" yet whatever promise Mars once held is fading now as the changes made by human engineers are reversed under the assault of the red planet's uncompromising weather and geology. Icebones's companions, used to depending on the Lost for everything, can't possibly survive alone. Their only hope is to cross half the world to reach the Footfall of Kilukpuk, a rich valley full of all the sweet grass and water the mammoths need. The journey is long and treacherous, but as the beasts' great Cycle says, "The mammoth dies, but mammoths live on." Baxter fills the tale with taut adventure and splendid settings, making it easy to suspend disbelief. (June 11) Forecast: With the first new Jean Auel novel in years due shortly, this series could benefit from heightened interest in Ice Age fiction. Baxter has won two Philip K. Dick Awards, as well as the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Library Journal
When humans colonized Mars, they populated the red planet with preserved specimens of once extinct Earth species. In 3000 C.E., humans have disappeared from Mars, but mammoths remain, unsure of how to exist without the humans they have known as keepers and tenders. Only Icebones, daughter of Silverhair and keeper of the lore of her species, bears the knowledge to keep the herds of mammoths alive despite dangers from the unforgiving planet as well as dissension from within the herd. In the tradition of Watership Down and other animal-based fantasies, Baxter brings the great creatures of Earth's prehistory to life. This conclusion to Baxter's "Mammoth Trilogy" (Silverhair, Longtusk) is suitable for both adult and YA readers of prehistoric fantasy. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
Final installment of Baxter's trilogy (it previously appeared in Britain) featuring intelligent mammoths-although, unaccountably, the publishers released the first two volumes here in the wrong order (Silverhair, 1999; Longtusk, 2001). It is now the fourth millennium. The mammoth Icebones, daughter of Silverhair, wakes from prolonged suspended animation-on top of Olympus Mons, the highest mountain on Mars! Moreover, she's at once surrounded by bewildered mammoths who, fed and nurtured by humans, have no idea how to survive now that the humans have gone. Mammoths have innate language skills, so at least the small, squat Icebones can talk with her tall, spindly, Mars-born cousins. Icebones, with her hard-won survival skills, must become Matriarch, and weld the confused group into a herd. But there's no food and little water on the mountain, and it seems that, briefly warm and wet, Mars is already cooling and dying. The mammoths might survive in Hellas basin, the deepest crater on the planet. And so they begin an epic journey across half the globe: down the enormous mountain, past huge frozen seas, through the vast canyon of the Valles Marineris, battling thirst, cold, starvation, predators, and even each other-not all the mammoths accept Icebones's leadership. And even if the herd attains its goal, it's far from certain that mammoths can survive if the planet continues to cool. Impossible not to cheer for Baxter's plucky pachyderms: a saga that, even at its most improbable, engages the reader's heart and mind.
Art & Photography
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