Rating: 
Summary: Shallow Characters Have their Moments
Review: "Newton's Cannon" by J. Gregory Keyes is historical fantasy novel about science, inventors, and angels. Alchemy is the new science of the day and not only does it work but it is an accepted method changing matter. Unlike the old alchemy theories of the past (e.g. changing iron to gold,) people are able to command nature's elements.The story revolves around Sir Isaac Newton's discovery of a secret material that changes the natural course of history. Additionally, we are introduced to various mysterious devices throughout the story that are miraculous even by today's standards. For example, there is a special gun that shoots bullets similar to a machine gun, a communications device that can span the globe instantaneously, a drug that can make anyone invulnerable to death, etc. However, even with these wonderful advances, most people are still fighting with swords and muskets, travelling via horse, and setting type manually. The main characters are Benjamin Franklin and Mademoiselle Adrienne. Even though they never meet, their goals are the same...to stop a catastrophe of epic proportions. Yes, it's that Benjamin Franklin, Keyes name drops all throughout the book. I only wish some depth had been applied to the characters. We really don't understand what motivates some of the minor characters, for example, Sir Isaac Newton is a complete mystery. Another problem is that Keyes spends a lot of effort introducing us to characters that go nowhere. Voltaire and Blackbeard are introduced and then fade away. I was especially disgusted by the teaser at the end of the book when he drags out Peter the Great. The impression one receives is that Keyes is saving some description for the next book in the series. He left a number of loose ends at the end of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Shallow Characters Have their Moments
Review: "Newton's Cannon" by J. Gregory Keyes is historical fantasy novel about science, inventors, and angels. Alchemy is the new science of the day and not only does it work but it is an accepted method changing matter. Unlike the old alchemy theories of the past (e.g. changing iron to gold,) people are able to command nature's elements. The story revolves around Sir Isaac Newton's discovery of a secret material that changes the natural course of history. Additionally, we are introduced to various mysterious devices throughout the story that are miraculous even by today's standards. For example, there is a special gun that shoots bullets similar to a machine gun, a communications device that can span the globe instantaneously, a drug that can make anyone invulnerable to death, etc. However, even with these wonderful advances, most people are still fighting with swords and muskets, travelling via horse, and setting type manually. The main characters are Benjamin Franklin and Mademoiselle Adrienne. Even though they never meet, their goals are the same...to stop a catastrophe of epic proportions. Yes, it's that Benjamin Franklin, Keyes name drops all throughout the book. I only wish some depth had been applied to the characters. We really don't understand what motivates some of the minor characters, for example, Sir Isaac Newton is a complete mystery. Another problem is that Keyes spends a lot of effort introducing us to characters that go nowhere. Voltaire and Blackbeard are introduced and then fade away. I was especially disgusted by the teaser at the end of the book when he drags out Peter the Great. The impression one receives is that Keyes is saving some description for the next book in the series. He left a number of loose ends at the end of this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Start to An Interesting Series
Review: Although I'm generally not into alternate histories, I picked this up along with the 2nd book in the series because of the historical people involved as well as the reviews on line. I wasn't disappointed. The real life historical characters like Benjamin Franklin and Sir Isaac Newton (among others) seemed finely realized, even if their histories were tweaked a bit. For instance, Franklin said and did things I could imagine he would have said and done. The characterizations are well done and believable. As to the alchemical inventions and what-have-you, I was most taken with aetherschrieber (hope I spelled it right), which you'll come to understand when you read the story. (Hint: It's some type of office machine.) Though a somewhat dark book, I couldn't put it down, and I finished it in about a week. I was glad I decided to get book 2 at the same time. Don't be intimidated by the name of this book or that Newton is on the cover. This is not some boring, overly-detailed science book: It'll actually leave you hungering for more!
Rating:
Summary: Good Start to An Interesting Series
Review: Although I'm generally not into alternate histories, I picked this up along with the 2nd book in the series because of the historical people involved as well as the reviews on line. I wasn't disappointed. The real life historical characters like Benjamin Franklin and Sir Isaac Newton (among others) seemed finely realized, even if their histories were tweaked a bit. For instance, Franklin said and did things I could imagine he would have said and done. The characterizations are well done and believable. As to the alchemical inventions and what-have-you, I was most taken with aetherschrieber (hope I spelled it right), which you'll come to understand when you read the story. (Hint: It's some type of office machine.) Though a somewhat dark book, I couldn't put it down, and I finished it in about a week. I was glad I decided to get book 2 at the same time. Don't be intimidated by the name of this book or that Newton is on the cover. This is not some boring, overly-detailed science book: It'll actually leave you hungering for more!
Rating: 
Summary: Magnificent!
Review: An incomparably complex and intricate masterpiece of literature, Keyes' novel meshes together myriad plot elements and characters expertly, each ingenious factor contributing to the remarkable network of events which is Newton's Cannon. A work of absolute brilliance, to shame Keyes' former Forays into the literate art, masterful as they may have been. Undoubtedly one of the premier works of fiction ever written.
Rating:
Summary: Very well crafted.
Review: As I read this book, I noticed threads that reminded me of the best moments in "The Eight", "Lucifer's Hammer" and Harlan Ellison's "Flop Sweat". I found it to be a marvelous and original story, easy to get swept up in, and full of subtle "aha" moments for the omnivorous reader.
Rating:
Summary: a very good start to the series
Review: Book 1 of The Age of Unreason When I first heard of this book some time ago I was initially hesitant to read it. The subject did not sound like something that I would be interested in. But then I read The Briar King a couple of months ago and realized that Greg Keyes is an author I would like to read more of. So I picked this book up again and finally started reading. It was a whole lot better than I expected. The story begins with Isaac Newton discovering a substance (called Philospher's Mercury, I believe). While Newton was a great scientist, he unsuccessfully dabbled in alchemy. The prologue takes a "what if" approach to Newton and his alchemy. In this book, Isaac Newton is ultimately successful and it is this new substance that changed the course of history. This aether allows for the creation of devices that could exist today (even though it is during the time of Benjamin Franklin) as well as some that have never existed. There is a cannon mentioned (not the one in the title) that when the cannonball strikes a castle, it turns the walls to glass and then shatters the castle. This aether (Philosopher's Mercury) is the most influential discovery in human history and it has changed the nature of the 1700's. Flash forward several decades. Our hero is Benjamin Franklin (yes, that Benjamin Franklin). He is 14 years old and every bit the genius that history has told us. He is an apprentice to his brother, a printer. With some of Franklin's theories and inventions on how to adapt some of the existing technology even further, his life is threatened. We see how Franklin begins to work some things out and how he ends up chased out of Boston to London. At the same time, there is intrigue going on in the court of Louis XIV in France. France is in the middle of a war with England (and is on the losing end), but they are developing a super weapon that could potentially destroy all of London. The main character in these sections is not Louis, as one might expect, but rather a young woman named Adrienne. Adrienne secretly studies mathematics in a place where women are not treasured for their learning, but she is thrust onto a path filled with secrets but also the opportunity to learn more. Starting with an interesting concept (though not one that initially attracted me to the book), and executed very well and believably, Greg Keyes has written a very good first book (out of 4 for this series). While I did not find it as stunning as The Briar King, I remain interested enough in this series that I intend on reading book 2 (A Calculus of Angels).
Rating:
Summary: a very good start to the series
Review: Book 1 of The Age of Unreason When I first heard of this book some time ago I was initially hesitant to read it. The subject did not sound like something that I would be interested in. But then I read The Briar King a couple of months ago and realized that Greg Keyes is an author I would like to read more of. So I picked this book up again and finally started reading. It was a whole lot better than I expected. The story begins with Isaac Newton discovering a substance (called Philospher's Mercury, I believe). While Newton was a great scientist, he unsuccessfully dabbled in alchemy. The prologue takes a "what if" approach to Newton and his alchemy. In this book, Isaac Newton is ultimately successful and it is this new substance that changed the course of history. This aether allows for the creation of devices that could exist today (even though it is during the time of Benjamin Franklin) as well as some that have never existed. There is a cannon mentioned (not the one in the title) that when the cannonball strikes a castle, it turns the walls to glass and then shatters the castle. This aether (Philosopher's Mercury) is the most influential discovery in human history and it has changed the nature of the 1700's. Flash forward several decades. Our hero is Benjamin Franklin (yes, that Benjamin Franklin). He is 14 years old and every bit the genius that history has told us. He is an apprentice to his brother, a printer. With some of Franklin's theories and inventions on how to adapt some of the existing technology even further, his life is threatened. We see how Franklin begins to work some things out and how he ends up chased out of Boston to London. At the same time, there is intrigue going on in the court of Louis XIV in France. France is in the middle of a war with England (and is on the losing end), but they are developing a super weapon that could potentially destroy all of London. The main character in these sections is not Louis, as one might expect, but rather a young woman named Adrienne. Adrienne secretly studies mathematics in a place where women are not treasured for their learning, but she is thrust onto a path filled with secrets but also the opportunity to learn more. Starting with an interesting concept (though not one that initially attracted me to the book), and executed very well and believably, Greg Keyes has written a very good first book (out of 4 for this series). While I did not find it as stunning as The Briar King, I remain interested enough in this series that I intend on reading book 2 (A Calculus of Angels).
Rating:
Summary: Excellent alternative history
Review: Fantastical history taking a very real fascination of Netwon with Alchemy and twisting in on its head. We have to remember, at the time of Newton alchemy was seen as a very real and possible scientific area of investigation - its only seen through our historical filters that we view it as 'occult'. This takes the truth of this and weaves a very engaging, well written and believable tale of mystery, magic and science. One of the best suprises i've had in some time (I picked it up in the bargain bin - a definite read!)
Rating:
Summary: Wow....
Review: Finally, a fantasy novel in which the magic is made out to seem scientific rather than mystical. Also, it's quite obvious that Mr. Keyes knew what he was writing about, for Newton really did (though unsuccessfully) turn to alchemy. I also like how he tied in famous characters such as Voltaire and Teach (Blackbeard). The one fault I found was that the last few chapters moved too quickly and began to get a little too bizarre. This book really should have been four and a half stars, but I rounded down since mathematically, .5 has a 50% chance of either going up or down...
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