Rating: 
Summary: Merely an OK Book
Review: "Psion" is merely an OK book. It's not bad, but it's certainly not good. The biggest problem is the overall shallowness, or even triteness, of everthing: theme, plot, and character development. The theme is essentially that humans are evil, especially if they have any kind of wealth or power. The plot's not that bad, though there are jumps where people do things that are just plain stupid. The worst part of the book is the character development. The characters DO develop. It's just that that development seems to be a step function (i.e., you don't see the character learn through experience: they just behave differently later in the book). Plus, I don't really like the main character as a person: he's essentially a victim and doesn't want to take any of the opportunities to improve himself that he's offered throughout the book. Even worse, though, is the villain. He nothing but a cardboard cutout. Not only does Vinge not develop his character thoughout the book, she's also given him no character in the first place. There's also a problem with several groups that ought to have been central to the book. Two that spring to mind are the aliens and the mine management on Cinder. Neither of these groups are given any kind of development. Vinge needs them to do certain things for the plot to proceed and so, Twin-Pines, they do them (some of the things she has the mine management do are absolutely not in their own best interest).
Since this book is really required if you want to read the second book in the series, "Catspaw," I still recommend you read it. Again, it's not a bad book. I wouldn't call it a light read, but at least it's not heavy.
Rating: 
Summary: Fine, fine story
Review: I discovered this jewel of a book completely by accident one day in my univerity's library. It was shelved in the children's storybook section, oddly enough. An obvious, glaring mistake. I knew it had to be something more, not only by its thickness, but by it's title. Show me a five year old who would know how to pronounce the word 'psion.' I checked it out, and damn, am I glad I did. Vinge gives her stories a character, a mood, and a depth that is absent from many sci-fi novels, which love to focus on infathomable technology instead of a good story. You can't help but to like Cat, and to feel for him throughout the hell he's put through. 'Psion' is just the first in the Cat trilogy, followed by 'Catspaw' and 'Dreamfall.' If you like your sci-fi with just the right amount of character and the right amount tech, then get these three books if you can. And be sure you get them all at the same time, or you'll find yourself going nuts waiting to read the next part.
Rating:
Summary: Fine, fine story
Review: I discovered this jewel of a book completely by accident one day in my univerity's library. It was shelved in the children's storybook section, oddly enough. An obvious, glaring mistake. I knew it had to be something more, not only by its thickness, but by it's title. Show me a five year old who would know how to pronounce the word 'psion.' I checked it out, and damn, am I glad I did. Vinge gives her stories a character, a mood, and a depth that is absent from many sci-fi novels, which love to focus on infathomable technology instead of a good story. You can't help but to like Cat, and to feel for him throughout the hell he's put through. 'Psion' is just the first in the Cat trilogy, followed by 'Catspaw' and 'Dreamfall.' If you like your sci-fi with just the right amount of character and the right amount tech, then get these three books if you can. And be sure you get them all at the same time, or you'll find yourself going nuts waiting to read the next part.
Rating:
Summary: Love it
Review: I had no clue there was a book called PSION untill i went to a computer artwork site that made wallpapers of Buffy and Angel and Firefly[all totally awesome shows].I saw a challenge pic that a girl made using some characters in Angel, Firefly,and Smallville.The bottom said based on the book Psion by Joan D. Vinge.I thought id check it out and it was awesome.Read if you love science fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Love it
Review: I had no clue there was a book called PSION untill i went to a computer artwork site that made wallpapers of Buffy and Angel and Firefly[all totally awesome shows].I saw a challenge pic that a girl made using some characters in Angel, Firefly,and Smallville.The bottom said based on the book Psion by Joan D. Vinge.I thought id check it out and it was awesome.Read if you love science fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Just a question....
Review: I haven't actually read this book. I checked out Catspaw from the library, started it, and realized I didn't have a clue about what was going on. So I had to place a hold on the two (?) other books that come before. Psion and Phoenix in the Ashes, right? But then I noticed that Psion and Catspaw are offered as a set along with another book, Alien Blood. Is that part of this series as well? I can't find any information on it...So that's just my kinda stupid question. I was just wondering if anyone knew the answer and would like to make a post. It would really be appreciated. I hate not starting at the beginning of a series...hehe. Thanks so much.
Rating:
Summary: A loveable rouge
Review: I've read all the Cat books, to date, and I greatly enjoyed them all. The writing is bright, sarcastic, funny, and touching all at the same time. Cat is completely engrossing and loveable, while still being tough and witty. If you enjoy sarcastic humour, a little romance, loads of action, neat mental powers, and hidden political themes- these books are perfect for you! I would read them again. In fact, I probably will, because I own all there. Psion, Cat's Paw and whatever the other one is called.
Rating:
Summary: Psion
Review: Psion is about a penniless orphan boy named Cat because of his strange appearance. For his entire solitary life Cat is discriminated against for reasons unknown to him. But one night he is caught by government officials, and instead of selling him into legal slave labor they send him to an institute for psychics. There he is told he is an exceptionally powerful telepath because rather than having a remnant of alien blood as do the other psychics he is half alien, which accounts for his catlike pupils, and the government wants his help in catching a renegade psychic who sells his power and wants to destroy those in power. This from the people who insult, abuse, mistreat, and cheat him and his kind whenever possible. When Cat is sold into the slavery by the people he had only just begun to trust and is then recruited by the feared Quicksilver he has to decide which side he's going to choose. Whether he is going to join Quicksilver and have riches rather than derision or whether he will risk his life and try to trick Quicksilver for the people who betrayed him and the empath who was the only one who ever cared. Only.... While he is there, he meets the other half of the family tree.If you can get this book do it. You certainly won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Psion
Review: Psion is followed by a short story in Pheonix in the Ashes, Catspaw, and then Dreamfall.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, if fluffy reading
Review: This story explores the use of the telepathy rather nicely. Mrs. Vinge imagines a compelling plot and her characters are original and many-dimensional.
Unfortunatly, Psion falls victim to a common trend in 1980s Science Fiction- cliches and stupidity.
The author apparently feels compelled to stick certain things in the book, even if they don't always fit. The hero's love intrest is taken by the hero's enemy, the hero is hurt seriously and cared for by the love intrest, the hero kills someone, ect.
Also, Mrs. Vinge's book is a light read. There are plot twists, but the book doesn't make on think. The subject of telepathy could be used to explore certain tendancies of human nature, or privacy laws. But it isn't.
All in all, a well rounded book. Read it on vacation or on the beach.
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