Hunters Run", George R. R. Martin, Gardner Dozois & Daniel Abraham

I actually read this book a while ago, but never reviewed it. I think I was intimidated by the fact that it has three authors, making a recommendation far more difficult to make. However, it is thoroughly deserving of comment so I just have to bite the bullet and go ahead.

This book took decades to write and passed through three pairs of hands who all apparently left their stamp on it, though it is hard to spot the individual styles as the story is perfectly seamless and very well crafted. Of the three writers I was only familiar with George R. R. Martin, who is the author of the excellent series "Song of Fire and Ice" which starts with "Clash of Thrones". His only fault as a writer could lie in making a story too big, too many characters and too many threads, but only time will tell as his main series is only half finished.

Hunters Run starts with violence, a man called Ramon kills another man in a bar fight and is forced to flee into the wilderness of a recently occupied planet. The story keeps with the single voice and follows it tightly and you start a journey with a man that you probably will not like too much. The plot develops and opens beautifully as layers of Ramon and the world are revealed to the reader. The scale of the novel opens up even while managing to stay focused on one man, and his struggle to survive. Almost anything else I could say about this excellent novel could ruin it.

The artistry of this work is what makes it a superior piece of craftsmanship. The novel is not long, but rich in detail and emotion. Ramon's journey is very fully realized and captures the minds eye completely.

I will definitely read anything by any of the three based upon this novel, and eagerly anticipate getting my hands on any of their other works.