A Matter of Profit
Encyclopedia
A Matter of Profit is a science fiction
novel
written by Hilari Bell
published in 2001.
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.
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." Anita Berkam in her review for 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."
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
written by Hilari Bell
Hilari Bell
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...
published in 2001.
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 JournalSchool Library Journal
The School Library Journal is a monthly magazine with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with a focus on technology and multimedia. Reviews are included for preschool to 4th grade,...
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." Anita Berkam in her review for Horn Book Magazine
Horn Book Magazine
The Horn Book Magazine, founded in Boston in 1924, is a bimonthly periodical about literature for children and young adults. It began life as a "suggestive purchase list" prepared by Bertha Mahony Miller and Elinor Whitney Field, proprietresses of the country's first bookstore for children, The...
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."