Ringworld's Children (Known Space Series) Book

Ringworld sequels certainly take their time to appear. Tens of years between books and so much information that's just waiting to be forgotten. On the other hand, new discoveries (and re-discoveries) await! Even though Ringworld's Children has been around since 2004, I have only now gotten around to reading it. What's more, a lot of time has passed since I finished The Ringworld Throne. Niven certainly doesn't waste a lot of time chucking a bewildered reader into the thick of things and dragging said reader along for a dizzying ride. In truth, this is also a good approximation of what the lead protagonist is experiencing in the opening chapters of this novel. Louis Wu awakens in the autodoc (again), and as soon his foot hits the floor the story hits its stride. By the third chapter, however, Louis starts reasoning things out and the bewilderment subsequently settles into something more akin to wonderment. Whether you like Niven's style or not, any visit to the Ringworld is going to be filled with wonder and discovery. I've never ceased to be amazed at the sheer staggering SCALE of the world. It's impossible to envision a lot of what is described here, as an appropriate frame of reference is nonexistent. Imagine being on the same world with someone, while still being further away from them as the sun is from the earth. I really enjoy the Ringworld novels. However, I remain unsettled by the concept of Rishathra.

I will recommend Ringworld's Children to both Ringworld and Niven fans. If, however, you value your sanity, please read these books in sequence, starting with Ringworld. Do not jump in here, you will be lost.