Book Note: John Barnes, In the Hall of the Martian King

This is book 2 of the "Jak Jinnaka" series.

This note contains spoilers for the book.

Third story of Jak Jinnaka. He's graduated from the Public Service Academy, on a real job, and gets called in by Hive Intelligence again. Everything gets completely screwed up, and somebody important even dies.

Meanwhile, by the end we're set up for really major social upheaval throughout the Solar System.

An archaeologist discovers the lifelog of Paj Nakasen, creator of The Wager. Turns out the wager was intended as satire, tearing down the aristocracy. Grabbed the public interest and turned into the basis of society, replacing religion, and supporting the aristocracy.

Only trouble is, before this book it didn't seem much like Nakasen's Wager did support the concept of aristocracy.

We do see the beautiful and evil princess. We do see the panth, and Jak's uncle, and another old school friend. Jak and Dujuv seem to pretty much have broken off. And we see a new character of interest, who happens to be the daughter of Jak's boss.

And there's a really lovely rant against the evils of Socialism.

All in all, this was fun.