What do you think?
Rate this book
Retrieval Artist #9
Blowback
The Moon, shaken by the Anniversary Day tragedies, deals with devastation. The Earth Alliance believes another attack imminent, but no one knows where or when it will strike.
The Moon's chief security office, Noelle DeRicci, does her best to hold the United Domes government together. But Retrieval Artist Miles Flint, dissatisfied with the investigation into the Anniversary Day events, begins an investigation of his own.
He builds a coalition of shady operatives, off-the-books detectives, and his own daughter, Talia, in a race against time. A race, he quickly learns, that implicates organizations he trusts--and people he loves.
The Moon's chief security office, Noelle DeRicci, does her best to hold the United Domes government together. But Retrieval Artist Miles Flint, dissatisfied with the investigation into the Anniversary Day events, begins an investigation of his own.
He builds a coalition of shady operatives, off-the-books detectives, and his own daughter, Talia, in a race against time. A race, he quickly learns, that implicates organizations he trusts--and people he loves.
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published September 11, 2012
20 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
1,345Ìýbooks713ÌýfollowersKristine Kathryn Rusch is an award-winning mystery, romance, science fiction, and fantasy writer. She has written many novels under various names, including Kristine Grayson for romance, and Kris Nelscott for mystery. Her novels have made the bestseller lists –even in Londonâ€� and have been published in 14 countries and 13 different languages.
Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.
In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".
She has also published as:
(collaborations with husband )
- romances
(collaborations with husband )
- mysteries
- historical fiction
- romances
Her awards range from the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award to the John W. Campbell Award. In the past year, she has been nominated for the Hugo, the Shamus, and the Anthony Award. She is the only person in the history of the science fiction field to have won a Hugo award for editing and a Hugo award for fiction.
In addition, she's written a number of nonfiction articles over the years, with her latest being the book "A Freelancer's Survival Guide".
She has also published as:
(collaborations with husband )
- romances
(collaborations with husband )
- mysteries
- historical fiction
- romances
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 4, 2017
I love this series! Lots of declarative statements-but it's fine because the stories are so good. The characters are well defined and the plots intricate. And the narrator is wonderful. Can't wait for the next one!
October 5, 2020
Notes:
It seems like there's a setup book, transition book and then the 3/4 books are where the various details pull together and the plot for that portion of the arc flows well.
It seems like there's a setup book, transition book and then the 3/4 books are where the various details pull together and the plot for that portion of the arc flows well.
December 22, 2012
The story starts three years before the rest of the story on Callisto, Jupiter’s moon, with detective Iniko Zagrando whom we met in a previous book, the Retrieval Man. He’s actually working as a spy for the Earth Intelligence and his handler Ike Jarvis wants to send him to another assignment. Zagrando disagrees but Jarvis arranges for Zagrando’s death, using his clone so the former detective has no choice. He’s sent to infiltrate the Black Fleet, the most notorious and feared criminal organization operating currently.
Six months has gone by since the domes on the Moon were bombed during the Anniversary Day, but people investigating the terrorist act aren’t any closer to finding the people responsible. Even the investigators from the Earth Alliance haven’t found anything significant. Also, the bombings were done by clones of a famous murderer and people’s opinion has turned against all clones.
Noelle DeRicci is the chief of security for the United Domes of the Moon doesn’t like the Earth Alliance investigators and doesn’t want to deal with them at all. She also has to deal with the local political fallout from the bombing.
The Retrieval Artist Miles Flint is in DeRicci’s small group of investigators but even he has found mostly dead ends. However, then he’s contacted by one of the Moon’s criminal bosses who has information and possible leads. Flint knows that DeRicci wouldn’t want to work with the suspected criminal but Flint thinks that their time to solve the bombing is running out. He’s ready to do almost anything to keep his daughter safe.
Flint’s daughter Talia is a clone. Flint’s wife cloned her without Flint’s knowledge and she came to his life recently. Talia is still recovering from her mother’s death and adjusting to living with her father whom she’s known for only a short time. She’s intelligent and is bored by her school work. She’d much rather help her father investigate the bombing. In her school, kids are accusing twins of being terrorists and bullying them. Talia is terrified that they will find out that she’s a clone.
Meanwhile, a scientist on Payla might have some answers to the investigators.
Like in the previous books in this series, the book has a lot of different point-of-view characters and situations which at first look very different from each other. However, the plot is fast paced and has lots of twist and turns.
Most of the plots deal with the terrorist act and the investigators who try to uncover the people responsible. However, Talia’s part of the story tell the way that the bombing has affected the people living on the Moon. They are more suspicious of outsiders and laws against clones have become harsher, even though only specific clones were involved with the bombing. That’s a very realistic reaction.
I’ve enjoyed this series a lot with the great combination of Moon habitats, very unhuman like aliens, and the very human human characters. Blowback is a very satisfying continuation to the series. This time we also answers about who is being the bombing. I’ve really enjoyed the books which center on a different alien race, such as the Disty in “Buried Deep�. This time we get to know more about Payty (spelling? Peyty? Payti?) who are very rules bound and non-violent. Currently.
I recommend starting the series with the first book: “the Disappeared�.
The author’s site has an excerpt:
Six months has gone by since the domes on the Moon were bombed during the Anniversary Day, but people investigating the terrorist act aren’t any closer to finding the people responsible. Even the investigators from the Earth Alliance haven’t found anything significant. Also, the bombings were done by clones of a famous murderer and people’s opinion has turned against all clones.
Noelle DeRicci is the chief of security for the United Domes of the Moon doesn’t like the Earth Alliance investigators and doesn’t want to deal with them at all. She also has to deal with the local political fallout from the bombing.
The Retrieval Artist Miles Flint is in DeRicci’s small group of investigators but even he has found mostly dead ends. However, then he’s contacted by one of the Moon’s criminal bosses who has information and possible leads. Flint knows that DeRicci wouldn’t want to work with the suspected criminal but Flint thinks that their time to solve the bombing is running out. He’s ready to do almost anything to keep his daughter safe.
Flint’s daughter Talia is a clone. Flint’s wife cloned her without Flint’s knowledge and she came to his life recently. Talia is still recovering from her mother’s death and adjusting to living with her father whom she’s known for only a short time. She’s intelligent and is bored by her school work. She’d much rather help her father investigate the bombing. In her school, kids are accusing twins of being terrorists and bullying them. Talia is terrified that they will find out that she’s a clone.
Meanwhile, a scientist on Payla might have some answers to the investigators.
Like in the previous books in this series, the book has a lot of different point-of-view characters and situations which at first look very different from each other. However, the plot is fast paced and has lots of twist and turns.
Most of the plots deal with the terrorist act and the investigators who try to uncover the people responsible. However, Talia’s part of the story tell the way that the bombing has affected the people living on the Moon. They are more suspicious of outsiders and laws against clones have become harsher, even though only specific clones were involved with the bombing. That’s a very realistic reaction.
I’ve enjoyed this series a lot with the great combination of Moon habitats, very unhuman like aliens, and the very human human characters. Blowback is a very satisfying continuation to the series. This time we also answers about who is being the bombing. I’ve really enjoyed the books which center on a different alien race, such as the Disty in “Buried Deep�. This time we get to know more about Payty (spelling? Peyty? Payti?) who are very rules bound and non-violent. Currently.
I recommend starting the series with the first book: “the Disappeared�.
The author’s site has an excerpt:
August 12, 2022
I apparently read this within the last couple of years but neglected to review it, then started to read it again and remembered it. This is a prime addition to the Retrieval Artist series, with plenty of Noelle DeRicci, Miles Flint, and his daughter Talia. As Miles investigates the Moon bombings (officially as opposed to his usual shady unofficial mode), he gets led into places that are even shadier than his usual. The bombings were done with clones, and the investigation includes odd things happening on the Peyti home planet, criminals who manufacture illegal clones, and very odd happenings in the Earth Alliance itself. Excellent reading, though needs to be read in its place in the series.
March 25, 2018
Blowback is Book 2 of the Anniversary Day Saga by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. This novel continues into the exploration of the Moon’s Anniversary Day attacks that happened in Book 1 of the saga. As a result of the attacks, Moon’s Chief Security Officer Noelle DeRicci is trying to hold the remaining vestiges of the government together and learns more information about the attacks that could crumble everything.
Meanwhile, Retrieval Artist Miles Flint has become displeased with the investigation into the attacks and decides to conduct on his own investigation using contacts from both sides of the law. What he learns will shock him and begins to realize that the Anniversary Day attacks was just the tip of the iceburg.
As usual, Rusch creates a credible, solid science fiction thriller with plenty twists and turns to keep a reader guessing right to the very end. However, I see Blowback as more of a transition book in this saga. It is a solid read but I would suggest that newcomers start with Anniversary Day before reading Blowback. Recommended.
Meanwhile, Retrieval Artist Miles Flint has become displeased with the investigation into the attacks and decides to conduct on his own investigation using contacts from both sides of the law. What he learns will shock him and begins to realize that the Anniversary Day attacks was just the tip of the iceburg.
As usual, Rusch creates a credible, solid science fiction thriller with plenty twists and turns to keep a reader guessing right to the very end. However, I see Blowback as more of a transition book in this saga. It is a solid read but I would suggest that newcomers start with Anniversary Day before reading Blowback. Recommended.
December 22, 2015
This is one of my favorite audiobook series. Rusch is an expert at weaving a science fiction story. I love every character in these books. It's one of those that I don't mind that she switches points of view constantly. And I always want more when the books are over. I highly recommend the Retrieval Artist series to anybody that loves good science fiction. Also, Jay Snyder is the perfect narrator for this series.
December 6, 2023
Blowback is the ninth in the The Retrieval Artist series by Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and the second in the Anniversary Day saga within that series.
This is my go-to series when I'm looking for something involving but not too challenging - so I always have one on my shelf, ready to pick up when I want it. There are lots more to go and the next one is in the post!
This instalment carries on from the events of the previous book and follows Flint and DeRicci as they try to figure out who was behind the widespread attack on the Moon six months before. There were perhaps a few two many quicky switches between new characters at the start - but I loved the introduction of Zagrando the undercover agent, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he does in the next book.
It was fast-paced, tense, exciting and engaging - despite the fact that very little actually happened - which is pretty impressive. It seemed to be almost filler between the attack in the previous book and the continuation of the investigation in the next book - but it was excellent filler!
I also loved the continued development of the relationship between Flint and his daughter, Talia, as well as DeRicci's continued disillusionment with Moon politics.
I'm looking forward to putting the next one on my shelf, ready for when I need it.
This is my go-to series when I'm looking for something involving but not too challenging - so I always have one on my shelf, ready to pick up when I want it. There are lots more to go and the next one is in the post!
This instalment carries on from the events of the previous book and follows Flint and DeRicci as they try to figure out who was behind the widespread attack on the Moon six months before. There were perhaps a few two many quicky switches between new characters at the start - but I loved the introduction of Zagrando the undercover agent, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he does in the next book.
It was fast-paced, tense, exciting and engaging - despite the fact that very little actually happened - which is pretty impressive. It seemed to be almost filler between the attack in the previous book and the continuation of the investigation in the next book - but it was excellent filler!
I also loved the continued development of the relationship between Flint and his daughter, Talia, as well as DeRicci's continued disillusionment with Moon politics.
I'm looking forward to putting the next one on my shelf, ready for when I need it.
August 8, 2023
Book two of "The Anniversary Day" series, part of the larger "Retrieval Artist" series, is better paced and more standalone than the previous novel. Rusch favors short chapters—there are 71 in its 376 pages—which keeps things moving, though some readers might get frustrated at all the point of view switches. Rusch balances the numerous threads well, however. There's plenty of retrieval artist Miles Flint in this one. An undercover agent, Zagrando, is a compelling character, whose motives are slowly revealed. On the other hand, Noelle Ricci, the Moon's chief security officer, spends most of her chapters being angst-ridden. As a long-time teacher, I found the chapters set in a school featuring Thalia, Flint's teenaged daughter, convincing. The climax, concerning a singular kind of terrorist plot, was satisfying. As always in this series, Rusch creates interesting futuristic worlds with an intelligent mix of alien species.
June 7, 2017
I truly enjoy reading this series. I like the characters as they are well developed however I only gave four stars as I find there is unnecessary repetition of some aspects. Flint is always worried about his daughter's safety and as a father, I also worry at times about the safety of my daughter; but it seems overdone. He worries, we get it, but having it as almost the only constant things in his mind is too much. Same goes for some repetitions of concerns and feelings some of the other characters have.
Otherwise, I like the plot; it keeps you wanting to read more. The chapters are short and with one main action each which makes an easy read.
I sometimes worry about a series going beyond the traditional trilogy because the subject is just stretched out at infinitum but not with Rusch. She keep renewing the plots while maintaining a common thread to all the stories.
Otherwise, I like the plot; it keeps you wanting to read more. The chapters are short and with one main action each which makes an easy read.
I sometimes worry about a series going beyond the traditional trilogy because the subject is just stretched out at infinitum but not with Rusch. She keep renewing the plots while maintaining a common thread to all the stories.
February 17, 2019
This novel continues the storyline begun in Anniversary Day, in which a large number of clones were used to carry out bombings in the lunar domed cities. Now it turns out the conspiracy is far wider than imagined, and even involves clones of an alien species, one in which there are no natural identical twins, triplets, etc. It ends with yet another horrific terrorist attack, at least partially foiled, but not without cost to innocents.
Unfortunately, we're still no closer to answers. The book reads like middle chapters sliced out of a much larger work, which is somewhat problematic. There was one character with a fairly major storyline that I didn't recall, yet he was presented as if I should recognize him. It made me wish I had the time to go back through the whole series and look for his first appearance.
Unfortunately, we're still no closer to answers. The book reads like middle chapters sliced out of a much larger work, which is somewhat problematic. There was one character with a fairly major storyline that I didn't recall, yet he was presented as if I should recognize him. It made me wish I had the time to go back through the whole series and look for his first appearance.
June 21, 2019
What an awesome series this is.
So damn good, that no sooner you finish one, than you are searching out the next.
Her books are not easy to find, even the local library system has limited copies, but Scribd (thank goodness) has a bunch. A little annoying not to have an actual book in my hands, but easily overlooked when the content is this great.
If you have not experienced the Retrieval Artist Universe, you're in for a treat.
On to the next one......
So damn good, that no sooner you finish one, than you are searching out the next.
Her books are not easy to find, even the local library system has limited copies, but Scribd (thank goodness) has a bunch. A little annoying not to have an actual book in my hands, but easily overlooked when the content is this great.
If you have not experienced the Retrieval Artist Universe, you're in for a treat.
On to the next one......
March 26, 2022
This book isn't a complete story and has very little of Miles Flint and yet still such a fascinating complex universe, that in starting the next one today. If I remember correctly the last time I read this 8 book digression, my main complaint was that it could have been 5 novels, not 8. But how would it be to have such a creative, complex mind that you have to write an 8 book saga just to fill in the back story of a novel you started writing. Crazy.
April 27, 2022
Wow. Starts off as interesting info on the AD bombings, background, where they came from, that sort of thing. Then it builds with "they're still out there". Then it's "Oh, crap, they're WHERE!?" And ends with nail-biting tension as they try to prevent ... well, the plot they've uncovered.
Not often a book in the middle of a series hits so hard.
Very well done.
Not often a book in the middle of a series hits so hard.
Very well done.
October 15, 2024
More of the same as #1, which is good. Same amount of w.b., which indicates at this point, that it will focus on characterization, instead. Characters from previous book return and are getting expansion.
January 14, 2018
I always like it when Rusch describes the culture of the aliens in the Earth Alliance, so I enjoyed this more than the first one in the Anniversary Day saga.
July 6, 2024
Another good story in Kristine's continuation of the anniversary day saga.
September 18, 2016
This was pretty good, another in the Anniversay Day Saga.
June 13, 2014
Since I've read the 9 books up to this one in the last month or so, my review here will be for the whole series. I've read a lot of sci-fi in my life, and I've read a lot of detective fiction, but I'm not sure I've ever read a sci-fi detective novel before. I think Rusch succeeds really well on both sides. As sci-fi, the series works for me because it's a future I find both thought-provoking and plausible. The notion of living in a multicultural universe and having to abide by laws of other species is a clever one, and I like that she's presented a world where although there are enormous differences, it's still one we can recognise. As detective novels, the books are mostly well-paced, the mysteries are genuinely interesting, and the main character is a pleasing mix of cynicism and idealism.
January 24, 2023
Since I want to avoid all spoilers, I will just say this: Blowback is an excellent sequel to Anniversary Day. In Blowback, the events from Anniversary Day are still occupying everyone's minds on the Moon, but it seems like more is going on in the universe than anyone every imagines. In a way, all of the books in this series are ingeniously woven together - events that happened 4-5 books ago are coming out to play in the most recent offerings of "The Retrieval Artist" series, and that is a sign of a brilliant writer. I have always been a fan of series that make one think and remember things from past stories. If you have not read this series yet - go get The Disappeared right now!
December 20, 2012
Rusch does it again! Could not put this down. Page turning thriller with a noir detective feel, all set in the stars, mostly Earth's moon. This is science fiction at its best and Rusch is the master of it. A continuation of the investigation of events revealed in the prior book, Anniversary Day, Blowback gives Miles Flint a larger role in the investigation and thus puts him right at the center of a new crisis that leaves you on the edge of your seat, literally. I can't believe I have to wait a whole year for the next book to find out what happens next. This is a another great read, in an already great series!
June 8, 2015
This is obviously not the end, but you need to read this whole series so you can get to this book and enjoy it. What interesting characters! They grow and change, realize things about themselves. Some aren't even people you necessarily agree with but you find yourself understanding them and rooting for them. At some point in this book there was a line just as things are coming together and you realize (before all the characters) how bad this is, someone says they need Miles Flint. And I said out loud, "Yes you do." :)
January 19, 2013
I very much like the idea of this series, and have enjoyed all the books I've read in it. I've missed one or two, and was still able to follow this latest offering.
Interesting characters, fascinating aliens, compelling plot with as much suspense as I can stand -- I hated to see it end! (I'm miffed that I'll have to wait for many months to find out what happens next. But I can't wish that I'd waited to read this book.)
Interesting characters, fascinating aliens, compelling plot with as much suspense as I can stand -- I hated to see it end! (I'm miffed that I'll have to wait for many months to find out what happens next. But I can't wish that I'd waited to read this book.)
April 6, 2014
I was hoping this book would solve the mystery from the previous book, who attacked the moon on Anniversary Day. Indeed much of the book concerns Miles' investigation into exactly that. But, while not much progress is made on that front, this book was more satisfying since a related situation is resolved. There is also more of Miles in this book than the last one. However, this is the second book where Miles' profession as a Retrieval Artist was mostly irrelevant to the book.
October 8, 2019
6/2015 - Holy cow... such a massive conspiracy! Who wants the moon gone? Who is behind the whole thing? How much of the Alliance is corrupt? Will ferreting it all out cause just as much chaos as whatever might be planned? Such an awesomely good story!
10/2019 - Still so intriguing! And it's been so long since I read these I can't remember how everything resolves, so I'm really looking forward to having all this unfold before me
10/2019 - Still so intriguing! And it's been so long since I read these I can't remember how everything resolves, so I'm really looking forward to having all this unfold before me
May 19, 2016
An entertaining continuation to the crazy events of Anniversary Day. The concept behind the "weaponry" was unexpected and brilliant -- it had the power of an epiphany that seemed obvious in hindsight: of course someone would abuse the technology in such a fashion! And the political machinations behind the scenes should resonate with anyone that views the sentinels of power with any sort of scepticism.
September 13, 2017
Book covers just a part of tha Anniversary Day saga, but it is a contained part; no cliffhanger ending. While Miles Flint is still the main character in the book, his is only one of the stories being told. I was really pulled into the arcs that focused on Earth Alliance agent Iniko Zagrando, as his story was A little more action oriented than the other arcs. Most of the book focuses on investigation, and while it is never boring, the action parts do stand out more.
November 2, 2012
The Retrieval Artist series keeps getting better. This book follows on immediately from the events of Anniversary Day. The varied story lines on the Moon and alien worlds come together on an exciting climax which answers many questions but still leaves many others for the next book. I can't wait for more stories in this universe.
November 21, 2012
This series is like a favorite tv show; the writing is nothing special, but you grow to love the characters and are eager for the next episode. Although many of the books could work as stand-alone stories, they are best read (or listened to) in order. This one ends with a major conflict still unresolved! Can't wait for the next
November 23, 2013
Another solid addition to the Retrieval Artist series. Ms. Rusch has transformed this from a series of stand alone novels (mostly) to very much chapters in a longer arc. The year long waits between episodes is now, understandably, more painful. The funny thing is that I've listened to the audio versions of each of these books, and can't imagine reading them now.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.