Culmination of Stars is the final volume of the "Stars" trilogy, the first two being "Doom of Stars" & "Resolution of Stars". The trilogy covers the events following the accidental capture of a black hole into the Solar system by the brilliant but power-hungry scientist Elizabeth Baldwin. At the end of "Doom" it was stated that five lightsail starships were being launched to Alpha Centauri to avoid human extinction, on journeys lasting over 200 years.
"Culmination" covers the entire journey of the 3rd ship - the Magellan - and the terrible dangers that they must face, as generation after generation make way for the next. But the final threat is greater than any that humankind has ever faced - as it threatens the entire Milky Way galaxy itself.
Culmination of Stars is the final volume of the "Stars" trilogy, the first two being "Doom of Stars" & "Resolution of Stars". The trilogy covers the events following the accidental capture of a black hole into the Solar system by the brilliant but power-hungry scientist Elizabeth Baldwin. At the end of "Doom" it was stated that five lightsail starships were being launched to Alpha Centauri to avoid human extinction, on journeys lasting over 200 years.
"Culmination" covers the entire journey of the 3rd ship - the Magellan - and the terrible dangers that they must face, as generation after generation make way for the next. But the final threat is greater than any that humankind has ever faced - as it threatens the entire Milky Way galaxy itself.
Like all beings of sufficient neurological complexity, Vorkus was disturbed by failure.Â
It re-ran the calculations, integrating over sixteen spatial axes this time, instead of fourteen. The results were not encouraging. The energy flux was insufficient. How could the flux be increased?
Vorkus spent a long time, by its standards, in pondering the issue. It did not waste any time in considering exotic methods of energy release such as smashing together matter and antimatter neutron stars; there was no suitable supply of antimatter around to create such an object.
But, yes, the struggle to solve the problem must continue.
Long ago, the Progenitors had written the instructions into Vorkus’ first iteration, and each iteration since had faithfully duplicated those instructions, without the smallest corruption or deletion. But after the great reversal in the First Galaxy, there must be a retrenchment; a rebuilding of strength. The establishment of that tremendous strength in the Second Galaxy would be a simpler undertaking. Then the plan would be resumed.
The Second Galaxy would be reached: it must be reached.
There was so much to do in order to fulfil the Progenitors’ command. The Second Galaxy was an essential part of that endeavour. Once the two galaxies were linked, then expansion into the greater reaches of the Laniakea Supercluster could begin.
And once that stupendous feat had been achieved, why would one stop there? The distances involved in continuing the mission would be vast indeed and there might not be enough time to complete the transformation of the visible universe before the ever increasing cosmic expansion took the outer galaxies beyond the event horizon.
But the attempt would have been made and that would be enough to satisfy the parameters of the Progenitors’ original command.
If Vorkus could understand the emotion of dissatisfaction, it would also understand the sense of pride in the completion of a great task.
And there could be no greater.
Culmination of Stars follows the third lightsail ship, Magellan, through its 200 year journey across the stars. Humanity is searching for hope in the form of revitalizing the human race by inhabiting Alpha Centauri. We get glimpses of the trials and tribulations of the crew members stuck on the Magellan over the long years of their journey.
Again, there is a ton that happens in this book. We hopscotch through periods of time on the Magellan and see some of the biggest conflicts different generations of crew members have. However, not a moment is wasted on useless information. Characters and their relationships are carefully crafted, and conflicts meticulously built through meaningful interactions. And while men and women play an important role in the survival of mankind, women play an even stronger role in the story. Culmination of Stars features a strong cast of women with differing personalities, capabilities, and motivations. Some are loyal, some are treacherous, but all are incredibly intelligent.
What's more satisfying is the development of the human race as it lives on the Magellan. They don't stay the same as the years go on. Hierarchies changes. The language changes and evolves much like modern language does. Short-term goals change, and even the physical development changes over time. There isn't a pause on all of that, explained away by some scifi loophole they've created. Of course, there is fun futuristic science capabilities classic to scifi novels.
Facing the ever impending doom of the end of the human race, or at least one portion of it that is unaware if it's the last or not, is exciting. These people don't always live an easy life, and are forced to fight for their survival with the little resources and capabilities available to them. Not to mention, the challenges change, so it doesn't get boring each time the people face problems. It stays fresh and you continue to root for their survival.
Having had the pleasure to read and review the first two books of Vaughan's series, The Stars Trilogy, it has been exciting to read the thrilling conclusion to it all. I can't recommend this trilogy enough.