Hari Seldon sure was a tricky old boy… you think one thing and then in an instant, when you never expect it, it all changes, it all blows to smithereens—and Hari knew it all, even when it looks like he didn’t. And before you have a chance to catch your breath and come to grips with what’s just happened in the galaxy, it’s over. 

Bayta and Toren are the clashing attractive central couple in this story—Bayta, of course, being the intelligent unveiler of mysteries and revealer of secrets because of insight and her personal history in The Foundation, and her intuition and kindness. Oh, but don’t cross her! You can see Asimov really loves Bayta (apparently, she’s based on his wife Gertrude—aw, sniff, coo), and he makes us love her too. 

Complex (as usual) and unpredictable, the plot unfolds across the tumultuous galaxy to an unexpected climax. Science fiction at its best—by one of the greatest foundational authors in the science fiction genre.

On to book 3…