An Exchange of Hostages Prisoner of Conscience | |||||||||||||||
Susan R. Matthews | |||||||||||||||
Avon EOS Books, 372 pages and 312 pages | |||||||||||||||
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A review by Lisa DuMond
Andrej Koscuisko wants nothing more than to be a doctor: a surgeon. His father wants
him to carry on the family honour by enlisting with the Fleet in its glorious fight to
basically control everything. Andrej manages to resist his father's will for a time,
finally giving in only with grudging obedience and quiet resistance. Because, in his position
with Fleet, he will indeed be a ship's chief medical officer -- and, incidentally, Ship's Inquisitor.
Time spent at Fleet Orientation Station Medical will be devoted to the ancient
practice of torture. Enhanced by the very latest advances in equipment and
pharmacology, but torture with the same aim as always: to force confessions
and incriminating evidence from prisoners. How can a person dedicated to
preserving life and obliterating suffering combine the two functions of the position?
With relish.
Amid the blood and screams and seared flesh of the workroom, Andrej Koscuisko
will meet his personal monster. A man of honour, compassion, and empathy will
find a sexual passion such as he has never known in the agony of his helpless captives.
Even as he uses his wits and the amazing skills he has developed to save the lives of others.
Facing this chilling dichotomy is the first step in a life that will tear away
at his sanity and self-worth, and earn him the love and respect of the bonded
slaves who will risk everything to fiercely protect the man they follow from
training to the battle front to the horrors of a political prison.
Throughout the two books, the greatest miracles are pulled off by Matthews
herself. Without visible footnotes and heavy exposition, she manages to delineate
each character as a unique entity. Despite a large cast, there is never a question
of identity. Whether speaking or acting in silence, each figure is instantly
identifiable, like a friend's voice in a long-distance call.
More miraculous is the sleight of hand Matthews manages with the character of
Andrej. Time and again he enters the workroom to become something we can't even
let ourselves dream about. He emerges, blood-stained and aroused, only to crash
into self-loathing. Makes sense. What is mystifying is the way his people rush
to protect and heal him.
And the reader reaches out to forgive him. To pity the inquisitor.
Matthews was nominated for the Campbell award. No shock there; of the new crop
of writers to crack the field in the last few years, Matthews stands apart. Capable
of making us feel disgust, love, and grief, and making us prepared for
redemption, she possesses a talent seldom to be found, but always to be envied.
Lisa DuMond writes science fiction and humour. She co-authored the 45th anniversary issue cover of MAD Magazine. Previews of her latest, as yet unpublished, novel are available at Hades Online. |
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