cover image HOPE'S WAR

HOPE'S WAR

Stephen Chambers, . . Tor, $24.95 (332pp) ISBN 978-0-312-87350-9

In this solid sequel to Hope's End (2001), 16-year-old Vel's ambitious adviser and lord of the Church, Denon, manipulates him into taking the throne of the city-state of Hope. Vel assumes the king's crown after killing Justice Hillor, leader of the Council, at Denon's order. Meanwhile, loyal General Wunic strives with less and less luck to quell the growing rebellion that sweeps through Hope as food supplies dwindle and the Pox continues to ravage the populace. Fortunately, even as Denon's plot to rule through the boy approaches fruition, Vel can turn for guidance to his genetic predecessor, Blakes (cloned from the DNA of English poet William Blake during the biotech revolution of the early 21st century and stored as an AI inside an ancient computer from Hope's earliest days). Once the leader of an anti-tech movement that resurrected the powers and methods of Hitler, Blakes and his closest followers were exiled from Earth and sent to a distant planet where they settled Hope and sought to assimilate the indigenous Frill population. Despite Blakes's evil past, he's the only one Vel can trust as he tries to make sense of his own life and stand against Denon's plots. The story maintains a fantasy-like feel even after revealing Blakes's past. Although Chambers fails to develop any but the four main characters beyond two dimensions, and the novel leaves any real plot resolution to the next book in the series, the author's compelling dissection of good and evil will keep thoughtful readers involved. (Aug. 21)

Forecast:The author's youth—he's an undergraduate at the University of Chicago—should continue to generate more than usual interest.