"Great SF reading"
The black hole dubbed "ANGELMASS" because of what it
emits has dramatically changed the Empyrean colonists on
planet Seraph. Apparently the unique particles impact
people so that everyone goes out of their way to befriend
everyone else. Peace, tranquillity, and honesty run the
Empyrean colony, as ethical behavior is more than just the
norm, it is six sigma. However, even with this high rate
of adherence to using ANGELMASS to promote peace, some
individuals fear the loss of free will. Still the Empyrean
senate agrees to reject overtures to join the Pax Comitus
alliance controlled by Earth. When word reaches earth about these so-called "angels",
the leadership concludes that it is a Trojan Horse sent by
aliens to conquer humanity. To learn more about the
perceived danger from the angels, earth dispatches
subatomic research scientist Jereko Kostas to investigate.
He quickly joins forces with thief Chandris Lalasha,
Empyrean Senator Forsythe and his aide Ronyon in a quest
for the truth. ANGELMASS is as deep a science fiction adventure tale
as one can get due to the powerful characterizations and
the profound look at intergalactic political, social, and
behavioral interactions. The question of what is and who
determines ethics is interwoven into the fantastic story
line without slowing done the action. Timothy Zahn paints
quite a landscape that enables the reader to understand the
author's message while entertaining the wide spectra of
speculative fiction fans who will fully enjoy this zestful
outer space novel that seems like a throw back to the
Golden Age. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted October 7, 2001
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