Science Fiction & Fantasy

Hope's War

Name: Hope's War
Author: Stephen Chambers
ISBN: 9781466838277

by Stephen Chambers

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Overview

For the city of Hope, stability is a memory. Counseled by Lord Denon, the leader of the Church, Vel, the new and very reluctant young king, has unintentionally prompted a bloody civil war. Pounded by an unrelenting winter and faced with diminishing food supplies, the city of Hope is carved into a battleground.

In the midst of shifting alliances, Vel relies on Lord Denon and General Wunic-his military adviser-to help him end the conflict. But the situation deteriorates. The only hope is a cache of food reportedly stockpiled by the mysterious Frill in the abandoned ruins south of the city.

Against the backdrop of social and political anarchy and widespread starvation, Vel must make the dangerous journey to the ruins and make contact-and come to terms with-the Frill.

What Vel finds instead is a powerful kind of computer-based portal into the future. A late-twenty-first-century future controlled by a brilliant but ruthless terrorist known only as Blakes. But what is the link between Blakes-a cold-blooded mass murderer from the future-and the conflict devastating Hope?

Vel must find the answer. And fast. Time is running out. For Hope. And for Vel. Harsh snowdrifts bury the dead, loyalties have become strained. Vel must face the horror not only of Hope's past, but of its future.

At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.

About the Author, Stephen Chambers

Stephen Chambers began his first novel, Hope's End, as a high school senior and completed it after attending the prestigious Odyssey Writing conference at New Hampshire College.

He is currently enrolled at the University of Chicago.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

In this solid sequel to Hopes End (2001), 16-year-old Vels ambitious adviser and lord of the Church, Denon, manipulates him into taking the throne of the city-state of Hope. Vel assumes the kings crown after killing Justice Hillor, leader of the Council, at Denons 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 Denons 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 Hopes 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 Blakess evil past, hes the only one Vel can trust as he tries to make sense of his own life and stand against Denons plots. The story maintains a fantasy-like feel even after revealing Blakess 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 authors compelling dissection of good and evil will keep thoughtful readers involved. (Aug. 21) Forecast: The authors youth"hes an undergraduate at the University of Chicago"should continue to generate more than usual interest. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Civil war, starvation, and disease threaten the human colony on the planet Hera. As Vel, the boy-turned-king, attempts to fulfill his duties and bring peace and prosperity to his people, he must contend with generals he does not trust. Only a computer that Vel can access gives him a vital link to the colony's past and to the life of its mysterious and sinister founder. Continuing the story begun in Hope's End, Chambers offers a tantalizing look at a grim future history of Earth as he reveals more of Hera's cultural roots. Vel's passage from boyhood to maturity and his introduction to love and power make this sf adventure suitable for large collections. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.