The Hope's End

Publishers Weekly

First-time novelist Chambers, a University of Chicago sophomore, would seem an apt pupil of "write what you know" with this angst-ridden tale of a young man's struggle to define his own life. On the planet Hera, where the city-state of Hope, dominated by the Church and the Executive Council, is the only human colony and the surviving culture is low-tech and agrarian, street youth Vel progresses rapidly to missing heir to the throne. When the expected five-year summer fails to occur and the king dies, a struggle ensues between Hillor, leader of the Council, and Denon, lord of the Church, over who will survive Hope's coming famine. Vel, in turn, is led to discover the secrets of his own origins and must decide to preserve or to reverse the traditions being thrust into his hands. It is a curious mixture of 19th- and 20th-century power ideologies that Vel grows up into, one in which Church guards wear "swas" (swastikas) and valuable heirlooms bear the names "B. Mussolini" and "Nietzsche." Stranger still is their founder, Blakes, a clone of the English mystical poet William Blake. Worshipped as the "great man" in a way that recalls Ayn Rand, Blakes is perhaps the author's ironic comment on the conversion of revolutionaries into reactionaries after the coup. The book remains Vel's story, though it dangles such mysteries and paradoxes before the reader. As a coming-of-age study, it succeeds, if at the cost of fleshing out a believable world in which other characters' choices carry real weight. (Aug. 20) Forecast: Given the author's youth, expect lots of media attention, which could result in higher than average first-novel sales. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

VOYA

Vel is an unregistered child who makes his living stealing to avoid going to work in the fields on the planet Hera. He spends that money on drink with his friends, a lot of drink—these boys drink like Jane Austen's people picnic. Then in true fantasy adventure tradition, Vel gets embroiled in a political struggle, finds he actually is heir to the throne of the city of Hope, and narrowly escapes death—repeatedly. He also discovers that he can communicate telepathically with the alien Frill who live beneath the surface of the planet. Too much time is spent and too many words spilled in setting up the not-too-complex (or interesting for that matter) society of Hope. Characters and items have cutesy names that reference our world. Justice Hillor is only two letters from his infamous counterpart, and the church symbol is a bent cross called a swa. The story line is confusing, slow moving, and full of throwaway characters. This book will not sell or circulate on the strength of its story or the writing. If it moves at all, it will be because of the youth of its author, a college student, and impact of advertising. For large populations of teens hungry for books by their peers, it is possible to do worse than this. Instead, do science fiction readers a favor and buy that Sheri Tepper book your collection is missing for some excellent world-building and science-fictional political intrigue. VOYA CODES:2Q 2P S A/YA (Better editing or work by the author might have warranted a 3Q;For the YA with a special interest in the subject;Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12;Adult and Young Adult). 2001, Tor, 320p, $23.95. Ages 15 to Adult. Reviewer:Timothy Capehart—VOYA, December2001 (Vol. 24, No. 5)

Library Journal

When 16-year-old street thief and con man Vel finds himself the target of pursuit by the city of Hope's secret police, he discovers a conspiracy of rebels who seek to learn the truth behind the repressive policies of their world's rulers. Chamber's first novel uses the trappings of fantasy to depict a world separated from its technological roots and governed by fragments of lost knowledge. Adventure and intrigue combine with the story of a young man's search for his place in the world. A nice choice for large fantasy collections.

Kirkus Reviews

On planet Hera, a human colony that, after 500 years, has forgotten most of its advanced science struggles to survive in the face of a deteriorating climate. Street-smart kid Vel gets by through theft and chicanery, refusing to be sent to labor in the fields like his parents. Soon, though, there won't be enough food to go around. The city's rulers, chief among them Justice Hillor (the name is significant), plan to put the food stockpiles in the hands of the rich, a development resisted by the King, who unfortunately is dying of the mysterious Pox. Hillor arranged for his agent Jak to steal the cure from the Frill, red-eyed aliens who inhabit underground tunnels despite the common assumption that they're extinct. Lord Denon and his Church regard the writings of the ancient visionary William Blake as Holy Scripture. But why is the Church's symbol a swastika? During his numerous escapades Vel meets ninja resistance fighter Lydia, but in spite of his growing awareness of the true situation (a condition few readers will share) he refuses to get involved. Because of his heredity, Vel is critical to both Hillor's and Lydia's plans. The Frill, apparently able to communicate with Vel through dreams, have their own agenda. And who, or what, is "Blakes"? University of Chicago sophomore Chambers's debut seethes with ideas despite the grab-bag backdrop, incoherent plot, and unsatisfying ending: expect sequels.