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48 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love and sci-fi all in one., September 4, 2000
This review is from: Gates of Hell (Paperback)
Pyr has traveled world and has few illusions left. When a chance encounter with an insane priestess leaves him full of a slow-acting poison for which there is no cure, Pyr, spaceship captain, pirate, and warrior, steps up his efforts to rid space of a teeming, ravenous plague. Rox Merkrator is a koltarc, a legendary race of telepathic healers. She is trying her best to lead a normal life, have a normal relationship. The plague is spreading though, and even if Roxy cannot heal but one poor soul at a time, she still must try. In a nightmare existence, where death is the ultimate enemy these two beings find each other and unleash the power of their unique bond to save a universe. A satisfying science fiction presented by Speculation Press withb excellent taste.
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22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I Admit It, I Like Space Pirates, April 7, 2002
This review is from: Gates of Hell (Paperback)
I admit it. I like space pirates. I like rogue psychics. I love derring-do in space,spaceships flashing across galaxies to save the Federation, or whatever-- United Systems in this case. And I had thought a long time ago, when I first read a book by Susan Sizemore (I think it was her first, a time travel story with sf background) that she could probably write decent space opera. So I was inclined to be pleased with this book when I finally got around to ordering it. And it provides a satifying amount of what I really like in escapist fiction. Roxanne is content enough in her marriage to a ship's captain. The war with the Trin has ended in an uneasy peace and things ought to be a bit easier on an empath with psychic healing skills working on a battle cruiser. Anyone else looking on can see that her husband is a manipulative jerk and she is clearly destined for bigger and better things. In fact, she's due to be pulled out of her comfortable berth and tossed into the middle of trying to halt a plague with political implications. Pyr is the captain of a ship heavily indebted to the Pirate League. His crew is mutinous. They are all infected with Sag, a plague that is wreaking havoc on many inhabited worlds and, in an effort to control the plague, addicted to the drug Rust. Plague suffers who don't take Rust die. Rust is controlled by the drug lords. On top of that, Pyr has also been given a slow acting poison for which there is no cure. Is there anyone else in the universe who needs a healer more? The pirates are ruthless. The United Systems Military are ruthless. The space drug dealers are ruthless. There's a lot of violence in this book--be warned. Also it probably could have used a stronger editorial hand when dealing with the psychic cavorting, but there's some real moments of mischievous humor in this book. I also have to admit, my favorite character was Martin Braithwaite, who got more than he bargained for out of his healing. If you are looking for something to read until the next Liaden Universe novel comes out you might give this one a shot.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Worldbuilding, February 7, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Gates of Hell (Paperback)
I was aware of Susan Sizemore as a romance novelist. Then I discovered her dark fantasy vampire series, all of which contain strong romantic elements along with a different look at a vampire culture. I've even found some short stories by this author in several fantasy anthologies. I'm not used to an author that gets around so much, but I've enjoyed every book of Sizemore's that I've read, some more than other, of course. I must say that I think Gates of Hell is far and away the best thing she's written. This book is undisciplined, unrestrained, and over the top - but, wow, what a ride! Other reviews here have given the outline of the story and opinions (for good or ill) of the characters and the strong romantic elements, but I don't think anyone has mentioned the worldbuilding. Fond as I am of Roxy, Pyr, Martin, Dee, Linch and the rest of the characters and the space opera that is their lives, I think it was the tantalizing glimpse into the United Systems universe that I found most intriguing. Among the matters touched on in the course of the book were the differences between military and civilian perceptions of wars and politics, budgetary constraints, the history of the United Systems, religious conflicts, types of marriages (how did Martin end up married not only to Roxy's sister, but to Rafe and Betheny as well?), technological development, love, death, basketball and there might even have been some mention of taxes in there somewhere. The story was about finding a cure for the Sagouran Fever and the cause behind the plague, but the action is played out as an episode in a universe where much has happened in the past, and the future is hinted at. While the plot of the book stands alone, I hope the author intended Gates of Hell as an introductory book to a series set in this universe. Because, I for one, would very much like to visit the United Systems again.
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