Customer Reviews

Hour of Judgment

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of Harold Bloom's criterion for great literature (he's talking about Dante, Shakespeare and Virgil) is "strangeness." He goes on to explain that the greatest literature in Western Civilization shares two seemingly conflicting characteristics--that the work is unique--he calls it "strange." It's like nothing else that's ever been written before. Yet on the other hand, the work is also familiar. Somehow the work resonantes with the reader--at once both familiar and yet strange. I think Susan Matthews falls into this cateogry very neatly. In terms of science fiction. I don't agree that this series has run its course. Her character, Andrej Kosciuscko-however-you-spell-his- name, is fascinating. He emboies the worst and best qualities of humanity. Sheri Tepper performs the same kind of feat in Grass. Though she has written many other novels, some good, some simple rehashes of her other novels, Grass has that familiar other world feel, but it is also one of the strangest worlds I've ever read. It's better than Ringworld, Gaiea, or any other world that sci-fi writers have come up with. If you haven't read this very talented writer's effort, do read them. Colony Fleet and Avalanche Soldiers are both [bad], especially Avalanche. Colony Fleet is readable but unremarkable, but Avalanche Soldier is really bad.

Susan Matthew's trilogy that feature the torturer, Andrej Koscuiscko(?????) is without a doubt the best series I've read since John Varley's Titan, Wizard and Demon. She's right up there with Joan Slonszewski, Sherri Tepper, Pamela Sargent and David Gerrold.

Ideally, succeeding installments of a multi part saga should build on what's come before, amplifying established themes while exploring new ground. When done right, a long series can hold readers' attention and still present a challenge to the writer--a perfect example of this ideal is Dan Simmons' Hyperion Cantos, a tetralogy whose many virtues were extolled by Bill Sheehan in the previous issue of Nova Express. Most such efforts , however, do not achieve this ideal--a case in point is Susan Matthew's Andrej Kosciusko series. Despite the promise shown in Matthew's debut, the justifiably acclaimed AN EXCHANGE OF HOSTAGES, later novels have not fulfilled this potential.

The character driven EXCHANGE, runner up for the 1997 Philip K. Dick Award, introduced the charismatic Andrej Kosciusko, a brilliant surgeon who discovers he has a penchant for torture, a skill highly prized by the Fleet, the dominating political/military force in a far future interstellar civilization. In EXCHANGE, Matthews created a strong cast of characters and established an intriguing sociopolitical context, all the while milking Kosciusko's fragile psyche to great dramatic effect. Unfortunately, subsequent novels in the series-1998's PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE and now HOUR OF JUDGMENT-have not lived up to the promise of their predecessor. Matthews has written two soap operas in a row, books that squander the excellent work she did in her first novel.

HOUR OF JUDGMENT is set some four years after the events of PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE. Nearing the end of his service aboard the Fleet ship Scylla, Ship's Surgeon/Inquisitor Kosciusko is desperate to return to civilian life. The Fleet, however, has other plans for its most proficient torturer, and is working behind the scenes to force him to reenlist. Asked to treat the wounds of a slave woman brutally raped by a ship's officer, Kosciusko once again finds himself acting in the antithetical role of Inquisitor when that officer is murdered in revenge. To complicate matters, Kosciusko has been marked for death by a powerful enemy--distracted by personal problems and his role in the murder investigation, he fails to sense the many dangers around him.

As in PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE, the formerly dynamic Kosciusko is more spectator than protagonist; his once towering presence, the force behind the success of AN EXCHANGE OF HOSTAGES, has been diminished. He seems to be a different character entirely, less intelligent, passively accepting what fate brings him, rather than mastering his destiny. Distracted or not, the Kosciusko of EXCHANGE would never miss the obvious clues thrust in his face at the murder scene.

In the end, the watered down version of Kosciusko detracts from Matthew's storytelling. Despite her considerable skills, the presence of her inexplicably bland lead proves fatal to the book, which sometimes reads more like an unemotional newspaper account than a story that personally engages its readers. If this series is to continue, Matthews needs to go back to basics, to the more intimate, impassioned storytelling style evident in her debut--only then will she fulfill the considerable promise demonstrated there.

I would have given this 5 stars if I hadn't read "Exchange..." and "Prisoner..." first. It's not that the quality of writing is any less, or that the characters have run their course (far from it!), only that there is too great a time gap between the action at the Dommitt Prison and the story in this book. Why was Andrej transferred from Scylla? What happened to Code and Chief Sammons? And, most importantly, what has been happening to Andrej himself? The last question is only obliquely answered in "...Judgment."

The tantalising glimpses that Miss Matthews gives us of the Bench Federation of Worlds might be an excellent way of filling in these frustrating gaps. It would be fascinating to know how the bonds came to be bonds (were they Free Government? What exactly is the Free Government? &c). Miss Matthews - if you read your reviews, how about the story from Robert's point of view, or Joslire's (a wonderful but sadly wasted character)?

Having made the complaint about the series, I have to say that this is a great book, and Bruce Applebaum is gibbering! Andrej Kosciusko is simply the most extraordinary character in science fiction.

This novel had much less of the sadistic torture involved and so I liked it better than its predecessors and I felt better about myself reading this one. The story however depends on the previous more violent novels for support. This novel does not stand alone without its predecessors.

It was a good novel and a good read in any case and I had difficulty putting it down. I very much look forward to Ms. Matthew's next novel I the series and how it is out soon.

The toll of being a decent man & a torturer is played out in this third volume of a nicely developing series. Each time that I think I know how a character is going to react, something fools me. Things are not laid out for you. A simple murder leads to the unraveling of some of the questions of the past. Now you see the importance of the Nurail weaves without everything being placed in front of you. Now Koscuisko's family is getting clearer. (I want to meet his father.) Those around Koscuisko are often more monsterous than he - but only by indirection. The whole series is getting darker and more questions raised. Try this one. It's an odd flavor but you might like it!

I just finished the new book by Susan Matthews and I loved it. The character of Koscuisko is one of the most filled out characters I have read in a long time. He is a character that you can not help but feel strongly about. The book leads the reader on a tortured journey with Koscuisko and his Security that is unbelievable. The book moves fast and I almost could not put it down. The novel takes place years after Prisoner of Conscience and the changes to Koscuisko are drastic. He is a man with out hope of redemption for most of the book. The end just leaves me waiting for the next one, may it be really soon!

If you are fond of military science fiction, and don't flinch at the brutality of mankind's actions and thoughts -- then this is the series of books for you. It is brutally honest, written in a unique voice that is brilliant, even though I found the subject matter and story line repugnant. I sincerely look forward to another book by Susan Matthews, but in a setting , plot and theme that is not so depressing and dark.

When I read "Prisoner of Conscience" I was absolutely blown away. Why did I Find this character and this universe so compelling? These people are brutal, and the descriptions of their brutality are graphic! I should be repulsed by this stuff! But I could not tear myself away and look forward eagerly to each new installment. "Hour of Judgement"is a marvelous addition to this series. I don't want to live in this universe, and I'm still not sure if I even like Andrej Kosciusko. But I sure enjoy my visits. When is the next one due out anyway?!

This is the first book by Matthews I have read and it blew my mind. At times you both hate and feel sorry for Andrej. I shows the dual nautre of humanity> As the Inquisitor, Andrej is the dark side of human nature. And as the Doctor he is the one who gives us hope. I can't wait for her new novel.

I think of this book as a sidenote to an Exchange of Hostages. I enjoyed it, but I felt as if '...Hostages' had more depth. I can't wait to read the next one...