Prisoner of Conscience [Mass Market Paperback]

Susan R. Matthews (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1998

Andrei Koscuisko is an Inquisitor for the Bench federation of worlds. It is his duty to root out -- quickly, efficiently, quietly -- anyone who would threaten the ruling order.

Andrei has been posted to the penal facility at Port Rudistal. Here hundreds of prisoners -- traitors who dared dream of freedom and self-rule -- await interrogation. They know an Inquisitor's judgment is firm and unassailable. Yet there is a line that even he may not cross.

Although an Inquisitor is not supposed to feel outrage, weakness or pity, Andrei is, above all, a man of honor. And now he must risk his career -- and perhaps his life -- exposing the truth that lies behind the black walls of Domitt Prison.

A riveting novel of one man's courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, "Prisoner of Conscience again showcases one of the most promising voices in contemporary science fiction.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A brilliant author. A wonderful book. A new SF star has risen."

--David Feintuch

"Susan R. Matthews simply doesn't flinch."

--Stephan R. Donaldson, author of "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant

"Susan Matthews is an extremely talented writer."

--Martha Wells, author of "City of Bones

About the Author

After earning an undergraduate degree in psychology, Susan R. Matthews was commisioned into the United States Army, where she was the operations and security officer for a combat support hospital specializing in nuclear, biological, and radiological warfare. Currently working as an auditor for an aerospace manufacturer, Susan lives with her partner in Seattle, Washington.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Avon Books (February 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380789140
• ISBN-13: 978-0380789146
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,379,193 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Series

More About the Author

Susan R. Matthews has been a Seattle area resident since 1967 (with two years out for active duty in Virginia). She's been writing since her teens, and sold her first novel in 1997 ("An Exchange of Hostages"). Since then she has published another seven novels, including her latest, "Warring States," from Meisha Merlin (February 2006).

Susan lives in Seattle with her spousal equivalent of 25+ years, Maggie Nowakowska, and two Pomeranian dogs who will always be puppies. She works for a local defense contractor that also makes large commercial aircraft.

Scott versus Amundsen: Amundsen
Peary versus Cook: Cook
Seahawks versus the world: Seahawks
More versus RIII: RIII
Paper versus plastic: whatever's handy will do fine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oddly Compelling, April 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Prisoner of Conscience (Mass Market Paperback)

I don't usually like books that romanticize evil. I tolerate them only when they are extremely well written. This one is.

Matthews presents a disturbing universe and asks us to care about a character who engages in sadistic acts. For the most part, we do care about him. He is psychologically interesting and, evil as are his actions, he is so much better than most of the other evil people around him. At least he has standards and limits.

Among the most fascinating aspects of this series are the reactions of other people to the main character. Victims who forgive and even love their victimizers are nothing new. But Matthews helps us see the psychology behind it.

I look forward to other novels in this series.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SF or SM? Either way it is great writing, March 19, 2001

By 

SH in Tampa "SPH" (Tampa FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prisoner of Conscience (Mass Market Paperback)

What would you do if you had the power of life and death over people every day? What if you felt guilty because you loved having that power?

This is the dilemma that faces the protagonist in Susan Matthew's "Prisoner of Conscience". Set in a universe where independent planets face conquest and suppression by a theocratic government and punitive slavery is enforced by biomechanical devices, Ms. Matthews relies on interesting moral conflicts and well written characters rather than complex scientific gadgetry to tell her story.

Given the strong psychological suspense and not so subtle sexual undertones, this book seems more like a BDSM novel than straight science fiction. Either way, this book makes an engrossing read and I would recommend it quite strongly.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's not get too serious, November 7, 2000

By 

A Reader (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prisoner of Conscience (Mass Market Paperback)

I think that previous reviewers have put their senses of outrage on overdrive: let's remember that Miss Matthews' world is a FANTASY one - there is no Judiciary - and where do the Germans come in to it??? "Prisoner of Conscience" is actually a very interesting insight into the nature of wickedness (the old "two sides to every person" story), and wouldn't work at all if the writer were not sympathetic to her man. It's a bit grisly in parts but basically a fab read. Susan R Matthews is a really refreshing new(ish) talent on the sci-fi scene - and, my goodness, wasn't it about time for one?