Maximum Light | |||||||||||||||
Nancy Kress | |||||||||||||||
Tor Books, 245 pages | |||||||||||||||
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A review by Lisa DuMond
With Maximum Light, Kress returns to some of her favourite topics:
bioengineering, biotechnology, and the miracles and nightmares they offer. In
this short novel, it's the nightmarish aspects which predominate and explode
in the face of the main characters almost before the book begins. This is a
situation that becomes more horrifying with each new piece of information. Knowledge
is not power, but a threat.
But, is it connected to the crisis that threatens to wipe out life on Earth? For,
you see, sperm counts have plummeted and taken the birth rate with them; this may
be the last generation of the human race.
Finding a solution to the sterility is the number one priority and the dilemma
on everyone's mind. For those desperate for children, the alternatives are verging
on the grotesque. The problem-solvers are losing their last shred of integrity in their
eagerness to exploit the suffering. Is it a problem worth solving at any price?
Shana Walders -- nineteen, harder than nails, and smartass deluxe -- wants only
to join the military, the only career suitable for an unsuitable person like
her. Unfortunately, a chance sighting and her stubborn honesty put her at ground
zero for the detonation that threatens to destroy the lives of every person
who gets drawn into the intrigue.
Dr. Nick Clementi may be the only person involved who doesn't want to eradicate the
annoyance Shana has become. His position on a congressional medical crises team introduces
him to the bizarre tale she insists on repeating to everyone who will listen. Despite
fighting his own life-and-death battle, Nick is soon working with Shana to learn the truth.
Cameron Atuli wants only to continue to dance with the ballet. Sure, it's a
touch strange that he recently underwent an invasive surgery to remove an area
of his brain. What memories needed to be deleted? And who decided the
deletion was necessary?
Those questions form the central enigma of Maximum Light.
Of course, these characters must end up together, hot on the trail of the
mystery. It isn't a match-up that promises perfect cooperation, but no one
has more at stake and less chance of success.
It's a stampede of a read. You'll find yourself hooked from the first page and
Shana's first crass thoughts. The story lines converge seamlessly, pulling readers
deep into the heart of the mystery. The premise seems all too possible in a
world where fertility seems to become less likely and government conspiracies
more likely with every news flash.
If you enjoyed the Beggars trilogy, you'll be enthralled in Kress'
latest effort. If you've never indulged before, this is the perfect
introduction to a talented and exciting author.
Lisa DuMond writes science fiction and humour. She co-authored the 45th anniversary issue cover of MAD Magazine. Previews of her latest, as yet unpublished, novel are available at Hades Online. |
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