| Author: | Michael Reaves and Steve Perry |
| Copyright: | 1984 |
| Date Reviewed: | 1/26/86 |
| Rating: | 8.0 |
Synopsis: The generation starship Heaven Star was launched from Earth on a 75 year journey to the nearest star. When it arrives, the descendents of the original crew will decide if there is a suitable planet to inhabit and if not, they will continue along to the next destination. As might be expected in any society, there are some important people on board. Pyramus Gray is chief of the police force. His job is pretty easy - there's only been one murder on Heaven Star since it was launched and that was before Pyramus was elected to the office. The chief obstacle to law and order is a secret society call CIRCLE which preaches for the inhabitants of Heaven Star to "Exit The System". They are a minor annoyance to the police force. Pyramus's lover is Phaedra Adjurean, the Dancer. Phaedra is a strong sender (and Pyramus is a receiver). When hooked up to studio equipment, her dances give the people aboard ship their fondest dreams.
The Outsiders maintain and repair the exterior of the ship. Michan Bern is one of the best, although he's always being unfairly disciplined by his supervisor Thomas Steen. Steen has never been Outside; he won his appointment through politics. Michan is also an accomplished musician and flyer. One day while playing his arofloj in the park, he meets Susan Hanawashi and her son Katsu. Michan and Susan soon become lovers. Susan is also a friend of Scott St. George who is in love with the intelligent dolphin Killkup. All Scott wants is to be able to communicate with Killkup and describe his love for him.
Politics is an integral part of running the ship. The chief administrator is Louis Demond who is up for re-election. He's being opposed by Sharon Sevaer, a Zanshin drug user. Zanshin is used by CIRCLE members to increase awareness. Demond is losing the race because of recent murders. He blackmails his friend, archivist Geoffrey-Merle Douglas, into finding some mud to sling against Sevaer. Demond knows that Geoffrey is suffering from a brain disorder which will turn him into a vegetable unless he keeps stimulated. The only way is to keep working and Demond can easily have his job. Demond also knows that Geoffry's lover is Elena Vasquez - Sharon's friend.
Eastern philosophies and practices are popular on Heaven Star. About one quarter of the population practice some form of martial arts. The master of the arts is physicist Leo Chin. His prime pupil was physician Ian Kyle before the doctor went insane.
After the introductions, the action begins when things start going wrong. At first, problems happen at the quantum level. Probabilities that were calculated the day before are off just a little the next day. As the anomalies percolate up through the atomic and molecular levels, more things seem to be going wrong at the macroscopic level that humans live in. Computer consoles explode, explosive bolts fire prematurely and walls and floors get 'soft spots'. When the studio equipment malfunctions, Phaedra's Dream Dance becomes a nightmare for all those tuned in.
Ian Kyle sees it coming and places him and his knowledge above everyone else. This gives him, he thinks, the right to kill with his martial talents. He kills a stranger on level nine (waste disposal and reclamation) and then Thomas Steen. After green-belt Susan sees him humiliated at the hands and feet of his instructor, Ian kidnaps her and taunts her with his overwhelming abilities. Just as he is about to come in for the final flying blow, Susan gets in a good shot in the throat and kills him.
Things happen quickly now. Leo Chin also realizes the truth. The ship and it's inhabitants are entering a new level of space and consciousness. The only way to survive it is to use the Eastern mystical methods rather than the Western technical methods. People should use their minds, not their tools, to enter the new reality. With new courage, Phaedra enters the Dream Dance again and spurs on the more important inhabitants to survival.
In the end, only two out of the nine thousand survived the transition. Some were killed by floating debris and some simply curled up and died. Scott drowned himself when he finally could communicate with Killkup via the Zanshin drug only to find that the dolphin loved him too - as a pet! Leo sacrificed his life for a group of frightened children and Pyramus sacrificed himself Outside giving Michan a few extra seconds to prevent the ship from exploding. When the dust settles and the ship shows signs of leaving the strange space, it is time for the Heaven Star crew to start over again. There are so many possibilities.
Review: I enjoyed the level of detail the authors gave to the plot lines and characters in "Hellstar". Unfortunately the main plot was somewhat lacking. I didn't notice this until three quarters of the way into the book because the lives of all the characters were interesting in their own part. The prose was very well written. If it had not been, the novel could easily have become boring. I was a little uncomfortable with the idea of a psychotic doctor - that idea being so strange. Doctors are supposed to be good because they take care of you. On the other hand, I do enjoy reading about situations that are unusual. The main plot of the novel is obviously the changes that occur because of the strange space and the new consciousness it produces. However, this plot line was introduced and resolved too quickly. It could have been drawn out a little more. Also, a better explanation could have been given although another critic I might say that such and explanation would violate the Eastern physiochemical ending.