"The Helix and the Sword" by John C. McLoughlin

Other reviewers have done an excellent job describing the story-line so I'll restrict myself to relating my reactions to the plot and style of the story.

First off, be aware that you really do have to read the synopsis of human history in the prefix; and at some point you'll probably want to flip to the back of the book to read the glossary. All of this is necessary to get comfortable with the plot background and vocabulary: obviously many things have changed in the 5 thousand years since mankind broke into space and it saves guessing what these strange words mean.

With that said, my first reaction was that the story was handled simplistically…and gradually I came to appreciate that if I had read this book when I was a teenager it would have affected me powerfully. I think this tale ranks up there with Arthur Clarke's "The City and the Stars" and "Against the Fall of Night". Many thousands of years have passed and man is "different" and has lost touch with his beginnings, etc. and the protagonists must somehow find the link to mankind's heritage and save humanity from some form of annihilation or other. And all the while, you don't really know who's the good guy and whose the bad guy.

Once I had that awareness I began to really enjoy the novel. Yes, the action is not as detailed and gory as we have come to expect in the 21st century, but there's enough action and complexity of plot to entertain and inspire anyone under 20. As for the rest of us, if we can release our jaded expectations: of super-convoluted monsters and heroes warring in Dystopia; of sex; of horror; of deep character analysis—then there's a good chance we can enjoy it also. I'll be recommending this to teens, along with Heinlein, Niven, Andre Norton, Nourse, and van Vogt. And to you too, if you already have the copy in hand.

However, if you lust after more Jim Butcher and Vernor Vinge and O.S. Card, etc. and and aren't particularly interested uncomplicated emotions and lack of sex and pure evil, then you might not want to spend the time and money searching for this book. But if you find it, like I did, in a Thrift store, then go for it. It's always good to take a breather from Dystopia. ( )