Angel of Destruction

by Susan R. Matthews

"[Matthews] brilliantly uses science fiction's freedom of creation." (The Denver Post) "Matthews will stand out in a field dominated (in numbers if not in stature) by mediocre imitators." (Analog) A... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451458494
• ISBN13: 9780451458490
• Release Date: October 2001
• Publisher: Roc
• Length: 342 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

A Touch of Vance in the Noir

"Angel of Destruction" is the fourth in Susan R. Matthews' "judiciary" series ("Prisoner of Conscience," "An Exchange of Hostages," "Hour of Judgment"), described by the publisher as "a stand-alone novel" in the series (which seems fair: a sequel would be fun but hardly necessary). This time out Inquisitor Andrej Koscuisko is confined to a cameo role, as the action focuses around Bench intelligence Garol Vogel (he himself had a cameo in "Judgment") who, having offered the rogue Langsariks a home of their own (while banning them from space), now has to prove they're the victims of a frameup: a group is staging bloody raids and blaming it on the Langsariks. Who are they? How are they accomplishing this? Vogel quickly forms some ideas, but proving it is another matter altogether.The tale is told in a multi-POV noirish police procedural style manner (for that matter with some alterations it could have been set in the John Ford-John Wayne west, so readers looking for Catherine Asaro-style science lessons may be disappointed). The real perps are revealed early on and the plot centers on how they will be captured, and whether the capture will come in time to save the Langsariks. In addition to Vogel himself the action focuses on the Langsarik leader Walton Agenis, her nephew Hilton Shires, her beautiful niece Modice, rogue pilot Kazmer Daigule, Cousin Stanoczk the Malcontent, and the wounded foreman Fisner Feraltz. Ms. Matthews skillfully interweaves what the characters are saying with what they are thinking, and these characters are intelligent.Ms. Matthews shows a great sense of place here. Although the novel jumps around quite a bit you'll always know where you are. Her descriptions of dwellings, gardens, warehouse facilities, and the like will give you a great feel for the locations. In one sequence, when Hilton, on warehouse duty, hears two apparent drunks talking nearby, you'll almost be able to smell the dust as he moves along the aisles trying to locate them among the stacks of merchandise. By the way: The author is perhaps paying subtle tribute to Jack Vance here (he would have loved the name Fisner Feraltz, and the Langarsarik colors are "rose gold," described as a yellow-pink), although her cleancut prose style is far less ornate than The Master's. Anyhow, it's fast-paced, entertaining, and as always with Ms. Matthews very very dark.

An excellent addition to the Judiciary universe

I had been looking forward to this book since I first heard that Susan Matthews was going to do a novel that centered around Bench specialist Garel Vogel. Not only did I find him to be an interesting character during his appearance in HOUR OF JUDGMENT, but I was also looking forward to finding out more about the Judiciary universe, and from a viewpoint other than Andrej's. ANGEL OF DESTRUCTION didn't disappoint, and in fact I think it is some of the author's best work. The plot is complex and very well laid out, and Ms. Matthews avoids the easy shortcuts that some writers occasionally resort to in order to keep their stories moving forward. In addition, the book features several engaging and well-written characters, my favorites being Vogel and the newly introduced Cousin Stanoczk (who I hope we'll be seeing more of in the future). I enjoyed ANGEL immensely, and anxiously await the arrival of Susan's next novel.

Great, but I missed Andrej

A while ago I wrote a review expressing the wish that Miss Matthews would write a book focusing more on the Bench Federation itself; and here it is. I wasn't disappointed, and the only reason I haven't given this engaging book 5 stars is because Koscuisko makes only the briefest appearance in it...Garol Vogel (the powerful Bench Intelligence Specialist first encountered in 'Hour of Judgement') has arranged for the Langsariks, an outlaw race, to come into the Bench fold. However, outside forces are working against the Langsariks, attempting to frame them for unspeakable crimes against Jurisdiction. Vogel has to track down the guilty parties before the Bench turns its considerable might against the Langsarik settlement.This is an intelligent, sometimes gripping read and, because this is the Bench we're talking about, you can't be sure until the very end whether or not there'll be a happy ending. Admittedly, there's less emotional depth than in the three previous books, but there's perhaps more story; it's likely to appeal to people who were put off by the violence of the Koscuisko books.

Another view of the judiciary world

This book provides another view of the Judiciary world the author has created. It is no less intense and interesting. I enjoy reading the story and the moral choices that the main character has to make. Although I was eager to read the continuation of the story line from her previous books, I am glad that the author broadened the scope of her fictional world. I hope that all of these plot lines are going to join togather in the near future. Great job.

Very well crafted

The Langsarik fleet was powerful, trustworthy, and cemented in their loyalty to one another, making it very difficult for the Judiciary to hunt them down. The Langsarik were pirates whose own home planet refused to recognize them so eventually their leader, Walton Agnes negotiated with Garol Vogel to seek decent terms of surrender. The five thousands members of the Langsarik fleet were put on probation and forced to live on land in Port Charid, a space port dominated by the Dolgrukij Combine. After a certain amount of years they would be allowed into space once again as law abiding citizens of the Judiciary. However there is an element on Port Charid who hate the Langsarik and is willing to stage bloody raids on other ports to get the Langsark's probation revoked. It is up to Vogel, who has put together a last ditch desperate plan, to see that justice is carried out. ANGEL OF DESTRUCTION is space opera of the first caliber. The tale is fast paced, with plenty of action and adventure and the various sub-plots add depth to a very complex story line. The characters are three-dimensional so that the readers can truly understand them and their motivations even if they don't approve all their actions. Susan R. Matthews is a fine storyteller who is not afraid to meet social issues heads on.Harriet Klausner