Liege-Killer

by Christopher Hinz

Book Overview

Earth is a blistered wasteland. The orbital colonies have rebuilt civilization and lived in peace and harmony for more than 200 years. The deadly Paratwa are extinct. But people are being butchered in ways that terrify the local authorities. Only one kind of creature could cause this mayhem, and as the body count grows, the name Paratwa is whispered once again.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0812530756
• ISBN13: 9780812530759
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

A Real Page Turner

I will not bore you with details of the plot since other reviewers have already have done an excellent job at that. The big questions are: Is this a good book? Will I like it? What's it's like? Let me try to answer those. This book is definitely in the genre of a science fiction thriller in the best sense. The action and the plot flows very quickly, very significant events happen that will determine the fate of human colonies, and conspiracies within conspiracies are plotted, revealed, thwarted, and rehatched. The pages do turn very quickly and the plot never stalls. The only downside is that the characterization is somewhat minimal. The book is plot driven and the characters are interested but they're mostly there as standins for concepts rather than people you might be passionate about. If that doesn't bother you and if you like action oriented, plot driven stories, this is truly a great read. On another note, there are two sequels to this book, Ash Ock and Paratwa. The two sequels combined to make one story, so if you're going to buy Ash Ock, you should definitely get Paratwa also. Ash Ock ends right in the middle of the action and Paratwa continues right where Ash Ock left off. Will you like the sequels? If you liked Liege-Killer, you'll definitely like Ash Ock and Paratwa. There's more of what makes Liege-Killer a thrilling read - more conspiracies, more revelations, more events that may decide the fate of the human colonies. I haven't had this much fun reading science fiction for a long while. I highly recommend the entire series.

One of my favorite sci-fi novels!

My friend bought this book for me as a joke because I found the cover art to be amusing. I had read the synopsis on the back of the book, but never seriously thought about reading it until my friend bought it for me. Boy am I glad she did! The book was an genuine page-turner with twists and surprises around every bend. It follows a paratwa - an assassin that is composed of two bodies but one mind - and the paratawa's hunters and victims. In a relatively peaceful existence where everything (including the weather) is controlled by technology, the citizens are literally sheep for the taking as the paratwa reaks havoc. Two paratwa hunters are unfrozen from stasis and sent on the hunt... with technolgoy enabling anybody to alter their identity and the Ash Ock able to fill any position of power, everybody becomes a suspect! Not only is the book a fascinating and well-crafted story, it brings the eery question to mind of how much technology is too much? And when, not if, will humanity become its own worse enemy?

My Favorite Book Ever

I found this book while browsing my library back in 1989. I have been a fan of Christopher Hinz ever since. Liege-Killer has become my favorite book of all time, and with good reason. It is fast paced and has a wonderful plot. I would tell everyone to read this book!

Easily the best SF novel I've ever read.

The first page set you in what initially appears to be a worn-out subject: post-nuclear-war Earth. But within a few minutes you start to realize there is much more to this than you initially think, and by the time you're a quarter of the way though you are completely hooked. By the end of the novel, you find yourself amazed at how Christopher Hinz has managed to weave this story together out of so may complicated subplots and pretexts. The "pre-novel history" that is revealed throughout the story is utterly fascinating (I wish he would publish a prequel, or perhaps The Rigors by Meridian - you'll have to read the book to understand what I'm talking about!).This is a must-read! I started at 2:00am one night, and didn't sleep until I was done. Since then I've read the book at least 20 or 30 times!

Cinematic Near Future Action Bonanza!!!!

This book, the first in a trilogy of books really stands on its own as one of the most exciting reads I've ever had the pleasure to enjoy. It features the Paratwa Reemul, AKA the Liege Killer, a creature with two bodies but one mind. Set loose like a wolf among the sheep in a peaceful future, the authorities must awaken the ultimate Paratwa hunter to stop it. But what they awken may be worse that Reemul himself. If you like action this one is a must read, it's a real page turner. The followups move a little slower but build nicely on the foundation laid in this book. You'll definitely want more when you finish this one!