Loren L. Coleman By Temptations and By War

By Temptations and By War

Loren L. Coleman

Roc, Dec 2003, $12.95, 304 pp.

ISBN:0451459474

The Word of Blake, an Armageddon cult, launched its jihad against the colonized worlds over sixty five years ago, wanting to destroy any trace of life in the galaxy. A leader rose up during this time, Destin Stone, and eventually he destroyed the Word of Blake after millions were savagely murdered. As a reward for his victory, he becomes the leader of the new Republic of the Sphere made up all the planets in a 125 light year radius of Terra.

Part of the Cappellan worlds including Liao was forced out of their confederacy and into the republic without being given a voice in their own destiny. Years later the Chancellor of the Cappellan Confederation Daosher Lia wants to bring these worlds back under his government rather than the weakening republic. He sends his emissary Mai Wa to Liao to sow dissent and discord that will start a revolution. With the help of freedom fighter Evan Kurst, Wa's former prot g e, they start a civil war that spreads across the galaxy.

Military strategists will find BY TEMPTATIONS AND BY WAR an exciting battle oriented work of science fiction. It is not always easy to follow the movements of a particular skirmish but readers will grasp the general battle plan and that knowledge is enough to keep and maintain audience attention. The heroic Evan never stops trying to free his country from the occupying forces.

Harriet Klausner