Lanik Mueller’s birthright as heir to planet Treason’s most powerful rulership will never be realized. He is a “rad”—radical regenerative—a freak who can regenerate injured flesh and trade extra body parts to the Offworld oppressors for iron. On a planet without hard metals, or the means of escape, iron offers the promise of freedom through the chance to build a spacecraft. But it is a promise that may never be fulfilled, as Lanik uncovers a treacherous conspiracy beyond his imagination. Now charged with a mission of conquest—and exile—Lanik devises a bold and dangerous plan to break the vicious chain of rivalry and bloodshed that enslaves the people of Treason as the Offworld never could.

When Card is good he is great (Ender's Game), but his misses are pretty bad (Homecoming Saga). This one is a miss.

Unique world, and enjoyable just for the discovery at first, but the plot felt very forced and the main character wasn't worth much; he keeps getting bailed out in extremely improbable (lucky) ways. And in doing it, he penetrates multiple "impenetrable" groups and gets handed their secrets / gains their superpowers. The first one just happens to be the thing that can fix an incurable genetic disease. I finished the book, but after a certain point I knew what was going to happen and just skimmed along to finish.

( )

Really great book. Hard to find fault in anything, but just didn't "feel" like a 5-star read to me. However, a very quality and enjoyable story throughout.

OSC has a way about him creating new worlds. This world didn't immediately appeal to me, but the way he explored the world (as told through the eyes of the main character) was really enjoyable.

Highly recommend. ( )

(10/31/02) early, somewhat unrefined card. there are so many ideas packed into this book that the story is sometimes lost. for a readable, compelling book about a planet foreign to all we know, read grass by sheri tepper instead. ( )

Dit was gewoonweg een fantastisch boek, heb het in één ruk uitgelezen. ( )