An odd book, very inconsistent, but when it comes together its best bits are rather good. ( )

Reviewed on SF Mistressworks: http://sfmistressworks.wordpress.com/2012/05/18/jerusalem-fire-rm-meluch/ ( )

An intreguing start, you wonder where the author is taking the story, but as hints appear you gradually realise this is something much more profound then it first appears.

Alihahd is the name of a rebel runner in humanities refound 2nd empire. The name means simply "he left" cunning and determined he managed to aid those who didn't share the ruling Na'id's desire for an amalgamated humanity. The overall aim of reducing sexual, racial, and religious tension sounds wise, but their methods leave much to be desired. When Alihahd's luck finally runs out he finds himself crashlanded on an isolated planet along with few companions. Then the tall delicate aliens arrive.

I groaned at this point, expecting the very worst in B movie overwhelming human jingoism. How wrong I was. It is a fascinating account of social and cultural differences and acceptance.

Then the Na'id trace Alihahd to this long lost planet of Iry and in a climatic few chapters past and present secrets and strategies are revealed. Some are more or less obvious, some twists will leave you staggered.

Powerfully written characters will grab you, and the lightly detailed world is fascinating. It is divided into a few sections featuring Alihahd and then Ben and finally the reminiscenses of Shad Ali. The details of Ben's prior life occupy about a quarter of hte book and seem to have little relevance to the rest - esspecially the ending - yet they are also interesting.The action is fairly constant throughout but it is much slower reading than I expecting. There are a few remaining plot points that don't get resolved but overall it's fascinating commentary on what it means to be human and just how odd some of our social conventions are. ( )

ZB9