- Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Avon Books (April 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0380789132
- ISBN-13: 978-0380789139
- Product Dimensions: 17.3 x 10.2 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,241,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
A promising young surgeon, Andrej Koscuikso has come, with great reluctance, to study at a military orientation center adrift in black space. Against his will, he will train here to serve as a "Ship's Inquisitor" - a vocation that runs counter to his deepest moral convictions.
From the Author
Excerpt available
An excerpt from the first chapter of my book is available at www.avonbooks.com.
An excerpt from the first chapter of my book is available at www.avonbooks.com.
"Prisoner of Conscience," which follows "An Exchange of Hostages," is due out from Avon Books in early 1998.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
All I really have to add to 2 years worth of reviews is that the cover has not one thing to do with the book. If you ever needed proof that the marketing department of most publishing houses is always located at the other end of the universe from anyone who reads the books this is it. I guess they just grabbed the first thing on the pile.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
All good stories make their readers regret reaching the last page. However, the best stories produce daydreams about their characters long after the last page is turned; daydreams about how these imaginary companions would behave if placed in fantasies created in a reader's head. "An Exchange of Hostages" presents a conundrum to its readers. Why? Because this story will make its readers delight and revel in the character development and training of a professional torturor and will then make the reader want more. Susan Matthews has managed to create a bizarre "coming of age" novel about a young surgeon forced by the dictates of family honor and pride to serve in an intergalactic military fleet which has more need for his skill in inflicting pain rather than his skill in alleviating it. This novel examines pain in depth; the mental pain of the one learning to enjoy inflicting pain and the physical pain of the one who must submit to it. Like Dante's Inferno, the reader is taken one level at a time towards more and more extreme acts of controlled violence until a horrendous destination within the human psyche is reached. Matthews guides each step with an unerring eye upon the delicate balance between fascination and revulsion. Her main character, Andrej Koscuisko, is as introspective as any Russian character in any Russian play and Matthews pulled no punches when she wrote of his physical and mental reactions to his admittedly vile training. She has managed to keep the character sympathetic by juxtaposing his reactions to the even viler reactions of those undergoing the same training. The end of the novel coincides with the end of his training and leaves the reader wondering how young Koscuisko will make use of his newfound talents in the big, wide, nasty universe. This reader hopes that Matthews' second novel will be just as disturbing as the first, even though there was a tinge of self disgust present for enjoying the first novel so much.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is a competently written and brutal story of the corruption of a good man under a hideous system. It wasn't at all fun to read; it was believable.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Compelling
I've now read all 3 books in this series. Each one demands to be read to the end. Kosciusko's life is a metaphor for the moral compromises we all make in our daily lives due to... Read more
Published on 2 July 1999
Not for the weak of mind or stomach, but a gem.
Strong characterization work by Matthews pulls the story along. The crux of the conflict -- the good person whose self-image is splintered by the discovery of primal, evil urges... Read more
Published on 11 Jun 1999
A hard subject matter, but startling in vision and beginings
The idea of torture as a basis for SciFi is difficult but when the entire work is considered with the developement of character, Susan has created a classic and I look forward to... Read more
Published on 12 April 1999
Couldn't put it down
A solid story, and mostly interesting characters, except for the over-the-top depiction of Andrej's rival Mergau. Read more
Published on 29 Mar 1999
excellent - necessity of law & responisbility
Very reminiscent of Dvid Feintuch'd "Hope" series
Published on 14 Mar 1999
Wow.
I picked this book up without knowing anything about it, or its author, beyond what you can skim from the cover blurbs, and boy am I glad I did. Read more
Published on 29 Dec 1998
An intriguing near-miss of a book
Set in a "Star Wars"-esque universe, this time following the bad guys, Andrej Koscuisko is being trained as a Chief Medical Officer [read: torturer] for the Fleet. Read more
Published on 28 Oct 1998
Awkwardly written to the point of outrage by the reader.
Unrelenting exploration of institutional pain and those trained to deliver it. The Author needs an editor who can delete enough words in the sentences to make them flow. Read more
Published on 17 Oct 1998
A slow agonizing read
I had high hopes for this book and they were quickly dashed. I don't like books that have such complex ridiculous names that you cannot pronounce nor remember them. Read more
Published on 7 Sep 1998
Pushed to the brink
I've resisted reading this book for a while - I knew it would be both physically and psychologically wrenching and I wasn't sure if I was ready for another round of monster as... Read more
Published on 3 Sep 1998
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