Treason

Lanik Mueller 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 which 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 finally break the vicious chain of rivalry and bloodshed that enslaves the people of the planet Treason.

©1988 Orson Scott Card (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Card provides a colorful dramatization of ethical issues and questions of identity against a backdrop of bizarrely fascinating races." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Exemplifies Card's talent for creating disturbingly compelling, beautifully written stories." ( Library Journal)

Can't believe I missed this

Card is one of my favorite authors and Enders game is what got me into Science fiction in the first place. I can't believe I hadn't read this before but I'm so glad I found it now. I didn't even realize it was written in 1979 until the end of the book! It reminds me a lot of cards more recent series "pathfinder" but it much shorter. I highly recommend for any science fiction fan.

Interesting and thought-provoking

I like everything of Card's that I've read. This was just as good as most of his work. Very similar in some ways (young man + extraordinary powers + saves the world + questions regarding whether the world is worth saving) but still the world itself is very interesting and distinct. Very thought-provoking.

Sure there are stereotypes and it's pretty clear what Card thinks about women and minorities and academics, but the science fiction part was interesting enough to make the mild moralizing and stereotyping bearable.

The narration is very well done.

His First Book

Enough alternate worlds in this one novel to populate 6-7 novels. His audio clip about the book says he would have rewritten if given the chance... and doubled its thickness. I think if written later it would have been a whole series. I am glad he couldn't rewrite, it is a stand alone book that is classic OSC.

Excellent, thought provoking, and enjoyable

If you enjoy thought provoking, well written, stories, you'll enjoy this. Expertly narrated, strong original story, good character development, good dialog, what else do you want? Okay so there are no car chases, or gun fights, but this is a planet without a lot of hard metals, so you'll just have to deal with that.

Interesting concepts, disjointed story.

I enjoyed snippets of this book, but the overall plot line wandered and seemed forced. Card wrote this very early in his career, and it shows. The characters and concepts he introduces are strong but they don't hold together very well. I think the concepts would have worked better as a series of short stories about the world of Treason, rather than strung together as one narrative. I also thought the ending was unsatisfying and sort of cheesy. Great narration from Rudnicki as always, though! (Although my boyfriend had to stop listening because of Rudnicki's deep voice - his style certainly isn't for everyone!)