Liege Killer

Originally published in 1987, “Liege-Killer” is the first novel in the “Paratwa Saga” by Christopher Hinz. Apparently out-of-print since then, it’s good to see the book being given a new lease of life.
The “paratwa”, creatures with two bodies and one brain and trained to be superkillers, have rendered the Earth uninhabitable. Now, centuries later, one of them is awakened - Reemul, the liege-killer of the title, is psychotic and promptly starts a campaign of terror in the space colony he finds himself in. Can the hunters, also revived, stop him?
Hinz brilliantly creates a world populated by people who feel a sense of loss over dead Earth, coupled with hope for the future and real terror when the paratwa reappear. It's a really fast read, with some wonderful ideas and great dialogue.
I strongly recommend this novel as it is among the best sci-fi books that you’ve never read.

Liege-Killer is a compelling science-fiction thriller. Set in the far future, Earth is uninhabitable, radioactive, and the Apocalypse caused by warring factions also gave rise to genetically-created assassins called Paratwa, two beings with one mind. They were all supposedly exterminated in a war which saw hundreds of millions of humans killed by the single-minded, highly intelligent Paratwa.

In the present time of Christopher Hinz's novel, humanity lives on cylinder colonies orbiting Earth and follows rules by a dominant group called E-Tech, which oversees and prevents the development of technology that could lead to another Apocalypse. We are introduced to the “parliament” of sorts, the Irryan Council. The five counselors are constantly jockeying for power, trying to get their own programs enacted (they are not all Pro-E-Tech), and making deals to get their way. An outsider group espousing the glory of science is also actively trying to re-institute the use of advanced tech.

The council learns of the existence of a Paratwa, or “tway,” when several heinous murders are discovered. Their decision is to revive from stasis the pair of Paratwa killers from centuries ago who were able to kill hundreds of them. In the meantime, the Paratwa have killed dozens more people. Gillian and Nick are the most interesting featured characters in the novel as their lethal skills and stalking of the Paratwa and saving of innocent humans, like a mother and son pair, are consistent with their individual personalities and talents.

The cat-and-mouse game of the tway called Reemul, the Liege-Killer, grips the reader's attention in the high-stakes combat. The Paratwa often act like raptors, one engaging the combatant and the other circling around to attack. Gillian and Nick know those tricks, though, but there are many others. The machinations of the Council create added suspense in the slow revelation of their various hidden designs, hinging on the success or failure of the Paratwa.

A lot of the assassin's violence is described, and it is moderately gory. My one niggling criticism, though, is the names Paratwa and tway. Pronunciation? I understand the “para” and the “twa/two” idea, but still. For me, not well-chosen, memorable names.

I was delighted to receive an ARC of this cult classic and Compton Crook Award Winner for Best Novel.

It is set in a post-Apocalyptic world and features the most-feared warriors - the Paratwa. But, unfortunately, it also features what proves to be their sponsor and their nemesis - the Ash Ock - a race of super-beings.

The settings and characters are beautifully defined, and the story pace makes for brilliant reading, with a little love interest thrown in for good measure.

I love science fantasy, and this did not disappoint. For those who love this genre, I would highly recommend it.