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. ( )

A fun page turner of adventure science fiction. ( )

This is great action science fiction. ( )

A thoroughly enjoyable book. My wife picked this up for free at work, and I thought I'd give it a shot. It's not "hard" science fiction by any real stretch (which is my general preference when I'm able to find it), but it also didn't deal in "magic" science fiction. Things seemed plausible enough.

The story itself was a good one. It felt a bit rushed at the end compared to the pace throughout the rest of the book, but it kept me entertained from beginning to end and kept me guessing about what might happen next (though some of the twists were a little predictable ... still entertaining).

I'll definitely pick up the next one in the near future and keep reading this series! ( )

If someone told me that I would enjoy a SF book with StarWars style lightsabers, I’d highly doubted it. However, here I am. Okay, tbh there aren’t really lightsabers in this novel but something quite close.
Two centuries ago the planet Earth died in apocalypse. It was brought by many small wars and terror attacks, by chemical, biological, nuclear and convenient weapons. However, not everyone perished. A lot of people were able to move to Earth orbit, to giant rotating cylinders. Their leaders thought ‘never again’ and severely limited both capitalism and technological progress in the humanity’s new home. Now, to the world of mild utopia comes the horror of forgotten ages: Paratwa, the genetically modified assassin, who lives in two bodies and therefore is inherently more deadly.
I agree with other reviewers that this hidden gem had less popularity than its due. It is a real page turner and the developments will surprise you. Recommended to SF lovers.
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