In a departure for this very well-reviewed fantasist, Susan Shwartz has returned to her science fiction roots with a riveting novel of honor and its loss, love and its betrayal, and the exploration of what it means to be a true hero.

What Susan Shwartz has done is to take a well-loved tale and it in an unconventional setting. Second Chances is nothing less than an homage to Joseph Conrad-think of Lord Jim in space. Just as Conrad explored in great depth the perplexing, ambiguous problem of lost honor and guilt, expiation and heroism, Shwartz has created in her Jim a man haunted by guilt over an act of supposed cowardice and his lifelong efforts to somehow atone for that action-whether or not he merited the disgrace.

As Conrad's Jim was a tragic and ultimately noble hero, so too is Shwartz's Jim. A professional soldier whose time has passed, Jim is stationed about the corporate BioShip Irian Jaya security for a commercial venture critical to humanity's continued survival. The war that sundered whole worlds is over and now he's just another "tin soldier," a prop for the military to look good to war-weary civilians. But he's never stopped caring about those who scorn him and the ideals that he still clings to. That caring is tested, however, when he is thrust into a scandal not of his making. He chooses to carry the burden of guilt, no matter what. Because of his pride . . . . and maybe because that's the one thing he has left. Out of this madness will come the biggest battle for his honor and his soul.

And perhaps, a promise of a second chance.

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Praise for this book“[A] solid military space opera influenced by Conrad's Lord Jim . . . . Shwartz's detailed setting and lively pace will hold readers' attention throughout this lengthy examination of guilt and heroism. Fans of the military SF series of Elizabeth Moon, Lois Bujold McMaster, and David Feintuch are bound to enjoy this novel.” —Publishers Weekly


About the Author

Susan Shwartz has been nominated for the Nebula, the Hugo and the World Fantasy Awards and is the author of several novels, includuing Heritage of Flight and The Grail of Hearts, as well as the very well received Star Trek novels, Vulcan's Forge and Vulcan's Heart. She resides in New York City and is a veteran of the financial-services industry.


Title: Second Chances
Author(s): Susan Shwartz
ISBN: 9781466807464
Copyright 2002
Release Date: April 15, 2002
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group
Countries: United States, Canada | Learn more about available countries
Language: English
Format: mobi,ePub | Learn More about our supported formats
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