Book Review: Conquistador

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

[4 stars]

Conquistador Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
S. M. Stirling
Class/Genre: Science Fiction Alternate History
Roc, Feb 2003, $23.95, 448 pp.

After receiving a battle-related injury during World War II, John Rolfe recuperates in Oakland, California. John works with a short wave radio when an explosion occurs that opens an entrance into an alternate earth. In this world Europeans never traveled to the equivalent of North America. Thus the continent remains environmentally clean and loaded with natural recourses unlike his birth world. Over the years, John and his descendants selects twenty-nine other families to work with him on exporting the riches of "New Virginia" without destroying the beauty of the place.

In 2009, law enforcement officials raid a First Side (this world) warehouse in Los Angeles. The company worries that someone smuggled items through the gate, which if not stopped could lead to the industrial and governmental complex learning of New Virginia and raping its pristine landscape. John’s granddaughter Adrienne tries to uncover the identity of the traitor while Department of Fish and Game Agent Tom Christiansen works a case that brings him into her sphere. Tom and Adrienne are attracted to one another, but neither trusts the other though they need to team up to stop the destruction of New Virginia.

Fans of alternate history will appreciate the depth that S. M. Stirling imbues in his delightful new novel. The rich story line makes readers believers that other dimensions containing different earths exist because the key cast members come across as authentic in their dealings on both planets. Adding fun is that Tom and Adrienne love one another and share so much in common including mistrust and a need to find the Judas-like betrayer before Eden is wrecked.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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