TIMEGOD [Mass Market Paperback]

The Timegod (1993) is the second novel in the Timegod duology, following Timediver's Dawn according to internal chronological sequence. In the previous volume, Sammis has forced Odin Thor to face the human consequences of his realpolitik and reforms the unit into a mixed force of timedivers and marines. He and Wryan maintain veto power over Odin Thor for some time.

In this novel, a million or more years later, Loki is born into the world that Sammis has helped create. The population is composed of immortals, most of whom can timedive to some extent. The Temporal Guard is continuing to supply the population with high tech bought or stolen from other societies, but fewer of the Guard personnel are able to maintain this equipment.

Despite the efforts of his parents to make him aware of its deficiencies, Loki follows in his grandfather's footsteps and joins the Temporal Guard. He goes through years of training and gains a reputation as a heavy hitter, with very strong abilities. He is used to transport the more massive items over greater distances in space and time.

Eventually Loki finds a permanent position in maintenance. There he learns patience, foresight and technique from Baldur. He also becomes friends with Sammis and Wryan, learning a lot about unarmed and armed combat. However, he has a enemy in Heimdall, who tries to kill him, but is outfoxed and injured by his own boobytrap. After this incident, the Tribunes send both Loki and Heimdall to Hell for a time, but Loki's equipment is sabotaged by Heimdall's confederates and he almost dies. The lackeys are given severe sentences in Hell and subsequent chronolobotomies, but Heimdall only gets a reprimand.

When Loki recovers from his stint in Hell, he becomes less impulsive and more paranoid. After all, Heimdall is really out to get him. However, the Tribunes protect him to a great extent because he keeps successfully performing impossible assignments that most Guards can't handle. Then the Temporal Guard encounters the sharks.

Gradually Loki begins to comprehend the defects and injustices within the system. He is beginning to get a reputation as the premier timediver, even though he is relatively junior. Some people try to use him as the figurehead for a movement to change the Guard.

This novels depicts the rise and fall of a culture that basically becomes parasitic on other societies within reach of its timedivers. Unlike Piper's Paratime culture, the Queryans are not traders, but scavengers. As with Piper's series, the Queryans begin to obsess over the Paratime secret, even modifying other societies to eliminate all effective knowledge of the nature of time.

Highly recommended for Modesitt fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of young people struggling to understand their society and their own abilities while trying to do the right thing.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Let me just say that Modesitt is one of my favorite science fiction authors and this was the first book of Modesitt's that I read. I read it when it was originally titled Fires of Paratime which was substantially the same book. A few changes have been made in this version to bring it more in synch with Timediver's Dawn (the prequel to this story).

With the above disclaimer, I heartily recommend this book to anyone bored with the typical fantasy or straight forward hard science story. We see the develop of Loki, the main character, both in his values and powers from an idealistic youth to a more realistic adult (okay, some of my own judgement there). Overall very enjoyable with an interesting blending of psionic, science and an allusion to the origin of some of our mythology.

A good read that leaves you wishing L.E. Modesitt would con't Lovi's adventures. Good action with the "timediver in training", whose abnormally strong natural abilities allow him to push the limit of his instructors patience. I've read it at least 2 times and will read it again. Enjoy

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