Rating: 
Summary: "Yon undertall beauty"
Review: This is a book only a woman could have written so well. Not because of the literary style, plot development, and characters, but because of the book's insights into human nature and the development of relationships of the noblest and basest kind. It is also a gripping study on freedom and slavery. While there have always been slaves, willing and resentful, medicine has provided the despotic but fastidious government of the story with a type of slave who is denied not only physical freedom, but the freedom to think insubordinate thoughts while suffering the most demeaning and brutal treatment. The main character, Andrej Koscuisko, is no less bound by his responsibility to his father and his own internal creed. This creed is best understood through observing his reaction while still in medical school to a clergyman's attempt to relieve his emotional suffering for a failure to save a plague victim's life by asserting that it was not his fault: "...a Koscuisko prince's life was defined by responsibility. To suggest that that he was not responsible - simply because he had not been at fault - was a profound violation of Andrej's basic sense of self-definition." He then summarily threw the priest out into the street. The profound suffering of the protagonist is made exquisite by the horrible, unthinkable things he must do in order to preserve some small but essential part of his honorable creed while protecting the lives of the innocent bond-involuntary slaves who are responsible for his training in "judicial inquisition" and destined to suffer and die at his hand. Only his amazing physical and intellectual abilities, along with his ability to consume literally staggering amounts of libations such as "rhyti" and "wodac," permit him any chance of doing right by anybody at all. The nobility of Koscuisko and his selfless concern for the helpless slaves and victims around him earns him the unrestrained respect of those who would normally only despise and fear him. I came to respect "yon undertall beauty," as Koscuisko is described by one of his victims. Few books so sucessfully create a character so psychotic but so honorable. The contrast between the integrity of Koscuisko and the evil paranoia of his fellow student is also fascinating. One can only hope that few such people as Mergau Noycannir ever rise to positions of influence (but we know they often do anyway). I had seen this book on the bookseller's shelf last year, but the title and blurbs sounded too much like a made-for-cable-movie in the "General Hospital" vein to interest me. Then, a few days ago, I read the Author's newest work "Prisoner of Conscience," and I was hooked (with meathooks and chains), unable to resist reading this first book, in what I hope will be a long series, relating the campus capers of the charming Prince Inheritor, Andrej Koscuisko, This book is not for the squeamish. However, since it is more intense than the sequel, those who find this one difficult but interesting should go ahead and read "Prisoner of Conscience." You will like it even more without having to worry about the rediscovery of the disturbing things you learned about yourself in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Didn't think I would like it but...
Review: When I started reading this book, I had no idea at all what it was about. Upon discovering that it dealt with a torturer-in-training, I began to lose interest. But then I picked it up again. And again. Though the subject matter is difficult to stomach at times, it is interesting. To use highly trained medical professionals as torturers seems a bit odd, but it makes sense if you take it in context. All the better to keep them alive with, my dear. I find Andrej to be a very interesting character, and I just loved Joslire. I found myself wanting for more from his point of view. And Noycannir sure was evil to the core.... Still, I have a couple of lingering questions. I want to know more about this universe that Matthews has created. I want to know more about the interrelationships of the species, and about some of the issues hinted at in this book - shortages of grain, for instance. This could be an interesting series... I intend to read on.
Rating: 
Summary: Promotional note from the author
Review: I would like to take shameless advantage of this feature in Amazon.com to note that the first three Koscuisko novels (currently out of print) will be reprinted by Meisha Merlin in 2005. The next Koscuisko novel, "Warring States," is due from Meisha Merlin in late 2004/early 2005. Cheers, Susan R. Matthews
Rating:
Summary: Grim
Review: I read a couple of the other reviews here. They describe this book in glowing terms and, in many ways, I agree. The depth of characterization is impressive, as is the masterful way the author deals with the conflicts that are part of Koscuisko, the main character. I have read both this and the follow-up, Prisoner of Conscience, and both are very well-conceived and well-executed. I will not read any more of the books in this series, though. I read for entertainment. Both Koscuisko and the society that has produced him are extremely grim, and Koscuisko himself is often a difficult character to like. Simply put, he is a torturer, and he gets personal and professional satisfaction out of what he does, despite the conflicts it causes within him. I have read lots of books and seen many movies that depict cruelty and/or bloody events. Violence and conflict don't bother me. Here, however, you get sadism, and it is almost relished. The acceptance of such brutality is appalling. I found it impossible to like. These books are emotionally or ethically challenging, and depict squallor and misery to an almost nauseating degree. I've given them four stars in response to the depth and quality of the writing, but I don't recommend them for most readers.
Rating:
Summary: Not for the weak of mind or stomach, but a gem.
Review: Strong characterization work by Matthews pulls the story along. The crux of the conflict -- the good person whose self-image is splintered by the discovery of primal, evil urges -- is one rarely seen in sf (Wolfe's _Shadow of the Torturer_ notwithstanding -- the main character in that story did not have the internal conflicts that Andrej Kosciusko has), and Matthews handles the conflict deftly. The universe lacks some of the 'hard-sf' plausibility some readers seem to demand (sometimes at the expense of plot, characterization, and such trifles -- which explain's Niven's peculiar popularity), but the story, *as a story*, is strong and compelling to those of us that are acquainted with dark urges of our own. Dark, moody, bitter, yet redemptive, the book is worth more than one close read. It feels unfinished, and some characters are skimped on (Noycannir in particular is a bit of a caricature), but the strength of Kosciusko's internal torment roars through the pages. Something quite different, and quite enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: A Singular and Absorbing Tale!
Review: This book transcends my expectation. Browsing for a writer I have never read I am glad to have found another favorite to add to my list of must read writers. An Exchange of Hostages is just not your typical sci-fi fantasy. Its plot is unique and brilliantly conceived. Matthews' world is grim, intense and strangely moving. The characters have depth and I definitely care about what happen to the protagonist and his "slaves" next. It is disappointing that this book and the next two in the series are out-of-print. I am just glad to have acquired them from Amazon market place. An Exchange of Hostages is definitely one story which will stick in my mind.
Rating:
Summary: Social Crime and Punishment
Review: An Exchange of Hostages is the first novel in the Judiciary series. In the future, the Judiciary system, faced by a series of revolts and other civil unrest, has determined that torture may be used to interrogate prisoners. However, only bench certified personnel are granted the Writ to Inquire and there are strict Protocols governing the type and level of torture allowed. In addition, the Judicary have created the involuntary Bond, a form of imprisonment without walls; the prisoner is implanted with a "governor" that punishs any disallowed thoughts or feelings. The imposition of torture and creation of bond-involuntaries has been increasing in recent years. In this novel, Andrej Ulexeievitch Koscuisko is a graduate of the Mayon Surgical College with highest honors in Surgery and honors in Pharmacology. The Koscuisk family has a tradition of the eldest son joining the Fleet and, despite his desires to practice medicine as a civilian, Andrej is forced into Fleet Medical by his father. Since his father's time in the Fleet, however, the Writ to Inquire on its vessels has been taken from Security and invested in the Chief Medical Officer; that is, the CMO is responsible for the torture of prisoners under a judicial writ. So Andrej has to attend Fleet Orientation Station Medical where he is taught to torture prisoners. Unfortunately, he is good at torture and, to his shame, he enjoys it. A fellow student at the Ship Surgeon's school, Mergau Noycannir, is not a Fleet officer, but a Clerk of Court from the Chilleau Judiciary, an experiment in certifying Inquisitors who are not medically trained. Noycannir is a manipulative, controlling personality who intends to make a good impression on the staff at any cost and soons begins to hate Andrej because of his social ease and his medical brilliance. At Fleet Orientation Station Medical, Andrej is assigned a personal bond-involuntary, Joslire Curran, and has to accept his Bond until the end of the Term. This disturbs Andrej even further and he fights the system by getting to know Joslire. This novel is a dysutopia in which both the executive and legislative branches of government have been subordinated to the Judiciary. Since present society seems to be moving in that direction, the author has obviously created a satire of extrapolation to the extreme. The story is capsulated within Andrej, simultaneously a victim of this society and a perpetrator of its evils. While it is a ugly picture, there is a degree of higher truth in the situation. This novel has a Russian ambiance, probably in honor of Dostoevski's Crime and Punishment. This story explores many of the same issues, but in a social rather than a personal context. When is it permissible for an individual or a society to torture or kill its own citizens? Is it permissible for the society to do so, yet still punish such behavior by private individuals? Should the public individuals who implement such punishments feel any guilt for their sanctioned activities? How can a medical officer reconcile his Hippocratic Oath to his oath as a Fleet officer if his duties include the saving of some lives and the taking of others, depending upon his orders? The torture scenes are tastefully done, without graphic details of physical mutilation. However, they are disturbing by reference, invoking more vivid and terrifying images. Read these sections very lightly. Recommended for anyone who enjoyed Crime and Punishment or who would enjoy a tale of character development in a vile situation.
Rating:
Summary: Unorthadox
Review: This is not mainstream fiction. It is intelligent, complicated, even confusing. Matthews declines to share much of the reasoning behind character actions and words: Often, the character will know why he has done something, but will only give a half-clue -- usually buried in a reference to some cultural or historical protocol or event -- as to why and leave the reader to either figure it out for himself or give up and assume that there is no reasoning, that characterization is flawed and that the book is trash. The people in this book come from cultures radically different than ours, if only for their extremity, so understanding them is a challenge. This is also not for the squeamish. Torture, rape, sex -- it's got everything. The story is built around it. The culture is brutal, hedonistic, violent; it would be impossible to tone the book down to the point where I would want, say, a ten year old reading it and still maintain the integrity of the story. Just be prepared. The prose is unconventional. The standard rules of grammar and syntax do not apply; Matthews has invented her own dialect (although the characters seem to borrow a bit from Yoda) and a very distinct style. That was the most uncomfortable part of the book for me, because I'm a big fan of flowing writing or at least a bit more explication. It took awhile to get used to and I never did get to liking it. Consider the difference between running your hand over a smooth, varnished coffee table and running it over a piece of firewood. For all that, I enjoyed it immensely. It's original; it balances quick-witted humor and irony well against the somber, horrifying storyline; it delves deeply into the characters and challenges the reader. Bottom line: Decent book, if you're up for it.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly involving
Review: After reading the first chapter of this book I wasn't sure I would make it to the end, but 6 straight hours later I closed it for the last time. This is a story about a man who discovers terrible truths about himself and about his peers but learns how to deal with them and even use them in the service of the greater good. In this future society, the entire legal system is based on confession and penance carried to the extremes (very close to an inquisition without the religious fanatics). Andrej Koscuisko has been forced by his aristocratic father to enter training as a judicial torturer after eight years in a premier medical school learning to tap into his empathy. This empathy now seems to be the one thing that may prevent him from surviving his new training. He must learn to deal with the consequences of his decisions, whether they are meant to prevent pain or to increase it. Ms. Matthews throws us into this society without any preparation. It takes a few pages to even figure out what's going on, and there are many times in the 2nd half of the book when the reader is torn between disgust and fascination. This isn't really a story about torture, tho. It's the story of the conflict going on in Andrej's head and in his daily life as he deals with what he learns, what he does, what he feels. There were many times in this story that Ms. Matthews seems to be cluing us in to things that will be happening in this universe in future books. I haven't read the next book yet but feel we may find out that the bond-involuntaries who figure so prominently are not entirely guilty of their crimes and that the Free Government could be the rebels on whom Andrej pins his hopes for survival. I'm looking forward to finding out!
Rating: 
Summary: Gross
Review: I couldn't finish this book, and I threw it out rather than take the chance that anyone else would come across it by mistake. Matthews has some writing talent, true; but I can't really care about that when I weigh it against the actual plot of her book. An exploration of the soul of a torturer? That's just disgusting. I didn't need to read the details of how people are tortured. I didn't need to read about the sexual grossness I should have expected, once I realised what sort of book this was. And in the 50-60% of this book I read before I threw it away, Matthews never once explained or justified why justice equals torture in her imaginary universe. So yes, my poor opinion of this book is based more on my distaste for its plot rather than its literary merits, or lack of them. But I did not feel that the synopsis gave me anything like enough warning about what I was letting myself in for with this book, and I would not like other readers to make the same mistake I did and read it without realising what it's really about. This book was just gross.
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