The Leeshore

by Robert Reed

The Leeshore takes as its setting a bizarre planet covered almost entirely with water, the surface of which is cloaked perpetually in darkness. Miles above the planet’s surface a jungle of free-floating plants forms an almost seamless carpet, blocking the light from the sun and forcing organisms below to function through biological luminescence.

Into this windswept, Hades-like shadow world converge two warring parties: one a battle-hardened crew of avenging Earthmen, the other a cult of computer worshippers known as Alteretics. The Alteretics have failed in their bid to conquer Earth with a God of their own design—the most sophisticated computer ever constructed. Now they are being hunted down by the people they had tried to subjugate.

Recruited by the Earthmen to guide them across the planet’s Stygian terrain are two young people: the only inhabitants of Leeshore to have survived the attack of the Alteretics. As the search for the murderous sect escalates, brother and sister find themselves questioning not only their allegiance to their newfound comrades, but also the odd quirk of fate that has bestowed on them the power to determine who shall live and who shall die.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

253 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1987

About the author

He has also been published as Robert Touzalin.

Reviews

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delight. Takes us to a decidedly damp world full of fungus, mold, and beetles, and lets us into the lives of the brother-and-sister scientific team who have been assigned by their parents to study it as their life's work.

[Brown Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this isn't much more than an action-adventure story in an exotic setting, it is a compelling story and the setting is not only super-exotic, but is fascinating. The result is a terrific way to spend a few hours, if you are into sci-fi weirdness.

[Audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

4/10

Four stars for the super best exotic setting and the really cool ideas. This was just a really really neat world.
But the story was supremely lacking, and the sexism was supremely showing, and there were parts I just had a lot of trouble with. Like, we were supposed to sympathize with a vulgar character who clearly believed in rape. Just no. Mostly it was just boring. Even with only 15 pages left I was asking myself “am I really going to finish this?”
But man what a super rad world. A biologist’s dream.

[Denver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great descriptions of a waterworld, but it wasn't hooking me. sexual harassment within the first 30 pages, be warned.