Downtime

by Cynthia Felice

HE WHO CONTROLS THE ELIXIR CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE!

Life eternal. the dream of all-too-mortal humankind. became a reality with the discovery of the longevity elixir. But as humans sent ever more starships downtime to colonize new planets, there was not enough elixir to meet everyone's needs. And so the Decemvirate ran a lottery, rationing the precious substance to maintain peace everywhere.

Yet now there was a traitor among this elite ruling group, a tyrant who would destroy whole worlds to realize ambitions of power and conquest. And Calla, Commander of the Guard, for whom the longevity elixir was poison not cure, had been chosen to catch the betrayer before it was too late. But when her mission reunited her with her long-lost love, could Calla sacrifice their newly regained happiness to end the tyrant's reign?

Genres: Science Fiction

252 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

An American science fiction writer. Her first novel, Godsfire, and her first short story, "David and Lindy", were published in 1978. She and Connie Willis have co-written three novels that are often considered young adult fiction, according to Willis.

Reviews

[Neil Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read any Cynthia Felice and, while she doesn't quite reach the heights of her sometime writing partner Connie Willis, she does manage a blend of Science Fiction and Romance that I always enjoy. Her Science Fiction (spaceships, other planets etc.) is the kind I tend to like anyway, and the romantic elements of her stories never descend into embarrasment - they are simply natural parts of her characters' lives and often with a twist - in this case the couple having aged at different rates during their separation, he by 10 years, she by 30. Add into their lives the complications of impending interstellar war and betrayal in the ruling elite and you have a fast moving, intriguing and involving story. Well worth searching out.

[James]

In this science fiction adventure, lovers Calla and Jason are forced apart by the obligations of duty when Calla stands alone against a power-hungry tyrant who would destroy the universe in order to rule it

[Carol · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get past page 18.between most of the characters names having " ' " in them, the dull beginning, and having so many other great books read and to read around me I'm bailing early on this one

[Caragh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one took me a while to get into, but once I had I enjoyed the story. I did fine it rather uneven. The Danae were fascinating, and I do wish the author had thrown away the galactic politics and just concentrated on the Danae and Jason - it would have made for a more cohesive book.

Note: I received a copy of this book free from the librarything early reviewers programme in exchange for an honest review.