Soldier of Light

In I, Q (Forecasts, Sept. 20), de Lancie, writing with Peter David, delivered an SF novel dealing with the charismatic Q, whom de Lancie played on the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation. Here, he leaves the Star Trek universe behind for a hodgepodge of SF tropes and apocryphal goo. The One is an ancient, all-powerful evil that lives deep within the earth. The rising of this half-mad and narcissistic being is causing humanity to go insane, which suits the One just fine, as it plans to wipe out mankind, just as it once destroyed the dinosaurs. Two brothers, Owen and Harley Keegan, are among the few humans gifted with special psychic powers that enable them to fight the One and its human thralls. Owen, along with his wife, Kate, and their autistic daughter, Constance, first flee the breakdown of civilization and onset of madness by sailing away on their boat, Nepenthe. But Kate and Constance (weak vessels that they are) prove susceptible to the blandishments of evil and Owen must follow his women into dark netherworlds and fight for their lives. Harley, who is propelled into using his own powers for good only after he saves several young women from ""rapist brutes,"" also joins in the final battle for humanity's continued survival. Even with some bang-up action scenes, this novel never rises above its stilted writing or condescending attitude toward women. Author tour. (Oct.)