Carve the Sky

Jablokov's first novel is a stellar performance that places him squarely in the first circle of science fiction authors. Anton Lindgren, seneschal for Lord Monboddo and lieutenant of internal security, is delivered a statuette, an unknown work by a dead artist, taken from the body of a murdered agent. With this as a clue Lindgren begins to search for a priceless treasure, a search that changes directions and goals as others are drawn into this tightly woven tapestry of espionage, art, religion, lost treasure, suppressed scientific discoveries and interplanetary war. Credibly motivated characters come alive, and the histories of their highly detailed cultures are convincingly constructed through the year 2358. Jablokov's characters are absorbing, his plotting as balanced and well timed as a classical ballet, and his style a delight. Watch for this title on this year's Hugo ballot. (Mar.)