Cadicle Omnibus

This omnibus collects the first three volumes of DuBoff’s enjoyable, galaxy-spanning epic series (currently at six installments, with no end in sight). Appealing characters and detailed worldbuilding draw the reader into a tale of politics, sabotage, kidnapping, telekinesis, and clones. The million-year-old Taran civilization has established colonies throughout the galaxy. The Priesthood of the Cadicle controls the six High Dynasties, which in turn own the major corporations. Cristoph Sietinen, heir to the Third Region, escapes his palace to join the Tararian Selective Service, which teaches him to use his extraordinary telekinetic ability, a skill the priesthood vilifies. Cris learns that TSS Commander Banks is in collusion with the priesthood, whose multigeneration breeding program to produce the Cadicle, the most powerful telepath, is realized in Cris’s son, Wil. Wil is so powerful he is being groomed to singlehandedly defeat the barbarous Bakzen, a clone race that has been at war with the Tarans for hundreds of years. Fearful of the priesthood’s power, Cris and Wil vow to end it. Drawing on classic science fiction themes from Dune, Ender’s Game, and Firefly, DuBoff weaves together sympathetic characters, an intriguing plot, devious villains, exciting space adventure, and hopes pinned on a chosen savior. (BookLife)