HELLHOLE INFERNO

Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Tor, 448 pages
Science Fiction
Hardcover, $27.99

The third entry into the Hellhole trilogy starts off with a build-up of military might, a build-up of tension, a build-up of suspicion, and it just keeps going from there.

The primary thread of this book concentrates on the escalating conflict between Constellation Commodore Percival Hallholme and rebel General Tiber Adolphus as they struggle for control of the Deep Zone planets. Hallholme’s also struggling with the capture of his son along with his own personal misgivings about the whole mission. Add to that the dichotomy between his sense of responsibility as an officer of the Constellation and his disgust at his leadership, and you have a somewhat predictable — but still interesting — path to a satisfying outcome.

Without getting into too much detail (really, you should read these), the maneuvers between Hallholme and Adolphus are a study in escalation and frustration, with a side of betrayal along the way. Throw in some political manipulation, and there’s enough meat on the bones for a good tale of civil war.

Now, add in the political intrigue of Diadem Michella Duchanet’s personal aide plotting to kill her and a leading Governor plotting to replace her. Between Ishop Heer and Black Lord Selik Riomini, Michella is not going to be having a very good day. Especially when she takes a drastic action against a threat from alien possession of her citizens.

The aliens — the Xayans and the Ro-Xayans — have conflict of their own coming to a boil, as the true nature of ala’ru, the Xayan form of ascension to a new plane of existence, threatens the very existence of the universe. Or does it? As the Ro-Xayans hurl asteroids toward Hellhole to prevent ala’ru, the conflicting stories of just what it will do become enough to endanger the colonists and destroy the human population just as they also face an invasion from Commodore Hallholme’s navy.

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Hellhole Inferno is aptly named. The descent into mayhem just continues as you get further into the book, and it certainly does look dire for the Deep Zone rebels. Bad enough to have a fleet of enemy ships that could pop up on your doorstep at any minute. But then you have twenty asteroids headed to your planet, enemy prisoners plotting escape, a very valuable prisoner suddenly not so valuable, and plotting and scheming from within the ranks of your leaders and the aliens who are supposed to be helping.

Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have crafted a very satisfying end to the trilogy. If they never did any more stories in this universe, that would be fine. Not because it’s a bad universe. Quite the opposite. But it’s nice when a creative team decides “it’s done” and moves on to something else. There are some authors who can’t seem to do that and run the risk of overstaying their welcome. Not so here. The Hellhole Trilogy makes a very solid military SF entry. Some have compared it to the Honor Harrington books from David Weber, but I don’t see that as an apt comparison, mainly because the bulk of the story isn’t set in space. Yes, there are naval elements, but there’s more political intrigue than anything else, very much like what you’d find in the Dune series (also by Herbert and Anderson).

The most interesting take-away I get from these is how original it feels. There are elements that you see in other stories, but by now it’s almost unavoidable. Herbert and Anderson at least mix it up with a fresh take on faster-than-light travel, alien physiology and belief systems, and alien-human interactions. Add to that the politics of a far-flung system of Earth colonies with a government that feels bloated and has worn out its welcome, and you have a unique universe in which to set the story.

I also like that the planet itself makes life a challenge for Adolphus and his faction. It’s almost as if Murphy himself popped in just as someone asked, “What else could go wrong?” And at one point, it really does feel like Adolphus is getting dog-piled. But so is Hallholme, dealing with his circumstances as he tries to do the right thing while maintaining his integrity as a Constellation officer — all the while just wanting to go home to his vineyards and be done with the whole thing. But honor is at stake for both men, and that drives the plot to a conclusion that sates the desire to see the bad guys get theirs in the end.

If you’re into military SF (or even if you’re not), you should definitely give the Hellhole Trilogy a look.  Now that all three are out, you can take a weekend and roll through all three books. Who says bingeing is just for TV shows?