Book Review: Coyote: A Novel of Interstellar Exploration

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Coyote: A Novel of Interstellar Exploration     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Allen Steele
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction
Ace, Nov 2002, $23.95, 400 pp.

In the twenty-third century, the United States is no longer the home of the free. In fact it is no longer the United States since Pacifica and the New England states are separate nations. What is left of the once proud country is the United Republic of America, a fascist right wing country ruled by the Liberty Party. It is a nation where dissidents are placed in reeducation camps and the party’s young are encouraged to enroll in youth hostels where they are indoctrinated to believe the propaganda as gospel truth.

As a testament to it’s glory, the party has funded the starship Alabama, a one hundred billion dollar space ship that is to send one hundred supporters to colonize a habitable planet. Thanks to the bravery of key personnel the ship is successfully skyjacked by dissidents who plan to form a colony based on the radical concept of democracy. So begins the story of the Founding fathers and mothers.

COYOTE is a rousing tale of revolutionaries starting over on a new planet much the way the pilgrims started over in the New World. The characters are well drawn, complex and totally believable as they escape a police state to pioneer an uncharted planet. Allen Steele has written a fine work that appeals to the patriotic spirit.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner