Book Review: Broken Time

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Broken Time     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Maggy Thomas
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction
Roc, May 2000, $6.99, 352 pp.

In the distant future, Earthlings have colonized many different types of worlds in numerous galaxies. Though technology has improved the lives of most with its incredible changes, several of the major problems that existed on late twentieth century earth remain. Unemployment still impacts the young. For instance, recent high school graduate Siggy Lindquist leaves her homeworld of Veil and even her galaxy to accept a janitorial job in the high tech prison on the planet Agate, where the most deadly human monsters are incarcerated.

The Director assigns Siggy to work in the maximum-security block commonly known as Monster Row by the staff. Every day for the next seven years, under the direction of her boss, Siggy interacts with mass murderers Jerry Wolf, Joseph Bell, and MS-12. When Siggy is seriously injured during a prison breakout, the institute gives her a generous compensation package that allows Siggy to return to Veil and never deal with a serial killer again. She soon learns she a bit premature on the latter thought.

Maggy Thomas is a bright new voice in science fiction and genre fans will enjoy it because of the complex story line, intricate characterization, and believable alien setting. Readers will accept the existence of non-human sentient beings that distrust Earthlings and their descendants. Siggy is a fascinating protagonist struggling to earn a living in a seemingly menial job when contrasted against the high technology world that surrounds her. The serial killers are intriguing as their so-called humanity hides their ugly souls so well that, at times, readers actually feel sympathy for them. The audience will demand that Ms. Thomas return to the BROKEN TIME universe in the short-term future.

Harriet Klausner

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