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Book Review By Harriet Klausner
Heaven by Ian Stewart & Jack Cohen



Aspect, May 2004, 24.95, 343 pp.
ISBN 0446529834

On the planet of No-Moon, the dominant sentient life form is an aquatic squid known as a polypoid and they are all males. The females who they mate with are coral known as reefwives. The reef is a collective conscious being, aware that coming soon is a space armada belonging to the Cosmic Unity, a religion that preaches kindness, benevolence, and love. The reef is aware of the true purpose of Cosmic Unity and makes arrangements to get their husbands off planet with the help of the Neanderthals.

They land on Aquifer and the males are put in a special salt water environment but unknown to them or the Neanderthals, Cosmic Unity has a topic secret base on the planet. Servant of Unity XIV Samuel is a devoted member of Cosmic Unity who obeys his superiors as he rises in the hierarchy. However, Sam sees that the church does not practice what it preaches and begins to doubt that the religion is any thing but evil. Sam and polypoid Second Best Sailor conclude they must stop the invasion of No-Moons.

HEAVEN is a philosophical compilation woven into a cerebral speculative fiction that compels reader to ponder concepts and ideas put forth by the authors. COSMIC UNITY is a religion that is determined to spread its beliefs to all sentient life forms using whatever means necessary to attain its goals. The two protagonists of HEAVEN, especially Sam, are willing to risk their lives to stop the invasion of No-Moon, making them true heroes.

Harriet Klausner


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Religious overtones? Yes
Cultural problems, alien culture Yes
Culture clash- - one culture tries to impose its culture on another group
Descript. of chases or violence - 10 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10 %

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - 20's-30's

Main Adversary
Identity: - an organization
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an average amount
How sensitive is this character?

Setting
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a futuristic society
Planet outside solar system? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - a moderate amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
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