A COMING OF AGE

by Timothy Zahn ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 1, 1984

Planet Tigris has evolved a society with a unique and arresting set of checks and balances. The kids, you see, all have telekinetic powers: they can fly and move objects with their minds. So, to control and civilize them, the adults have imposed a ""hive"" system where the kids live communally and learn respect for authority: to qualify for educational benefits, the kids must behave themselves and perform useful work--or they'll wind up (after losing their powers at puberty) as uneducated drudges in adulthood. Unfortunately, however, Zahn turns this splendid notion into nothing more than a routine, kiddy-cops-and-baddies melodrama. Superscientist Matthew Jarvis abducts his own young son Colin in order to experiment with a drug that could extend the telekinetic power into adulthood. Detective Stanford Tirrell and his young psi-powered ""righthand"" Tonio are soon hot on the trail. (""Fagins""--child-stealers--are a major crime-problem on Tigris.) Complications are caused by evil fake guru Prophet Omega, a fagin who wants Jarvis' drug. . . and by young Lisa, who hopes to begin her education before she loses her powers. An intriguing, original idea that deserves better than the predictable, juvenile workout it gets here.

Pub Date: Dec. 1, 1984

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Bluejay--dist. by St. Martin's

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1984

Categories: FICTION