Gates of Hell

By Susan Sizemore and Eden O'Neill

Sagouran plague is burning its way across the galaxy. No cure exists; the only treatment is an illegal drug called Rust. Pyr, captain of a rogue pirate ship, may be able to find a better solution, but... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0967197929
• ISBN13: 9780967197920
• Release Date: June 2007
• Publisher: Speculation Press
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Surprising well written and entertaining

I am a fan of Susan's vampire books and picked this book up on a whim one day. And I have to say I was pleasantly surprised! Some people say it starts slow and awkward, I don't think so, and in fact, I had to read the first chapter again after I finished the book because silly me -- breezed though it and missed a few key points. Susan did an excellent job of laying out the plot of this book and then executing it. And her characteration was very well done.I hope she writes more in this genre/venue.

Great Worldbuilding

I was aware of Susan Sizemore as a romance novelist. Then I discovered her dark fantasy vampire series, all of which contain strong romantic elements along with a different look at a vampire culture. I've even found some short stories by this author in several fantasy anthologies. I'm not used to an author that gets around so much, but I've enjoyed every book of Sizemore's that I've read, some more than other, of course. I must say that I think Gates of Hell is far and away the best thing she's written. This book is undisciplined, unrestrained, and over the top - but, wow, what a ride!Other reviews here have given the outline of the story and opinions (for good or ill) of the characters and the strong romantic elements, but I don't think anyone has mentioned the worldbuilding. Fond as I am of Roxy, Pyr, Martin, Dee, Linch and the rest of the characters and the space opera that is their lives, I think it was the tantalizing glimpse into the United Systems universe that I found most intriguing. Among the matters touched on in the course of the book were the differences between military and civilian perceptions of wars and politics, budgetary constraints, the history of the United Systems, religious conflicts, types of marriages (how did Martin end up married not only to Roxy's sister, but to Rafe and Betheny as well?), technological development, love, death, basketball and there might even have been some mention of taxes in there somewhere. The story was about finding a cure for the Sagouran Fever and the cause behind the plague, but the action is played out as an episode in a universe where much has happened in the past, and the future is hinted at. While the plot of the book stands alone, I hope the author intended Gates of Hell as an introductory book to a series set in this universe. Because, I for one, would very much like to visit the United Systems again.

If You Like A Little Romance With Your SciFi...

Ms. Sizemore has created a nice space opera with interesting species, interstellar wars, treachery, telepaths, semi-immortals, romance, plague, group marriage, addiction, death-cults, and much more. If you're a hard-core sci-fi reader there should be plenty here for you. If you're new to the genre, or if you are a romance fan, the behavior and relationships of the characters should provide a familiar basis for your introduction to this type of story. Roxanne Shirah Merkrates is a Physician in the United Systems Military system. She is also of the Koltiri race and Shirah family, which means she is a powerful empath/telepath. She's contractually married to the captain of her ship, Eamon Merkrates. A plague is rapidly decimating planets, and she is sent by the Systems Council, to Eamon's displeasure, on a mercy mission to try to find a cure for the plague. The hospital she's sent to come under attack, she escapes in a dealer's ship, is captured by slavers, and then by pirates.Pyr is the captain of the pirate ship, a being who has been already infected by the plague, is addicted to the contraband medicine that staves it off, and was recently bitten by an acolyte of a death cult which infected him with a slow-acting fatal poison. He is trying to maintain control over his ship without letting his shipmates know that he is dying. He is also pursuing his own secret agenda regarding his People, the plague and his missing crewman, Axylel.Needless to say, the meeting of Roxanne and Pyr complicates their lives in an unexpected way, resulting in a bond that is stronger than either of them anticipated. This was a story that held my interest throughout - it flowed nicely, the primary and secondary characters were nicely developed, and most importantly, it didn't bog down the reader with unnessary technobits that weren't essential to the story.

A Great Read

This is a great book. as you read it and it ends you start looking to see if there are any more in this series. You want to know what happened to martin what will happen to axexyl, is there more to pry and to roxy, what happened to her parents whats going to happen to her sisters and what has happened to her sisters.

I Want More!

I love the characters, the dialogue, the romance, but I especially love the worldbuilding in this novel. Roxanne and Pyr's story seemed like just the tip of the iceberg when it came to what's going on in the United Systems. I want more on Martin, and on Roxy's family. I want to know more about the Trin War. More with Pyr and Roxanne wouldn't hurt, either. Great universe. Give me more!