Hellhole (novel)
Encyclopedia
Hellhole is the first book in the Hellhole science fiction trilogy by New York Times best selling authors Brian Herbert
and Kevin J. Anderson
.
Against all odds, an exiled general named Adolphus has turned Hellhole into a place of real opportunity for the desperate colonists who call the planet their home. While the colonists are hard at work developing the planet, General Adolphus secretly builds alliances with the leaders of the other Deep Zone worlds, forming a clandestine coalition against the tyrannical, fossilized government responsible for their exile.
What no one knows is this: the planet Hellhole, though damaged and volatile, hides an amazing secret. Deep beneath its surface lies the remnants of an obliterated alien civilization and the buried memories of its unrecorded past that, when unearthed, could tear the galaxy apart.
The Deep Zone is made up of the fifty four frontier worlds of the Constellation, recently opened for settlement. They are administered by government appointed Governors and pay constantly increased tribute to the Crown Jewels.
wrote that the "characters are one-dimensional, and the tale has an unsatisfying cliffhanger conclusion", while Booklist
found the characters "easy for the reader to believe in, brought to life through not only their own emotions but also the responses and thoughts of the individuals around them ".
Brian Herbert
Brian Patrick Herbert is an American author who lives in Washington state. He is the elder son of science fiction author Frank Herbert....
and Kevin J. Anderson
Kevin J. Anderson
Kevin J. Anderson is an American science fiction author with over forty bestsellers. He has written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and with Brian Herbert is the co-author of the Dune prequels...
.
Plot
Only the most desperate colonists dare to make a new home on Hellhole. Reeling from a recent asteroid impact, tortured with horrific storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and churning volcanic eruptions, the planet is a dumping ground for undesirables, misfits, and charlatans…but also a haven for dreamers and independent pioneers.Against all odds, an exiled general named Adolphus has turned Hellhole into a place of real opportunity for the desperate colonists who call the planet their home. While the colonists are hard at work developing the planet, General Adolphus secretly builds alliances with the leaders of the other Deep Zone worlds, forming a clandestine coalition against the tyrannical, fossilized government responsible for their exile.
What no one knows is this: the planet Hellhole, though damaged and volatile, hides an amazing secret. Deep beneath its surface lies the remnants of an obliterated alien civilization and the buried memories of its unrecorded past that, when unearthed, could tear the galaxy apart.
Characters
Hellhole includes the following characters:- General Tiber Adolphus: leader of a failed rebellion against the Constellation, now the exiled leader on planet Hallholme.
- Diadem Michella Duchenet: current leader of the Constellation.
- Ishop Heer: Diadem Michella's confidential aide, spy, and hatchet man.
- Sophie Vence: A powerful merchant on Hellhole, in a relationship with Gen. Adolphus.
- Keana Duchenet: Diadem Michella's only heir.
- Lord Louis de Carre: planetary ruler of Vielinger and lover of Keana.
- Christoph de Carre: Lord de Carre's only son and manager of the iperion mines on Vielinger.
- Fernando Neron: new Hellhole colonist
- Vincent Jenet: new Hellhole colonist, sentenced to exile there after being convicted of theft on Orsini.
The Constellation
The Crown Jewels are the twenty core planets in the Constellation. They are the most highly populated and considered to be the most civilized. These planets are ruled by nobles who constantly jockey for increased power.The Deep Zone is made up of the fifty four frontier worlds of the Constellation, recently opened for settlement. They are administered by government appointed Governors and pay constantly increased tribute to the Crown Jewels.
Reception
Publishers WeeklyPublishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
wrote that the "characters are one-dimensional, and the tale has an unsatisfying cliffhanger conclusion", while Booklist
Booklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
found the characters "easy for the reader to believe in, brought to life through not only their own emotions but also the responses and thoughts of the individuals around them ".