The Gene Wars universe
Encyclopedia
The Gene Wars universe is a fictional universe
developed by science fiction
and fantasy
author C. J. Cherryh
. The universe currently consists of two science fiction novels, Hammerfall (2001) and Forge of Heaven (2004). The books were published by HarperCollins
under the company's "Eos" imprint. Hammerfall was nominated for the John W. Campbell Memorial Award in 2002.
The Gene Wars universe contains a human polity in contact with the ondat, an alien race of uncertain shape and incomprehensible ways of thought.
The human polity has been divided against itself in a revolutionary movement called the Movement, which advocated the full exploitation of nanotechnology and gene manipulation, and used those technologies in its fight with the government. As a side effect, one of their technologies infected the ondat, bringing them to war against humanity.
Hammerfall takes place against this background, but it takes quite a while before one discovers the relationship between the larger backdrop and the story of the book.
At the time of Forge of Heaven, the human polity is split into Earth (where gene modification is completely anathema), the Inner Worlds (which emulate Earth) and the Outsiders, who practice limited forms of nanotechnology and gene modification. Contact with the ondat is restricted to one point - Concord Station - and it is here, and on the planet below, Forge of Heaven takes place.
Unlike most of Cherryh's earlier work, Forge of Heaven adapts several themes from postcyberpunk science fiction. The story, for example features postcyberpunk elements such as gene modification, nanotechnology
, biotechnology
-enabled body modification
, and a technologically sophisticated protagonist who acts to uphold the status quo
. In addition, the Earthers in the story who dogmatically oppose all transhumanist
modifications are portrayed as narrow-minded and paranoid
, indicating the book's pro-technology stance as consistent with the conventions of postcyberpunk fiction. Because the work is not set in the near future, however, and features aliens and other tropes of space opera
, the book may not qualify as a "pure" example of the postcyberpunk genre.
Fictional universe
A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements that differ from the real world. It may also be called an imagined, constructed or fictional realm ....
developed by science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
author C. J. Cherryh
C. J. Cherryh
Carolyn Janice Cherry , better known by the pen name C. J. Cherryh, is a United States science fiction and fantasy author...
. The universe currently consists of two science fiction novels, Hammerfall (2001) and Forge of Heaven (2004). The books were published by HarperCollins
HarperCollins
HarperCollins is a publishing company owned by News Corporation. It is the combination of the publishers William Collins, Sons and Co Ltd, a British company, and Harper & Row, an American company, itself the result of an earlier merger of Harper & Brothers and Row, Peterson & Company. The worldwide...
under the company's "Eos" imprint. Hammerfall was nominated for the John W. Campbell Memorial Award in 2002.
The Gene Wars universe contains a human polity in contact with the ondat, an alien race of uncertain shape and incomprehensible ways of thought.
The human polity has been divided against itself in a revolutionary movement called the Movement, which advocated the full exploitation of nanotechnology and gene manipulation, and used those technologies in its fight with the government. As a side effect, one of their technologies infected the ondat, bringing them to war against humanity.
Hammerfall takes place against this background, but it takes quite a while before one discovers the relationship between the larger backdrop and the story of the book.
At the time of Forge of Heaven, the human polity is split into Earth (where gene modification is completely anathema), the Inner Worlds (which emulate Earth) and the Outsiders, who practice limited forms of nanotechnology and gene modification. Contact with the ondat is restricted to one point - Concord Station - and it is here, and on the planet below, Forge of Heaven takes place.
Unlike most of Cherryh's earlier work, Forge of Heaven adapts several themes from postcyberpunk science fiction. The story, for example features postcyberpunk elements such as gene modification, nanotechnology
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with developing materials, devices, or other structures possessing at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometres...
, biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
-enabled body modification
Body modification
Body modification is the deliberate altering of the human body for any non-medical reason, such as aesthetics, sexual enhancement, a rite of passage, religious reasons, to display group membership or affiliation, to create body art, shock value, or self expression...
, and a technologically sophisticated protagonist who acts to uphold the status quo
Status quo
Statu quo, a commonly used form of the original Latin "statu quo" – literally "the state in which" – is a Latin term meaning the current or existing state of affairs. To maintain the status quo is to keep the things the way they presently are...
. In addition, the Earthers in the story who dogmatically oppose all transhumanist
Transhumanism
Transhumanism, often abbreviated as H+ or h+, is an international intellectual and cultural movement that affirms the possibility and desirability of fundamentally transforming the human condition by developing and making widely available technologies to eliminate aging and to greatly enhance human...
modifications are portrayed as narrow-minded and paranoid
Paranoia
Paranoia [] is a thought process believed to be heavily influenced by anxiety or fear, often to the point of irrationality and delusion. Paranoid thinking typically includes persecutory beliefs, or beliefs of conspiracy concerning a perceived threat towards oneself...
, indicating the book's pro-technology stance as consistent with the conventions of postcyberpunk fiction. Because the work is not set in the near future, however, and features aliens and other tropes of space opera
Space opera
Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. The term has no relation to music and it is analogous to "soap...
, the book may not qualify as a "pure" example of the postcyberpunk genre.
Publication information
- Cherryh, C. J. Hammerfall, HarperCollins/Eos, 2001.
- Cherryh, C. J. Forge of Heaven, HarperCollins/Eos, 2004.
External links
- Hammerfall at Worlds Without End