Sardonyx Net

by Elizabeth A. Lynn

Paperback, 1982

Status

Available

Publication

Berkley (1955), 423 pages

Description

A nomadic starship, the Sardonyx (a.k.a. Yago) Net is manned by the Yago family, with Zed Yago as its captain. The Sardonyx Net is responsible for picking up space trash (i.e., convicts) in the Sardonyx sector. Zed gets great pleasure from torturing the convicts before selling them as slaves. The authorities of the planets in the Sector turn a blind eye as the Yagos drug and torture the criminals. But the Yagos' entire operation is at risk when there is a shortage of the drug they use to control the criminals and when Dana Ikoro arrives. In this story of forbidden love, crime, corrupt justice, and lucrative business, the Yago family must fight to keep their business stable.nbsp;

Rating

½ (47 ratings; 3.7)

User reviews

LibraryThing member gypsysmom
Dana Ikoro is a Starcaptain who is stuggling to make ends meet. So he decides to smuggle dorazine into the Sardonyx system to get much-needed funds. Thus, he is quite upset when he discovers that some other smuggler picked up his shipment before he did. He follows her to the planet of Chabad which
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is the prime market for dorazine. Chabad's economic system depends on slave labour and the dorazine is used to keep the slaves happy. However, dorazine is illegal and the Federation police have been cracking down on smugglers. Even though Dana doesn't have any dorazine his cooler is proof enough of his intent and he is arrested, convicted and sold as a slave to Zed Yago, the commander of the Sardonyx Net. The Sardonyx Net is the ship used to transport convicted felons from other planets to Chabad to be sold as slaves. Zed is a sadist who finds sexual gratification in torturing the prisoners so this is the perfect position for him. He brings Dana home with him for his sister, Rhani, who needs a pilot during the months he is away on the Net. Rhani also needs a bodyguard because she has been receiving threats from a group who is opposed to the slavery system. The book explores the relationships between these three main characters and the consequences of an economic system based on slavery. Zed is an interesting character although thoroughly unlikeable. Dana is not as interesting but he is decent. Rhani is something of a conundrum. She seems kind and thoughtful of others but she is also responsible for providing slaves for the planet and obtaining the drug that makes the system run. As well, she is aware of her brother's proclivities and does little to stop him.

The ending seems like there might be a sequel but I gather there is not one. Apparently Lynn suffered writer's block shortly after she wrote this book and didn't write for 15 years or so.
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LibraryThing member ChrisRiesbeck
Definitely a half-full, half-empty book. How you rate this will depend on whether you focus on its weaknesses or strengths. The weaknesses include (1) a deadly boring opening chapter that sets up the main characters: Dana, the low-rent smuggling Starcaptain, Rhani, the naive rich slave-owning
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mistress of the House of Yago on the planet Chabad, and Zed, her sadistic slave-capturing incestuous brother (2) that cast of characters! (3) an abrupt shift in the final chapters to some very weakly motivated plot mechanics. The strengths are in the primary center of the book, beginning with Dana's torture and mental subjugation by Zed, followed by his life as a slave and sex-toy / lover? to Rhani, and his involvement with but ambivalence towards the those attempting to overthrow the slave economy on Chabad. As soon as this story begins, the emotions and characterizations are light-years better than the opening chapter. The debate on slavery is also far more nuanced than most SF tackling this topic. Dana does not join the anti-slavery movement. Members of that movement are often criminal in their behavior and on the "other side" as far as plot goes. The model of slavery is time-limited, e.g., ten years, only applied as a criminal sentence, and drugs limit misery. The fundamental evils of the system are portrayed in small scenes, conversations, and reflections.

Recommended but you might hate it. You might throw it across the room. You might be right. But don't give up on it in the early setup chapters. Give it a good 100 pages and then decide.
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Awards

Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 1982)

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1981

ISBN

0425053261 / 9780425053263
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