by Sylvia Engdahl
"Grips the attention with the raw immediacy of the problems. . . . An inquiry and commentary on the nature of what it is to be human, and where evolution can take us from here. It asks the sort of questions only SF can pose, and paints a vivid picture of where failing to answer those questions might lead. . . . Stewards is the kind of SF I've been craving!"
--Jacqueline Lichtenberg, Monthly Aspectarian, June 2008
"A taut, well-paced science fiction work . . . that transcends the genre's traditional subdivisions and leads us into a world as relevant as today but as enthralling as tomorrow."
--Paul H. Smith, author of Reading the Enemy's Mind: Inside Star Gate--America'sPsychic Espionage Program, Amazon.com
"A suspenseful and thought-provoking novel that seems so plausible that it sends chills up my spine . . . truly a masterpiece of parapsychological science fiction."
--Robin Witte, Rebecca’s Reads, May 2008"Expository sections . . . are more than made up for by Engdahl’s unmatched ability to combine intellectual speculation, moral forthrightness, and narrative suspense. . . . The end is both exciting and searingly moving. Readers who enjoy the more adult works of Robert A. Heinlein or C. S. Lewis should enjoy this novel. . . . [It] is eminently readable, indeed hard to put down. . . . It also has the potential to bring this undervalued author the wide reading public her talent merits."
--Nicholas Birns, author of Understanding Anthony Powell, Amazon.com
"Inspires a lot of thought-provoking 'what-if' questions. . . . An excellent novel to read just for pure enjoyment, however, I would highly recommend Stewards of the Flame to bioethics classes. It will certainly lead to some stimulating conversations."
--Paige Lovitt, ReaderViews, October 2007; Midwest Book Review, December 2007
"Stewards of the Flame is a brave book, and the numbers of those holding to the sentiments it conveys are growing. While the novel portrays extreme measures taken to prolong life to reductio ad absurdum lengths, it can’t be faulted for challenging our comfort zone, when after all, that is one sure measure of worthwhile fiction."
--Carlos Aranaga, ScifiDimensions, February 2008
"A brilliant twist on dystopianism, taking that which most people see as humanitarian and proper—the care and well-being of fellow human beings—and pushing the logic to the extreme. . . . The book builds just the right amount of tension, and shows the stark reality of benevolent tyranny, one that any so-called democracy could creep towards quite easily. . . . Stewards of the Flame manages to speak strongly for our rights to choose our own destinies."
--Anders Monsen, Prometheus, Winter 2008
"The story is compelling, and drew me in from the first few pages. . . . Stewards of the Flame is a thought provoking novel that may make you question the authority and direction of modern Western medical practices. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading genre fiction with some substance to it."
--Anna Creech, Blogcritics, February 29, 2008"Brims with startlingly intelligent, well-developed ideas about mankind, civilisation, and technology. . . . [Engdahl] is persuasive rather than dogmatic and writes with intelligence and vigour, whether she is exploring the human mind or critiquing Undine's medical dystopia. . . . This is mind-stretching speculative fiction for the thinking person. . . . The ending of Stewards of the Flame is one of the best endings I've ever come across. It is absolutely right for the book."
--Jennifer Mo, Rambles, April 19, 2008
"Extremely entertaining. . . . A cautionary tale that Big Brother is coming through the government medical complex."
--Harriet Klausner,
Midwest Book Review, January 2008; Alternative Worlds; Amazon.com (#1 reviewer)
"The story is original and interesting. . . . A good SF yarn."
--Rheta Van Winkle, Book Loons, November 2007"Stewards of the Flame combines contemporary concerns about health, social issues, and privacy with science fiction and parapsychology to create a powerful story. Are we really headed towards a world like Undine? Are there better alternatives to medications and suspended animation? Both the questions and the potential answers are fascinating."
--Tami Brady, TCM Reviews, December 2007; Bookideas
"Sylvia Engdahl has crafted a chilling look at what extreme socialized medicine could become in the hands of a dictatorial medical regime. . . . Her solution to the dilemma is unique. Her characters are quite likeable and often heroic. . . . Stewards of the Flame would make an excellent discussion topic for a book club or church group."
--Janie Franz, MyShelf.com,
April 2008"A smart, intricately-plotted novel that's extremely realistic and relatable despite being science fiction. . . . The idea of a medical-based world isn't at all far-fetched, the implications of such a system making this book appealing to a wide scope of readers. . . . Thought-provoking and compelling, Stewards of the Flame is an excellent novel that even non-science fiction fans would enjoy."
--Heather Holden, Beside the Norm Paranormal Book Reviews, January 14, 2008"Rewarding novel about the power of the human mind and spirit. . . . it's pretty brilliant once it revs up -- an intense journey of impressive proportions. . . . Engdahl weaves a deceptively simple plot into a surprisingly complex storyline. . . . [She] keeps throwing curveballs right to the finale. "
--E. A. Solinas, Amazon.com (top-10 reviewer)
"Readers who enjoy watching a carefully reasoned philosophy outlined and then put to the test will be fascinated by the dismaying and joyous twists that confront Engdahl's characters."
--Tucker Stilley, Amazon.com
"Engdahl takes on a very current-events idea and turns it on its head: health care and 'universal' health care. Her ideas are fresh, exciting, and had me scratching my head and saying, 'Of course!' all at the same time."
--Andrea Grennan, Amazon.com
"It's an enthralling story, but it also poses a series of provocative 'What if?' questions, as great science fiction or futuristic writing always has."
--Vivienne, a reader from Helsinki, Amazon.com
"Yes, it's set in the future on another planet yet I feel a general audience would appreciate what it has to say. . . . This is a different kind of science fiction novel about a future space colony in which the trend toward medicalization has been carried to its ultimate logical and frightening conclusion."
--Stephen Pletko, Amazon.com (top-500 reviewer)
"You could end up joining the ranks of [Engdahl’s] admirers in finding her work an inspiring and stimulating celebration of human good-will, intelligence, courage and love. . . . This is not flavour-of-the-month, style-driven writing. . . . The characters struggle to know themselves and each other. Integrity and honesty are deeply challenged within the gloom of a 'benign' dystopian society. The price of daring to hope for 'something beyond' is ruthlessly demanded, and paid knowingly."
--Tom Bolton, Melbourne, Australia, Amazon.com