With a title of The Odyssey Gene, I was anticipating a novel based on gene science (genetics). What I wasn't expecting was a work of science fiction with undertones of politics, passion, and prejudice.

New Nations Organization programmer John Hektor is selected for a promotion -- once he passes the mandatory DNA test. He us stunned when he learns that he has failed. He has tested D-positive. There will be no promotion. Worse yet, Maya, his girlfriend leaves him as soon as he tells her the news. John's family disowns him and his friends shun him. He is an undesirable -- a threat to the social order

John knows that having the D-gene means you have immunity to a plague that once devastated the human population. The plague is gone now, but left in its wake is suspicion, prejudice and ostracism. The population is segregated into those who are D-Positive and those who are not. John is shocked that he has become an outcast because of one simple test. John has nowhere to turn except to his new friends at sleazy “Positive” joints. He decides on another path -- an escape.

On his long journey, he falls in love with Dana, the spaceship hostess. The hellish situation he finds himself in is no better at the Andania colony in New Australia. On his arrival, John is drafted into the Andanian army. He soon learns that this is not a refuge or haven as promised. This place is vile --a hinterland in a continuous state of war.

The New Australians (Newists) were there first. They see the Andanians attempting to wrest what is rightfully theirs. On the front lines, John witnesses carnage, which sets his opinion of the Newists.

John rises to lieutenant and is recruited into a political role. John isn't clear on what his role is, but his superiors seem fixated on trickery and spying on each other. John appears to be frustrated by all of this.

There is no real end to this tale. I see this novel as reaction to controversy, discrimination, moral judgment, and political backstabbing; it seems to be an allegory of the Israeli-Palestine-Iraqi-Iranian-North Korea conflicts.

The above review was contributed by: Sue Vogan, Writer & Author of NCO-No Compassion Observed: To read more of Sue's reviews Click Here