Minotaur

by Joe Pace

Six centuries from now, the Sol system is governed by the sole remaining corporation, EarthCorp. In exchange for basic needs, citizens of EarthCorp yield up rights that detract from productivity. Rights such as voting, and free worship. Unrepentant voters, Christians, and other undesirables are incarcerated on Penal Station Minotaur, orbiting Jupiter on the tiny moon Pasiphae. Keeping watch is bald, bearded John MacArthur, King John, the warden of the deep-space penitentiary. Most undesirable is Dr. Mordecai Cadmus, genetic engineer, killer, and would-be tyrant. Like all inmates on Minotaur, Cadmus is serving a life sentence, at least until Admiral Omar Jackson shows up with an unexpected demand. Along with the beautiful telepath Athena Roga, he wants Cadmus, and won't say why. When Cadmus gets loose on the station, MacArthur is trapped in a deadly confrontation with the most ruthless madman the galaxy has ever known. Old feuds awaken, brittle new alliances emerge, and fundamental philosophies are shaken as the Warden races to save his station and protect humanity from the evil genius of Mordecai Cadmus.

264 pages, Paperback

First published November 26, 2012

About the author

Joe Pace is a writer of science fiction, historical fiction, and short stories. He studied political science and history at the University of New Hampshire, and his writing reflects his ongoing academic and practical interest in both.

Joe has also served in elective office, taught American history, and worked in business banking. His eclectic interests range from pro football to comic books to ballroom dancing to making the perfect hand-rolled meatball.

As a storyteller, he seeks to weave classic science fiction with political intrigue full of memorable characters in the tradition of Isaac Asimov, Piers Anthony, George R.R. Martin, and Star Trek.

Joe was born and raised in seacoast New Hampshire and still considers it home, even as he wanders about the country with his wife, Sarah, and their two sons, Bobby and Xavier.

His novel MOSS won the Hawthorne Prize for Fiction and was the recipient of the NH Writer's Project award for Fiction in 2023. He continues to write in the hopes that you'll enjoy his words as much as he does.

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minotaur was one of those rare science fiction novels that doesn't feel the need to smack you over the head with futuristic technologies, put them on parade, or bury you in jargon. Although it's set in a future where the fantastic is becoming real, it's a story about people, not planets, powers or monsters. If anything, in a fairly short read we don't get enough of these characters, some of whom don't get enough page time to step out of their line drawings. But more often Minotaur manages to hint and evoke, giving a sense of a universe and a story much bigger than the pages contain.

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, good characters and storyline. Recommend it for a long plane trip!

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uhh, no. Reading the description again, can't figure out where this even came from. Misled by reddit, I think.

[Thompson Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good futuristic novel. It was a quick read and it kept me enthralled.