Firechild

by Jack Williamson

A genetic experiment gone wrong produces a tiny pink "worm" that matures into a beautiful woman whose superhuman powers propel her toward a unique destiny

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

377 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

John Stewart Williamson who wrote as Jack Williamson (and occasionally under the pseudonym Will Stewart) was a U.S. writer often referred to as the "Dean of Science Fiction".

Reviews

[Susanna Neri · Rating 4 out of 5]

datato ma si difende bene, gli argomenti sono ancora attuali, alcuni scienziati cercano di creare l'arma finale che riesca a distruggere tutta la materia organica ( pensando così di ottenere la pace perché nessuno avrebbe il coraggio di usarla, come del resto con l'atomica durante la guerra fredda) e un altro cerca invece di creare un essere che continui ad evolversi all'infinito, cercando di velocizzare l'opera della natura. Critica feroce anche al fondamentalismo religioso. Finale deludente.

[Christopher Roxby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this around 1987 or so, borrowed it from my Lit Professor.

I recall it being mostly a decent story, but honestly a pretty forgettable read. It's okay while you're reading, but its not the sort of story that stays with you for years.

[Carol Palmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was going to give this mediocre book 3 stars, but the bad ending knocked it down to two.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given it more stars, except :
- part of the story hinged on the identity of a Soviet spy. I think an editing/writing mistake revealed who she was before it was supposed to
- without accusing the author of plagiarism, partly because I don't know the relative dates of publishing it struck me immediately as a cross between Stephen King's The Mist and a Dean Koontz book about genetic engineering
- I wanted a couple of the characters to have stayed alive, or explored a little more of their nature

[Ken Bickley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a run-of-the-mill science-fiction novel. It's science (genetics), but also more espionage thriller, in one sense, than sci-fi, and has little futuristic about it. But, what if a "good" virus could be found that would repair our bodies, instead of destroying them? And what if that could be reversed and turned into the ultimate weapon? Jack Williamson has taken these questions and built a very compelling story around them. It's hard to put down.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed emotions about this book. It was slow at first then you get really close to the two main characters then...
If you don't like Sci-fi don't bother...I like believable sci-fi which this one had at first and then it went way out in left field. Its an OK read.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A research lab is working on a bio-engineered weapon to top all weapons. One man is working against them. Then something goes wrong and the only man that can try to solve the mystery is that man 19s brother. Good old sci-fi story 26

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have been a five, but the ending was a bit syrupy