Antagonist, by Gordon R. Dickson, David W. Wixon

Antagonist is the concluding book in Dickson's Childe Cycle series. Dickson died while writing the novel, and his assistant, Wixon finished it using Dickson's notes (funny how their names sound similar).

I enjoyed most of the previous books in the cycle. In the future humanity has spread out and colonized a number of planets. On a number of these planets three "Splinter Cultures" have evolved, each focusing on different aspects of the human experience - Faith, Courage/Skill and Mind/Psychology. The series takes place over a number generations and attempts to paint a sweeping vision of humanity's evolution.

Unfortunately, Antagonist falls short of resolving this vision. It feels like it has lost it's coherence, both with the series and as an individual book. The point of view shifts jarringly at times. There are a number of shorter chapters (mostly from different points of view), that do not seem to serve any purpose. And the last chapter is just horrible, especially if this book is meant to conclude the series. I wouldn't mind the central conflict of the last couple books being left unresolved, but the final chapter just closes up a pointless minor conflict with no bearing on the series at all!

Overall, a disappointing book. Stick with the earlier Childe Cycle books, or try Wolf and Iron - a sort of fun, post-apocalyptic book, if you want to give Dickson a read.

6/10