Catspaw

Prequel to Psion (not reviewed), in which Vinge continues her thoughtful, patiently knotty probe of future politics and telepathy. Cat - he has no other name - is a half-human, half-alien Hydran telepath. Kidnapped from the university by a powerful corporate security director, then blackmailed, Cat must travel to Earth, where his job will be to prevent the assassination of Lady Elnear. Cat's major problem: he was forced to kill a fellow telepath in Psion, and now can't use the faculty except by taking drugs that will eventually burn him out. Too, he hails from the lower classes, hence odious to his veddy upper-crusty employers, the taMings - and he jumps into bed with Lazuli, wife of the stony taming head-honcho, Charon. As a given, nearly all normals hate and fear telepaths. While Cat saves Lady Elnear from death by human bomb, he begins to suspect that other, darker plots are unfolding. Eventually, Cat must use his telepathy and all his streetwise survival skills to defeat the real menace: charismatic preacher Stryger, who wants to distribute mind-controlling drugs to the hapless corporate drudges. A complex, deftly-woven, fairly waterproof plot, plus above-average characters and motivations, and some sturdy ideas: an engrossing and satisfying read. (Kirkus Reviews)