Gods of Riverworld

The fifth, weakest installment of the Riverworld series - which features a ten-million-mile-long river, the resurrection of Earth's 35 billion dead, and (here more than ever) Farmer's tendency toward convolution and cosmic chat. Again the resurrected heroes include explorer Richard Burton, Alice (of Wonderland fame), sf writer Peter Jairus Frigate, and Chinese poet Li Po. They have now occupied the tower of the Ethicals (the mysterious, puissant beings who set the whole system up), with its computer and miraculous powers. The renegade Loga, having murdered the other Ethicals, is directing things to private ends - but is apparently killed by an unseen entity, the "Snark." And then, after exploring the tower, discussing their situation at great length, and experimenting with the computer (which the Snark has partially blocked against them), the heroes begin to resurrect others - too many and too quickly. Chaos ensues; there's a bloody battle against animated characters from Alice which only Burton, Alice, Frigate, and Li Po survive. Finally a crazed Loga turns up to tell them it's all been a test of their ability to handle godlike power - so they shoot him, take over the computer, and make some plans of their own. Talky, implausible, often boggy stuff, with only a few charming moments: strictly for Riverworld addicts. (Kirkus Reviews)