In Belarus, a future world created to emulate Imperial Russia, Andrei Mironenko finds himself tsar. With Enhanced Special Agents, mechanical sprites, and a world engineer at his side, Andrei rules this planet of the Republic. When murders start occurring on this new world, Andrei and his colleagues must discover who is committing these crimes. Since the newly engineered planet screened its populace, they wonder how a "superkiller" could inhabit it. But unbeknownst to Andrei, the "new" colonists are not the only inhabitants. The Enemies are creatures that enjoy torture and eat the organs of those who participate in their "Dance." These Enemies have found a way (with the help of a Belarus technician) to infiltrate the technology and to destroy local mining operations, space stations, and communications links as well as entire planets. In order to preserve the civilization on Belarus, Andrei must outwit and destroy the Enemies with the help of a secret weapon, "bug spray." The weaving of Russian culture throughout the novel with an emphasis on the Orthodox Church (as portrayed through Andrei's wife, Katerina) and with the inclusion of a Baba Yaga figure (as portrayed through Andrei's mysterious supporter) adds authenticity and a strong sense of place to this engineered world. The narrative jumps forward from Year 1 at Belarus to 870 years later by the end of the novel, leaving the reader to speculate on the future of the Belarus system. Part suspense, part high-tech SF, and even a bit romantic, this novel will have appeal to more than general SF readers. Recommended especially for readers of Melissa Scott's novels and Robert Silverberg's Alien Years. KLIATT Codes: SA￯﾿ﾽRecommended forsenior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2002, Penguin Putnam, Roc, 398p.,