Helm by Steven Gould

 

Epsilon Eridani II is home to a human colony established without a full complement of modern products.  Centuries later, we have the stock SF limited-tech colony planet with a rigid, traditionalist, semi-feudal society organized around the limited tech.  However, in this case the colony has a "helm" - a device that is worn on the head - that will impart the vast knowledge of science, history, etc. to one person.  Of course, this is veiled in tradition and mystery.

 

Tradition has it that this belongs to a ruler and the current ruler intends to pass it along to his older son.  His younger son, Leland, is more of a thinker than his brother.  Leland secretly puts it on without fully understanding what it is or the implications.

 

This leads to a chain of events full of conflict.  War and intrigue develop over control of land and of the helm.  An enemy country hopes to control the people through the use of the helm.

 

There is also development of a second "mind" in Leland's head that comes from wearing the helm.  With the help of the helm and/or intervention of the other mind, Leland becomes a great martial arts fighter among other things.

 

The book turns out to be more a mix of fantasy and SF.  And it's a "coming of age" story for young Leland.

 

My own feeling is that this book is more likely to appeal to more youthful readers or at least readers who appreciate books oriented to youth.