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OtherRealms Issue 25 Part 14
Electronic OtherRealms #25
Summer/Fall, 1989
Part 14 of 17
Copyright 1989 by Chuq Von Rospach
All Rights Reserved
OtherRealms may not be reproduced without permission from Chuq Von Rospach.
Permission is given to electronically distribute this
issue only if all copyrights, author credits and return
addresses remain intact. No article may be reprinted or re-used
without permission of the author.
No Prisoners!
Reviews by Laurie Sefton
Copyright 1989 by Laurie Sefton
The Star Scroll [*****]
Melanie Rawn
DAW Books. 589pp 1989.
The Star Scroll, by Melanie Rawn, is the sequel to The Dragon Prince.
It avoids the traps that a lot of second books fall into; either the
travelogue, or 'the evil person manages to split up all the good guys,
so we can have them come together for the big finale.'
One thing Rawn does do, however, is have most of the subplots come together
at the end of the story, rather than the almost episodic resolution of
subplots that occurred in The Dragon Prince. The characterization is
also much deeper and more colorful. Characters who were portrayed in
only one aspect in The Dragon Prince have new aspects shown, and their
motives made clear. Not everyone lives happily ever after.
Sioned's ability to work her magic with only starlight is also
pursued. The trepidation that was felt by the Sunrunners is better
explained in The Star Scroll, as their mortal enemies also have the
ability to work magic with starlight. The starlight magic workers want
their land back; and they want revenge on the Sunrunners. I expect to
see this explored in future stories. And I am definitely looking
forward to future stories in Rawn's world.
Magic's Pawn [****]
Mercedes Lackey
DAW Books, 349pp, 1989
Magic's Pawn is Mercedes Lackey's latest in the world of Valdemar's
Heralds. Those who have read the Heralds of Valdemar series are
familiar with the Heralds, those gifted with "mind magic" who serve,
along with their horse-like Companions, as a force for good for the
kingdom. In the first series,it was mentioned that there were no more
herald-mages. This is the story of the last of the herald-mages. Vanyel
is the unlikely son out an outland noble; he has none of the "manly" (I
would say testosterone poisoned macho) qualities his father cares for.
Vanyel is sent to his aunt, the head instructor at the Heralds' school,
with the hope that something can be made of him. Now, if this was the
typical $2.95 generic fantasy special, Vanyel would meet a vastly
intelligent and beautiful herald, he would find himself in many
dangerous situations, at least one involving rescuing at the last
minute the vastly intelligent and beautiful herald. Oh, and of course,
the vastly intelligent and beautiful herald would be female. Well, the
vastly intelligent and beautiful herald doesn't get rescued, and he is
certainly isn't a woman. Lackey handles very well what is currently
considered a tricky but what should be a classic plot; tragic love is
tragic love, no matter who are the lovers.
Vanyel's doomed love only starts the story; how he deals with the loss
of his love, and gain of his newfound gifts provides the basis for what
may be a classic trilogy.
The White Raven [***+]
Diana L. Paxson
Avon, 445pp, 1988
The White Raven is the re-telling of another doomed love affair; the
legend of Tristan and Isolde. The viewpoint provided is by Branwen, the
White Raven of the title. Paxson looks at the legend from a different
viewpoint than we are normally provided; the legends typically provide
only the viewpoint of Tristan. Using a third observer gives the story a
new and fresh viewpoint.
If I can find any fault with the story, it's that Branwen has patience
beyond any human endurance. Esseilte (Isolde) is a selfish brat whose
lust for revenge, and a flair for the histrionic causes most of the
problems. She forces Branwen into an alliance of deceit that harms all
around them. even to the end, she feels that she has been terribly
wronged. Drustan (Tristan) isn't a much more likable. He tends to alter
reality to suit his own ends. When he sent his brother to rape Branwen
(although he would probably say it was a seduction), I lost the little
sympathy I had for him. All through this, Branwen remains loyal to the
two. She does finally lead King Marc'h to them, and even after that she
stays loyal to Esseilte. Even after Esseilte attempts to blame Branwen
for everything. Drustan and Esseilte deserved each other.
Prince of the Blood [****]
Raymond E Feist
Doubleday,293pp, August 1989
There is definitely a limit to breast rending tragedies one can digest,
even for someone who "plows through one Celtic fantasy after another."
That's why Prince of the Blood is so refreshing. Set in the world of
the Riftwar Saga, it's the story of Borric and Erland, sons of Prince
Arutha, and their adventures in the Keshian empire.
Prince of the Blood is satisfying in so many ways, it's hard to list
them all. Feist must have my secret list of ideas I'd like to see
explored in a second generation story. Characters from the Riftwar Saga
are accounted for; no one is left in plot limbo, or even worse, just
forgotten. Familiar characters aren't turned into spear carriers or
convenient carrion for the plot. Questions left open are answered, and
those characters who need to be retired are allowed to go in a graceful
fashion. And we finally get to see Kesh. Kesh had been hinted at and
alluded to earlier, but only a taste was allowed. We now get to see
Kesh in all its glory, and all its intrigue.
Feist has a an amazing feel for telling a good story, and his
characters are always a delight. New to the scene is Nakor, a monk who
"knows a few tricks." He is an absolute delight. The Keshians are
explored in depth, and their machinations and politics are as
convoluted as their personalities. Don't wait for this one to come out
in paperback. My only regret for the book is the cover. The horse looks
as if you could put a quarter in his neck, and he'd give you a two
minute ride. Ignore the cover and get the book.
Adulthood Rites [***+]
Octavia E. Butler
Questar, 277pp, 1988
Imago [***+]
Octavia E. Butler
Warner, 264pp, 1989
Contrary to popular rumor, I do read science fiction. The latest two
are Adulthood Rites and Imago, the second and third books in the
Oankali trilogy. The first book, Dawn, dealt with the survivors of the
final world war on earth, and their alleged saviors, the Oankali. I say
alleged, since the Oankali extract a high price for the saviorhood. The
humans must share genetic material with the Oankali, and produce a race
without the human's need for destruction and dominance. Humans who
don't agree to act as a breeding stock are left sterile. The Oankali
are master manipulators; they first "prove" to the humans that humanity
is flawed, and then through a subtle series of reinforcements, they
bend a number of humans to their way of thinking. I'm torn about this
series. It is psychologically horrifying, and at the same time it
attempts to change the reader's viewpoint on the Oankali, and disguise
the horror. Much of it is Skinnerian theory played out to the nth
degree. And I just can't shake the view of the Oankali as some sort of
galactic ghouls, patiently waiting for a species to push itself to the
brink of destruction, and then come in with their offer.
Adulthood Rites follows the life of one of the constructs, Akin, and
his assumption of his adult form, a hybrid between Oankali and human.
Kidnapped as a child, with an almost totally human form, he finds he
must become as Oankali as possible to prove to his captors, sterile
humans, that the Oankali aren't the totally evil beings they are
perceived as by the humans. Akin breaches the wall between the human
colony and the Oankali construct colony, and provides the first chink
in the solid veneer of Oankali superiority.
Imago takes this and changes all the rules. Jodah is a human/Oankali
construct who matures into the sexless third gender, an Ooloi. Ooloi
are able to manipulate matter, especially organic matter. Their
function in the mating of constructs is to mix and produce the best
chromosomal mix for the future child. The Oankali were not expecting a
construct Ooloi; they attempt to take Jodah to the ship, where he would
be used as a permanent biological experiment. Once again, this is not
the sign of a totally beneficent race. It turns out that there are many
Oankali failed experiments who are doomed to the life a of lab animal.
Jodah and his family escape to the jungle in an attempt to help Jodah
evolve into a stable construct.
In a surprise to all, Jodah finds a colony of fertile humans left over
from the nuclear wars. Here he finds a brother and sister he cures and
then mates. Once again, the all-knowing Oankali are found to be
deficient in their knowledge. Or are they? The Oankali are superb bio-
geneticists, incomparable psychologists, and totally deficient
ethicists. These are two truly frightening books.
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