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. ------ End ------