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I began my reading of Moran's work with this novel. Novel? Only in the sense that it is composed of words that tell a story, but make no mistake, This is a Herculean undertaking. Both for the author and for his readers. It is a huge, overpowering edifice of a book, reminiscent at times of a blend of Frank Herbert's Dune sensibilities and self-conscious intrigues, GRR Martin's grasp of strategy and warfare and an epic-length tale of humanity's origins in the manner of L. Ron Hubbard. If that sounds strange... well, it is strange, but it also works.
It is ostensibly the story of a young woman who is an outsider in every sense of the word, child of dead parents, branded outlaws in the world which followed the war that took their lives. She is in the process of becoming... something not yet human and not truly ethereal, but somehow both. She is also searching for her twin brother. The remaining world spins on under the thumb of a totalitarian regime that is under the belief they are doing good for mankind, while killing self-expression and dissent in the name of unified democracy. There are several forces at work here, none is easy to understand beyond their thirst for power. At some point in the constantly evolving narrative, the entire monumental tale morphs into a vaguely Tolkienesque morality play.
On my reader, it came in at 1498 pages. About 3/4 of the way through, I became convinced that I had been issued a challenge to read it through, and that helped sustain me. I'm not saying that this book was light in sustenance, more that there was so much to ponder and consider and digest, that the meal became a bit too rich and indigestion set in. At its end, along with relief, I also read a chapter of incredibly rich prose, beautifully finessed words leading to a conclusion that while somewhat unexpected, was certainly satisfying. If you have the patience and abi8lity to connect with a book for a long-term relationship, I recommend it as an introduction to many academic concepts you'll enjoy and characters that will amaze and confound you as your perceptions shift before your eyes.
Anonymous
Posted October 21, 2006
This book was Highly entertaining and also Had a little of everything in it : ) Very exciting.
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Overview
“Ambitious, successful... the stuff of high drama – achievement, tragedy, love, heroism, loyalty, dreams – handled easily ...