REVIEW: The Deed of Paksenarrion (omnibus) by Elizabeth Moon

The Deeds of Parksenarrion (omnibus) by Elizabeth Moon
Publishing information: Paperback; 1216 pages
Publisher: Little Brown Book Group; 21 January 2010
ISBN 10: 1841498548
ISBN 13: 9781841498546
Omnibus that contains the first trilogy
Contains the books Sheepfarmer's Daughter, Divided Allegiance, and Oath of Gold
Reviewer: Tyson

Back of the Book "Paksenarrion wasn't planning to submit to an unwelcome marriage and a lifetime of poverty, so she left her village with a plan and her grandfather's sword. And a few weeks later, she was installed as Duke Phelan's newest recruit in a company of soldiers for hire, her arms training about to begin. But when Paks sees combat, she's stabbed with an ensorcelled knife and barely survives. Then the near-misses start mounting up, raising questions about this young fighter. Is she attracting evil because she is a danger to them all? Or is there another reason malignant forces seek her life? Paks will face the spider-minions of the Webmistress Achrya, orcs and the corrupted men who serve blood mage Liart, Master of Torments. She will also earn the gratitude of elves and of her Duke. And through conflict she will learn she has powers of her own and a destiny. To become a gods-chosen Paladin of Gird, and a target for the ultimate torture."

The Deeds of Paksenarrion is my first novel or novels rather by Elizabeth Moon. Nearly everyone else here at Speculative Book Review has read one, if not several books by her and I have to admit that I am impressed. Since this is an omnibus I thought I would attempt to tackle the books separately and then bring it all back together so, bear with me.

Sheepfarmer's Daughter

The first book in the series was a real high point in the series. We are introduced to nearly everyone in the rest of the series in this book. Paksenarrion comes across as a real individual. While this is a fantasy, if you were brought into the world Elizabeth Moon created she seems that she would be someone you would find in any small village or town. Many of the supporting cast is also realistic. There are various personalities thrown into the mix and they all feel real.

The pacing of the novel is very fast. We move from her time with her family in a very small village to her time training with her mercenary group. Once her training is completed she and her cohort are quickly brought into action. While most readers may cringe at the idea of reading about the training of a soldier, Moon does an excellent job of bring out what would be required to be an efficient soldier and the various personalities that are in a military unit. It made for some humorous and interesting moments. It was also very effectively paced and was not tedious or boring. It was entertaining and to a certain degree educational.

Due to Elizabeth Moon's personal background as a former US Marine the training and dialogue feels genuine. Which only adds to the enjoyment of the book. The way that the soldiers work together and how they are handled by their superiors has you feeling like you are one of the group.

The overall story of Sheepfarmer's Daughter is mainly a set up for the other installments in the other books. But while the book does set up the other installments, it also has a great story as well. There is plenty of action, worldbuilding, and characterization. A great way to start the series.

Divided Allegiance

The second book in the series is a bit darker than the first book. Paksenarrion or Paks as she likes to be referred to is a veteran and the incidents at the end of the first novel have forced her hand to move on and seek her own path which leads her on a larger than life adventure that will taker her closer to her ultimate destiny.

There are a few more new characters that are introduced in this novel and many of them play a huge role later on but Divided Allegiance is more about Paks' personal growth as she learns more about the world and herself. There is not a lot of world building as the groundwork was laid in the first novel but there are a few new location that we encounter. We also discover more about the various gods on both side of the spectrum and uncover some of what the forces of dark have planned for the world.

Oath of Gold

The direct sequel to Divided Allegiance takes place right where it left off. Paks has become an agent of good and that action leads to where she is needed most, to uncover the last prince of the Northern kingdom but while that might be quest enough for some the forces of evil have also marked her as a threat and do everything in their power to stop her from succeeding.

Since the last two novels in the series have introduced us to most of the major players and locations this book once again focus on Paks and her mission which takes us for a a quite a ride. Action and political intrigue are par for the course in Oath of Gold and Moon does not disappoint. With each new chapter the story becomes stronger and while the big mystery was a little to obvious for me it did not lessen my enjoyment of the story.

The Deed of Paksenarrion is a great addition to any library and personally I found it a spectacular way to be introduced to a highly talented author. While reading this omnibus I found it hard to imagine why I had not read this series earlier. While not groundbreaking fantasy it was a great read. I really enjoyed reading about a strong female character who was not helpless and when you consider Moon's personal experience as a Marine you can not help but think that some of the instances and individuals in the book may have been apart of Moon's past. Highly entertaining and recommended.

Plot 9
Characterization 9
Style 9

Overall 9.5/10

REVIEW: Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon

Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Orbit (7 Nov 2002)
ISBN-10: 1841491411
ISBN-13: 978-1841491417
Reviewer: Cara
Copy: Bought online

From the back of the book:
Lou is different to ‘normal’ people. He interacts with the world in a way they do not understand. He might not see the things they see, but he also sees many things they do not. Lou is autistic.

One of his skills is an ability to find patterns in data: extraordinary, complex, beautiful patterns that not even the most powerful computers can comprehend. The company he works for has made considerable sums of money from Lou’s work. But now they want Lou to change – to become ‘normal’ like themselves. And he must face the greatest challenge of his life. To understand the speed of dark.

This is a surprisingly powerful novel, one that gives the reader considerable insight into what it might be like to be autistic. Told in the first person, we learn about Lou’s life in detail; his work, his friends, his routine, his likes and dislikes, his coping mechanisms, his hopes and fears, his extraordinary ability to see patterns. Lou is a fascinating character, unique, complex and very endearing. His quiet and orderly life is disrupted when a new senior manager, Crenshaw, arrives at his workplace and wants to change things. This is closely followed by Lou receiving a clipping of a journal article about research on reversal of autistic-like symptoms in adult primates. The two events are not unrelated and ultimately Lou has to make the decision: should he undergo the treatment to become ‘normal’.

The supporting cast in Speed of Dark provide context to Lou’s narration. His work colleagues, Cameron, Linda, Dale, Bailey, Chuy and Eric are also autistic and have their own issues, but they are supportive of each other in their own individual ways. Pete Aldrin is their sympathetic manager who goes up against Crenshaw to protect their working environment. Outside of work, Lou has his own social life, centred around his fencing group. He keeps this activity secret from his psychiatrist, Dr Fornum

“because she would worry about violent tendencies. If laser-tag was enough to bother her, long pointed swords would send her into a panic.”

At the fencing group is Marjory, the woman Lou hopes will one day be his girlfriend, another secret he keeps from Dr Fornum. Marjory is a key figure in the book, as is Tom, the fencing group leader who is a real friend to Lou, one of the few ‘normal’ people who truly accepts him for who he is. I really liked Tom and he remained consistent in his support and respect for Lou right through to the end. Another member of the fencing group is Don, a nasty piece of work.

What is so fascinating about Speed of Dark is the detailed insight into Lou’s thought processes. There is little plot as such, but this does not really matter as instead we get a full picture of a man with autism who has a decision to make. Lou knows what is expected of him and he plays this game very well, hiding his real feelings, though we know his inner dialogue through his narration.

“I try so hard and it is still not working. I wear the same clothes as the others. I say the same words at the same times: good morning, hi, how are you, I’m fine, good night, please, thank you, you’re welcome, no thank you, not right now. I obey traffic the laws; I obey the rules. I have ordinary furniture in my apartment, and I play my unusual music very softly, or use headphones. But it is not enough. Even as hard as I try, the real people still want me to change, to be like them.”

Lou isn’t dangerous or deviant just different. Like all of us, he just wants to be accepted for who he is. For me, acceptance of difference is the theme of the novel. Why should he be pressured to undergo experimental treatment so that he fits into what society deems ‘normal’? And what is ‘normal’ anyway? Lou is clearly a genius, and his mental exploration into the speed of dark (as opposed to the speed of light) was very well done and added to the complexity of the character.

Speed of Dark is written in the present tense, possibly to avoid giving away the ending. I enjoyed reading about Lou’s daily activities and interactions, all of which contributes to the decision he finally reaches about the medical treatment. This works very well, giving us a thorough understanding of what it is like to live in Lou’s world and the difficulties he faces. What I was disappointed in is the ending… it feels rushed and incomplete. Despite this, I know I will return to Speed of Dark as I think a further reading of the book will give me more insight into why Lou chose the path he did.

Plot: 7
Characters: 9
Style: 8

Rating: 8/10

REVIEW: Generation Warriors by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon

Generation Warriors by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon

Publisher: Baen

Format: Tradepaper, Book Three of The Planet Pirates trilogy, 280 pages.
ISBN 10: 0671721879
ISBN 13: 9780671721879
Copy: Purchased on-line.
Reviewer: Victoria

On the back of the book. . .



The Planet Pirates traces the careers of two remarkable women.. Sassinak escaped from slavery to freedom, and then used that freedom to fight the evil that had wrecked her world, first as a cadet, later as a captain, and finally as an Admiral of the Fleet. Lunzie, one of the galaxy's greatest healers, is Sassinak's great grandmother - but in actual years she is her junior; Lunzie spent nearly a century in coldsleep waiting for rescue when her ship was destroyed. Imagine their mutual surprise when Sassinak rescued her. How together Sassinak and Lunzie save first a world, and then a confederation of worlds - and almost in passing establish amity between the genetically engineered Heavy Worlders and normal humanity - is the story of The Planet Pirates


Generation Warriors, despite the unfortunate name, started off fairly well.  One of the two main characters, Sassinak, continued to be the strong, self-assured military figure she was in the second book of the trilogy.  Her scenes continued to be fascinating, action-packed and full of adventure.  I really began to think that the trilogy was turning completely around. 

But then Lunzie started getting her own chapters.  While she in and of herself is an interesting character, especially since she's dealing with the psychological repercussions of having been in cold sleep for nearly a century (everyone she knew is dead, for instance, even though for her, it was only yesterday she was speaking with them.), since she's a doctor, not a fighter, she goes off on cultural escapades. These cultural insights are the things that really bother me about this trilogy.  Through her, we meet the sympathetic, but not so sympathetic, antagonists, the Heavy Worlders, who defy Galactic religion and eat meat, have mating rituals which border on rape, and of course, want to take over the galaxy so that they can have nice light weight planets too.  It feels very preachy, and at times, Lunzie can seem overly altruistic.

And then, when everything comes to a head and Sassinak is off on a very fun and interesting adventure to save the galaxy from not the Heavy Worlders, but some other alien race that seemingly appears out of nowhere, the deus ex machina comes out.  Literally.  The ending was such a cop-out that I nearly threw the book across the room in frustration.  And it really seemed like it was more of McCaffrey's doing than Moon's, just in the way it was written.  The transitions between the two authors' parts is not always as smooth as they'd like it to be.

The ending ruined the book.  There was a lot of fun things in this series, but the ending just took them and mangled them.  I honestly suggest to skip this trilogy and read some really fun space opera, like Elizabeth Moon's Vatta's War series.  Those have got it right.

Characterization:  8
Plot: 4
Style: 6

Overall Rating: 5.5

P.S.  I'd really like to give it a higher rating, because generally, this book was the best out of the three, but I could not let that ending slide.  It was dreadful.

REVIEW: Sassinak by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon

Sassinak by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon

Publisher: Baen
Format: Tradepaper, Book Two of The Planet Pirates trilogy, 280 pages.
ISBN 10: 0671721879
ISBN 13: 9780671721879
Copy: Purchased on-line.
Reviewer: Victoria

On the back of the book. . .

The Planet Pirates traces the careers of two remarkable women..  Sassinak escaped from slavery to freedom, and then used that freedom to fight the evil that had wrecked her world, first as a cadet, later as a captain, and finally as an Admiral of the Fleet.  Lunzie, one of the galaxy's greatest healers, is Sassinak's great grandmother - but in actual years she is her junior; Lunzie spent nearly a century in coldsleep waiting for rescue when her ship was destroyed.  Imagine their mutual surprise when Sassinak rescued her.  How together Sassinak and Lunzie save first a world, and then a confederation of worlds - and almost in passing establish amity between the genetically engineered Heavy Worlders and normal humanity - is the story of The Planet Pirates.

I reviewed the first book of The Planet Pirates trilogy and found it to be a mediocre to poor read at best.  I kept going with the trilogy, because the second and third books were co-authored with Elizabeth Moon instead of Jody Lynn Nye.  And thank goodness for Elizabeth Moon.  She saved the series from becoming a train wreck.

The Death of Sleep, the first book, was full of sex, wonky science and cringe-causing dialogue.  Sassinak is not so full of sex, still contains some wonky science and has much stronger dialogue.  It benefits from Elizabeth Moon's military experience, peppering the world with structure and realism. 

While Sassinak, the main character, could easily fall into the trap of becoming a Mary Sue, it's obvious after reading the first novel that Moon was the one who kept her from falling over the precipice.  The military regulations kept her from it, however devious she may be - and she's devious.  Deliciously devious, I might say.  She's strong-willed, she's intelligent, she's sharp, compassionate, and quick to act.  She's a very likable character.

I was very happy to find that coffee made a come back into the popular culture of Sassinak's world.  (Lunzie, in the first book, woke up from coldsleep the first time around, to find out that in the sixty-odd years she'd been in cryo, coffee had fallen out of vogue.  That little detail just did not jive with me.  If coffee had been popular for centuries upon centuries, why would it suddenly fall out of favour?)  I was sad to find out that everyone were still vegetarians, though.  My partner is a vegetarian, so I have nothing against that lifestyle choice, but when 'normal' humanity is so set against eating flesh of any living creature, that it is part of their religion (and some take it so far as to not even eat plants, in case they're sentient.  Instead they eat synthetic foods.) and then the bio-engineered Heavy Worlders - the 'bad guys' - eat meat, I cringe.  Really?  That felt a little too preachy for my omnivorous tastes.

I must admit, that at times, I did feel like I was reading some of Moon's other military science fiction, and that is a positive thing, because I think her serial science fiction is great.  Unfortunately, I was pulled out of it from time to time by little details like the ones I pointed out above.  They seemed over the top, and pulpy - but not in a good way.  I could have done without all the sex, and I am pretty sure that the sex was most likely put in by McCaffrey.  I found it to be distracting, and it did not really further the plot.  The relationships between the characters were shallow, and at times, unbelievable.

All in all, I liked the book, but I could have done without a lot of the world building.  I am also beginning to wonder if maybe I have grown out of Anne McCaffrey.  I loved her books when I was a kid (I even wrote to her once, asking for her autograph to give as a retirement gift to my school librarian.  Mrs. Showers had introduced me to McCaffrey's work, you see.  McCaffrey sent me a personalized letter, and not just one autographed bookplate, but two.  I was one hell of a happy twelve year old, let me tell you.), but after reading this, I'm not so sure I love her as an adult.  I should try rereading some of her Dragonriders of Pern books to make sure it's her, and not just this trilogy.

Characters: 7
Plot: 8.5
Style: 5.5

Overall Rating: 6.5