Primary Inversion, by Catherine Asaro

Primary Inversion
by Catherine Asaro
317 pages (hardcover)
Genre: Fiction/SF/Romance

Asaro's debut novel, and it has a much different cover--did she change publishers? The cover art is definitely aimed toward the hard-SF readers, while her later covers feature high-tech characters and couples (aiming more toward romance readers). Chronologically, this story falls between, I believe, The Final Key and The Radiant Seas. The former was the first of her books I ever read; the latter isn't available at the library or at the Greensburg B&N, so whether I'll read it anytime soon remains to be seen. As the Amazon blurb says, basically a reworking of the classic Romeo and Juliet dilemma (random off-topic note: I always remember how to spell "dilemma" by telling myself it's not "deli"). Primary Sauscony Valdoria Skolia (Soz) meets Jaibriol Qox, discovers he is a Rhon psion, and promptly falls in love. However, they are the respective heirs to the Skolian and Trader Empires, which have good reason to hate each other. The science aspect of narration is detailed--like always--but not too overwhelming. Overall, an excellent novel.

The Last Hawk, by Catherine Asaro

The Last Hawk
by Catherine Asaro
463 pages (paperback)
Genre: Fiction/SF/Romance

Another volume of Asaro's Saga of the Skolian Empire. This one is the prequel to Ascendant Sun, concerning Kelric and the 20 years he spends trapped on the planet Coba. The planet is ruled by twelve Estates, each led by a female Manager, who are led in turn by the Minister. Severely injured, Kelric is rescued from his Jag's wreckage by Manager Deha Dahl. He learns of the dice game Quis (which is absolutely fascinating) while recuperating and also meets the young Ixpar, Successor to Minister Karn.

Kelric tries more than once to escape, but the inhabitants of Coba are protecting their culture from the Empire by hiding behnd a false Restricted status, and he cannot be allowed to risk leaving. Against his will, Deha inducts Kelric into her Calanya (a harem of sorts of male Quis players) and makes him her Akasi--husband. Thus begins his journey from Dahl to Haka to Bahvla to Miesa to Varz to, finally, Karn. Kelric has an extraordinary talent for Quis and makes history by becoming a Sixth Level Calani--Ixpar trades the Ministry to Varz in order to save him from Aztac's brutalities. He is ultimately the cause for the first Coban war in centuries.

As a speculative novel, The Last Hawk is an intriguing take on invented matriarchal culture, infused with Asaro's customary science. As a romance, the plot, characters, and setting all kept me up late reading. And for pure innovation, Asaro should certainly win a prize for the creation of Quis.

I don't totally understand the game of Quis; something to ask Ms. Asaro at Alpha, I guess. I don't even know if Quis could exist in the real world, because basically it ascribes all science to three-dimensional geometric patterns. I can't do it justice; just read the book already and see for youself (and keep Ascendant Sun handy, because I wish I'd read them in proper order).

Note to say that this novel is perfect; none are. Kelric's (attractive) appearance is described multiple times, and somehow five of the most powerful women on Coba all fall in love with him--and the feeling is mutual in at least three cases. That strains my suspended disbelief, though Asaro explains it by saying that empaths fall very easily in love.

Still, this book lives up to Asaro's standard. Recommended to the usual people--SF and romance readers, plus matriarchy-oriented fantasy writers.