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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I am on the hunt for strong female characters written by female authors and this definitely delivered. As the first in a new series in the Skolian Empire world, this is a great place to start. Bhaajan is a former military P. I. who is called back to her home planet where she once roamed with the "dust rats," the often orphaned kids in the aqueducts under the grand City of Cries. In this world, women rule and fight wars while princes in royal families are kept under lock and key and have little power over their lives in marriage. I enjoyed the chatacter development, the romance and the collective/community aspects that Bhaajan starts to build in the old stomping grounds she thought she had left behind. A great set-up at the end for more to come. I will definitely be reading more Asaro.
In this latest addition to the Skolian Empire series, Asaro takes readers back a bit in time to a point when Roka Skolia has just recently married her Consort, with whom she raises her dynastic brood, many of whom have appeared as main characters in earlier (published) books.
The plot revolves around Roka’s intended husband, young prince Dayj, who, desperate for escape from the loneliness and isolation of his prison in the palace, runs away – only to disappear. His family call in a mercenary/bounty hunter type, our heroine, Baaj, who is retired from the Pharaoh’s Army – which is led by the matriarch of Dayj’s royal family, the Majdas. Told in parts, the novel follows Baaj’s search for the prince, her investigation into criminal activity in the Undercity, and the resolution of the conflict between Undercity dwellers and Above-City citizens. A smaller arc develops the romance between Baaj and her former lover, disreputable Undercity kingpin, Jak.
One of the things I love about science fiction is that it explores issues like gender equality and cultural supremacy/superiority in imaginative environments that can change a reader’s perspective and worldview. In Undercity, Asaro explores gender equality in a flipped culture that contends that men are the “delicate,” “protected” sex. While much of the society has moved beyond such gender bias and inequality, in the royal palace of the Majda, the princes are imprisoned, restricted, hidden. Much like the women in harems.
The main characters, following the majority of the progressive society, demonstrate a preference for and belief in gender equality, deploring Dayj’s situation. Through this perspective, the author reveals her own belief in gender equality. The resolution of this plot line further emphasizes the importance of freedom and equality. Caring for others means letting them choose their own path in life, allowing them to make their own decisions (even mistakes), and giving them space to grow. The heroine points out this truth to the Majdas, opening their eyes to Dayj’s unhappiness. Ultimately, the story contrasts true love (familial-style, not One-True-Love-style) and possessive love.
A small gem really stood out, when Baaj talks with an AI computer that posits why one of the princes, a man who lived a normal, free life before marrying a Majda princess and giving up that freedom, would be one of the strongest advocates and supporters of the seclusion and imprisonment of other princes. Why should anyone else have the freedom he willingly gave up, the AI asks. This is one of the many examples when the societal norms are explored on a deeper, personal level – and the author does an excellent job of explaining individual motivations that feel true and natural.
Read the full review and find Similar Reads at The Book Adventures around (American) Thanksgiving, 2014.
The plot revolves around Roka’s intended husband, young prince Dayj, who, desperate for escape from the loneliness and isolation of his prison in the palace, runs away – only to disappear. His family call in a mercenary/bounty hunter type, our heroine, Baaj, who is retired from the Pharaoh’s Army – which is led by the matriarch of Dayj’s royal family, the Majdas. Told in parts, the novel follows Baaj’s search for the prince, her investigation into criminal activity in the Undercity, and the resolution of the conflict between Undercity dwellers and Above-City citizens. A smaller arc develops the romance between Baaj and her former lover, disreputable Undercity kingpin, Jak.
One of the things I love about science fiction is that it explores issues like gender equality and cultural supremacy/superiority in imaginative environments that can change a reader’s perspective and worldview. In Undercity, Asaro explores gender equality in a flipped culture that contends that men are the “delicate,” “protected” sex. While much of the society has moved beyond such gender bias and inequality, in the royal palace of the Majda, the princes are imprisoned, restricted, hidden. Much like the women in harems.
The main characters, following the majority of the progressive society, demonstrate a preference for and belief in gender equality, deploring Dayj’s situation. Through this perspective, the author reveals her own belief in gender equality. The resolution of this plot line further emphasizes the importance of freedom and equality. Caring for others means letting them choose their own path in life, allowing them to make their own decisions (even mistakes), and giving them space to grow. The heroine points out this truth to the Majdas, opening their eyes to Dayj’s unhappiness. Ultimately, the story contrasts true love (familial-style, not One-True-Love-style) and possessive love.
A small gem really stood out, when Baaj talks with an AI computer that posits why one of the princes, a man who lived a normal, free life before marrying a Majda princess and giving up that freedom, would be one of the strongest advocates and supporters of the seclusion and imprisonment of other princes. Why should anyone else have the freedom he willingly gave up, the AI asks. This is one of the many examples when the societal norms are explored on a deeper, personal level – and the author does an excellent job of explaining individual motivations that feel true and natural.
Read the full review and find Similar Reads at The Book Adventures around (American) Thanksgiving, 2014.
I like this book, it's a better than average take on the hoary PI story with a bit of Baker Street irregulars thrown in. It can be read on its own without reading any other of the Skolian books. Book 0 in this series seems to be the first half of this book.
I've read a few of Ms Asaro's earlier books but I haven't kept up with all of them. This book is great that you can read it and not need to know that it fits into a larger universe. Bhaajan is a retired Major who is now working as a private eye and has just taken a very large payment to see if she would be interested in a case. Turns out the case is off planet and is actually from her home world and she needs to rescue a missing prince. Lots of “old home week” as she catches up with old friends that she left behind when she enlisted. The story is actually in a few parts and the initial case is not the entire plot of the book. A good fun read and a great place to step into a new universe if you haven’t read them before. There is also a handy readers guide to the chronology of the stories if you want to see what fits where all the books available.
Digital copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
Digital copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley