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A review by tita_noir
The Moon's Shadow by Catherine Asaro
5.0
Jaibriol Qox III has just assumed the throne of the Eubian Empire. He is the rightful heir to the throne, his DNA says so. But no one else is aware that his DNA also says that he is the son of the Eubian Empire's sworn enemy. Jai was born in exile where his Romeo and Julietesque parents fled after faking their deaths. In the aftermath of a crippling War between his mothers and father's planets, he now believes his parents are really dead and that he has a duty to see that they didn't die in vain.
Realizing he is the only chance the warring worlds have for peace, he reveals himself to the Eubians and thus takes his place as Emperor. But it is harder than Jai thought. He is young and inexperienced. The Hightons, the ruling class on Eube, speak in a florid meandering language that is full of subtext and hidden meaning. Jai can't seem to master the subtleties so he blunders constantly. Making enemies early on, he quickly becomes the target of assassination plots
But Jai gains unlikely allies in the woman he makes his empress, Tarquine Iquar, and his wily adviser Corbal Xir. All three have devastating secrets that if they came to light mean sure death. In Tarquine and Corbal Jai gains access to the experience and ruthlessness necessary to run his empire. But he manages to maintain his own internal idealism and need to meet the Skolians at the peace table.
If you haven't read any of the other books of the series, then this probably isn't the best place to be starting. In the previous seven books, there is so much back-story, so much explanation of the events that lead to Jai taking the throne, that you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you tried to start here.
Reading this book, it made me think of Jai as a narc under deep cover. Constantly watching his back trying not to make a false move. Having to pretend to transcend is kinda like a undercover cop having to commit crime to be accepted. He is deep in enemy territory and one false move could get a slave collar slapped on his throat. The irony, of course, is that he is the rightful emperor and this is his empire. He should be right at home. He should be able to make changes if he wants, but the way of life and the attitudes of the people are so ingrained that his efforts are frightening and make him an assassination target.
But he has Tarquine, who after Soz (Jai's mother), has become my favorite character in these books. She is tough, clever, smart, duplicitous, forward thinking, selfish, compassionate, ruthless, wise and most of all she is looking out for Jai. I thought for sure Corbal would be the power behind Jai, but it is Tarquine who bears watching.
This book has a lot to recommend it. There is Jai who is growing and learning and trying to make a legacy for his parents. There is lots of good sex. There is lots of great action that includes plotting and counter plotting, assassination attempts, murder, lawsuits and espionage. There are old threads tied up a little bit (Kelric and Tarquine). And there are the off screen developments in the Ruby dynasty. I especially love the scenes where Kelric, Roca and Dyhianna are puzzling over Jai's motives, not realizing that he is Soz's child.
Which brings me to the commenting on the whole series. I can't wait to see what happens next. The Skolian Empire series is an excellent series of books that are wonderfully plotted. I love the fact that the reader has so much great information about the goings on that none of the characters really know. I love the idea that the one of the two people who know everything has conveniently died and that the other person isn't in a position to reveal anything. I can't wait until the Valdorias all find out about Jai. I can't wait until Jai finds out about his parents. I can't wait until poor Roca learns about Soz and Althor.
Realizing he is the only chance the warring worlds have for peace, he reveals himself to the Eubians and thus takes his place as Emperor. But it is harder than Jai thought. He is young and inexperienced. The Hightons, the ruling class on Eube, speak in a florid meandering language that is full of subtext and hidden meaning. Jai can't seem to master the subtleties so he blunders constantly. Making enemies early on, he quickly becomes the target of assassination plots
But Jai gains unlikely allies in the woman he makes his empress, Tarquine Iquar, and his wily adviser Corbal Xir. All three have devastating secrets that if they came to light mean sure death. In Tarquine and Corbal Jai gains access to the experience and ruthlessness necessary to run his empire. But he manages to maintain his own internal idealism and need to meet the Skolians at the peace table.
If you haven't read any of the other books of the series, then this probably isn't the best place to be starting. In the previous seven books, there is so much back-story, so much explanation of the events that lead to Jai taking the throne, that you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you tried to start here.
Reading this book, it made me think of Jai as a narc under deep cover. Constantly watching his back trying not to make a false move. Having to pretend to transcend is kinda like a undercover cop having to commit crime to be accepted. He is deep in enemy territory and one false move could get a slave collar slapped on his throat. The irony, of course, is that he is the rightful emperor and this is his empire. He should be right at home. He should be able to make changes if he wants, but the way of life and the attitudes of the people are so ingrained that his efforts are frightening and make him an assassination target.
But he has Tarquine, who after Soz (Jai's mother), has become my favorite character in these books. She is tough, clever, smart, duplicitous, forward thinking, selfish, compassionate, ruthless, wise and most of all she is looking out for Jai. I thought for sure Corbal would be the power behind Jai, but it is Tarquine who bears watching.
This book has a lot to recommend it. There is Jai who is growing and learning and trying to make a legacy for his parents. There is lots of good sex. There is lots of great action that includes plotting and counter plotting, assassination attempts, murder, lawsuits and espionage. There are old threads tied up a little bit (Kelric and Tarquine). And there are the off screen developments in the Ruby dynasty. I especially love the scenes where Kelric, Roca and Dyhianna are puzzling over Jai's motives, not realizing that he is Soz's child.
Which brings me to the commenting on the whole series. I can't wait to see what happens next. The Skolian Empire series is an excellent series of books that are wonderfully plotted. I love the fact that the reader has so much great information about the goings on that none of the characters really know. I love the idea that the one of the two people who know everything has conveniently died and that the other person isn't in a position to reveal anything. I can't wait until the Valdorias all find out about Jai. I can't wait until Jai finds out about his parents. I can't wait until poor Roca learns about Soz and Althor.