Chronicles of Carrick V: Orthe by Mary Gentle

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Chronicles of Carrick V: Orthe by Mary Gentle

Pub: Gollancz, 987 page paperback. Price Ł9.99 (UK). ISBN: 0-575-07287-3

Check out website: www.orionbooks.co.uk

This SF omnibus is of two novels and a short story set on the world of Orthe.

Chronicles of Carrick V: Orthe by Mary Gentle The first novel 'Golden Witchbreed' has Lynn de Lisle Christie, envoy for Earth, sent to the planet Orthe to open up trade negotiations. Some parts of this new world are ruled by the Crown and others by the Church.

As Christie travels she is arrested by those who believe her to be a descendant of the Golden Witchbreed. The Witchbreed were a cruel and powerful race supposedly extinct. They were a technological people who devastated the land which is why many Ortheans are against Earth's presence - they fear a repeat of history.

On the run with her Orthean assistant; a barbarian woman and a man paid to kill her she begins to realize they've seriously underestimated Orthe. When she reaches civilisation her enemies are brought to justice but, unfortunately, she is then accused of murder.

After much inner turmoil, which includes a new Crown, she finds that her real enemy was one she least expected. The second novel 'Ancient Light' has Christie going back to Orthe ten years later after Earth's archaeologists have uncovered some ancient technological finds.

Almost as soon as they arrive they realise that the land is in turmoil verging on civil war. Earth's presence is even more resented than before and many Ortheans are openly hostile towards Christie and her colleagues.

Christie finds herself torn between her loyalty to Earth and her love for the Orthean people. Matters get worse when Earth intervenes and the descendants of the Golden Witchbreed threaten to use an old but extremely powerful weapon called Ancient Light.

The short story, ‘The Crystal Sunlight, The Bright Air’, is about a young man who makes a pilgrimage to a now peaceful Orthe after the death of his lover. Phew! This is some book! I must admit when I first picked it up my first reaction was 'Thanks Geoff!'.

This is a big book aptly described as a 'doorstop' so after putting it off as long as possible I finally began to read. Mary Gentle has created a uniquely alien world and a rather complicated social structure.

She writes vividly and her characters are strong and fleshed out well, although I did find at times her titles for various ranks and places confusing. The story itself was intriguing but it did drag at times.

Things that could have been concluded in a chapter or two went on for several.

Overall it was a good read - a unique world and interesting characters.

Jacqueline Kirk

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