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Sundering (Book 2 of Dread Empire's Fall) by Walter Jon Williams check out website: www.earthlight.co.uk
We follow this crisis through the provincial
but rising through the ranks Lord Gareth Martinez and Lady Caroline Sula, who
has a career change from pilot to ground terrorist as well as concealing a secret
of her own.
At political level, this element is straight forward enough
for even the least politically motivated reader to stay interested in although
this reviewer does find it odd that such a respite can happen despite the apparent
danger of invasion. Then again, this is a society built up on social status and,
unless you're recognised, I doubt if you'd rise up through the ranks. Walter
Jon Williams has always had good story-telling ability although I found in places
here and there, book 2 was somewhat forced especially in terms of explaining detail
rather than incorporating it more into the story. Sula's espionage techniques
aren't that far removed from our present century although some of the technology
would make it a lot easier had her team knew how to use it properly. What is still disturbing is the presentation of only one side of this war. Although it's understandable and very probable that Williams wants to display the motivation of one albeit human side, it says nothing about the Naxids other than that they're the bad aliens out to administer an apparent brutal regime. No doubt more
evidence of this will be in book 3 but it is a shame that we don't really see
enough of this enemy to make up our own minds as to whose side we should be supporting. I have a feeling that Williams will no doubt build up and pull
the rug from complacency in plot development any time now. GF Willmetts
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OTHER REVIEWS - December 2003
Other reviews this month Dreams Underfoot by Charles De Lint Spirits In The Wires by Charles De Lint First Rider's Call by Kristen Britain Roma Eterna by Robert Silverberg The Life Eaters by David Brin and Scott Hamilton Midnight Lamp by Gwyneth Jones Dreams of the Compass Rose by Vera Nazarian One Lamp: Alternative History Stories edited by Gordon Van Gelder The Druid King by Norman Spinrad Star Trek: Nemesis novelisation by J.M. Dillard Unto Leviathan by Richard Paul Russo The Sundering by Walter Jon Williams Nylon Angel by Marianne de Pierres Falling Out Of Cars by Jeff Noon The Darkest Part Of The Woods by Ramsey Campbell Lord Of Snow And Shadows by Sarah Ash Tales Of Ten Worlds by Arthur C. Clarke Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Radio Sunnydale Dante's Equation by Jane Jensen Archform: Beauty by L. E. Modesit Jr
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'The Sundering' is the continuation of the
coup in the Praxis Empire with the human/terrain side making something
of a comeback against the largely unseen alien Naxids. 
After
organising the strategy for a victorious battle against the Naxids,
Martinez spends some time in the capital world Zanshaa with Sula
before duty calls and arranged marriages for position take over
from any feelings from the heart. 
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