"strong SF"
On the planet Delos, The Eubians exchange prisoner Prince
Eldrin of the Skolian Empire for Jai Rockworth the heir to
the Eubian Concord. Although nobody knows it, Jai, who
will be the next Emperor, is related to all the high
powered rulers in the Skolian Empire. The Skolians and the
Eubians after centuries of war are holding to an informal
and uneasy truce, one that could explode into war with the
least provocation. The Eubian economy is based on the slave trade and is
condemned by the Skolians who know their enemies feed on
the pain of their psychic slaves known as Providers.
Jai's most fervent wish is to forge a permanent peace
between the two empires but forces within his own
government try their best to kill him before he can make
any reforms. When he marries his Finance Minister
Tarquine, he gets a wife who will use all her dirty tricks
in her mighty arsenal to keep her husband safe. Readers get a close look at how the Eubian Concord really
works and it will sicken them as much as it does the hero
of THE MOON'S SHADOW. The protagonist is young but he
gathers some powerful allies who help him rule and try to
see that he is protected from assassination by those who
disagree with his goals. Catherine Asaro has written one
of the best works of her star-studded career, one that will
have readers searching the shelves for her backlist. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted March 1, 2003
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