"A phenomenal futuristic fantasy"
On an unknown planet somewhere in the future, humans have
created a new civilization; one that requires Zabba to
survive. For Mahri, a "swamp-rat" and a smuggler of Zabba
root, she is content to live in the wild swamp. But when a
serious illness threatens those she cares about, she
travels into city, to the Healers Tree trying to get aid
for the people in her village. Hoping to kidnap a low
level healer that won't be missed, she is instead horrified
to discover she has abducted the crown Prince Korl! Ms Kennedy has written a phenomenal fantasy world of water
where technology is lost, huge creatures of the sea rule
the planet and people live in giant trees that serve as
cities and land. I love this world! It's a different
version of Kevin Costners' WATERWORLD, but one I found so
much more believable. Monsters still live underwater and
giant birds of prey (think flying dinosaurs) live above the
tree canopy. The forests are so beautiful thru Maris' eyes
and described so well by Ms Kennedy. There is both beauty
and danger in the jungle; were animals are familiar, and
yet and the same time so different than our "Earth"
animals. Zabba root is coveted by the Royals, as is the true history
of Mahris's people hidden by them as well. Zabba, from
what I understand, opens the mind, and depending on the
person's tolerance depends on the extra-sensory abilities
allowed. While the attraction between Mahri and Korl has a lot of
chemistry and sparks flying, Mahri fights the attraction'
at the same time it's an instantaneous union. She
doesn't "trust" him, yet she is too easy on him.
Regardless, I really liked Mahri as a woman. She is
strong, independent and yet discovers she needs more to be
complete. Korl is strong and is studying the Healing arts
to help his people. He is a healer first, then the crown
prince. However, with Mahri he is tenderhearted (like all
hero's should be) yet still manages to have the arrogance
you would expect as due his station of Crown Prince. I
felt he was the epitome of a good alpha hero. Jaja, Mahris' pet is part monkey-part fish, as well as
telepathic. In my mind I had such a visual of all his
facial expressions that between his actions and his
personality I laughed out loud. BENEATH THE THIRTEEN MOONS is such an awesome story! I
only hope Ms Kennedy has plans for future novels as I
highly recommend this novel. Posted August 5, 2004
Reviewed by Cynthia Eckert
Posted November 5, 2006
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