kdf_333's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
mjfmjfmjf's review
4.0
part 15 of an ongoing series, one book of which won the nebula. I didn't expect much from this book - the cover in particular is horrible. And yet it worked rather nicely. It wouldn't be an especially good place to start this series. This one was way more plot driven than character driven - which I don't recall as being typical. It's too bad that quis isn't real. Anyway - just one more series that I read that no one else seems to.
cjazzlee's review
5.0
You know when you have a favorite author/series/family that you follow, and you have a pile of books to get to, but you just pick up that old favorite and re-read it instead? That's how I am about this entire Ruby dynasty family invented by Ms. Asaro.
I just reread this book after reading Diamond Star for the first time this past weekend.
I actually teared up this time over some of the mental and emotional suffering that Jabriol Qox III goes through, and how he reconnects with his true family for the briefest of instants for the first and perhaps only time ever.
It's not just the family threads holding this book (and ALL the other books in this sprawling saga) together that appeals to me. There is richly drawn political intrique, very clearly drawn civilizations (one earth, two others that are similar to but much different from actual human beings), and fascinating science (physics, biology and a bit of chemistry). Oh, and music (less so than in Diamond Star, but still).
Don't let the cover dissuade you, seriously.
SPOILER ALERT:
I really really loved the inventive solution of using the game Quis as a story-telling and culture-shaping way of infiltrating all levels of society in two major civilizations and slowly, slowly bringing about change in even the major tenets of those civilizations.
I am left sad and hopeful and wondering if there will be another chapter in the life of this Trader Emperor. Oh, I hope Jabriol reconnects with the other Ruby members again in some universe. Oh, I so hope that he gets to know one day of the true fate of his mother, father and siblings. How I long for some happiness (beyond that which he's found with his empress), true friendship and healing for this powerful, unique, creative and lonely psion.
It's such an enjoyable read.
I just reread this book after reading Diamond Star for the first time this past weekend.
I actually teared up this time over some of the mental and emotional suffering that Jabriol Qox III goes through, and how he reconnects with his true family for the briefest of instants for the first and perhaps only time ever.
It's not just the family threads holding this book (and ALL the other books in this sprawling saga) together that appeals to me. There is richly drawn political intrique, very clearly drawn civilizations (one earth, two others that are similar to but much different from actual human beings), and fascinating science (physics, biology and a bit of chemistry). Oh, and music (less so than in Diamond Star, but still).
Don't let the cover dissuade you, seriously.
SPOILER ALERT:
I really really loved the inventive solution of using the game Quis as a story-telling and culture-shaping way of infiltrating all levels of society in two major civilizations and slowly, slowly bringing about change in even the major tenets of those civilizations.
I am left sad and hopeful and wondering if there will be another chapter in the life of this Trader Emperor. Oh, I hope Jabriol reconnects with the other Ruby members again in some universe. Oh, I so hope that he gets to know one day of the true fate of his mother, father and siblings. How I long for some happiness (beyond that which he's found with his empress), true friendship and healing for this powerful, unique, creative and lonely psion.
It's such an enjoyable read.
belleanndthebook's review
3.0
This book again felt like a continuation of The Moon’s Shadow and The Ruby Dice. The one aspect I really enjoyed was the political power of a song becoming a driving force at the start of the plot. However, I was really disappointed by the ending, which did not seem to resolve anything. The side-plot introduced extremely interesting characters, but by the end those characters become passive to the actions of everyone around them.
brucefarrar's review against another edition
3.0
Eleven years after the events of [b:The Moon's Shadow|424936|The Moon's Shadow (Saga of the Skolian Empire, #8)|Catherine Asaro|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1316131714i/424936._SY75_.jpg|414017] Asaro returns her Saga of the Skolian Empire to the imperial courts of the rival empires of Skolia and their arch-enemies the Eubian “Traders,” the sadistic slave owners, who, unknown to all but a few, have an emperor that is not truly one of their own. Their emperor Jabriol is the son of their former emperor and of the former leader of the Skolian military. He is the nephew of Kelric, the current leader of the Skolian military. Together, the emperors have proposed a peace treaty.
Needless to say, there are factions on both sides that have no interest in peace, and they will make every attempt they can to scuttle the peace process, including releasing provocative songs, kidnapping, and assassinations. An additional complication initially unknown to the emperors, is the presence of another member of the Skolian royal family living within the Eubian empire.
Needless to say, there are factions on both sides that have no interest in peace, and they will make every attempt they can to scuttle the peace process, including releasing provocative songs, kidnapping, and assassinations. An additional complication initially unknown to the emperors, is the presence of another member of the Skolian royal family living within the Eubian empire.
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