A review by leelah
Undercity by Catherine Asaro

3.0

3,5 stars

Ok, first some info: [b:Undercity|21412186|Undercity (Major Baahjan, #1)|Catherine Asaro|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1394422279s/21412186.jpg|40713197] is extended version of [b:The City of Cries|12847303|The City of Cries (Major Baahjan, #0)|Catherine Asaro|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1417108699s/12847303.jpg|17998452] novella, but added content is rather linear, since this book is basically continuation of novella. Hence, we have Part I (TCoC) and Part II (added content).

First part is a straight forward detective novel- Bhaajan is a former major with the Imperial Space Command turned PI and she's contacted by a mysterious client. It turns out, secrecy is well deserved since Bhaajan is hired to find one of the most important men in Skolian empire: youngest Majda Prince. Majdas are second most influential family in the Empire. Majdas are financial moguls; their matriarchs are by tradition Generals of Pharaoh's army, but Majda women also dominate imperial fleet and space command branches. They are also following old rules religiously: their men are kept in seclusion- which means they are in complete lock-down, hidden behind walls under heavy protection. Touching a Majda prince is considered to be an offense punishable by death. So, to say that Bhaajan is under high pressure to solve this is an understatement. But,she is uniquely qualified to do it, since prince's trail leads to Undercity, pipe system where Bhaajan grew up as an orphan and one place she didn't want ever to come back to. And she needs help from people she left behind.
Mysterywise - this wasn't too complicated. Bhaajan pretty much found the prince soon as she went to Undercity, but events of this case triggered a bigger problem Bhaajan is handling in Part II. First part is also important for getting to know Majdas and rigidity of rules they followed for centuries. They are also pried of their sense of fairness and honor.
It's a picture of Raylicon on microlevel that gains real importance in second part where perspective is switched and we get a bigger social structure picture. In second part, Bhaajan and Jax are trying to break gun smuggling operation and war between gangs of Undercity where the ones who need most help are in biggest danger: little orphans, called dust rats Baahjan and Jax once were.
*This disparity between Majda and poor people living in pipe system is so huge I found it a bit of a stretch: it is written to show the most simple social system model: only two social classes are shown where one has everything and other nothing and as such it's completely unrealistic. Society is more complicated and there is more layers to it, but we don't get to see it at all. Baahjan's investigation is happening only in Majda's households and in Undercity and I personally missed seeing what's in between. Hence, I think Asaro smoothed this over little too easy and simple.
I am also not sure how this reads if reader is not familiar with other novels set in Skolian Empire. Timeline follows the events of [b:Skyfall|672950|Skyfall (Saga of the Skolian Empire, #9)|Catherine Asaro|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1316130019s/672950.jpg|1441653] since missing prince was engaged to Roca Skolia before she goes and meet Eldrinson. But it's not just that: seclusion would be more clear if reader knows that Empire is matriarchal society and that Majdas are applying old rules strictly for more reasons: their men are not just beautiful and intelligent, they also seem to carry and are able to pass further gene that gives their children psychic powers. It's a great gift and a valuable weapon against Traders. Psyons are mentioned and I guess it's not difficult to understand but the importance of it gets a whole another meaning when you are familiar with setting.
Romance plot is a given when it comes to Asaro, so it happens here as well. ;)
I think resolution happened to early in the novel and the whole story lacks suspense by the end. It left us on a weird note since there is nothing to dislike about it, but there is also not much to like and remember once you finish.
It has potential and I will pick up next in series. ;)

*ETA 12/23/2104 - Rephrased after thoughtful comment from fellow reader. :)