Ally (The Wess'har Wars, 5)

This book, in fact the whole series (6 books in all), to be very entertaining. They are well written with good character development. The story line is very original. I actually have read all of the books twice now and probably will read them again. I just wish Ms Traviss would continue this series or write another one. I have also read most of the Star Wars books she has written and in my opinion, Ms Traviss is an excellent author.

"Ally," is the latest in Karen Traviss's "Shan Frankland" saga, and as with all of the entries in what I suspect will be, when it concludes, one of the finest sf series ever created, it amazes: Amazes because of the number of new ideas on cultures and their effect on their native ecologies that the author tosses out. Amazes because of the thought she's put into the story and the characters. Amazes because, although the action doesn't move very far forward from where things left off in "Matriarch," the author manages to spin out 388 fascinating pages to keep us engrossed while we wait for the long-planned expedition back to Earth, where the alien Eqbas intend to solve the planet's ecological disasters, whether the inhabitants want them to or not. In this tale, the Eqbas clean up the Isenji planet, Umeh (and they show very tough love indeed as they go about it), aided by their allies, the seriously whackadoo Skavu; the creepy Rayat findds yet another way to become useful, while Linday and the Bezer'ej go through more changes; and of course Ade, Aras, and Shan continue to love and squabble. In telling the tale the amazingly assured Ms. Frankland makes you rethink, yet again, what you thought you knew. But, hey, she does that in every volume of the series, of which this is the fifth. Naturally, new readers would be well advised to begin at the beginning, with "City of Pearl," and move on from there.

This is another great book in a great series. It left me waiting in anticipation for the next one.

Traviss is one of the most interesting SF author writing these days. Ally is a wonderful read, but if you haven't read the earlier books in the series itisn't the place to start. If you like your SF to come with complex storylines, interesting aliens, multi sided characters and plots that are as fun as a roller coaster ride, and make you stop and think about things in the real world, look up City of Pearl and give this series a try. It won't disappoint. Then when you've devoured the Wess'har books and are still hungry for more check out Traviss's Star Wars Republic Commando books Hard Contact (Star Wars: Republic Commando), Triple Zero (Star Wars: Republic Commando). They will change how you think of media tie in books forever. Seriously.

In the latest sequel in the series we learn much more about the different alien races as the story unfolds. The sequel is as captivating as the previous titles. A warning to new readers: I would highly recommend to read the series in order. Overall an excelent book.