Fire Sanctuary

I greatly enjoyed this series not just this book. Her depth and understanding of human nature and social politics really shines through. I had to read one right after the other... I devoured the series and felt bad when I realized there was no more to eat! She may not like the comparison but these to me this series is a strange and beautiful blending in my head of Dune and Andre Norton. Now we just need to see more work from her again!

I've reread this book many times, and always find something new. Katherine has developed a new culture and world, one I love visiting in her books. Her story is thought provoking. I found this story open minded, intricate, and with wonderful characters. Thanks for sharing your story with me, Katherine!

I have loved this book for a long time and I'm sorry to see that it is out of print. I actually stole (borrowed) my mother's copy so that I could read it for the umpteenth time. The characters are stong and compelling, the plot is deep and twisting, and the setting - oh wow! I was not surprised to find out that the author has an art degree! The world of Nuala is painted with words as rich as any pigments imaginable. From the moment we meet the outworlders journeying to Nuala for a "holiday" we are swept up in intrigue, mystery, romance, and danger. The entire book is rich in culture, religion and politics that are not of our world, and yet are familiar because they are so totally human. If you are a fan of sci-fi/fantasy and are looking for something that will suck you in, this is it. Offworld soldiers Moran and Lyte are visiting Nuala for a festival and so that Moran can see his betrothed, Ronuviel, a member of the ruling house of Atare. But the offworld federation has warned Lyte of possible danger, there is a plot afoot to topple the house of Atare, and the second in line for the throne is insane. When the front lines of the war with the Fewha shift, political survival takes a back seat to the saving of lives, and Nuala is changed forever. I highly recommend this book (as if that weren't clear already!) so start looking in those used bookstores!