Jaran

I picked up Jaran for about 25 cents at a library book sale, and I've never looked back. This was my first introduction to Kate Elliott's writing, and since then I've enjoyed the rest of the Jaran books and her Crown of Stars series (I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of the sixth book, and hoping for more on the growing romance between Ivar and Baldwin). I've since read my copy of Jaran into the ground, and have to replace it because the spine is broken in numerous places and the pages are beginning to fall out. What higher praise can there be, for an author, than to have a devoted reader replace a copy of a beloved novel instead of ending the relationship?That being said, I will try not to spoil anything. Jaran is not a fantasy book. There is no magic here, no wands or sourcery or incantations. It is pure science fiction, but without the monotonous and cliché use of outer space and starships as a setting. Rather, it is set on a "primitive" planet, where technology is sorely behind the times and the major cultural center surrounds a university. Tribes of Jaran roam the plains, and the Jahar, bands of Jaran warriors, war and explore in their beloved home. They've their own laws, myths, songs and stories, and ways of life, entirely different from those in more developed regions. Though the Jaran come from regions that are not technologically developed, they are still extremely intelligent. Definitely not the "brutes of the north" that some writers are so fond of! The book occasionally switches locations, focusing briefly on Tess' brother, the Duke, but this simply offers a bit of insight into why Tess does some of the things she does. It also offers characters a reason to appear later, so they don't simply drop out of nowhere with no readily apparent reason for their appearance.Romance is at the heart of Jaran, where the intelligent, confident, university-educated leader of a Jaran tribe (Ilyakoria Bahktiian) meets the heir of a planetary Dukedom (Tess Sorensen). However, the story is not about them alone, and the plot is supported by a host of interesting and well-developed supporting characters (Yuri, Kirill, and Nikolai, to name but a scant few). Traveling is not done in a haphazard way, but to seamlessly advance the plot. Each move has a point, and is not done simply to get characters from one place to another without explanation. There are no characters that are granted immunity, either. Many get injured, and friends, foes and family alike are all subject to death. Dialogue is executed very well, too, at times touching, at times witty, at times passionate and at others downright hilarious. Like the Jaran themselves, it varies with the moods of the speakers and the situations.Elliott's writing is absolutely superb, and of a quality that one rarely finds anymore. It's the writing of someone who takes her time, not someone who churns out book after book in order to satisfy the demands of publishers for more money and the public for more books. S

Tess Soerenson, sole heir to her brother's dukedom, cannot face the responsibilities that this position requires and flees to Rhui, a primitive planet whose inhabitants know nothing of the other technologically advanced worlds around them. She is taken in by a band of nomadic people led by Ilya Bakhtiian, a ruthless and ambitious man who is determined to unite the Jaran tribes. And as fate would have it, she finds herself caught up in a dangerous and mysterious conspiracy involving the Chapalii, an alien race that have conquered humankind. But the Chapalii have secrets they wish to keep from the humans, secrets that could be vital to her brother's plan of releasing their people from the Chapalii domination. Jaran is an amazing story! It gripped me from the very first page and would not let me go! It is an epic tale with fantastic world building, wonderful, unforgettable characters, richly detailed cultures and societies, and a truly fascinating plot that just sucks you in and leaves you begging for more. This is a book that has everything; love and loss, friendship and betrayal, action and suspense, and much, much more! And all of it is set against the backdrop of a beautiful world and way of life.I was so completely immersed in the story, so charmed by the lives of these characters, and so desperate to figure out all the secrets and motivations, that I read the entire book in two days! I did NOT want to put it down! Kate Elliott is obviously a fan of Jane Austen (as am I), and if you are familiar with Austen's work, you will undoubtedly recognize many of those wonderful elements that Elliott has lovingly woven into the story of Jaran. I just finished the book this morning and already I am eager and excited to continue the story. Don't miss this one. I HIGHLY recommend it!

I just finished reading Jaran. It's a great book. The characters are excellently developed and seem like real people. Kate Elliott is an excellent writer who not only creates a new fascinating world but also connects it to history (In this case to the Mongol invasion of Western Europe and conquest of Eastern Europe and most of Asia.) This is a wonderful book but make sure you have some time to read it, and the sequels. It's not a huge cliffhanger, but you'll want to know what happens. Now I MUST comment on some of the other reviews. I don't know WHY anyone would think this book is "...fiction" or "unrealistic," she had a few gay characters, so what...it’s just another element to the story that involves everything into convoluted plots... That’s excellent too, although I was dieing for the sequel when I finished the fourth. If you like Sci-Fi /Fantasy... you’ll like this.

My very favorite sci fi book. The story is about a young woman who has the massive responsibility of being the heir to the one man who has any status among the aliens who have conquered Earth. She's not comfortable with these responsibilities and . . . runs. She manages to become stranded on another planet among a "simple" plains people who help her to become the strong, independent woman she barely knew was inside herself. In the process, she manages to uncover a secret that could free the Earth.The depth and complexity of the many characters in the story is impressive. The Jaran culture is practically a character itself, and I enjoy it very much, with its gender roles that are a very different mix from what we ourselves are familiar with. And I freely admit to enjoying romance in my fantasy and sci fi and this story delivers that perfectly.I recommend readers who enjoyed this story try the author's first series, The Highroad Trilogy, written under the name Alis Rasmussen. They serve as a loose sequel to the Jaran stories (after the Chapalii have been driven out) and are a highly enjoyable read.

Do you want a multiple book, well written epic to keep you busy for a while? Buy this book. If, on the other hand, you want to read a romance between two strong-willed people set against the backdrop of war, then buy this book. If, on the third hand :) , you want a book about the rebellion of humanity against their alien conquerors, then buy this book. Perhaps you want to read about characters that seem real, that have faults and talents in equal measure, that love and hate and die and do everything that real people do. If so, buy this book. Maybe you want a book that examines relationships of all kinds, that constantly surprises you, that is creative, original, deep, and still a good read. If this is the case, then (all together now!) BUY THIS BOOK! Have you noticed a pattern yet? Kate Elliott is a wonderful and talented writer who seems to be at home in any number of genres, from historical fiction to epic fantasy to romance to war story to science fiction. Her charac! ! ters are three dimensional, her plots are creative, her settings are lovingly detailed without being overdone, and her books will keep you saying "Just a few more pages, I'll be right with you" until you sigh, reluctantly stick in a bookmark, and wonder where the time went. I just finished re-reading this series, and it still took my breath away. Please, please, write book 5! Eager fans are waiting!P.S. Don't let the plea for book 5 put you off. Though there are obvious hooks for another book, there is a definite sense of closure with book 4. This is not one where you need to wait for the series to finish being written before you start it.