Primary Inversion: A Novel in the Saga of the Skolian Empire

Asaro already hooked me on Soz when I read her short "Aurora in Four Voices" in an Analog magazine a couple of years ago. I then keyed my wife into the serialized novel (also in Analog) that will be "The Quantum Rose" and she then skimmed through all the easily available Skolian books in the library. I'm finally just now getting into the novels, here, and I'm impressed.The hints that she drops here and there about the scope of her universe are insanely tantalizing, and in Sauscony Valdoria, Asaro's got one of the more fascinating science-fiction creations. The ambitious story and the narrative gambles payoff well, even if most of the physical action scenes take place in the first third. I only wished that Asaro's given herself an opportunity to flesh out the character of Jaibriol Qox, a matter that I suspect is rectified in the sequels. Still this book stands alone, the conclusion is very satisfying.

Primary Inversion first appeared in hard cover in 1994 and was one of the strongest first SF novels ever, a romantic adventure with a healthy dose of super science. Not an unexpected gem, if one considers the author: Catherine Asaro holds a Ph.D. from Harvard in Mathematical Chemistry, Masters in Physics, edited her own SF/Science magazine, Mindsparks and had a previous Ruby Dynasty story in Analog, April 1994. Primary Inversion introduces us to our universe in the 2200's, but from the point of view of the genetically advanced humans that we discover seeded through the galaxy when we Earthlings finally make the leap to space. The Allied Worlds (Earth) holds one corner of the power triangle, but the struggle Sauscony (Soz) Skolia lives is between the Skolian Imperialate and the Eubian Traders (evil incarnate). She is the ideal of a perfect soldier. Jaggernaut physical training, a bio-web of weapons embedded in her body and a psi connection to the Skolian web that controls instantaneous communication in the universe make her nearly indestructible, but the fact that she's an empath and a telepath make her vulnerable in a way we rarely see in a killing machine. Throw in drop-dead-gorgeous and lonely as hell (no possibility of a Rhon mate, a man who can link minds with her, in the entire universe) and you see the formula for a novel filled with nova bursts of energy. Although this novel is meant to stand alone, it is actually the first half of a book. What is part two? The Radiant Seas (Tor 1999).

I picked up and set down this book in a store several times because the title and the artwork were so uninviting, even though I'd heard good things about Asaro's writing and had enjoyed Catch the Lightning. Luckily, I finally broke down and enjoyed Primary Inversion very much. I like Asaro's focus on character, and the way she plays with gender expectations such as appropriate ages for romantic partners. That kind of social thinking is really more revolutionary (subversive, even) than tech talk, which doesn't interest me anywhere near as much as character. I've read all of Asaro's books, and find her both original and highly entertaining.

I couldn't disagree more with the reader below, who seems to have a problem with empowered women. I just finished the 4 books that Ms Asaro wrote in the Skolian empire, of which Primary Inversion is the first. As a biologist, I found the science to be provocative and accurate. As a woman, I found the characters and relationships to be honest and appealing. I would recommend these to anyone who likes books by Bujold, Willis, Kress, etc. It's character-driven SF with a serious dose of science.