Snare

What happens when three very different groups of people, who were actually trying to escape each other and live in isolation, end up marooned together on a distant planet already inhabited by a sentient species? How will they learn to live together and to protect the indigenous ChaMeech, while still preserving their unique heritage and traditions? This is the backdrop Kerr, author of the acclaimed "Deverry" series of fantasy novels, sets up for her science fiction book that takes place on the planet Snare. After a few false starts and confusing twists and turns, the majority of this novel is excellent, with great characters and an interesting plot. Two major flaws: The beginning of the book, which is confusing and really fails, in my opinion, to properly introduce some of the major characters. And the end, which trails off somewhat anticlimactically and, it seems, right on the verge of some really interesting stuff we've been anticipating for the last hundred pages! I don't know if Kerr had a sequel planned, but if ever a book screamed for one, this is it. However, if you can push through the first hundred pages or so, it does get MUCH better, trust me. I love books that feature characters who "switch sides," or have underlying motivations that shape their actions in ways that aren't immediately foreseeable. Suffice it to say that both Zayn, an exiled Karshak who seems to be an assasin sent to kill the rightful Khan, and Soutan, the enigmatic sorcerer who promises to lead the Khan back to his people, are NOT what they appear. None of the characters are static; all grow and change in completely believable ways over the course of the book. Even the alien ChaMeech are revealed to be both more and less "human" than was assumed. The revellation of the history of Snare and its three groups of settlers (the Muslim Karshaks, the American-Indian-like Comnees, and the technologically advanced Cantonneurs) comes a little late in the book for my taste, and as I said the ending leaves a bit to be desired. But the rest of the book was great enough that I'm dying for a sequel to tie up the loose ends! I would highly recommend this book to both devoted Kerr fans and readers of sci-fi alike.

Former Kazrak cavalry Captain Idres Warkannan and "high tech sorcerer" Yarl Soutan seek Jezro Khan, the exiled brother of the corrupt ruler of Kazrajistan, to lead a revolt to overthrow the worthless dangerous regime of his sibling. At about the same time, the fanatical Muslim sect The Chosen sends assassin Zayn Hassan to stop Jezro's rumored return.To reach the isolated region where Jezro resides, the two enemy groups cross a grassy wilderness inhabited by the alien Cha'Meech and by human nomads. On his trek Zayn meets Ammadin, the Spirit Rider healer of a nomadic tribe. Not long afterward, he begins to wonder if his chosen profession and his current assignment are justified. Meanwhile the "magician" Soutan learns of the Hassan mission and his allies send out their assassins to kill their competitor. Soon the Cha'Meech encounter Ammadin, the first step towards the quartet of rivals confronting one another, but where this global conflict will lead to when the events unfold is anyone guess.The key to this science fiction novel is that the four major societies are complex, feel genuine, and their rivalry definitely feels real. To achieve such a deep objective, segments of the plot slow down in order to introduce and develop the cast. Still the contrast between the groups and the varying ethic stands of the key players on each side of the square make for a meandering yet delightful world building tale that SNAREs the reader and never lets go until the final page.Harriet Klausner