Tribute Trail

Tribute Trail is the story of Kherin, goddess-consort and military leader of Khassin, who is betrayed and sold into slavery by a jealous cousin, and his efforts to reunite himself with his goddess and enact his revenge. The multilayer plot is complicated first by evil spellcasters who prevent Kherin from using his powers, then by a jealous fellow-slave who does everything possible to keep Kherin from gaining the freedom promised to all four tribute slaves by the new Sun Stallion. Rescued by the Sun Stallion's wives and sisters (marriage is a malleable concept having to do more with living arrangements and providing for children than devotion -- that kind of pair bonding is reserved for a different relationship that can be either homo- or heterosexual), Kherin sets out to win over the Sun Stallion and his warriors so that he can return to Khassin with an army. Of course, his task is anything but easy, especially since he's made a number of very powerful enemies in the Sun Stallion's court.If that had been the book's sole plot, it would have been an entertaining sword and sorcery excursion. But while Kherin is making his physical journey to a spiritual destination he is sure of, the Sun Stallion is making a spiritual journey to acknowledge the cause of the physical reality he accepts without question. His path is no less fraught with dangers than Kherin's, and filled with betrayals, slavery, and death-defying battles of a different sort. The two stories, each capable of supporting an entire book, intertwine and mirror each other to create a truly exceptional work. Although it's a stand alone novel, I hope it's the first of a very long series by these authors set in this delightful world. There are still many people and places I want to explore.-- Reviewed for the Science Fiction Romance newsletter

I was priviledged to read this book in manuscript form -- and fell in love with it then. The world Beckett and Power have built is rich and believable, and I am deeply involved with all the characters. I love not only the heroes but their friends, lovers and spouses (which tend to be one and the same at times), I loathe their enemies and root for the good guys to not only triumph, but to serve their gods and save/change their respective cultures. I love this book!

"Tribute Trail" is a thought provoking read, not a mere "sword and sorcery" novel. A rich fantasy setting provides the backdrop to consideration of Goddess Worship, male bonding, relationships (and many of the hurt/comfort variety) and Family groups, along with action and adventure. Rythian struggles to become - and remain - Sun Stallion, while Kherin seeks to redeem his honour, and fulfil his destiny in the service of the Goddess. This book does not shy from difficult, intense or intimate imagery. The characters are well drawn, from Kherin and Rythian, to Merse (and his gradual redemption) and Voran; from Syth, Rythian's loyal wife, to the three Priestesses - young and fiery maiden; practical and honourable mother; and the devious crone. The threads of the two men's lives, one in service to the Goddess, one in honour of the God, are woven together, binding opposites and equals into a fierce, loyal love and an incredible power.

I really enjoyed this book - one of the things that most often turns me off in fantasy books is cultures that are unworkable. Both cultures in this story LIVE - and the characters are believable, not too perfect - burdened with their own doubts and choices, their own humanness. And the story is written without falling into the 'sword and sorcery/hero' set-up that is so common today it's like a modern subculture. This turned into one of those read til 2 AM on a work day, ignore the TV, books. I would really like to see more books with these characters - I can think of many challenges that could face them ahead. (I know I like the characters when I start imagining book covers in my head.) READ AND ENJOY!

In the Kingdom of Khasson, seemingly everyone including KingTeiron admires Prince Kherin, the Chosen of the Goddess. However,Kherin has one enemy, his best friend and cousin Prince Alzon, heir to the throne. Alzon drugs Kherin and his hired Tylossian traders take him to Tylos. In their home country, the Tylossians include Kherin as tribute to the Shi'R'Laen Sun Stallion Caier. While Kherin is betrayed, Rythian Lyre'son of the Shi'R'Laen loves his hearth-family, but worries about the direction Caier has taken the tribe. He challenges Caier, kills him, and becomes the new Sun Stallion. The Tylossian gift of four slaves, including Kherin, are freed and made part of Rhythian's hearth-family. Still, Rhythian has to contend with Caier supporters, the loss of his hearth due the Sun Stallion, and the fear that everyone seems to have towards Kherin who is the first male this tribe has ever seen to have a connection to the Goddess. Kherin needs to recover his health, but forget vengeance and follow the path the Goddess has laid out for him. TRIBUTE TRAIL is an interesting speculative fiction work that fans of other worldly tales will fully relish. The story line is filled with action and the moralities of the different societies feel genuine as if the three nations (Tylos, Shi'R'Laen, and Khasson) exist. Though the good vs. evil concept appears too simplistic, Terri Beckett and Chris Power provides the audience with a powerful, entertaining tale that will be fully enjoyed.