Primary Inversion (The Saga of the Skolian Empire)
by Catherine Asaro
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Book Summary Information
Author: Catherine AsaroEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1996-05-15
ISBN: 0812550234
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: Tor Books
Book Reviews of Primary Inversion (The Saga of the Skolian Empire)
Book Review: Good writing and ideas but ultimately unsatisfying
Summary: 2 Stars
I was impressed by "Aurora in Four Voices," which is one of the author's short stories set in this universe, and read in the foreword to the short story that this series was in the vein of Bujold's Vorkosigan novels. That convinced me to purchase this, her first published novel, in the expectation that I would read the entire series.
Although relatively short, unfortunately the book is an interminable slog filled with plot, character, and logic holes large enough to pass the Milky Way Galaxy through. Clearly, a first novel is a challenge but the result was too disappointing for me to read more in the series despite the fact that a later book, "The Quantum Rose" won the Nebula Award in 2001. Generally, the writing is quite good. Unless. Unless she. Unless she writes. Unless she writes sentences like this.
The book has been criticized for fusing genre romance with hard science, an idea which didn't put me off. However, the result is indeed a disaster. The main character is a silly authorial fantasy combining the solo swagger of a freshly-minted lieutenant with the raw power of an Admiral who happens to be the even more powerful - albeit surreptitious - heir to the throne, a fact she hides from everyone unless she, well, tells them. But. But wait. But wait there's more.
She's also a nearly all-powerful empath/telepath/cybernetic fighting machine under the thumb of her evil brother emperor whom she grudgingly calls "sir" since he's her commanding officer. In her spare time, as if she really were a lieutenant and not an Admiral, she leads a tiny battalion of four "fighter pilots" on highly dangerous solo missions risking her precious psion/imperial DNA. During her adventure, she lusts after the throne and plots conquest/treason. All the while this 47-year-old woman pines after the man she loves as she beds teenagers and really pines after the other man she really loves.
Other books in the series may solve some of these character/logic issues and reach the level evinced in the short story that spurred my initial interest in the Skolian universe. However, this will be the last book in the series I read.
Summary of Primary Inversion (The Saga of the Skolian Empire)
The Skolian Empire rules a third of the civilized galaxy through its mastery of faster-than-light communication. But war with the rival empire of the Traders seems imminent, a war that can only lead to slavery for the Skolians or the destruction of both sides. Destructive skirmishes have already occurred. A desperate attempt must be made to avert total disaster.
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