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Autumn World

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On a world not that different from our own a technology has risen and collapsed taking a civilization with it. The inhabitants can no longer make use of their spaceports and travel to the stars. Instead, there is a religion based on the belief that someday the Sky Dwellers will return. Others believe that they will not and do not exist while still others, the Knowledge Brokers attempt to resurrect the dead technology. Not only is the widespread use of mental telepathy by the inhabitants common, so are parts and remnants of the lost civilization. As an experiment the Knowledge Brokers have managed to activate a sound-sender (kind of radio) and have sent out a message.

High above, there are three moons that orbit this world of permanent fall coloring and the message has been heard. The Spiral Collective has been surveying the area and has heard the message. They send a ship to the planet's surface to find the source of the signal. However, the mission quickly becomes secondary as the ship crashes, making Leah the sole human survivor.

The crash was seen for miles and she is quickly captured by troops loyal to the Crown. Matvar and his troops believe that the old legends have proven true and the "Starborn" or "Sky Dwellers" truly exist. While a dead body would be easiest to deal with, live specimens also work, and Leah is taken prisoner for transport to the capital city, Oshune. Their arrival will validate their religion and expose the non-believers for what they are.

Proof will destroy the heresy, led by Valad. Valad and his followers do not believe the ancient legends or religion and seek to destroy it every chance they get. Valad, as magistrate to the area, half-heartedly supports the Crown while at the same time seeking his own twisted pleasure. One pleasure he desperately wants is Thiele.

Thiele is one of the Learned Ones of the Knowledge Brokers. Her mental telepathy abilities are a bit stronger that others and she knows what Valad wants with her. She has no intention of being captured and forced to spend time with Valad. After discovering Leah, captive among the troops she decides that Leah needs rescuing from them. Thiele knows what Leah is and wants her to get away and return to her people.

But the rescue quickly runs awry, and Leah finds herself chased by Valad and his men as well as Matvar and his followers. Along the way, she will learn much and still wonder just how far she can trust Thiele and her people. But, alone, on an alien world with little hope of rescue by your own, you have to trust someone.

This is a very good novel with strong characters and vivid descriptions. Despite the fact that the five authors collaborated on this project together, it does not have the usual hallmarks of such an effort. The work flows seamlessly from chapter to chapter, scene to scene and it simply is not discernable who wrote what. An excellent novel and a very enjoyable read that I would recommend to almost anyone that has an interest in science fiction.