Banner of Souls [Paperback]

Liz Williams (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Tor; New Ed edition (2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330426907
• ISBN-13: 978-0330426909
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,850,292 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For those who delight in the truly strange..., May 1, 2005

By 

Nicole Lowery (WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Banner of Souls (Mass Market Paperback)

In this future world men are all but gone and the main characters are women -- and that is one of the least noteworthy things in a truly strange book. The settings span from the harsh landscape of Mars to the tiny pocket left of Earth to the nightmare depths of the galaxy. The stakes are no less than the fate of humanity. The characters are human, yet clearly alien. Her gothic themes are offset, however, by Williams's clear (and excellent) prose. Unlike most gothic fiction, there is no lugubrious writing -- or worse, language so dense (or just bad) that you can't even tell what is happening. If you like richly imagined science fiction by someone who knows how to write, pick up this book.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars powerful but bleak futuristic sci fi, September 29, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Banner of Souls (Mass Market Paperback)

In the far distant future, the surface of Earth is almost totally destroyed with most of the remaining survivors living under the sea. Mars is thriving, but few men live there and these are considered freaks. Women rule with an iron hand. Most people on Mars believe they are the mother planet and earth is the colony.

Martian warrior Dreams-of- War is sent to earth to guard a special child Lunae, who has the ability to shift through time. Yskaterina of Nightworld on the edge of the galaxy is sent to kill the child. The Kami scientists, who were able to separate mind from body, want human hosts so that they can explore the physical realm again. Lunae tries to stop them while Dreams-of War and Yskaterina fight to the death over the only person who can save humanity in the war that might be coming.

In BANNER OF SOULS earth is a bleak place with no hope for much of a future while Mars feels optimistic about is outlook. There are various subplots that add complexity to the tale and at times make it difficult to follow, but each one enhances the prime theme as they seamlessly merge into the story line. The characters are incredible as they are believable products of their environment coming from varying societies so that though the reader may not understand motivations, we can comprehend that consistency of each key player as decisions are made from a respective societal values' set. Futuristic sci fi fans will appreciate this powerful novel.

Harriet Klausner

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best sci-fi I've read in a long time, July 21, 2005

By 

Megan N. Woodrum "quiet bookworm" (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Banner of Souls (Mass Market Paperback)

This is one of the best books in general I've read in a very long time. It's hard to find original fantasy or science fiction anymore, but this book is not only original, it's deeply engrossing. There are so many small details that make this book more than just a good story, including the slightly Asian flavor. The characters are brilliant and vivid; even now, months later, they're still stuck in my mind. This is a brilliant gem of a novel.