Fortune's Wheel (Sholan Alliance) [Paperback]

Lisanne Norman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Sholan Alliance | Publication Date: August 1, 1995

Joining forces when their planets are threatened by a mutual enemy, telepaths Carrie of the Terran colony planet Keiss and Kusas of the Sholan Clan are thrust into interstellar conflict when opposing factions on their own worlds decide to exploit their shared power. Original.

Product Details

• Paperback: 656 pages
• Publisher: DAW (August 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0886776759
• ISBN-13: 978-0886776756
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #653,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on 15th February, destined, according to my mother, to be a Valentine present for my father.

"Strong-willed, independent, a whirlwind, a dreamer, she lives in another world." These phrases followed me around from my earliest days. They were partly right: I had grander plans than a world, though, I was all ready creating the universe of the Sholan Alliance, where magic, Warriors, and science all co-exist.

Following my dreams, and the sun, I moved to the USA 5 years ago. I live in a menagerie and am owned by 2 cats, Ramesses and Bast, and a very furry dog called Domino.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Sholan Side, January 22, 2003

By 

Arthur W. Jordin (Smyrna, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fortune's Wheel (Sholan Alliance) (Paperback)

Fortune's Wheel is the second novel in the Sholan Alliance series, following Turning Point. In the previous volume, Kusac uses illusion to get Carrie and himself into the Valtegan base to use their transmitter to alert the Khalossa, the Sholan mothership. After Carrie and Kusac enter the base, his Sholan shipmates and the Keissan resistance attack the Valtegan base as a distraction. Once the message is sent, the attackers destroy as much of the base as possible, including the main antennas, to preclude the Valtegans from detecting the approach of the Khalossa.

In this novel, the Khalossa and other Sholan warships attack the Valtegan bases on Keiss and free the colony. The Sholans then initiate first contact negotiations with the humans on Keiss and on Terra itself.

Carrie and Kusac have become a Leska Link couple, the first such pairing between different species. A Leska Link forms a deep telepathic bond between telepaths, but the link between Carrie and Kusac is much deeper than normal, allowing them to be constantly aware of each other's thoughts and capable of forming a gestalt with amazing powers. Moreover, both Carrie and Kusac can fight and kill, normally an impossibility for Sholan telepaths.

The Leska Link must be consummated by sexual intercourse and the bond must be reinforced by sexual intimacy about every five days so that Contact Deprivation does not cause them to fall into a coma and die. Carry is unaware of the needs of a Leska Link couple, is intimidated by the strength of the lust aroused by the bond, and is shamed by the contempt of her fellow humans. She tries to avoid contact with Kusac and he just waits for nature to take its course. They both are close to death before their friends become aware of the problem and bring them together.

The news of the mixed species Leska bond causes a furor on the Khalossa. When Kusac attacks a human taunting Carrie, the Captain informs Alien Relations, who discover that Kusac is the son of their head, Konis Aldatan, and heir to Clan Aldatan.

This novel dwells on the conflicts that occur between Carrie and Kusac despite the strong attraction of their link and the ability to perceive each others deepest thoughts. Carrie has the most problems with their relationship, but Kusac is also prone to misunderstandings; after all, they are alien to each other.

Recommended for Norman fans and anyone who enjoys stories with strong characterization and interpersonal development.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GRIPPING JOURNEY INTO ALIEN SOCIETY, June 26, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Fortune's Wheel (Sholan Alliance) (Paperback)

THE BRILLIANT FOLLOWUP TO TURNING POINT IS FORTUNE'S WHEEL. NORMAN IS A SUPERIOR WORLD-BUILDER THAT REMINDS ME OF CHERRYH AND BRIN. YOU REALLY BEGIN TO CARE ABOUT CARRIS AND KUSAC AND THEIR WORLD. I ALSO WAS FASCINATED BY THE SHOLAN CULTURE. NORMAN NOVEL IS FILLED WITH ENOUGH ACTION INTRIGUE AND ROMANCE TO SATSIFY ANY SF FAN.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating look at human/alien relationships., August 10, 1995

By A Customer

This review is from: Fortune's Wheel (Sholan Alliance) (Paperback)

In this book, the sequel to _Turning Point_, Lisanne Norman explores the relationships and culture of the characters from _Turning Point_. It's a fascinating look at the possible relationship between humans and an alien species. The only problem I have with it is the complexity that the author is trying to get across doesn't always work; there are points in the story where it's quite easy to get completely lost. However, it *is* quite a good novel, with some wonderfully humourous scenes, as well as a number of very touching ones. Recommended.