Customer Reviews

Harmony

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Harmony is a rip-roaring fantasy/science fiction/space opera. It is full of twists and turns. It contains mystery and a touch of romance. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going the author threw in a new twist. With great characters, a well constructed plot and a well though out universe this is a book science fiction readers should not miss. . I was sorry to see the book end and was glad to see on C.F. Bentley's web site that this is the first book in a new series. Enigma, the next book, is due out in August of 2009.

I don't have time to write a long review, but I started reading this book figuring I would read for a few minutes and then go clean the kitchen. Well, the kitchen will have to get cleaned tonight because I spent the rest of last night completely engrossed in this book. I was enthralled and read the book through to the last page. When I read the last word I was dissapointed; how could the book end?! I want more!! (although I suppose it's a good thing that it did end otherwise I would not have gotten any sleep last night at all!) All I can hope now is that there will be a sequal and the author does not take too long to write it. While this book was satisfying in and of itself, it left lots of room for more. So, please CF Bentley I need more!!!

This book touched me in so many ways a that fantasy/ sci-fi book usually does not.

Sissy feeling in tune to the crystals of the planet Harmony is only the beginning of the journey. Even she does not know what her gift mean. She is born a lower class then the priestesses whom she now lives with and they do not know what to make of her but only know of the prophecy of a child born with call caste/or marking of class. This person is Sissy. A girl who doesn't want the the responsibilities that come with her power with Harmony because she doesn't feel good enough.

Then there is Jake a guy down on his luck. Likely to be killed unless he does what he is told by people with power from another planet. they want what is special to Harmony. A Crystal or metal made on the planet. Jake pretend to be someone on Harmony and find his destiny lies with Sissy. Together they find truths about Harmony and themselves.

I found the fantasy of this story That melded into truths we don't see and the lies that are told to hide the truths to be and inspiring read. As Sissy and Jake fight for the family they have made they bring hope to Harmony. I am eager to know what happens in the sequel to this book which is called Enigma.

A wonderful story, I couldn't put it down. A writer who knows how to weave a good story, such a rare thing nowadays.You care about the characters, you want to know more about them. Definitely a book to get for yourself.

Chaos is the operative word in outer space in the distant future. The Human Confederate Star System (CSS) is at war with the Marillon Empire, which controls numerous avian based inhabitants. Harmony and its colony plants have closed itself from the rest of the universe; refusing to allow their orbs to be polluted. However the two confrontational empires will not allow the Harmony Empire to remain neutral because both hostile sides need Badger Metal only produced on Harmony; that metal makes navigating and communicating much easier in hyperspace.

When a quake hits a Harmony factory, worker Sissy sings to the core of the planet to stop the tremors from reoccurring. She gives voice to the prophecy and comes to the attention of the High Priest Gregor, who seeks a new High Priestess since the incumbent just died in the quake. The people adore Sissy for the changes she is bringing to a world that thrives on status quo to a dangerous fault. Jake, a CSS agent, hopes to exploit her and steal the Badger Metal formula. Instead he finds himself in love risking his life and mission to protect Sissy from assassins who might be local traitors supporting the Maril he anticipates will soon invade. However, when Sissy learns the true history of her planet, she vows to break the strangling caste system in order to save her people by retuning to what the founders hoped for their future.

This stand alone space opera is exciting and filled with action, but caste (pun intended) driven. Readers obtain a full spectrum of the political, economic, cultural and social engines that run the harmonic Empire. Sissy is the glue who holds the story line together as a lowly Worker caste becomes the Temple High Priestess; she and readers learn on the job what she is supposed to perform and as important what to do regarding the future threat to and the ancient history of the planet. A bright star in the outer space galaxy of science fiction, C.F. Bentley provides a strong tale.

Harriet Klausner

Everything that takes place on the planet Harmony is amazing writing. Truly well done. The only problems are at the begining with some of the offplanet action. Very stilted and poorly written.

Once you get past the first few chapters the book really comes to life.

The book captured my attention as soon as I started reading it. It has adventure, love, compassion and food for thought regarding our connection to the planet Earth. When I finished it, I came immediately online to see if I could get more from this author.

This author does a great job of world building and the characters are well developed. It i s a great read

Good writing, good characterization, good plotting. However, the artificial / invented religion at the core of the story doesn't "ring true." It's a femme thing, all crystals and resonance and singing, not believable as the foundation stone for a recognizably human social order.

Gene Wolfe did a far better job of creating a credible artificial religion in his Book of the Long Sun, where the "deities" were the personalities of the corporate leaders responsible for creating a generation ship, transcribed into the main computer. Yet the saga begins when the protagonist, Patera Silk, suddenly encounters "the Outsider," One who exists apart from the created order.

O. S. Card's faih is well-displayed in his Return to Earth series, a retelling of the Book of Mormon. The characters in these stories have an affectionate and pious relationship with a man-made, deteriorating deity.

When Bently tried to use the same teabag for a second brew, the novel Enigma, the flavor became even more insipid.