12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you've enjoyed the series so far, don't miss this one!, February 15, 1999
This review is from: Dark Nadir (Sholan Alliance) (Mass Market Paperback)
"Dark Nadir" is the fifth book in the Sholan Alliance series, which I highly recommend. The series should be read in order, since each book builds heavily upon characters and situations introduced in previous volumes (the first four, in order, are "Turning Point", "Fortune's Wheel", "Fire Margins" and "Razor's Edge").
"Dark Nadir" provides enough new and interesting situations to differentiate itself from the previous books, particularly in the primary plot thread involving the main characters Carrie, Kusac and Kaid. There are plenty of surprises in store - I particularly enjoyed the role taken on by Brynne Stevens. And, as the title suggests, the book has some dark moments to rival those in "Fire Margins", the darkest of the previous books, but it also has its share of lighter moments. And it resolves some (but not all) of the open plot threads left over from "Razor's Edge" while leaving a few new ones to be addressed in later books (there is at least one more book forthcoming in the series). The series as a whole is heavy on character building, relationships, even a fair dose of romance, though never at the expense of plot. This is still largely true, but "Dark Nadir" is more plot-driven than its predecessors.
All things considered, "Dark Nadir" is a worthy continuation to a fine series.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Struggle of Wills, January 24, 2003
This review is from: Dark Nadir (Sholan Alliance) (Mass Market Paperback)
Dark Nadir is the fifth novel in the Sholan Alliance series, following Razor's Edge. The initial work in this series is
Turning Point.
In the previous volume, Captain Tirak of the U'Churian ship, the Rryuk's Profit, has encountered a mixed leska pair at the Chemerian home world. The two had been kidnapped by the Valtegans, rescued by the Chemerians, and then refused permission to leave Chemeria. Carrie and Kusac have ejected the abrasive leader of the archaeology team from their estate at the request of the Touibans, another species in the Sholan Alliance.
Later, Carrie, Kusac, Kaid and their team have have infiltrated the spaceport on Jalna in the Chemerian ship Hkariyashi and have rescued most of the Keissans and Sholans. However, Carrie has been badly wounded and both Carrie and Kusac have been placed in cyro pods on the Rryuk's Profit. Then the Hkariyashi and the Profit departed for the Chemerian home world, leaving the spaceport in the hands of their Jalnian ally, Lord Tarolyn.
On Shola, General Kezule has escaped in order to force Carrie and Kusac to return him to his own time. He has killed Zhyaf during the escape, causing Mara to start to die with her leska partner; Vanna, however, has managed to save Mara's life by transferring the leska link to Josh. Esken has been struck down with a heart seizure and has resigned as Master of the Telepaths Guild; Sorli has been selected to replace him.
In this novel, the Sholan ship Rhijissoh travels to Jalna to institute first contact negotiations. Onboard the Rryuk's Profit, Kaid meets the ship's navigators, a Carraban sept, for the first time. Kaid and Tirak exchange information and determine that both the Sholan Alliance and the Free Traders have been greatly deceived by the Chemerians. Then, the Profit is attacked by a Valtegan ship M,ijikk, which is commanded by the former Overlord of Keiss, M'ezozakk. Since this former Overlord had tortured and killed Carrie's twin sister, Eloise, Kaid ejects both cyro pods to protect Carrie and Kuzac from the Valtegans.
This novel expands the number of species directly involved in the action. Some have been previously mentioned as part of the Sholan Alliance and others are part of the newly discovered Free Traders. The novel also introduces a new set of Valtegans, the Primes.
I have to admit that I am becoming confused over the personal and species names, not to mention the numerous ships. I can always figure it out after a while, but it distracts from the story. Maybe Norman could add an appendix or two for us memory challenged types.
Recommended for all Norman fans and anyone who enjoys tales of personal and interpersonal development in a SF setting.
-Arthur W. Jordin
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An exciting addition to a great series!, February 24, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Dark Nadir (Sholan Alliance) (Mass Market Paperback)
Lisanne Norman's Sholan series is one of the most engrossing I have ever read. Dark Nadir is just as engrossing as the rest of the series. It has a huge cast of characters with multiple and complex plot lines. Often in a book with that many characters, I have a few favorites and get frustrated when they arn't the focus and read quickly ahead to get back to them. All of Norman's characters are interesting and involving. I didn't even mind that so much of this book was not focused on the orignal characters of Carrie and Kusac. For great characters and world building as well as lots of romance and adventure, I highly recommend the Sholan series. I will be waiting anxiously for the next installment!
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