Customer Reviews

Dark Nadir (Sholan Alliance)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

"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.

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

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!

From reading previous reviews, it obvious that one either loves or hates the story. I am one of the hooked ones. I found the whole series enjoyable and devoured them all eagerly. The first book went rather slowly however, the characters and the "Alliance" have been nicely filled out with subsequent novels. I eagerly await the next "installment" and hope it will not be too long in the creation. Is there any information on when another book is planned?

"Dark Nadir" continues the ongoing saga of several groups of aliens -- humans, one bug-like, two cat-like, etc. This book is fragmented into some two dozen different point of view plotlines, all of which presume that the reader has read (and remembers clearly) the previous books. Near as I could tell, most of these numerous plotlines had very little in common with each other. Readers who (like me) have a hazy memory of "yeah I read that other book" will be completely lost.

Look, I really enjoyed Norman's first book in this series -- it was an outstanding novel. Before you purchase this book, I highly recommend you go back to that first book and work your way through the series.

This is a very good book. Carrie, Kaid and Kusac make great main heroes but the seemingly lost of Kusac's powers threw me for a loop. The cubs will a group to watch for in the future. So, I have hoping there are future books. Also the tissue samples that was taken could led to some very strange things to happen.

I've just finished a marathon reading of the first six books in Lisanne Norman's Sholan Alliance series and have only one question for her: Why did you have to keep the main characters in so much pain?
The storyline is good, the writing is good, the characters are good, just why could there not have been more happiness throughout the series? I am well aware of the need for tension/conflict, etc., and so forth in any good work of fiction, it is just that I find my overall impression of the series as so depressing that, at this time, I'm not sure if I want to read the next one. I don't think I really want to know how Norman can hurt the characters even more.

Ms. Norman has written yet another entertaining novel that you'll hate to put down, or worse, reach the end of. All the books of the Sholan Alliance are good and very entertaining. (You should start with the first one, if you're interested in them. Warning: they are an addiction.)

For aspiring writers, they can serve as a guide to how "it" is done. This is melodrama, and it follows Murphy's golden rule: if something can go wrong, some onnery character will do the wrong thing and make it go wrong. Ms. Norman's characters are individuals, even the least of them. And, by goodness, they are very opinionated and pig-headed, just like your neighbors and your boss. It is very difficult to figure out what will happen next. This story is an adventure, and it's always surprising.

I maintain a top ten list of all the books I've ever read. Though the Sholan Alliance books cannot be mistaken for literature, either SF or mainstream, they are good, very good. With Dark Nadir, Ms. Norman's Sholan Alliance series has cracked my top ten list. I can't wait for her next book!

this is one heck of a book. the end left me wanting more and more. i don't judge a book by its cover but by its words. she makes it easy to under stand and get me hanged up. i was disapointed at the fact the next book is still being made. i stayed up reading when i was supposed to be asleep because i have collage and i stayed up till 4 am only to get hanged. it is an awsom book. I say "off with the one's head who says otherwise." LOL

Lisanne Norman has captured the attention of the Sci-fi world. The Sholoan Alliance Series ranks right up there with Anne McCaffrey Rowan Series. I look forward to the next book in the series. Any Idea when it will be out? I have got to know what happens to Kusac, Kaid, and Carrie.