2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
A book to avoid, August 2, 2008
This review is from: No Sister Of Mine (Paperback)
In the prologue of "No Sister Of Mine" we are introduced to the two main societies involved in the book. There is a humanoid species called Autlach, in a solar system previous colonized by humans with whom they have interbred. They have a religious and patriarchal society where females are taught subservience from birth. According to their religion sins were evidenced by the birth of an albino child. The interbreeding with humans resulted in the appearance of 'pale, blue-eyed, sterile and telepathic' daughters, Taelachs, which in the past have been persecuted as witches. However, Taelachs rediscovered human technology and are now more powerful than the Autlach which are regarded by them as inferior. This, in spite of Taelach being children that are removed at birth from their Autlach parents. An invasion by the Iralians, a reptile Autlach/Taelach eating species, has made the Taelach and Autlach uncomfortable allies.
My first issue with the book started with a phrase on page 2 of the prologue: 'In that generation, a recessive human gene made itself known, producing a mutation when present in both parents'. I detest when people don't make the effort to write the science right. Unfortunately, this small issue was just a prelude for what would come afterwards. Regarding both the Autlach and Taelach societies, they are shown in a very superficial way which makes for the reader a difficult task in visualizing it. I found a lot of things incongruent. For instance, using scrolls in a society that is technologically advanced and has spaceships. The excuse used by the author regarding this use does not ring as plausible. Then, more important things. An initial description of both societies is given in the prologue and in the beginning of the story. However, the Autlach characters in the book are quite nice and certainly not what should be expected in a misogynist society. On the contrary, the Taelach, which we expect from the original description to be a more developed society, are a female/female copy of the male/female gender roles of the Autlach society originally described and they resort to violence against each other, including rape. G'Fellers seems to be advocating that a female only society will behave as a male/female society at its worse.
The plot is very simple, full of clichés and thus completely predictable. The story starts when a LaRenna, a young Taelach, following her graduation accepts a post as third Kimshee. Kimshees are the Taelachs which have as mission to interact with Autlach and discover when a new Taelach is being born. We have LaRenna's commanding officer, Krell who almost immediately discovers that LaRenna is "The One". She has telepathic powers as never seen before. But, most importantly, LaRenna, unlike all those sterile Taelachs, is a "true female" (It can be easily guessed where this will take the plot...). Also, Krell and LaRenna fall in love at first telepathic interaction. Of course, predictably, Krell has commitment issues, so the book does not end there. Then, we have the two rogue evil Taelach, who have escaped from prison and are making a deal with an Iralian. They have been localized and Krell sends LaRenna undercover as an Autlach to confirm they are at the place where they already know they are. LaRenna gets caught by the evil ones on the next day, but her special telepathy is not useful at this point because it is still too soon to finish the book. Actually, until the end of the book, her telepathy only functions as needed to prolong the plot. Of course there is even some deus ex-machina situation where "The One" discovers she has extra powers when everything seemed lost for her. Also worth mentioning are the two-dimensional characters and the terrible dialogues: an accumulation of clichéd phrases. A book to avoid.
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2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Strong worldbuilding, good writing, July 21, 2006
This review is from: No Sister Of Mine (Paperback)
G'Feller's first book, "No Sister of Mine", shines as a well-constructed SF book with a lesbian protagonist. The author does not let the romance aspect overshadow the thrill and adventure of an SF story, yet the romance is integral to the story. G'Fellers manages to create an intense love story beneath a thrilling tale of culture clash, terror, and revenge. Even the villian is fascinating and terrifying.
This is not a tale for the squeemish. Bad things happen in this tale, but it is by far one of the best in its genre and well-deserving of the 2006 Goldie award (SF category), finalist status for the Lambda Literary Foundation SF award, and nominated for a Gaylactic Spectrum Award.
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3 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
new author, great story, can't wait for more, May 7, 2005
This review is from: No Sister Of Mine (Paperback)
Lesbian Science Fiction doesn't come around often, but Jeanne G'Fellers' first novel is well worth the wait. No Sister of Mine is a fast paced, edge-of-your-seat far-future romp that will leave the reader breathless and wanting more.
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