Customer Reviews

Righteous Anger: Part Two of the Okal Rel Saga

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RIGHTEOUS ANGER, the second book in Lynda Williams' Okal Rel Universe, highlights tensions between father and son. As we follow the son, Horth, on his journey we are drawn into a universe where Nesaks want to unite with Nersallians, English is a dead language, Amel is mind-raped by Reetions, soul-theft and man-rape occur. As always, Williams depicts duels convincingly and illustrates how tensions between houses are mirrored on the home front. The personal is political and the political is, in the end, personal as Horth has to decide what is really righteous anger and at what cost. The author maintains suspense and tension not only in each scene but also within and between characters. Like all good science fiction/fantasy authors, Williams gives us a lens to re-examine our world: "... he did not see how they could ever teach the Reetions to live within the limitations set by Okal Rel if they started by breaking their own laws to conquer them!" (292). Throughout the book, there are frequent reminders that there is a need to move beyond differences and determine what unites diverse groups.

In the Rel universe life and land are precious and warring is against accepted practice - differences are solved by duels fought by a single champion- and RIGHTEOUS ANGER provides the story of champion Horth, never accepted by either side of two warring houses. A fast-paced fantasy of action results.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Righteous Anger tells the story of Horth, a boy of few words unafraid to stand up for the principles he believes in. The story follows along with the dense and intriguing politics of the Okal Rel universe, told from the perspective of someone who doesn't understand the frivolities entwining everyone around him. As he grows and sharpens his clear, but unique sense of logic along with his sword-fighting abilities, Horth rises to the challenges of living both in the Empire's heart at Fountain Court and the religious fervour of San Home. This book's protagonist is like none other I've read, and it was refreshing, charming and exciting from start to finish. If you like actions that speak louder than words, you'll love this book.

People don't usually realize how difficult world-building in science fiction and fantasy is. The Okal Rel Saga is a perfect example of the complexity of the craft. Every detail is slotted and fitted like the cogs of an old timepiece, setting in motion a world with entirely unique qualities through a combination of genetics, culture, politics and space travel, but with a few uncomfortable similarities to our own. Although primarily science fiction involving intriguing concepts such as "reality skimming," it has certain aspects of fantasy--sword-fighting, for example--that make for an interesting blend. And because of its complex structure, it is not a novel to race through at blockbuster speed, but one to be sipped and savoured like a fine cappuccino.

The story begins with young Horth Nersal, the product of a union meant to unite two rival clans and put an end to war. Horth has a speech impediment, but makes up for this with a remarkable skill in battle, particularly in sword fights, which are the primary method in this society of settling differences. Lynda Williams skillfully portrays this character--his fears, his shame regarding his difficulty expressing his thoughts, yet the depth of intelligence and the strength of heart that exists within him. We follow his growth and increasing maturity, and often the lack of words is made up for with significant ones. In the end Horth will have to make a decision that may fundamentally change this world and break his own heart.

Space battles, sword fights, but ultimately a human story--a story that will resonate for years to come.

Lynda Williams' Okal Rel series has the uncanny ability to draw you in and hold you fast. The very worst thing about these books is that they are not all yet sitting on my shelf, completely finished, and ready to be absorbed again and again, beginning to end; end to beginning; and middle outward. It must be said that the richness and vibrancy of the entire universe Williams has created is so intricate and well-planned that sometimes, it takes a couple of readings to get your head completely around some of the sub-themes and off-screen action. That being said, each time you read one of these books, it's a different journey, a different experience; almost a different story.

Each Book in this series (Throne Price and The Courtesan Prince: Part One of the Okal Rel Saga (The Okal Rel Saga)) highlights a different aspect of life in Okal Rel. Each book draws you in completely. And the more books you read in this series, the greater your discovery becomes. You recognise characters from afar; you know things they don't know. You find yourself shouting out to warn the characters, "Don't do that! You don't understand!"

Perhaps Williams' greatest strength in Righteous Anger is her ability to truly portray characters from inside their own psyches, without sounding too narrative. She manages to 'show without telling', which is one of the most difficult tasks any writer can learn. She presents you, from the perspective of one character at a time, **entire universes**.

No slouch to action, Williams offers fisticuffs, swordfights, space battles, and the threat of another all-out war. Horth Nersal and his brothers must learn to recognise (and, in some cases, control and hide) their passions. In telling Horth's story from the time he is a toddler to the time he must shoulder the weight of many 'hearths' (and we hardly notice how fast the time flies!), the reader comes to understand that Okal Rel is much more than 'another fictional space-universe'. It becomes real. These characters must go on. And you must read their stories.

The second installment in the Okal Rel Saga, Righteous Anger is a compelling coming-of-age story with intergalactic repercussions. It follows the tribulations of Horth Nersal, a genetically enhanced Sevolite highborn. Affected by a speech impediment, young Horth compensates for his lack of verbal skill with an uncanny ability with the sword. In a society ruled by Sword Law, where disputes are settled by duels, such ability is a precious gift. One Horth must rely on for his survival.

The plot revolves around the uneasy coexistence between two races: the bioengineered Sevolites, whose strict rules of conduct are dictated by a theological doctrine and feudal rights, and the natural human Reetions, commoners who place their faith into science. When news of an abomination committed by the Reetions reaches the Sovelites, a conflict erupts and Horth is thrown in its midst. Faced with the prospect of war, young Horth must make a difficult decision, one that will not only affect his own life, but also the life of everyone he loves.

A well-crafted blend of swashbuckling fantasy and high-tech science fiction, this book is filled with action and drama. However, despite this adventurous side, Righteous Anger has a dark undertone. The story addresses the complex social and cultural issues associated with a universe torn by feudal conflicts and divided by genetic differences, titles, races, classes and ideologies. As such, this is the sort of tale that needs to be savored slowly, as it is the only way one can fully appreciate the intricacies of this far-reaching epic.

Williams creates a multi-layered culture that is detailed and compelling. Her accounts of cultural difference (ritual, sexuality, hierarchy, honour, allegiance, history, gender, family, etc.) make the text an act of negotiation and discovery for the peoples involved and the reader. SF, for me, is always about its political comment on the here and now and Williams does this in multiple and complex ways. There is a lot going on in this novel and series; it is a gratifying read for its intellectual engagement. Williams builds her universe around a unique combination of sword challenges (which are represented with great detail), space travel, cultural contact, and family ties. It will easily take ten books to fully explore this rich and expansive universe.