They live in a world divided: in Elysium, on one side of the electro-magnetic Border, reign the Procurators and Reverands, descendants of early 21st Century power elites and those who aped them; on the other live the Freelanders, whose democratic city-colonies, including the lesbian settlement of Isis, have established a safe haven for social progress. Now, as the satellites that maintain the Border threaten to fail, all of Freeland is menaced by war with Elysium. The women of Isis refuse to wait idly for slaughter. Led by Tomyris Whitaker and her chief of staff -- and former lover -- Loy Chen, they are attempting to launch a mission to replace the deteriorating satellites that protect the Border. But General Medusa is convinced that a civilian task force cannot succeed in this critical mission and challenges their control. As Whitaker and Medusa play politics, sparks fly between the rival women they have each chosen to pilot the shuttle, Loy Chin and Major Mika Reno. But the crumbling Border satellites cannot wait for the orderly process of the Council, nor the disorderly love affairs as the women cling to what may be their last taste of freedom.On the ground, Whit`s partner, Kali Tyler, works frantically to restore the Border by revising the computer programs her mother created years ago to protect Freeland. As Whitaker and Kali leave one another, they are fired by memories of their own mothers` deaths in the previous attack on Isis, and by the desire to live in a free world where they can raise the child Kali is carrying. As love and duty become one, the lesbians of Isis risk their lives in a battle of wits and courage that will determine whether women will live free or die enslaved.
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Jean Stewart lives in the Pacific Northwest. This is her fourth Isis book.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pure Feminist Sci-Fi,
By Lesbian Reader (USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Winged Isis (Paperback)
A long time ago I gave up on feminist science fiction because the political correctness far outweighed its visionary aspects. The last such novel I enjoyed was book 3 of the Isis series. I didn't know I'd have to wait 5 years for book 4.I found this installment walking the fine line of feminist philosophy and good action/plotting. The women aren't either warriors or politicians, but a mix of both, and they aren't perfect. Their crisis is so intense that no one can just sit back and offer their input while others do the work -- it's put up or shut up time. Wonderfully, it's very clear from the ending that book 5 will be written soon. Kali needs Whit back. The love stories that interweaves the action is intense and the erotic content an extension of character development. Fans of the Isis series will like this one. Anyone hungry for a story about a community of women struggling, loving and surviving will like this one.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fast paced & exciting reading,
By
This review is from: Winged Isis (Paperback)
Winged Isis is a fast-paced, action story with a cliffhanger ending. Beginning six months after the close of Warriors of Isis, it follows Tomyris Whitaker -- Whit to her friends -- and her partner Kali Tyler as they struggle to protect their country from invasion. The satellite generated electro-magnetic shield between Freeland and Elysium has begun to fail. Thus the women of Freeland set about replacing the satellites. It is a race for time, as they also prepare to defend their young, prospering country from the Elysians. This is the story of Winged Isis. The post-pandemic world that Stewart has created is a lesbian feminist cross between King's The Stand and Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. Freeland, perhaps the most interesting presentation of a feminist democratic culture, is not a utopia. Views of how to implement their country's political goals vary greatly among the citizens. Power struggles are frustrating to Whit (and perhaps to the reader) as she is drawn into the complexities of governing. However, they have a ring of reality that echoes the struggles of many feminist, democratic organizations. Stewart is also unabashed in depicting Freeland's need for a military defense. Her exploration of how this woman centric society might go about creating and implementing this amazon military is thought provoking and insightful. Stewart's characters are complex and realistic. In their struggles to rebuild the colony of Isis and survive the threats of the Elysians, many of these woman find love and hope for a happy future. These characters grow and change over the course of the series. Winged Isis appears to be a pivotal, transition story within the series. For example: the shy, brillant Danu finds confidence and skill as a Warrior; Kali and Tor both explore their mystical strengths; while Kali and Whit anticipate the changes that their first daughter will bring to their lives. One might wish to read the first three Isis titles before Winged Isis, (... they are still available). The series as a whole is unique and enjoyable reading. However, it is not absolutely necessary to read them in order. Stewart provides enough context within Winged Isis to enjoy it alone. And there is a helpful glossary and character summary at the end of the book. Winged Isis is an exciting summer read. The series overall is thought provoking and lingers in this reader's mind. It's been five years since the third Isis story was released. Given the ending of Winged Isis, one hopes it will not be so long before the fifth novel comes our way.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fast pace--compelling characters--marvelous storytelling,
By Lori L. Lake "Author of Like Lovers Do, Buyer... (Portland, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Winged Isis (Paperback)
From 1992 to 1995, Jean Stewart published three speculative adventure/romance books about the women of Isis (Return to Isis, Isis Rising, and Warriors of Isis). Upon completion of that trilogy, it seemed that the story of the Isis society and the two main characters, Whit and Kali, was completed. Not so. Stewart surprises and delights with a new trilogy beginning with Winged Isis.The women of Isis live in Freeland, a democratic city-colony on one half of the U.S., which is protected by an invisible Border. On the other side is Elysium where religious fanatics, corrupt men, and the regulators, a Gestapo-type of police force live violent, miserable lives. The highly technological and deadly Elysium men want nothing more than to destroy Isis and take their resources, and only the Border shield powered from the satellites is stopping them. They have been kept out for over eight decades, but now the Border shows signs of decay and breakdown. Tomyris Whit Whitaker and her psychologically adept partner, Kali Tyler, are leaders in Isis who want to prevent disaster before the Border breaks down. The satellites which power the invisible shield must be repaired. But there is dissension in the ranks as well as treachery and sabotage. Can the satellites be repaired? And what sacrifices will be made? Kali is pregnant with their child. Will they manage to maintain a society that is safe for their unborn daughter and for all children? Or will they fall prey to the violent, fundamentalist Elysians? Jean Stewart has created a fascinating society that is especially interesting because harmony is not necessarily the state of affairs in Isis. Unlike many Utopias, the women of Isis disagree and fight about things, and power struggles are typical. The secondary characters are strong and fully fleshed out, and provide a worthy counterpoint to Kali and Whits struggles on behalf of Isis. Stewarts writing style is crisp and clear. She gives enough back story to thoroughly ground this new trilogy in the facts of the previous books without overwhelming the reader, and then she moves quickly into the meat of the conflict. Unlike many sci-fi/fantasy stories, the author doesnt resort to magic and highly fantastical tricks. The women in Isis are scientifically and psychologically gifted, and they use those talents as much as possible, but their society is not a world of sorcery and magicians. This places Stewarts work in its own special category: a hybrid of science fiction, adventure, and romance in a uniquely lesbian framework. Winged Isis has a complex plot, a fast pace, compelling characters, and a surprise ending that will leave the reader excited and ready for the next book in the series, which, one can only hope, will be published soon. Winged Isis is marvelous storytelling, and I give Stewart sincere kudos for bringing the women of Isis back to life again.
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