<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Can't wait for Number 3
Review: ***********************The Crimson Claw A Review by Bob Berry I picked up "The Golden One", along with several other books in a store going out of business. It sat around for months while I read the other books. I finally started to read it and about half way through decided I needed Books 2 & 3 right away. I found Book 2, "The Crimson Claw", but much to my surprise Book 3 hasn't been published yet! I finished "The Golden One", and thought, "I'll save "The Crimson Claw" and wait until I get Book 3 to read it", as I hate to be left hanging, waiting for the next book in a series to be published. That thought lasted at least two days after I finished the "Golden One". So, now I have almost finished "The Crimson Claw" and I don't even know if Deborah Chester has started writing Book 3! If you read these reviews, Deborah, please respond with a timetable for your third installment. Since Lucasfilms is associated with this, could we also be in for a real treat in the form of a "Star Wars" type saga once Book 3 is complete? That would be wonderful! One thing I have noticed in the first two books. Deborah Chester has reversed the scale of beauty and ugly. If you go to the Alien Chronicles web site you will see a picture of Israi, the "beautiful" Viis princess. Beauty most certainly is in the eye of the beholder! These books carry another message, one that history teaches also. Governments usually fall due to corruption from within. Although the Viis Empire has not fallen yet, it is on the brink, and all that is needed to give it that final push is a rebel force, ("Star Wars" again). It appears that Ampris is that rebel force. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I can't wait for the third book. Please hurry, Deborah! You may not wish to print this last comment, but I will make it anyway. It might be helpful for some of your reviewers to type their reviews on a word processor with a spelling and grammar checker and then cut and paste their completed review into your review space. I grew up in an era where spelling and grammar were more important than they appear to be now. Using a spelling and grammar checker might expose your reviewers to some of the more common misteaks (Ha Ha), and their reviews would be much more readable. Thank you Amazon.com for providing us with an opportunity to present our thoughts to others.
Rating: 
Summary: Great read! Can't wait for the third volume.
Review: Better than the first in the trilogy, I read this book in two sittings. This book focuses on both Ampris and the Sri-Kaa, but I found myself growing bored with the scenes of palace intrigue which interrupt the more-compelling Ampris story line. The Viis empire starts to fall apart towards the end of this end of this novel, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion in the third book. My only other complaints are that the rescue scene at the end of the book felt rather contrived, and that too many scenes are left without detail, where depictions of gore and trauma would have made for a more vivid picture, at the risk of making the book unsuitable for younger readers.
Rating:
Summary: It better than I expected......
Review: I have a bad habit of reading books out of order. The reason being my local library doesn't contain certain volumes. Even though, I started with this volume I felt as though I didn't miss a beat. When reading this book I felt that this world is waiting to be discovered and I have to say I'm proud to be one of the few that discovered it. Ms Chester has a unique way of drawing you in and wow, I felt like I was in entirely different universe which separated itself from anything out there. The whole infrastructure of the Viis empire and community was interesting. The Viis being superior to any race out there gave you an understanding of how Ambris felt. She felt supressed and seeking out a way for every race to feel equal. Even though she was a slave turned famous gladiator she stayed true to who she was and what she believed. No mattered what had happened to her especially when she gave birth to genetically experimented children she still believed in the greater good of things. Everything in this book shows how Debra Chester had great depth of knowledge of this universe. So now goes on my search for part one and part three.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book, only one question
Review: I was reading the golden one when I thought crosses my mind. Would Elrabin meet Ampris in the arena? But as I read the second I found that untrue. My question is, in book number one it says Elrabin was sold to the Utar Dan gladitory school. How did he end up a servant for Sir Galard and the blues? That's my only question. Otherwise both books are great! I can't put them down. In Homeroom, Language Arts. You name it I read it there. Hopefully after the trilogy you will keep writing your amazing and wonderful Alien Chronicles
Rating:
Summary: More Than Just Science-Fiction!!
Review: The Alien Chronicles by Deborah Chester are among the finest books I have ever read. The journey that the characters undergo is so epic and far-reaching that once you experience them, you will feel as though you have lived an entire life within this alien universe. The characters are well-defined, rich and provocative. The story itself is so much more than what it seems to be. Even though those living within these tales are fantasy species with abnormal customs, they are so unbelievably human. The trilogy revolves around the quest for freedom. The abiru -- a race of slaves who possess no rights whatsoever -- are considered greatly lesser than their Viis superiors. They are beaten, sold and killed at the whim of their owners, echoing the horror of our own history of human slavery. The oppression of the Viis leads to in-fighting and betrayal amongst the abiru, making it nearly immpossible to trust another untouchable. But even amongst this reign of distrust lies the hope of long-lasting, beautiful frienships -- as demonstrated by the wily Kelth thief (Elrabin) and the lovely and powerful Auron pet/gladiator (Ampris). The bond that develops between them is almost instantaneous even though it takes Elrabin years to realize how much Ampris means to him. They share a sort of unrequited platonic love. Unrequited in that it's not what they say to each other but what they do for each other. There are also strong antagonists, from the fear driven mad-gladiator Ylea to the tempermental spoiled sri-Kaa Israi (whose ascension to power is far from pretty). She is such a fantastically written villian that you will find yourself wanting to jump inside the book and slap her silly. The decisions she and those before her make in regards to the abiru are often times disturbing and haunting. (The period Ampris spends in the medical testing facility of Vaas Vess is particularly horrifying.) In summation, this book she be heralded as so much more than dime store science/fiction. It should be placed among books such as 1984 and Animal Farm. I know I will be recommending this book to everyone I meet henceforth. Even those who would never think of picking up a science fiction novel. Deborah Chester should be lauded immensely.
<< 1 >>
| 
