Rating: 
Summary: A Sheep Among Wolves
Review: The Moon's Shadow is the eighth novel in the Skolian Imperialate series, following Spherical Harmonic. In the preceding novels, the Skolians and Eubians have brought each other to their knees, Sauscony has rescued Jaibrol II and Althor and then fled under cover of an exploding decoy that convinces everyone that their shuttle has been destroyed, and Jaibrol III has exchanged himself for his uncle Eldrin and then has become the new Emperor of Eube (The Radiant Seas). Kelric has come back to Skolian space, is captured and enslaved as a provider by Eubians, but escapes to the Sphinx Sector Rim Base, where declares himself Imperator through the stolen Lock, disables it, and therein meets the new Eubian Emperor; he flees from the SSRB in a stolen ship to Spikedown outpost and then on to Earth with his consort-to-be, Jeejon, a former Eubian taskmaster (Ascendant Sun). Furthermore, the Allied Worlds have been driven away from the Valdoria homeworld by public pressure (The Quantum Rose) and the Ruby Pharoah, Dyhianna Selei, has come back from Hilbert Space, reclaimed her husband, Eldrin, from the Allied Worlds, and, in a military coup, taken the rule of Skolia, which she graciously shares with the Assembly (Spherical Harmonic). In this novel, these events are replayed from the point of view of Jai, the new Emperor of Eube, and extended further into the peace talks between the Eubians and Skolians. Jai has a difficult time adjusting to Eubian manners and customs, especially the habitual use of circumlocation in speech, but an even more difficult time withstanding the telepathic noise and empathic pressure of the Aristo minds. Corbal Xir, his cousin and the power behind the throne, learns to care for him, a breach of Aristo conduct, and tries to help him, even to the extent of being direct in his verbal responses. Tarquine Iquar, his Minister of Finance, also becomes his wife and likewise learns to care for him. Both assist him in another way, for their minds are much less noisy and pressuring than the other Aristos, thus providing a quiet and restful haven for Jai. While his associates are slowly becoming his friends, Jai is opposed by the Joint Commanders of the Eubean Space Command, Xirad Kaliga and Kryx Taratus, and by a rich conniver, Jaibrol Raziquon. These plotters kidnap providers, encourage disparaging rumors, and attempt assassinations. They are greatly helped by the way Jai responds to fine old Highton Aristo traditions, like transcending, large-scale extortion, and fraudulent provider sales. This series is like a jigsaw puzzle that is just now beginning to provide a glimpse of the whole picture. The early works seemed to be totally independent of each other, but are finally coming together. Nevertheless, there is surely more to come. Recommended for Asaro fans and anyone who enjoys romantic space opera within exotic -- and stressful -- cultures.
Rating:
Summary: A Sheep Among Wolves
Review: The Moon's Shadow is the eighth novel in the Skolian Imperialate series, following Spherical Harmonic. In the preceding novels, the Skolians and Eubians have brought each other to their knees, Sauscony has rescued Jaibrol II and Althor and then fled under cover of an exploding decoy that convinces everyone that their shuttle has been destroyed, and Jaibrol III has exchanged himself for his uncle Eldrin and then has become the new Emperor of Eube (The Radiant Seas). Kelric has come back to Skolian space, is captured and enslaved as a provider by Eubians, but escapes to the Sphinx Sector Rim Base, where declares himself Imperator through the stolen Lock, disables it, and therein meets the new Eubian Emperor; he flees from the SSRB in a stolen ship to Spikedown outpost and then on to Earth with his consort-to-be, Jeejon, a former Eubian taskmaster (Ascendant Sun). Furthermore, the Allied Worlds have been driven away from the Valdoria homeworld by public pressure (The Quantum Rose) and the Ruby Pharoah, Dyhianna Selei, has come back from Hilbert Space, reclaimed her husband, Eldrin, from the Allied Worlds, and, in a military coup, taken the rule of Skolia, which she graciously shares with the Assembly (Spherical Harmonic). In this novel, these events are replayed from the point of view of Jai, the new Emperor of Eube, and extended further into the peace talks between the Eubians and Skolians. Jai has a difficult time adjusting to Eubian manners and customs, especially the habitual use of circumlocation in speech, but an even more difficult time withstanding the telepathic noise and empathic pressure of the Aristo minds. Corbal Xir, his cousin and the power behind the throne, learns to care for him, a breach of Aristo conduct, and tries to help him, even to the extent of being direct in his verbal responses. Tarquine Iquar, his Minister of Finance, also becomes his wife and likewise learns to care for him. Both assist him in another way, for their minds are much less noisy and pressuring than the other Aristos, thus providing a quiet and restful haven for Jai. While his associates are slowly becoming his friends, Jai is opposed by the Joint Commanders of the Eubean Space Command, Xirad Kaliga and Kryx Taratus, and by a rich conniver, Jaibrol Raziquon. These plotters kidnap providers, encourage disparaging rumors, and attempt assassinations. They are greatly helped by the way Jai responds to fine old Highton Aristo traditions, like transcending, large-scale extortion, and fraudulent provider sales. This series is like a jigsaw puzzle that is just now beginning to provide a glimpse of the whole picture. The early works seemed to be totally independent of each other, but are finally coming together. Nevertheless, there is surely more to come. Recommended for Asaro fans and anyone who enjoys romantic space opera within exotic -- and stressful -- cultures.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Good Read
Review: This is one of the author's best of the Skolian saga books. I especially enjoyed the dialogue in this book - Asaro conveys fear, uncertainty, horror, anger, love with such a subtle touch that sometimes you feel as if you a part of the dialogue, and not just reading it. The diverse story lines from the books are coming together, with the suggestion at the end of this book that perhaps there can be peace (and maybe even reconciliation) between Skolia and Eube. How Asaro accomplishes that, given the "transcendence" issue, will be interesting to see. Only one complaint: The book was too short! Jai, Tarquine and Xir are delicious characters who we are just beginning to know when the book ends. I'm looking forward to the next installment (Skyfall) due in September.
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