Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable read, but a bit complex to pick up.
Review: Having just completed the book, I will start out by saying I did read the whole book, and I did enjoy it. I would caution readers that if you are like me and haven't read the first books, it might be better to start there. As previously mentioned in another review, there are a LOT of relationships discussed in this book. I felt a little overwhelmed (and almost started drawing diagrams) trying to keep track of all the characters! There are at least 19 names encountered after going through the prologue and first five pages of Chapter One (and there are many more introduced later....). There are many references that I presume are to the previous books, which sometimes left me trying to puzzle out what happened and how it related to the current book. Some things were never really explained, with inferences merely by the number of references including Gestalt (a noun, telepath gene mutating virus perhaps), the nature of the Terran/Sholan governments and the exchange program, the 'Alliance', time travel, and so forth. I was also frustrated in several loose ends that did not conclude within the book, clearly to be taken up by yet another in the series (which does not appear to exist yet). The current book does have some thought provoking looks at various situations. A few situations are just plain frightening if you really consider what you are reading. While there is almost no actual combat in the book, there is a war going on and some truly horrific choices are made. The frightening part is that it is so plausible. The tone of the book is softened by the bulk of day to day interactions which don't involve the military neccessities. A lot of the conflict that occurs in the book is a result of various relationships. Some working out better than others. Most of the relationships have considerable thought, insight, and character decision wrapped into the story. But there are exceptions. I was somewhat reminded of Elfquest and the 'recognition' that Pini's elves have in that some of the relationships are thrust on the characters as a result of the telepathic abilities they possess. There are lots of little culteral differences between Sholan and human characters, but their similarities to humans outweigh their differences. The Sholans we are presented with in this book seem to have adapted to humans overall (a comparison would be humans and vulcans from Star Trek, they are different but not truly alien or all that incomprehensible). Many of the characters are likable, with distinct variations and personalities. Throughout the two evenings I read the book, my interest was maintained in many of the core characters (and the host of additional characters making appearances). I would recommend reading the book AFTER reading the first ones. I enjoyed the book, but I think it will all be much clearer when I am done with the first ones. Dale Allen
Rating: 
Summary: For the love of God....
Review: I ask myself "Why do I keep reading these damn books?" At #4 the plot only seems to get worse with each book. This book was practicaly an exact copy of the last one. A big, long, convoluted and seemingly pointless build up to a "climax," only this time instead of going back in time (groan) they go on a rescue mission. However the mission doesn't seem to be that important since it's rushed through and paid little attention. There are so many other events in the book that are drawn out into excruciating detail that you'd expect a little more drama and excitment when it came time for the big fanale, right? Let's get to the basics. The soap opera continues as far as the characters go. Carrie's character is so far removed from the first book that it might as well not even be her. SHe's very passive and has lost all of her pasion and vigor. Kusac's more of the same character he's always been, no real change here. Kaid... I'm just sick of this guy. After all he went through in the last book even to the point were he softened and acted like a decent, likable guy, he completely relapses back to his cold blooded killer mode from the second book. Yes he lightens up some, but it's just really annoying to go through all of this AGAIN when the exact same thing happened in "Fire Margins." Vanna and Garas are practically no shows, which is too bad because I liked their storyline. The same with Kusac's parants - they're barely in it at all. The new character I liked was Rezac - I liked his story better than anyone else in the book simply because he was a real dynamic character. He was much more interesting and complex than all the rest. The three-way Leska mumbo jumbo is silly, as is the rescue mission itself. It never seems as if it couldn't have been anyone to do it. Just like in "Fire Margins," there was a lot of fuss about how important it was that these characters do these things, but it's never maid clear WHY it MUST be them. One starts to question Sholan society after awhile. Do they drink anything besides c'shar? Isn't there a Sholan Coke? Or how about just water? Then there's the sex, and while, yes, I enjoy a good sex scene or two, but really... Everyone is having sex all the time. I think that every female character ends up pregnant, literally. And since the Sholans are just a big planet full of swingers sharing themselves with just about anyone, it's amazing that the whole planet wasn't wiped out by a STD at some point in time. The problem I have is the same reason I haven't been able to stop reading these things - It never ends. Seriously, there have not been four books. There has only been one huge 2000 page book divided into smaller, easier to read segments. One picks right up where the last one left off as if it were meerly a page break. Stuff from one book is brought up but not resolved until the next one, like in this book with the excruciatingly long and drawn out subplot with General Kezule which obviously won't be dealt with till the next book. These cliffhanger endings are total cheap shots. These books should be half as long as they are. But I'll probably keep reading the damn things. I've come this far, so why not. I still genuenly like most of the characters even if the story is ludicrous and stipid at times. This book would rate higher if it had been better writen and the plot held more firmly together, but as of now the only thing saving this whole series are the characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Men beware, the whole book is about relationships.
Review: I don't want to get into a men vs women thing here but this whole book is about relationships and most men (being the insensitive brutes that we are) will be bored to tears. I couldn't finish it. It is rare that I can't finish a book.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book
Review: I have read every single book in the series and I loved all of them. My only regret is that Carrie is not shown to be possesed of any offenssive talents(ie. telekinesis, pyrokinesis...). Her mani talents all seem rather useless in any combat situations. Perhaps Ms. Norman will develop more hidden talents in the next book in the series. Also as with her other books in the series the complex relationships inherent in the storyline did become somewhat tedious and only minorly detracted from my enjoyment of the book On a different note Ms. Norman has posted a message on her webpage saying the next book will be called Dark Nadir and she is in the process of writing it.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic!!!
Review: I have read some of the other reviews on this book and was really shocked! Well here it is! I loved the charactors and the plot.So many times I read a book and think, "Is this all there is? What happened to-Whoever or whatever? Very few authors have the Guts to carry a storyline this many booksand still have me pre-ording the next one as soon as it comes out!-and rereading the prior books to more enjoy the new book! Lisanne- Please keep the books coming! These books in your Sholon series reminds me of the phrase,"Where do you want to go today?" They are a lovely escape for a quiet moment to relive stress and bring a smile! Keep Up The Good Work!
Rating:
Summary: Continuing the story
Review: I love the worlds and the plots. She continues to intrigue me with new questions and great books!
Rating:
Summary: Continuing the story
Review: I love the worlds and the plots. She continues to intrigue me with new questions and great books!
Rating: 
Summary: I'm surprised!
Review: I think it was only the morbid facination with this series that made me pick up "Razor's Edge" and read it after torturing myself by finishing "Fire Margins". Though this book is the most sex-filled out of the first four it didn't bother me like it normally would. This one was actually sort of intersting. Though the poor pacing, poor editing, and rushed ending would be enough for me to give it two stars I had to give this one three just because I actually enjoyed it. Lisanne did a good job of developing the Sholan race and introduced several characters that were fun to read about like Rezac, Zashou, and Josh. The major part that I was really annoyed by was when Carrie and the other's reactions to Derwent. Though it's obvious the guy is a weirdo Lisanne didn't make a good enough case to warrent their hostile reaction towards him. She's had characters react like this in the previous books as if she's trying to thump some theme onto the reader a little to hard. If you like anthropological sci-fi and don't mind a light, fluffy, sex-filled soap opera you might like this book. It's just to bad you have to read the first three to have this one make much sence.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: I'm also a little surprised by some of the negative comments. I have read the first four books in this series in a week and a half -- I just couldn't put them down! The only reason laundry is getting done is because I done yet have the next one... You definitely need to start at the beginning, though. This series is not one of those where you can pick up a book in the middle of the series and have any idea what's going on. It's more like one really long book -- don't expect things to be resolved at the end of each book. Yes, there is a lot about relationships. Yes, there is love and romance. So what? There is also political intrigue. And just enough mystery. I'm sick of SF books which are so technical you need an engineering degree to have a clue about what is going on. There are a lot of characters, but if you start with the first book, they are introduced slowly so it's not confusing. Bottom line: I haven't been sucked this deeply into a series since...well, ever. I can't wait until I get the next one!
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: I'm also a little surprised by some of the negative comments. I have read the first four books in this series in a week and a half -- I just couldn't put them down! The only reason laundry is getting done is because I done yet have the next one... You definitely need to start at the beginning, though. This series is not one of those where you can pick up a book in the middle of the series and have any idea what's going on. It's more like one really long book -- don't expect things to be resolved at the end of each book. Yes, there is a lot about relationships. Yes, there is love and romance. So what? There is also political intrigue. And just enough mystery. I'm sick of SF books which are so technical you need an engineering degree to have a clue about what is going on. There are a lot of characters, but if you start with the first book, they are introduced slowly so it's not confusing. Bottom line: I haven't been sucked this deeply into a series since...well, ever. I can't wait until I get the next one!
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