Rating: 
Summary: A little too extreme...
Review: A note that I would give this book a 2.5 Stars if that were an option.I first became fascinated by Sheri S. Tepper's writing after reading the surreal _Singer From the Sea._ I first heard about this book mentioned in reviews of Singer. Let me just say that it's not nearly as fascinatingly-written as Singer was, and several scenes of sadomasochism (among other gross items) rather ruined a good deal of it. The plot is good enough but the beginning skips around a lot. There's several subplots and sub-major characters that don't all come together until ¾ of the book is over and done with. I did enjoy the reversed society where women are more important than men. That's definitely something of a "new" concept. Over all, read this only if you don't mind occasionally disturbing scenes. If you really want to read a good book by Sheri S. Tepper, I'd suggest _Singer From the Sea._
Rating: 
Summary: A good read, and a twist on familiar themes
Review: A twist on Tepper's familiar theme that men are awful to women -- here, the women are in charge, and the men are (at least somewhat) oppressed. The male hero is appealing; I find it interesting that in general Tepper's heros are more interesting and likeable than her heroines, who seem to always be fighting their own self doubts along with whatever else assails them. This book reminds me of A.S.Byatt's _The Babel Tower_, which provides a more disturbing and literary treatment of some of the same themes. Also, tho I enjoyed this book I found Tepper's _The Singer from the Sea_ even more compelling and vivid.
Rating: 
Summary: come prepared to think and have patience
Review: A well written book with an engaging plot and some fine twists towards the end. Very evenly written, but not for the impatient. The author leaves multiple trails of breadcrumbs, all of which you must follow for the plot to fully blossom. After my first reading, I immediately turned back to page one and started over, to savor consistency and complexity that I could only taste briefly on the first reading. Tepper provides a lot of information about the history of gender interactions and why we think the way we do, which I found quite believable and interesting. (but, being of an age where Women's Studies classes were not commonly available in college, I don't know whether this is WS101 or BS101) She occasionally slips into pedantry, as in her other books, but in this novel she does it by introducing too many superfluous characters, which, while moderately interesting on their own, ultimately exist only to pass on the information, rather than advance the story. Despite this drawback, which is actually pretty minor since the characters themselves and their cultures can be pretty intriguing, I found this book engaging enough for me to go hunting for a hardback copy for my personal library. Approach it with some patience and you will find it rewarding.
Rating:
Summary: come prepared to think and have patience
Review: A well written book with an engaging plot and some fine twists towards the end. Very evenly written, but not for the impatient. The author leaves multiple trails of breadcrumbs, all of which you must follow for the plot to fully blossom. After my first reading, I immediately turned back to page one and started over, to savor consistency and complexity that I could only taste briefly on the first reading. Tepper provides a lot of information about the history of gender interactions and why we think the way we do, which I found quite believable and interesting. (but, being of an age where Women's Studies classes were not commonly available in college, I don't know whether this is WS101 or BS101) She occasionally slips into pedantry, as in her other books, but in this novel she does it by introducing too many superfluous characters, which, while moderately interesting on their own, ultimately exist only to pass on the information, rather than advance the story. Despite this drawback, which is actually pretty minor since the characters themselves and their cultures can be pretty intriguing, I found this book engaging enough for me to go hunting for a hardback copy for my personal library. Approach it with some patience and you will find it rewarding.
Rating:
Summary: Was "Grass" greener? This new novel is Tepper at her best.
Review: After a less-than-superb detour into eco-fiction with "Family Tree" Sheri returns to her science fiction roots with "Six Moon Dance." It has a suitably complicated plot with interestingly interwined characters,a topsy-turvey social structure and plenty of Sheri's surprises. This novel will please longtime Tepper readers. I believe it's her best effort since "Grass."
Rating:
Summary: Superb...
Review: An answer to the grimly misogynistic cultures in Raising the Stones, and similar in theme to her early Lands of the True Game/Jinian series, this astonishing novel weaves together a society that no matter how flawed, works. She also lampoons society rather viciously, sometimes amusingly, sometimes very darkly.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I actually really enjoyed this book for a while, the ideas presented were stimulating and thought provoking and the characters were, for the most part, interesting. But the story lost something towards the end. As if the author didn't know how to express what she wanted to say. The ending itself was extremely disappointing, I've rarely felt so let down by a book as I was by this one.
Rating:
Summary: Not just another sci-fi novel...
Review: I am a Tepper fan, and as usual, Sherri delivers the goods. While it does tend to stress the same themes as some of her other novels that I've read, it makes you THINK...and I firmly believe that some of Madame's lectures (especially "stories women tell") should be required reading and discussing for prepubescent teenage girls...how I wish someone had explained this stuff to me as calmly, clearly, and without the religious hype when I was that age. This one is a keeper.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting ideas, but did not engage...
Review: I found this book, which I picked up mainly on the basis on the interesting gender reversal idea alluded to in other books, to be oddly disappointing. Why? Well, for one, there are so many characters who are not always well-developed. It is hard to get involved with a story, when the myriads of half-developed characters get in the way. I was constantly referring to the introductory list of characters to identify who is what. Having said that, I have to agree that there were some fantastic ideas and themes in this story, especially the concept of the invisible people, who are not quite what they seem - even at the beginning. The sociology of the planet is extremely interesting, and I could wish that I had seen a "normal" family (normal for Newholme, that is) at work. We have references to the unusual families of Mouche and Calvy (two of the many interesting male characters) but those families are hardly typical, or are they? Personally, I felt that there was so much going on in this novel that the author would have done better by expanding this novel into a group of books based on Newholme. I was not worried by the use of many familiar stock characters and plot devices in science fiction; after all, what really matters is what a good author does with the standard plot. In conclusion, this is a good novel, and an enjoyable read on Sunday afternoon. It is not however a keeper, and I changed my mind about buying it (after having borrowed it from the library).
Rating:
Summary: Maybe this is Tepper's best book yet!
Review: I love most of Sheri Tepper's books. But I keep going back and re-reading this one over and over. It's just fascinating! The plot involves a planet with some DEEP problems; earthquakes, mysterious monsters, a virus that kills 1 of about 2 girl babies at birth, and worst of all, a visit pending from the Questioner; a robotic device designed to make sure all sentient planets are in compliance with "human" rights laws. OR ELSE! The society on Newholme is downright strange; men wear veils so their faces won't excite lust in women. Women are the dominant sex; they go for high bride prices and the birth of daughters is a cause for celebration. They make or break a family fortune. Every man gets to father his own genetic line, that is, if he can afford a wife. And so that women are not just chattel, when they are finished with their procreative contracts, they are free to hire consorts, or trained companions of the opposite sex. Consorts are fantasy men, who dance, know wines, duel gallantly (but mostly harmlessly) and accompany their patronesses to cultural events, plus give them the love and companionship missing in their contractual marriages. Married men are free to conduct business and need not spend the time to pleasure their wives. Everyone gets something they want. But all is not totally peachy on Newholme and this forms a very inventive plot for a cast of very diverse and interesting characters. This is one fun and interesting book. I think it's one of the most inventive science fiction novels in years and it is fun to read. Don't miss it.
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