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Summary: A New Talent, Reminiscent of Norton
Review: Julie Czerneda's great first novel is strongly reminiscent of Andre Norton, a Grand Master at producing science fiction that blends harrowing plots, colorful evocations of complex societies, deftly sketched aliens, strong heroines, and overtones of things mysterious and magical. All of those elements are present in A Thousand Words for Stranger. There's also an intermittent shading of Harlequin Romance, another road Norton's been known to travel. In fact, some of the smallest narrative touches in Stranger seem like an intentional salute to Norton's influence. The story, however, is all Czerneda.After a scene-setting, if somewhat foot-dragging, prologue, Stranger's protagonist hits the ground running. Literally. No past, no identity, no friends or kin, all she has to guide her are a series of inner compulsions: stay hidden, find the right ship, get off-planet. She knows she's in trouble even before the first bad guys put the snatch on her, but not how or why. Only her non-personal knowledge remains intact. Driven by her compulsions, she hooks up with Jason Morgan, independent trader and captain of the Silver Fox. He's been paid by the Clan, her people, to keep her safe until a rendezvous can be arranged. Morgan knows her name, Sira, and that some kind of protective mental shield has blocked off her recollection of self. Inner compulsions give way to interplanetary hounding by various known and unknown parties. No longer sure where safety lies, it's all Morgan and Sira can do to stay ahead of the pack. To complicate matters further, new and different compulsions regarding Morgan become increasingly personal and intense for Sira. A bond forms between the pair that has nothing to do with mere physical attraction. What's really going on? Is there any way out that won't get either of them killed? Who's responsible for sending Sira into danger at all? And why to Morgan in particular? As the answers finally fall into place, there are surprises all around. Stranger alternates Sira's first-person narration with third-person accounts of key characters on her trail. Czerneda's writing is creatively gifted and technically proficient. Someone's done a good job of purging most grammar, spelling, and similar errors. There are some very minor storyline flaws, easily overlooked in the general richness of detail. In fact, if there's a complaint to be made here at all, it's about information overload. The Trade Pact Universe is vivid and realistic. The Clan has its own complex and ritualistic culture separate from the mainstream. The story is full of shadowy political maneuvering and plots within plots. Without careful attention, it's easy to lose track of the finer points. That's a complaint most readers will be more than willing to live with. Stranger is the first of a trilogy. Czerneda's set herself a very high bar to clear with the remaining two books.
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Summary: This is one of the best books I've read in a long long time!
Review: Not since reading the hobbit in 1968 have I found a book more entertaining. I hope she makes this a series. This lady knows how to tell a story. I was sorry it ended. Read it in one sitting.
Rating: 
Summary: For a first book...not bad at all.
Review: Now this is an interesting book, especially for a first time sci-fi writer. The author creates an interesting and detailed universe as well as interesting characters in it. Granted, some of the lead characters are fairly typical (for example, the lead male character is a bit of a Han Solo clone), and the plot starts with a familiar hook (the lead female character has amnesia, and can't remember any details of her past). But as the story unfolds, I found myself interested in finding out where it was going (and any book that keeps me turning the pages to find out where it going is a good book in my mind). A couple of complaints though; this book starts a little slow and predictable, and the ending is a bit muddled (however, I hope that any confusion from the ending will be cleared up with the sequel...). Overall, a good effort for an initial novel, and well worth a read.
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Summary: Disjointed and disappointing
Review: Overall this book suffered too much from the main character's amnesia. As has been stated, Sira spent most of her time being pushed from place to place, with little to no control over her situation, or understanding of how or why she might control it. Her amnesia, rather than drawing the reader in, hindered the story's development, leaving the reader with a sense of lurching along like a drunk leaving a bar with no sense of where they might end up, nor a sense of which way to take the next step. When she finally obtained control, it was much too late in the book. The denoument left me rather disappointed. Sira Morgan had spent the bulk of the book being built up as a shell that would be discarded. When that shell was discarded, the book ended in a single page, with no sense of what had been hinted at all throughout the book. And all the events, deep and subtle, that led up to the climax were uncovered much too quickly, and then left hanging with the end of the book. It was a neat explanation, but one that was done too quickly to satisfy. Any number of analogies unsuitable for publication here suggest themselves to mind. The reader is left to fill these in with their inagination. While the book worked on a number of fronts, that is the story was compelling, the cultures described were sufficiently different to cause an interest in seeing more and the characters interesting, the execution itself was rather disjointed and disappointing. The author certainly seems to have the potential to tell a good story. This is not it though.
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Summary: Slow to start, but great in the end.
Review: Sira has lost her memory. All she know are the strange compulsions that urge her toward one man, Captain Jason Morgan. She soon finds out that she is a pawn in a bigger game. There are people out to get her from every angle, and it seem there is no one she can trust. A Thousand Words for Stranger is Julie E. Czerneda's first book. She has done a great job. My only problem with this title, is the fact that it starts out so slow. You really have to struggle to get through the first five chapters, but after that it's a great ride. I would reccommend this book, but sit down and read the first five chapters all at once, so you won't give up on the book.
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Summary: Fast-paced SF adventure set in a multi-species universe.
Review: Sira is on the run from the law, her own kind, and those who would use her for their own ends. It would help if she knew who to trust. It would really help if she knew who and what she was
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Summary: Highy entertaining SF with a telepathic twist...
Review: Sira remembers nearly nothing of who she is, only that she has a fierce feeling that human telepath Jason Morgan can keep her alive. Running from a people she doesn't know, and finding that her time with Jason is far from unpleasant, this SF story takes a unique play on the often over-done "amnesia heroine," and breathes a breath of fresh air back into the idea. Sira and Jason's telepathic abilities form a core storyline to the plot, whereas their personalities and character development make it a worthwhile read. Who suppressed Sira's memories? The answer will definitely bring a big smile to your face, and is probably the best "amnesia" scenerio I've ever read! The aliens and technology don't overpower the story, nor do the telepathic abilities. The introduction of the "M'hir," a dimension where an alien race with telepathic abilities can travel from one part in the physical universe to another, is very well crafted, and has some interesting connotations for sequels in this series. If you like character-driven SF, give this one a shot. 'Nathan
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Summary: Reasonable Intro to a space opera series
Review: The author made a solid attempt to unfold the mystery of the origin of the protagonists "ailment", as it wound around the main thread of the plot. The combination of first person narrative and third person perspective was helpful in understanding the protagonists shift. Nonetheless it took a long time to warm up to the characters. In fact some of the characters were hard to relate to and yet they had key roles in crucial turning points of the story. I wish the suthor had spent more time in the supermarket/ space station. The subplots and conspiracies didn't feel important enough. Nonetheless I will continue with the series, as I consider it to be promising.
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Summary: Savour slowly or devour voraciously, but don't miss it!
Review: This book does start a little slowly, but the characters are well-drawn, multi-dimensional and very engaging; they and their universe, and this one of their stories, complex and interesting. The plot is, as mentioned, full of twists and surprises; once my interest was caught I could not put it down until I reached the very satisfactory conclusion, at which point I really just wanted to turn around and read it again! However, I think I'll return the library's book and make myself wait until I can get my own copy...
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Summary: Very interesting, thought-provoking, and engrossing
Review: This book is very interesting and it is worth reading. The characters are written very well, and you really feel like you know them by the end of the book. The plot is well done, and you just can't put this book down!
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