Ecolitan Prime

Rating:
Summary: The Economics of Empire
Review: Ecolitan Prime is an omnibus edition of the third and fourth novels in The Ecolitan Matter series according to the internal chronology. It includes The Ecologic Envoy and The Ecolitan Enigma.

Four centuries have passed since the Accordan Secession. Terra still bears the scars of ecological damage and the small planetary population seldom leaves the underground warrens. However, the Empire has otherwise recovered from the war and the Imperial navy has grown even stronger. Now the Empire has mostly assumed that Accord is no longer a major force in the galaxy and has started taking action to recover its former territory beyond the Rift, first subduing Haversol and then asking for tariff revisions in the trade with Accord.

In The Ecologic Envoy (1986), Ecolitan Professor Nathaniel Firstborne Whaler is appointed as Trade Envoy and sent to New Augusta. There he survives several assassination attempts and cordial, but frustrating discussions with Imperial bureaucrats. Then he has an interesting luncheon meeting with Sylvia Ferro-Maine, a former Imperial Intelligence agent and currently a member of Senator Helmsworth's staff, and they exchange a few truths.

In The Ecolitan Enigma (1997), Whaler returns to Accord in the company of Sylvia Ferro-Maine, who is promptly admitted as a Professor at the Ecolitan Institute. Shortly thereafter, the Institute is asked to conduct a study of the infrastructure economics of Artos, one of the New Avalon colony planets. The request seems strange, but the Institute has reasons of its own to allow the study. Whaler and Sylvia travel to Artos. After several so-called accidents, the Ecolitans begin to see a pattern in the local economy that indicates civil war. Meanwhile, the Empire is suffering from some form of ecological warfare and is close to going to war with Accord.

These stories involve Whaler and Sylvia in interstellar intrigue both within and without the boundaries of the Empire. Whaler and, in the latter novel, Sylvia are the center of numerous violent attacks. Whaler and Sylvia avoid major injury and death only by a combination of skill and luck.

In their spare time, Whaler and Sylvia discuss their personal conflicts and work out means of blending their solitary lives into a partnership. Whaler has a tendency to take charge of situations, but Sylvia has a better feel for relationships. Both must contribute if they are to solve these political dilemmas.

Highly recommended for Modesitt fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of political chicanery, military maneuvering, and public investigations together with a budding romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Rating:
Summary: The Economics of Empire
Review: Ecolitan Prime is an omnibus edition of the third and fourth novels in The Ecolitan Matter series according to the internal chronology. It includes The Ecologic Envoy and The Ecolitan Enigma.

Four centuries have passed since the Accordan Secession. Terra still bears the scars of ecological damage and the small planetary population seldom leaves the underground warrens. However, the Empire has otherwise recovered from the war and the Imperial navy has grown even stronger. Now the Empire has mostly assumed that Accord is no longer a major force in the galaxy and has started taking action to recover its former territory beyond the Rift, first subduing Haversol and then asking for tariff revisions in the trade with Accord.

In The Ecologic Envoy (1986), Ecolitan Professor Nathaniel Firstborne Whaler is appointed as Trade Envoy and sent to New Augusta. There he survives several assassination attempts and cordial, but frustrating discussions with Imperial bureaucrats. Then he has an interesting luncheon meeting with Sylvia Ferro-Maine, a former Imperial Intelligence agent and currently a member of Senator Helmsworth's staff, and they exchange a few truths.

In The Ecolitan Enigma (1997), Whaler returns to Accord in the company of Sylvia Ferro-Maine, who is promptly admitted as a Professor at the Ecolitan Institute. Shortly thereafter, the Institute is asked to conduct a study of the infrastructure economics of Artos, one of the New Avalon colony planets. The request seems strange, but the Institute has reasons of its own to allow the study. Whaler and Sylvia travel to Artos. After several so-called accidents, the Ecolitans begin to see a pattern in the local economy that indicates civil war. Meanwhile, the Empire is suffering from some form of ecological warfare and is close to going to war with Accord.

These stories involve Whaler and Sylvia in interstellar intrigue both within and without the boundaries of the Empire. Whaler and, in the latter novel, Sylvia are the center of numerous violent attacks. Whaler and Sylvia avoid major injury and death only by a combination of skill and luck.

In their spare time, Whaler and Sylvia discuss their personal conflicts and work out means of blending their solitary lives into a partnership. Whaler has a tendency to take charge of situations, but Sylvia has a better feel for relationships. Both must contribute if they are to solve these political dilemmas.

Highly recommended for Modesitt fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of political chicanery, military maneuvering, and public investigations together with a budding romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin