Rating: 
Summary: Major Disappointment
Review: After her previous books I bought this one without a second thought. But the story dragged (and it isn't that long a story) with boring people doing boring things for no apparent reason. Eghak.I will, of course, buy her next novel without question, hoping for a return to form.
Rating: 
Summary: Avalanche soldier - for the non-mainstream
Review: Another excellent book, though not in the same venue that one would expect from her previous works. After reading this, I was struck by the total focus of the book upon the primary character. Everything seems to come from Salli's perspective, even though none of the story-telling is in the first person. You're caught up in the changes of her life as if it were her telling you the story itself. In that regard, I see it as being non-mainstream, leaving the safe beaten track that some authors tend to tread, with different elements and persons all interconnecting for their "share" of the story. In this case, those elements and people are just portions of the total story, and that story is Salli. Susan doesn't pull any punches here, just like her previous books. Her characters don't have quick easy fixes in their lives and not everyone lives happily ever-after as they struggle to survive and move on amidst the forces at work around them. Nothing is set in stone, life is malleable and moves on of its own accord whether the character wants it to or not. That of itself makes the characters more believable, more real and more dimensional - and therefore, a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Avalanche soldier - for the non-mainstream
Review: Another excellent book, though not in the same venue that one would expect from her previous works. After reading this, I was struck by the total focus of the book upon the primary character. Everything seems to come from Salli's perspective, even though none of the story-telling is in the first person. You're caught up in the changes of her life as if it were her telling you the story itself. In that regard, I see it as being non-mainstream, leaving the safe beaten track that some authors tend to tread, with different elements and persons all interconnecting for their "share" of the story. In this case, those elements and people are just portions of the total story, and that story is Salli. Susan doesn't pull any punches here, just like her previous books. Her characters don't have quick easy fixes in their lives and not everyone lives happily ever-after as they struggle to survive and move on amidst the forces at work around them. Nothing is set in stone, life is malleable and moves on of its own accord whether the character wants it to or not. That of itself makes the characters more believable, more real and more dimensional - and therefore, a good read.
Rating: 
Summary: Science Fiction or Literature?
Review: As with her other books, _Avalance Soldier_ can only be classified as science fiction because of its setting. This is an excellent study into the psychology of the convert and the inner workings of a religious organization with a charismatic leader. Ms. Matthews has a powerful way with language, simple to read, but complex in tone. Her books touch on the dark side that resides in us all, but with a liberal sprinkling of humanity and emotion that makes it much easier to bear. _Avalance Soldier_ is less dark than _Exchange of Hostages_, _Prisoner of Conscience_ or _Hour of Judgement_, but also of the same high calibur of writing.
Rating:
Summary: Science Fiction or Literature?
Review: As with her other books, _Avalance Soldier_ can only be classified as science fiction because of its setting. This is an excellent study into the psychology of the convert and the inner workings of a religious organization with a charismatic leader. Ms. Matthews has a powerful way with language, simple to read, but complex in tone. Her books touch on the dark side that resides in us all, but with a liberal sprinkling of humanity and emotion that makes it much easier to bear. _Avalance Soldier_ is less dark than _Exchange of Hostages_, _Prisoner of Conscience_ or _Hour of Judgement_, but also of the same high calibur of writing.
Rating:
Summary: Avalanche Soldier
Review: I bought Avalanche Soldier without giving it second thought sure in the knowledge that, since it was written by Susan Matthews, it would be good. Unfortunately, I am very dissapointed: this book is not in the same class as her extraordinary Anrej Koscuisko series (An exchange of Hostages; Prisoner of Conscience; Hour of Judgment). The story takes place on a planet with a confusing religious system and a violent society stratified due to poor quality scientific assumptions. The plot revolves around a religious teacher, Varrick, who is held by many, including the heroine, Salli, to be the prophecied "Holy One," but who belatedly insists she is just another teacher. This religious leader claims to be divinely inspired, but at the same time, denies divinity; she works miracles, both spiritual and physical, while having at the heart of her dogma the premise that the days of miracles are past, in spite of the prophecies she expounds. Varrick is a dissapointment, if only because of the great expectations I had for her. I did like the Holy Fool, however. The protagonist, Salli, is a nice enough lady, a member of a paramilitary force/forest ranger organization that patrols the mountains, rescues lost hikers, and stops terrorists all in a single bound. It was never quite clear why there were so many terrorists, but Salli is good at what she does, until she stops doing it to go AWOL to chase after her empty headed brother the cop and jerk first class. I guess the career didn't mean much to her after all. If the religious side of the story wasn't quite convincing, the career side should have been easier to pull off. No such luck. As to the relationships between the characters, Salli and her brother Meeka start out simple enough, but their relationship grows absurd towards the end without adequate explanation. The kinda sorta unrequited love angle is nice, but the story is very unsatisfying with a big letdown at the end. I suppose a sequel is possible, but..., why bother? This blooper probably won't stop me from buying Ms. Matthews' next book: she does have great talent, but I will be more cautious the next time.
Rating:
Summary: And Where Were You When the Savior Came?
Review: I have to weigh in on this one. It pushed a lot of buttons, and it's surprising to me that it hasn't pushed a lot more. It's not as jump up and down on your sensibilities disturbing as the Koskuisko books, no. The subject matter, though, is just as harsh. This book is excellent, and worth pressing on anyone having a struggle with the notion of the divine. Avalanche Soldier doesn't feel as involved as the Andrej Koskuisku (I apologize if I've murdered the spelling) books. On the other hand, I was really impressed. Religion is not an easy subject to even begin to touch. Salli's experience of conversion and faith is powerful and convincing. As someone who chases the ghost of faith around the kitchen table now and again, and has some fairly strict theological notions (and you just try fitting that into one head on one night!), watching Salli deal with both faith and doubt in the context of a divided and stratified society was fascinating. Salli, the viewpoint character is straightforward. Maybe a little unsubtle, and just sketched in on some levels. Yet I found her experience of faith convincing and powerful. The final decision she makes is tearing, and (emphasis) it's the right one. The only real quibble with this was the cop-out, of Varrick declaring herself to be "just another teacher." The denoument would have been stronger without it, and also, from where I'm sitting, it felt like a pro-active ducking of the more doctrinaire believers. This is worth your money.
Rating:
Summary: An intriguing angle on another difficult subject
Review: I liked the question this book tackled. What we think and feel about religious beliefs as a society and how such ideas can grow out of social and scientific events that have nothing to do -- originally -- with religion. It's a passionate subject, which Matthews presents from a dispassionate side. It's an unfamiliar fit but I wonder if it isn't deliberately done? The Andrej books compelled people to identify with a passionate character no matter how much they fought against it. I learned that I could like a man I despised. And the shared passion was enjoyable. Here, where I would feel comfortable with passion (even assume it these days), Matthews doesn't employ it, forcing me to look at the subject matter more objectively. I agree that the story could have been longer. But, I think it's a good read. I'll be interested in seeing what tack Matthews takes in the next book (and I look forward to another Kosciusko book).
Rating: 
Summary: not up to matthews' usual standards
Review: I've read all of Susan Matthews' other novels and eagerly await the next one. I knew that since her last novel had just come out in early 99 it was unlikely she'd have another so soon. However, I was delighted to find that she had published Avalanche Soldier. Unfortunately, this one is far below the previous books that feature her torturer-physician, Alexi whatever his last name is. The Hour of Judgment, Exchange of Hostages and the other one, I can't think of the title, are excellent. Alexi is an enigmatic character--compassionate, brutal, tender;he is a delight to read about. I've always admired Matthews' ability to make this complex character so sympathetic. I also admire her creation and portrayal of the Byzantine, highly political, manipulative society that he tries to function in. Her writing is superb in these novels--shocking, surprising, wrenching--I like her ability to portray rigidly restrained emotions. Her characters are unpredictable and even when they are not particularly sympathetic, they are fascinating. Avalanche Soldier is a stolid, boring, predictable book. I was very disappointed in it and look forward to Matthews' return to the series that features Alexi and his difficult yet fascinating profession. The characters in Avalanche Soldiers are especially disappointing. They are are one-dimensional, the plot is predictable--the whole thing is simply dreary and ordinary. I think the most irritating thing about the book is its unbelievably naive main character. Her inflexible ideas expressed at the beginning of the novel are obviously naive and Matthews doesn't try to conceal how stupid she is from the reader. There's something disingenuous about Matthews' attitude toward her main character. I couldn't identify with her or feel empathy for her. This book is bereft of irony, there are no surprises, no fun. I can't figure out how someone who could write the previous books she has published could write such drivel. If you like Matthews' work, wait for the next novel featuring Alexi. I wish I had.
Rating:
Summary: not up to matthews' usual standards
Review: I've read all of Susan Matthews' other novels and eagerly await the next one. I knew that since her last novel had just come out in early 99 it was unlikely she'd have another so soon. However, I was delighted to find that she had published Avalanche Soldier. Unfortunately, this one is far below the previous books that feature her torturer-physician, Alexi whatever his last name is. The Hour of Judgment, Exchange of Hostages and the other one, I can't think of the title, are excellent. Alexi is an enigmatic character--compassionate, brutal, tender;he is a delight to read about. I've always admired Matthews' ability to make this complex character so sympathetic. I also admire her creation and portrayal of the Byzantine, highly political, manipulative society that he tries to function in. Her writing is superb in these novels--shocking, surprising, wrenching--I like her ability to portray rigidly restrained emotions. Her characters are unpredictable and even when they are not particularly sympathetic, they are fascinating. Avalanche Soldier is a stolid, boring, predictable book. I was very disappointed in it and look forward to Matthews' return to the series that features Alexi and his difficult yet fascinating profession. The characters in Avalanche Soldiers are especially disappointing. They are are one-dimensional, the plot is predictable--the whole thing is simply dreary and ordinary. I think the most irritating thing about the book is its unbelievably naive main character. Her inflexible ideas expressed at the beginning of the novel are obviously naive and Matthews doesn't try to conceal how stupid she is from the reader. There's something disingenuous about Matthews' attitude toward her main character. I couldn't identify with her or feel empathy for her. This book is bereft of irony, there are no surprises, no fun. I can't figure out how someone who could write the previous books she has published could write such drivel. If you like Matthews' work, wait for the next novel featuring Alexi. I wish I had.
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