Asaro, Catherine
THE MOON'S SHADOW
Catherine Asaro
TOR 2003
Hardback 478 pages
ISBN# 0-765-30425-2
Astrophysicist Asaro never ceases to entertain. Each of her books are yummy, easy reads, supporting not only first class science-fiction, but also first class romance. Though The Moon's Shadow does stand alone, it is recommended the reader get a running start on this story about Jaibriol Qox III, to better understand the universe that demands so much of this seventeen-year-old. The story of his parents--each one a ruler of opposing empires (think Romeo & Juliet)--is told in Primary Inversion followed by The Radiant Seas. And the rompingly good adventures of Jabriol's uncle Kelric (a major player in this story) is told in The Last Hawk followed by Ascendant Sun. [All four books reviewed this site.]
If you are new to The Saga of The Skolian Empire, here is a brief: You are now several thousand years into the future. Humanity has expanded to the stars, and is ruled by three empires. The Allieds on Earth, the Skolians--with their rare and treasured empathic telepaths--, and the Eubians who are called Traders by the others because they trade in slavery (captured Skolians). The Skolians and the Traders have been at war off and on for a very long time. Humanity has changed into variant qualities so diverse that many Eubians (the elite Aristos) have developed a physical attribute which enables them to enjoy adding to their wealthy and hedonistic lives, the torture of telepathic Skolians--what they call transcending. The Eubians don't want to give up this treasure, and the Skolians find it an abhorrence. So you see, that even in this high-tech universe of faster-than-light travel [FTL explained best in The Radiant Seas] the idea of peace is anathema.
In The Moon's Shadow, the oldest son of the unknown and fateful union between the universe's two greatest leaders realizes that he can no longer remain in exile if there is ever to be any hope of peace. It is the end of the Radiant War and both Skolia and Eube have lost their leader. The Kyle Web [instant communication between the stars] is down. The Allieds on Earth are trying to help, but this problem is too big for them. Jai steps to his father's throne in Eube, knowing the price it will cost him. To be constantly surrounded by partially transcending Aristo's is physically painful to Jai. At least being emperor he can claim eccentricity for remaining at a distance. Of course that doesn't last forever. Oh no. Jai quickly uses his telepathy and wit to ascertain which members of his staff are safest to work around. And those members become loyal to him even when they begin to suspect the incredible secret of who his mother might have been.
Jai has more problems than his telepathic vulnerability. Peace talks should being with the Skolian Empire now that Kelric is Imperator. But both civilizations have internal problems that endanger any potential of peace. As the Ruby Dynasty reasserts itself, Jai has to contend with continued assassination attempts from his own military commanders. He finds unusual help when he forces Kelric's old lover to become his empress.
An enjoyable read. Rate it a ten out of ten. And on a side note, you may wonder--as did I--why the book is named The Moon's Shadow. Well, for starters we need to remember that the author is a very intelligent lady, so the answer (of course) isn't a simple one. [I am constantly amazed that this astrophysicist's fiction isn't boring.] So, in the back of the book, Ms. Asaro has an "Author's Note" on "The Moons of Glory" --that's the planet from where Jai rules the Eubian Empire. In this Note, Ms Asaro explains the astrophysics behind these twelve moons (now she sounds like a scientist) and then she goes on to explain how a moon makes a shadow by its passage between the sun and the planet it orbits, which causes an eclipse. Now none of this really explains the title . . . or does it? Asaro finalizes this Note with a challenge to her readers to figure it out from here. Okay, I accept the challenge. Though she did add that there are multiple explanations, this is what I came up with: In Ascendant Sun, Kelric was the symbol of the sun. So, if Kelric--now the new leader of Skolia--is the sun whose light travels all the way to the planet Glory, well then, Jai is a moon (symbolically) of the Eubian Empire. He isn't yet the center (planet/society) because he's just stepped up to the Carnelian Throne, and ruling an enormous and ancient empire is no easy task--heck, it's nearly impossible! So, if Kelric is the sun, and Jai the moon, then The Moon's Shadow would be the incredible tides and changes that Jai exerts on Eubian society because of his Skolian heritage. --I'd be curious to know what other people come up with....
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