From archive (archive)
Subject: Book Reaction - Lear's Daughters
From: HOGENCAM@WILLIAMS.BITNET
Date: 16 Mar 87 18:46:58 GMT




                                Book Reaction


                        The Wave and the Flame
                            Part 1 of Lear's Daughters
                                   &
                        Reign of Fire
                            Part 2 of Lear's Daughters
                                both by M. Bradley Kellogg
                                     with William B. Rossow
                                Signet  both published 1986


As I am not an analytical reader, I don't do book reviews, but I can react.
I enjoyed these two books.  [keep in mind I like the fantasy end of sf
most (maccaffrey,kurtz,bradley,clayton,cherryh,mcintyre,mckillip etc) but
still like some science fiction].

Human beings, following the advice of a probe indicating mineral wealth and
hot dry climate, (almost crash) land on a planet, finding themselves in the
midst of what looks like an ice age.  There are many strange meterologic
events/changes that stump them and their computer.

There are humanoids on the planet who have developed an existence that allows
survival of the awesome weather changes.  The locals believe all weather is
part of a battle between two goddesses.  The humans, prefer believing it is
weather, but find it inexplicable by any of their models.

There is quite a bit of attention paid to the personalities of the humans and
the locals, and their internal motives.  There is a seesaw effect of pushing
the reader to thinking the natives might be right, and later that the humans
might be right.  There are humans who learn to love the natives for what they
are, and humans bent on exploitation of mineral wealth, and other humans be-
tween the extremes.

I like the two books.   There is no indication anywhere that there are sequels
and the ending could be sufficient as is, but doesn't preclude a third book.

Angie Hogencamp
hogencamp@williams (bitnet addr)