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%T Beauty
%A Sheri S. Tepper
%I Doubleday
%D August 1991
%O tpaperback, US$12.00
%P 412
%G ISBN 0-385-41940-6
As usual, Sheri Tepper writes well in this novel, the life of the
half-fairy child Beauty of the 14th century, who carries the hope of
Faerie within her. Unfortunately, like her True Game books, this one
suffers from a lack of focus. Is she writing a theological fantasy?
A character study? A fable about eco-destruction? A pastiche of the
brothers Grimm? The book lurches uneasily between several modes,
carried by a plot that depends far too much on contrivance, accidents
and stupidity. The result is a morality play that doesn't work,
because the pivotal choices weren't moral decisions at all. And the
ending, rather than confronting this issues Tepper has raised, just
seems to evade them --- it puts Beauty and beauty to sleep until some
unguessed-at savior sees fit to come calling. I'm beginning to think
Ms. Tepper should stick to writing entertainments.
%T Crucible
%A Robert R. Chase
%I Del Rey
%D July 1991
%O paperback, US$4.95
%P 182
%G ISBN 0-345-36656-5
In The Game Of Fox And Lion, the Fox (Niccolo Renard) averted a
no-win war between normal humans and their genetically-enhanced progeny, the
Bestials. In the uneasy peace that has followed, the converted battlestar
"Crucible" has been sent on an exploration mission with a mixed crew. The
mission has been betrayed from within by someone who is trying to rekindle the
war, and the Crucible is downed on an alien world with her drives critically
damaged. Once again, the Fox's wits must bear him through seas of danger and
intrigue to preserve the fragile peace and a joint humanity's future. Tasty
stuff, recommended.
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Eric S. Raymond <esr@snark.thyrsus.com>