|
Breeder is a story that is both original and riveting in its sensuality and scope, though a too-abrupt ending leaves the reader wanting more. (In fact, this review can probably be summed up by the words: just too little of a VERY good thing.) Mali is on guard duty outside her village, Mirdua, when the villagers return from a hunt six hunters fewer in number, and dragging the tall and darkly handsome hostage responsible for depleting their ranks. The hostage has been captured and brought back for breeding with Mali since she is the youngest receiver, or fertile woman, and she is in cycle. Few women, and even fewer men who are fertile, remain in Mali’s home, the Barrenlands. Those who are fertile are expected to breed children for the village, regardless of their own feelings or any differences, such as age, between them. Those who refuse may be banished from the village to the Barrenlands, where they must try to survive on their own. From the opening scene, where he resists his captors using both cleverness and skill, Jaegar establishes himself to Mali and to us as a man to be reckoned with (with write-in here of "what a hunk!"). Even before learning that he is actually the ruler over Mali’s people, and the people of all the surrounding villages, you sense that he is more than simply a lost traveler or poacher, as the villagers think. At a village council meeting held to decide whether to use Jaegar as a breeder, Mali is angered by the contempt he displays when he looks at her as he realizes that he is to be bred to her. Although she has long since resigned herself to the need to procreate, she has heard stories of the old days, when men and women entered into a monogamous joyous union and had children for themselves, and she secretly longs for such a union herself. But it is decided by the council that she must breed with Jaegar, and that he must breed with two other fertile women from the village as well. Mali, having never been bred, is to be first. The author has done an exceptional job of capturing atmosphere and reader interest in this story. The world she creates is one that will pique your interest, and the characters will maintain it effortlessly throughout the story. There are several surprises along the way, and these add to the story’s fascination as you wonder how one will be played off against another. Mali soon helps Jaegar escape, of course, and he takes her back with him to his own lands, where she is left to wonder what his exact intent for her is. The tension throughout the story is taut, and Ms. Hart manages to wind our curiosity tight, and tighter yet, as Mali waits to see what will become of her and her rebellious people. To reveal more here would probably constitute a spoiler, so I can only say that what happens is both realistically and interestingly (if far too briefly) portrayed, and this story is one I enjoyed much more than the average read. It not only holds your interest, it grabs your attention and wraps itself in it like a blanket, and in such a visceral way that it will thoroughly engage most readers. When searching for comparisons, I am put in mind of some of the better writings of Johanna Lindsey, and Lora Leigh (and I think this is better than some of Lindsey’s work by far). This tale manages to engage the emotions, as we are drawn in to watch Mali, who is uneducated and totally ignorant of the modern technology of Jaegar’s people, grapple with her sudden introduction to a world she never knew to exist. To Mali’s credit, even though she is thought to be an ignorant savage by the people she is surrounded with (excepting Jaegar, whom she rarely sees), she refuses to compromise her dignity, while at the same time, we are made to feel the awe and discomfort of her new surroundings just as Mali would. The result makes for some reading that effortlessly brings us to the story’s quick and unfortunately snippy conclusion. It’s as if the writer pours her soul into the story, only to abruptly come to a point where she decides she has tired of it (or reached a designated word count *G*), and it left me feeling distinctly cheated. The questions of the fate of Mali’s people and that of Mali herself are dealt with in an abrupt "the bad guys paid and everyone else lived happily ever after" kind of fashion that skims the surface but leaves the reader with many questions. Despite this single but lamentable flaw, it’s been quite a while since I’ve read such engrossing writing, and I would not hesitate to recommend this book to others, nor will I pass up the chance to eagerly read more of Lyssa Hart’s work. Had the ending been less abrupt, this would have easily been a five klover read; as it is, ending and all, it is fully deserving of four. The thought has more than crossed my mind that this author is no newcomer, but an established pro, using a pseudonym. This book, though likely crafted quickly, seems just too good to be otherwise. While the abrupt ending did put me off in its simplicity, that wasn’t the only reason it bothered me. The other reason is that I just didn’t want this book to end. I found myself involved with these characters, Mali especially (haven’t liked a female character this well since L.K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake), and I hated to let them go. I want to know why Jaegar is such a hard*ss, because, like Mali, I cant help believing he has reasons to be the way he is that I don’t yet know about. And I want to see smart, unselfconscious Mali grow into the thoroughly unique woman she promises to be, and watch as she takes up the reins of her new position and deals with its treacherous ins and outs. I want to know more about their world and its people, what this world was like before the catastrophe hinted at, what the catastrophe was, and what this world has become as a result. In short (too late, I know *G*), I want a series, and I want it RIGHT D*MN NOW! *L* If this is the caliber author we can look for from New Concepts Publishing, we are all in for a long and ~l-l-l-luvverly~ ride. Given a bigger canvas with more room to explore themselves and their world, I think these characters would incite the interest of almost any reader. I hope the author takes this to heart and continues their story. I’ll be first in line to read it. (In fact she’s already been added to my list of notifications for authors at my eBook seller site. *G*) Reviewed by Lee M
Copyright © 2006-2008 CK2S Kwips and Kritiques. All rights reserved. |
BREEDER
|
|
