HeartStone

Dolvia Saga #2

by Stella Atrium

The second installment of Atrium's Dolvia Saga is a character-driven sci-fi tale that explores profound-and timely-themes of sexual oppression, environmentalism and cultural intolerance. Atrium's intricate novel ranges widely in theme-gender, politics, existential philosophy, mysticism, etc. Set primarily on the planet of Dolvia-where the females of the indigenous, frequently warring tribes of the savannah maintain few rights and are forced to wear burkas- the storyline revolves, at least initially, around Dr. Edna Edwina Greensboro, a bush-clinic doctor whose courage, compassion and vision have begun to change some of the insular ways of thinking. Getting married to Lt. Mike Shaw, an off -world military man, and keeping two female gualareps-oversized and sentient iguana-esque reptiles-increases her status. But when she witnesses a "mixed blood" girl being brutally abused, she realizes that she's working against centuries of oppression reinforced by cultural mores, folklore, myth and cruel men dead set on guarding the status quo. After all, the victims "are only women." The commentary on gender politics benefits from a foreign setting; it's an exercise in considering discrimination without finger-pointing. But that's only one aspect of this multifaceted story- as Greensboro fights to save lives and educate the tribes people, nefarious individuals and companies seek to profit from the chaos ... Atrium's saga continues with another entertaining and powerful read, reminiscent of Octavia E. Butler and Margaret Atwood. An allegorical, emotionally intimate narrative for sci-fi fans, with broad themes that could appeal to a mainstream audience, too. - Kirkus Reviews

The plot of HeartStone revolves around several off world characters, including Dr. Edna Edwina Greensboro, Lieutenant Michael Peter Shaw, and Dr. Henry Beecham, in addition to Dolviet tribal members, leaders, and outcasts. As an orphaned child of an offworlder and a Dolviet, Brianna Miller is condemned as an outcast among the tribes. Yet, she strives to better herself so that one day she may travel to Earth, the planet of her father's birth. With the gifts that Dolvia has provided, the generosity and teachings from the various characters, the pain that she endures, the compassion she feels for others, and the risks she takes, Brianna prepares for a future...a future she will choose for herself! You have a really great series going here. I love your descriptive writing style! I really can't wait to see what Brianna thinks of Earth and then what happens when she returns to Dolvia! --GoodReads Reviewer

412 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

About the author

Stella Atrium is a cynical septuagenarian. She has spent a lifetime exploring female characters for real world reactions to obstacles. Often pushed into submissive and non-verbal roles, women really live in a world of networking among aunties, cousins, wives of husbands, convenient friends and neighbors. This rich world is largely unexplored.

“I grew up with all brothers, so I knew about women from stories and from school. What I found at school wasn’t anything like in the stories, so I set out to learn why.”

Reviews

[George · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a bit better than the previous one. If I could give fractions of stars I'd give the first about a 1.5-1.75 and this a 2.25-2.5, so I've given them both 2 stars. I haven't decided if I want to suffer through the third one when it comes out or not... I'm not sure I care enough about the overall story to spend my time on it. While the settings and cultures created by Ms. Atrium are very detailed and extensive, the story dragged on and on. The scope of characters was a bit smaller in this book than in the first, and having a bit of an understanding of the social structures on Dolvia helped make this much more readable. But it still was less than engaging. The first two parts of the story (just under 2/3 of the book) really only introduce the characters and set the stage for the third part. And even that third part seems to only be setting the groundwork for what could possibly be an interesting third installment. There is potential in the third book, so I may give it a try, however getting to that point was pretty tough to endure. Overall, I give the novel a thumbs up for a richly thought out cultural, political, and social structure on an grand, geographically diverse planet. The hints of how this planet and societies fits into a space-faring near-future of our own Earth culture is intriguing. However a thumbs down for the story and character development. Despite the lavish stage, I just found myself unengaged with the story and characters. Until the very end, that is, when we see the glimpse of an underdog hero setting out on a mission to become the savior of her planet and culture... Maybe... We'll see what StrikeStone has to bring.

[Phoenix Carvelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartstone, Book II of the Dolvia Saga
Author, Stella Atrium, has added another chapter to the lives of the various tribes and offlanders of Dolvia.  Ms. Atrium continues with rich character development, interlaced subplots, action and intrigue in Heartstone.
Readers will be reacquainted with old friends and like them try to determine who is truly the enemy of Dolvia, a new one or the same enemy with different tactics.  Either way, the tribal people of Dolvia are the pawns, along with those who choose not to see or act or those who are just naive. 
Heartstone's plot revolves around several primary offland characters, including Dr. Edna Edwina Greensboro, Lieutenant Michael Peter Shaw, and Dr. Henry Beecham, in addition to the various Dolvian tribal members, leaders, and outcasts.  
As an orphaned child of an offlander and a Dolvian, Brianna Miller, is condemned to be an outcast among the tribes.  Yet, she still strives to better herself so that one day she may travel to Earth, the planet of her father's birth.  With the gifts that Dolvia has provided her, the generosity and teachings from the various characters, the pain that she endures, the compassion she feels for others, and the risks she takes, Brianna prepares for a future...a future she will choose for herself! 
I look forward to Brianna's continuing story in Book III of the Dolvia Saga.  Well done!

[Jacquie Talento · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged to be contacted by Ms. Atrium to read her second book to the follow up of her SufferStone series. She takes you on an adventure of a lifetime, literally. I enjoy her writing style and the road I traveled with Ms. Edwina and her cohorts. Ms. Atrium is a gifted writer and her imagination is immense. You won’t regret being a follower of her writing.
Ms. Edwina just wants to run her clinic but it never seems to be that she can just do research without someone stepping in and keeping her from it. She begins a bond with Lieutenant Shaw and the romance grows. She befriends a wounded child named Karlyhi who’s own mother leaves him behind when he is wounded. Karlyhi is working for Edwina. Dr. Abercrombie has been profiting on medical supplies and selling them. Edwina is oblivious of his doings. She’s also inherited two female gualareps (love that name) that are attached to her and gifted from Lieutenant Shaw. They are very protective of their master. Come along for the journey to another world and watch as Edna Edwina tries to make a difference for the ones she encounters.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a smooth flowing book about a planet Dolvia. The story went into the different tribes, the way people related to each other. the story showed how even on another planet,people still react the same as they take over the economy of the area. It showed the women inter reacting with each other
(I was never a good book report writer).
The author easily described the land, the people. You could feel like you were with the doctors in the clinic where Edna Edwina was doing research and caring for the families who lived in the area.
You could see the tribes people in your mind and way she simply described. she had me crying at few points in the book.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have received this book through the goodreads giveaway. I really enjoy The authors writing style . Her thoughts and imagination are such a gift that make her a great writer. The author Stella Atrium takes you on a wonderful adventure. I was so glad that I was able to receive this book and be able to read it. I would suggerst this book to anyone. It was a wonderful read.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as part of the goodreads 'giveaways'. Not being a Sci Fi fan and not having read the first book I was a bit apprehensive about reading it; I though found it to be a very imaginative story and journey to the planet of Dolvia and warmed up to the inhabitants (characters). I found the themes in the book were broad enough to appeal to many different people.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a winner of this book in the goodreads firstreads giveaway. I have not read the first book which might be part of the problem. Edna is offering up medical services in a poor community. Little does she know she will find love when least expected. Good story line, but it took me a long time to get into the story. WaAR

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this as a goodreads giveaway. Not having read the first book it took a while to figure out the culture/politics of Dolvia. Interesting interactions between the different tribes. Many different topics explored such as: woman's rights, imperialism, workers rights, the environment. Will have to read the first book.

[Erdahs]

Won as part of the Goodreads first reads program. Review to come.

[Toby · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Reads Giveaway

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting Sci-Fi novel, The 1st one was better, but this does not disappoint,

[Tamra LeValley]

Review to be revised!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just won a copy courtesy of Stella Atrium and Goodreads First Reads.