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Sholan Alliance #2
Fortune's Wheel
The second book in Lisanne Norman's Sholan Alliance long-running science fiction series of alien contact and interspecies conflict
They had been brought together by mutual need when both their peoples were faced with the threat of the warlike Valtegans, an enemy bent on conquering any other race it encountered.
She was Carrie, the daughter of the human governor of the Terran colony planet Keiss. He was Kusac, the son and heir of the Sholan Clan Lord. Both were telepaths of the highest order, and the bond they formed was compounded equally of love and mind power. But even as they sought to refine their suddenly enhanced and intermingled powers and to define their relationship, the two were thrust into the heart of an interstellar conflict.
For while Terran and Sholan representatives worked together in good faith to negotiate a mutual defense treaty, opposing factions on both their worlds sought to use Carrie and Kusac for their own ends—or failing that to destroy them… and all hope for a Terran-Sholan alliance.
They had been brought together by mutual need when both their peoples were faced with the threat of the warlike Valtegans, an enemy bent on conquering any other race it encountered.
She was Carrie, the daughter of the human governor of the Terran colony planet Keiss. He was Kusac, the son and heir of the Sholan Clan Lord. Both were telepaths of the highest order, and the bond they formed was compounded equally of love and mind power. But even as they sought to refine their suddenly enhanced and intermingled powers and to define their relationship, the two were thrust into the heart of an interstellar conflict.
For while Terran and Sholan representatives worked together in good faith to negotiate a mutual defense treaty, opposing factions on both their worlds sought to use Carrie and Kusac for their own ends—or failing that to destroy them… and all hope for a Terran-Sholan alliance.
656 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 29, 2022
Set aside at 50%. I had hopes after the first book, but this one has more introspection and angst and less functional plot. By adding in several factions, as well as family responsibilities and various malcontents, the story has lost its way. The writing is fine, and most of the characters are well developed, though both MCs are becoming boring.
I may come back to it later...
I may come back to it later...
December 24, 2018
One star for being readable, one star for being a page-turner, NO MORE stars because I hate this book. It ends on a cliffhanger.
But oh, that's not why I hate this book. Let me back up and explain.
Turning Point was short, around 250~ pages. Fun, fast, where it was weak it made up for it by being over in a few days.
Fortune's Wheel is 600+ pages, slows the pace way down, and you have no choice but to spot the weaknesses in it as it meanders through every single plotpoint.
You see, the author finished up Turning Point - which had a nice simple adventure/romance plot - and decided to expand the plot by throwing in the kitchen sink.
Let me give you a list of every plotline and subplot.
SPOILERS to follow
- Carrie (the heroine) adjusting to her soulbond to Kusac (the hero) - main plot that drives the book, it has the major scenes. Now that the adrenaline survival plot is over, Carrie promptly has melodramatic meltdowns over her soulbond and how she's leaving all human contact behind to live on the cat alien homeplanet with Kusac.
- The revelation that these soulbonds require the partners to have sex every five days or they die. (Carrie and Kusac almost do while discovering this, because Carrie's a prude and a virgin and a terrified young lady)
- The cat aliens (henceforth Sholans) have racist (species-ist?) anti-human agents who try to assassinate Carrie and Kusac multiple times through the book
- Kusac is secretly an alien prince, and Carrie is bonded into royalty
- Kusac is betrothed to another royal, an arranged marriage made years ago that he spends a lot of the book trying to break. Carrie only finds out about it what, 400 pages in? They have a massive fight over this.
- Kusac's father is a jerk who won't break the marriage, which leads to Carrie learning about an ancient rite that will break the marriage - duel to first blood. She challenges her rival, and naturally her rival HATES her so it's definitely not going to be to the first blood, it's going to be to the death.
- Carrie adjusting to Sholan culture. Half the book is spent on the warship, and the rest on the planet Shola.
- Kaid, an ex-assassin becomes their bodyguard. He has ties to an organization called the Brotherhood of Vartra, which is essentially a secret guild.
- Telepath Guild vs Warrior Guild vs Brotherhood vs Sholan Planetary Authority, or, because of the intrigue over Kusac and Carrie being soulbonded, they destabilized the government and by the end of the book there are signs that it will entirely destabilize (potential civil war?)
- Sholans are scared of Telepaths, so there's a new sexist conservative religion starting up in the outer Sholan villages, including an evil cult priest
- There's still the lizard war going on, so there's a Sholan/Human peace treaty that needs working out
- Carrie's father HATES Sholans and he's the governor of the colony
- The human colony wants independence from Earth, and a separate treaty with Shola, Earth disagrees
- Earth sends a group of telepaths to Shola for study and alien/human relations, which means that aside from the studies, suddenly a bunch of Sholans and humans start soulbonding randomly. This freaks out both governments, because these soulbonds are powerful telepaths, a new hybrid species, and they get pregnant with each other really fast.
- Carrie gets pregnant!
- Vanna, the medic and friend of Carrie, gets into an unwanted soulbond with a human she doesn't know, and yes, she gets pregnant too! Also she's still in love with Kusac AND in a relationship with Garras AND her human soulbond refuses to acknowledge the soulbond - he'll have sex with her every five days but he won't see her the rest of the time and he has sex with other women. Wild!
- The lizards have captive Sholans that they're torturing. This is only briefly mentioned, as the lizards hardly come up in this book. But guaranteed they'll be back, there's a war on.
- There are other aliens! They're only minor characters but the Sholans have an alliance with them.
- VISIONS FROM GOD
- PS THE TELEPATH GUILD KEEPS DESTROYING RUINS ON THEIR HOMEPLANET TO COVER UP THEIR PAST
I think? That's most of it?
THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON IN THIS BOOK. Training sequences! Melodrama! Exposition! Action! DUELS TO THE DEATH
The first half of this book is actually pretty hard to follow as it bounces from POV to POV, giving you a whole boatload of characters to track on top of Kusac and Carrie, and while you soon sort out that Kaid's important, Chyad is important, etc - it takes a while!
And oh my god I cannot overstate the melodrama. It kind of makes sense because Carrie is young and overwhelmed as hell but she gets hysterical and freaks out a lot in this book - and oh god, Kusac is a jerk! He messes up, and they fight, and other characters tell Kusac that he's a moron, and through a lot of soap opera worthy angst and struggle they get back together and grow into a stronger relationship.
Which is to say just as you're recovering from the Carrie/Kusac melodrama, Vanna gets her soulbond and it's so much more complicated and it isn't resolved by the end of that book, because of that cliffhanger.
Please god, don't read this book. I wound up hate reading it, even as it was a page-turner - it's fast and easy to read, the writing has hit a level where it just zooms by - but oh my lord. The pacing is weird, too, it goes from too fast to too slow and there's SO much info-dumping and repeating of things and aaaaaa
I still can't believe there's a cliffhanger! It ended with Vanna kidnapped and a major revelation about Shola's past and I'm going to have to frigging read the next book to find out what happens.
tl;dr The author decided to go big for the sequel, so she threw in the kitchen sink and at no point did ANYONE tell her to chill and restrain herself. Everything is 5000x more intense in this book and not for the better. Don't read it, let it be my cross to bear.
But oh, that's not why I hate this book. Let me back up and explain.
Turning Point was short, around 250~ pages. Fun, fast, where it was weak it made up for it by being over in a few days.
Fortune's Wheel is 600+ pages, slows the pace way down, and you have no choice but to spot the weaknesses in it as it meanders through every single plotpoint.
You see, the author finished up Turning Point - which had a nice simple adventure/romance plot - and decided to expand the plot by throwing in the kitchen sink.
Let me give you a list of every plotline and subplot.
SPOILERS to follow
- Carrie (the heroine) adjusting to her soulbond to Kusac (the hero) - main plot that drives the book, it has the major scenes. Now that the adrenaline survival plot is over, Carrie promptly has melodramatic meltdowns over her soulbond and how she's leaving all human contact behind to live on the cat alien homeplanet with Kusac.
- The revelation that these soulbonds require the partners to have sex every five days or they die. (Carrie and Kusac almost do while discovering this, because Carrie's a prude and a virgin and a terrified young lady)
- The cat aliens (henceforth Sholans) have racist (species-ist?) anti-human agents who try to assassinate Carrie and Kusac multiple times through the book
- Kusac is secretly an alien prince, and Carrie is bonded into royalty
- Kusac is betrothed to another royal, an arranged marriage made years ago that he spends a lot of the book trying to break. Carrie only finds out about it what, 400 pages in? They have a massive fight over this.
- Kusac's father is a jerk who won't break the marriage, which leads to Carrie learning about an ancient rite that will break the marriage - duel to first blood. She challenges her rival, and naturally her rival HATES her so it's definitely not going to be to the first blood, it's going to be to the death.
- Carrie adjusting to Sholan culture. Half the book is spent on the warship, and the rest on the planet Shola.
- Kaid, an ex-assassin becomes their bodyguard. He has ties to an organization called the Brotherhood of Vartra, which is essentially a secret guild.
- Telepath Guild vs Warrior Guild vs Brotherhood vs Sholan Planetary Authority, or, because of the intrigue over Kusac and Carrie being soulbonded, they destabilized the government and by the end of the book there are signs that it will entirely destabilize (potential civil war?)
- Sholans are scared of Telepaths, so there's a new sexist conservative religion starting up in the outer Sholan villages, including an evil cult priest
- There's still the lizard war going on, so there's a Sholan/Human peace treaty that needs working out
- Carrie's father HATES Sholans and he's the governor of the colony
- The human colony wants independence from Earth, and a separate treaty with Shola, Earth disagrees
- Earth sends a group of telepaths to Shola for study and alien/human relations, which means that aside from the studies, suddenly a bunch of Sholans and humans start soulbonding randomly. This freaks out both governments, because these soulbonds are powerful telepaths, a new hybrid species, and they get pregnant with each other really fast.
- Carrie gets pregnant!
- Vanna, the medic and friend of Carrie, gets into an unwanted soulbond with a human she doesn't know, and yes, she gets pregnant too! Also she's still in love with Kusac AND in a relationship with Garras AND her human soulbond refuses to acknowledge the soulbond - he'll have sex with her every five days but he won't see her the rest of the time and he has sex with other women. Wild!
- The lizards have captive Sholans that they're torturing. This is only briefly mentioned, as the lizards hardly come up in this book. But guaranteed they'll be back, there's a war on.
- There are other aliens! They're only minor characters but the Sholans have an alliance with them.
- VISIONS FROM GOD
- PS THE TELEPATH GUILD KEEPS DESTROYING RUINS ON THEIR HOMEPLANET TO COVER UP THEIR PAST
I think? That's most of it?
THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON IN THIS BOOK. Training sequences! Melodrama! Exposition! Action! DUELS TO THE DEATH
The first half of this book is actually pretty hard to follow as it bounces from POV to POV, giving you a whole boatload of characters to track on top of Kusac and Carrie, and while you soon sort out that Kaid's important, Chyad is important, etc - it takes a while!
And oh my god I cannot overstate the melodrama. It kind of makes sense because Carrie is young and overwhelmed as hell but she gets hysterical and freaks out a lot in this book - and oh god, Kusac is a jerk! He messes up, and they fight, and other characters tell Kusac that he's a moron, and through a lot of soap opera worthy angst and struggle they get back together and grow into a stronger relationship.
Which is to say just as you're recovering from the Carrie/Kusac melodrama, Vanna gets her soulbond and it's so much more complicated and it isn't resolved by the end of that book, because of that cliffhanger.
Please god, don't read this book. I wound up hate reading it, even as it was a page-turner - it's fast and easy to read, the writing has hit a level where it just zooms by - but oh my lord. The pacing is weird, too, it goes from too fast to too slow and there's SO much info-dumping and repeating of things and aaaaaa
I still can't believe there's a cliffhanger! It ended with Vanna kidnapped and a major revelation about Shola's past and I'm going to have to frigging read the next book to find out what happens.
tl;dr The author decided to go big for the sequel, so she threw in the kitchen sink and at no point did ANYONE tell her to chill and restrain herself. Everything is 5000x more intense in this book and not for the better. Don't read it, let it be my cross to bear.
May 23, 2020
3.5/5
https://delivreenlivres.home.blog/202...
Ce second tome d’une série d’aventure SF très classique, comme on en faisait tant dans les années 90 (comme je le dis plus bas, on retrouve de nombreux éléments qui me font penser à la Saga Vorkosigan), n’a pas autant fonctionné avec moi que le premier, malgré un gros approfondissement de thèmes qui nous parlent et des personnages qui évoluent.
La ou le premier tome de la série m’avait semblé un peu court, ne faisant même pas 300 pages, celui ci double la mise avec ces 650 pages !
Pour rappel dans cette série on suivait une colonie humaine agraire tellement éloignée de la Terre qu’ils n’en ont plus aucun contact.
Alors qu’ils sont installés sur place depuis quelques années, ils sont attaqués par des extraterrestres, les Valtegans et le premier contact se termine par la victoire absolue de ceux ci qui trouvent les humains tellement pathétiques et amusants qu’ils en laissent une bonne partie en vie sur place pour leur faciliter la vie comme servants/esclaves.
Après quelques années de ce régime et malgré une résistance organisée, la situation des humains sur place n’a guère évolué.
Jusqu’au jour ou un vaisseau s’écrase dans la jungle par loin d’un village humain. Dans ce vaisseau se trouve des Sholan, une autre race extraterrestre. Ceux ci ont été attaqués gratuitement récemment par les Valtegans mais ceux ci ont totalement rasés la planète en ne laissant aucun survivants. Ils sont une race de prédateurs de type un peu félins et ont dans leur rang des télépathes.
Quelle n’est pas la surprise des Sholans de s’apercevoir que certains humains sur place ont aussi le don de télépathie même si celui ci est totalement ignoré et pas entraîné, un peu endormi. Un des Sholans du vaisseau, Kusac se retrouve accidentellement lié a une jeune humaine, Carrie.
En gros c’est une histoire de premier et second contact. Les humains de la résistance vont essayer de faire alliance avec les Sholan histoire de combattre les Valtegans.
Mais les différences entre les peuples sont énorme et pas sur qu’ils arrivent à trouver de quoi s’entendre. Surtout que les humains n’apportent pas grand chose aux Sholans qui sont bien plus évolués technologiquement.
En fait le seul « espoir » de cette alliance est dans l’existence des télépathes qui sont l’élite des Sholans mais encore faut-il que les humains croient en ce fait …
Bref, le second tome commence directement après la fin du premier, on suis les conséquences de l’attaque de la base Valtegane par la résistance, juste au moment ou les vaisseaux Sholans (au secours de celui qui c’était écrasé au début) arrivent enfin dans le système pour leur prêter main forte.
L’intrigue de ce tome est vraiment très différente du précédent. Point de Valtegans ici, mais une visite du monde Sholans. Du coup tout tourne autour des xenophobies des différents peuple.
Un groupe de radical Sholan pense que les humains collaborent forcement avec les Valtegans, sinon pourquoi les aurait-ils épargné alors qu’ils ont désintégré leur colonie à eux? Ils tentent de faire échouer les négociations pour le traité entre les humains et les Sholans de diverses façon (en exacerbant les problèmes ou en tentant d’assassiner certains dignitaires par exemple).
D’un autre coté il y a la télépathie. Le lien entre les deux personnages principaux est mis à rude épreuve.
En fait le gros problème vient de l’histoire du peuple Sholan. Dans le passé ils ont vécu une catastrophe qui a failli signaler la fin de leur espèce. Les gens se sont mis à avoir peur de leurs télépathes et à les massacrer.
Histoire de sauvegarder ce qui pouvait l’être, les télépathes ont inséré une barrière mentale permanente chez tout les télépathes qui fait que ceux ci ne peuvent pas supporter la violence. Ils ne peuvent pas combattre, même pour se défendre, ils sont pris de nausée dés qu’ils sont en contact avec une scène violente… etc ..
Hors le lien « extra espèce » que les deux télépathes ont développé a cassé cette barrière chez le Kusak. Il peut se battre, Carrie aussi. Du coup les hautes instances ont peur d’eux et tentent de les briser. Tout le monde en parle alors qu’il faudrait que ça reste un secret.
La situation va forcement finir de façon chaotique avec nos deux personnes au centre de tout.
On a donc un tome bien plus social et bien moins aventure et danger (même si le danger existe, il ne vient pas de l’extérieur). Ce qui nous donne l’occasion de voir le point de vue d’étranger vis à vis des humains et ainsi de pouvoir analyser leur comportement et leurs défauts.
Ce coté la était vraiment intéressant, il permet notamment une bonne critique de la condition des femmes par exemple ou de la peur de la différence qui n’apporte que le malheur.
Mais malgré ces bons cotés, le personnage principal humain, Carrie, l’humaine télépathe m’a vraiment énervé.
Je me suis demandé ou était passé la jeune femme aventurière du premier tome, qui n’hésitait pas à partir dans la jungle pour échapper à son père. Elle passe son temps à être en mode panique. Elle a constamment peur, ou est triste, ou autre sentiment négatif. Kusac et les Sholans qui sont devenus ses amis doivent trouver des moyens de la « faire revenir ».
Elle met bêtement sa vie en danger à de nombreuses reprise juste pour fuir ce qu’elle n’arrive plus à supporter.
Du coup elle m’a énervé, ou plutôt son développement m’a énervé pour être plus précise.
J’aurais aimé la voir se prendre en main, redevenir maîtresse de son destin au lieu de se laisser couler tout au long du livre (surtout que c’est en général pour pas grand chose, si on peut dire ça, rien qui mérite qu’on mette sa vie en danger en tout cas, par exemple elle ne supporte pas les regards que les sholans lancent sur elle, elle se sent étrangère -en même temps elle l’est, seule humaine sur un monde extraterrestre-, elle a peur de ce que les humains vont dire de sa relation avec les sholans …).
En gros elle n’est vraiment pas bien du tout dans sa peau dans ce tome, tout du long. Et c’était fatiguant. Si encore son état d’esprit était constant, ça aurait peut être été mieux mais même pas. Elle oscille constamment entre les moments ou elle a un éclair de courage et de volonté grâce à ses amis, et ceux ou elle sombre au plus bas. Et ce au moins 15/20 fois dans l’ensemble du livre.
Bref, une lecture intéressante, un univers bien développé, mais j’ai trouvé les personnages un peu lourd dans ce tome.
Le pire c’est que si on prend les éléments un par un, j’ai trouvé que sur le principe ce tome ressemblait pas mal à un de mes livres préféré, à savoir Barrayar de Lois McMaster Bujold, le second tome de la Saga Vorkosigan.
Dans les deux on a une jeune femme qui se retrouve dans un « autre monde » de par sa relation improbable avec une personne très différente d’elle. Dans les deux cas on a une intrigue très politique qui fini par mettre en danger la vie de la jeune femme. etc …
Seulement dans Barrayar la force venait de Cordelia qui ne se laissait pas faire et qui résistait de façon intelligente, l’inverse d’ici ou Carrie se laisse sombrer dans la déprime et la peur.
https://delivreenlivres.home.blog/202...
Ce second tome d’une série d’aventure SF très classique, comme on en faisait tant dans les années 90 (comme je le dis plus bas, on retrouve de nombreux éléments qui me font penser à la Saga Vorkosigan), n’a pas autant fonctionné avec moi que le premier, malgré un gros approfondissement de thèmes qui nous parlent et des personnages qui évoluent.
La ou le premier tome de la série m’avait semblé un peu court, ne faisant même pas 300 pages, celui ci double la mise avec ces 650 pages !
Pour rappel dans cette série on suivait une colonie humaine agraire tellement éloignée de la Terre qu’ils n’en ont plus aucun contact.
Alors qu’ils sont installés sur place depuis quelques années, ils sont attaqués par des extraterrestres, les Valtegans et le premier contact se termine par la victoire absolue de ceux ci qui trouvent les humains tellement pathétiques et amusants qu’ils en laissent une bonne partie en vie sur place pour leur faciliter la vie comme servants/esclaves.
Après quelques années de ce régime et malgré une résistance organisée, la situation des humains sur place n’a guère évolué.
Jusqu’au jour ou un vaisseau s’écrase dans la jungle par loin d’un village humain. Dans ce vaisseau se trouve des Sholan, une autre race extraterrestre. Ceux ci ont été attaqués gratuitement récemment par les Valtegans mais ceux ci ont totalement rasés la planète en ne laissant aucun survivants. Ils sont une race de prédateurs de type un peu félins et ont dans leur rang des télépathes.
Quelle n’est pas la surprise des Sholans de s’apercevoir que certains humains sur place ont aussi le don de télépathie même si celui ci est totalement ignoré et pas entraîné, un peu endormi. Un des Sholans du vaisseau, Kusac se retrouve accidentellement lié a une jeune humaine, Carrie.
En gros c’est une histoire de premier et second contact. Les humains de la résistance vont essayer de faire alliance avec les Sholan histoire de combattre les Valtegans.
Mais les différences entre les peuples sont énorme et pas sur qu’ils arrivent à trouver de quoi s’entendre. Surtout que les humains n’apportent pas grand chose aux Sholans qui sont bien plus évolués technologiquement.
En fait le seul « espoir » de cette alliance est dans l’existence des télépathes qui sont l’élite des Sholans mais encore faut-il que les humains croient en ce fait …
Bref, le second tome commence directement après la fin du premier, on suis les conséquences de l’attaque de la base Valtegane par la résistance, juste au moment ou les vaisseaux Sholans (au secours de celui qui c’était écrasé au début) arrivent enfin dans le système pour leur prêter main forte.
L’intrigue de ce tome est vraiment très différente du précédent. Point de Valtegans ici, mais une visite du monde Sholans. Du coup tout tourne autour des xenophobies des différents peuple.
Un groupe de radical Sholan pense que les humains collaborent forcement avec les Valtegans, sinon pourquoi les aurait-ils épargné alors qu’ils ont désintégré leur colonie à eux? Ils tentent de faire échouer les négociations pour le traité entre les humains et les Sholans de diverses façon (en exacerbant les problèmes ou en tentant d’assassiner certains dignitaires par exemple).
D’un autre coté il y a la télépathie. Le lien entre les deux personnages principaux est mis à rude épreuve.
En fait le gros problème vient de l’histoire du peuple Sholan. Dans le passé ils ont vécu une catastrophe qui a failli signaler la fin de leur espèce. Les gens se sont mis à avoir peur de leurs télépathes et à les massacrer.
Histoire de sauvegarder ce qui pouvait l’être, les télépathes ont inséré une barrière mentale permanente chez tout les télépathes qui fait que ceux ci ne peuvent pas supporter la violence. Ils ne peuvent pas combattre, même pour se défendre, ils sont pris de nausée dés qu’ils sont en contact avec une scène violente… etc ..
Hors le lien « extra espèce » que les deux télépathes ont développé a cassé cette barrière chez le Kusak. Il peut se battre, Carrie aussi. Du coup les hautes instances ont peur d’eux et tentent de les briser. Tout le monde en parle alors qu’il faudrait que ça reste un secret.
La situation va forcement finir de façon chaotique avec nos deux personnes au centre de tout.
On a donc un tome bien plus social et bien moins aventure et danger (même si le danger existe, il ne vient pas de l’extérieur). Ce qui nous donne l’occasion de voir le point de vue d’étranger vis à vis des humains et ainsi de pouvoir analyser leur comportement et leurs défauts.
Ce coté la était vraiment intéressant, il permet notamment une bonne critique de la condition des femmes par exemple ou de la peur de la différence qui n’apporte que le malheur.
Mais malgré ces bons cotés, le personnage principal humain, Carrie, l’humaine télépathe m’a vraiment énervé.
Je me suis demandé ou était passé la jeune femme aventurière du premier tome, qui n’hésitait pas à partir dans la jungle pour échapper à son père. Elle passe son temps à être en mode panique. Elle a constamment peur, ou est triste, ou autre sentiment négatif. Kusac et les Sholans qui sont devenus ses amis doivent trouver des moyens de la « faire revenir ».
Elle met bêtement sa vie en danger à de nombreuses reprise juste pour fuir ce qu’elle n’arrive plus à supporter.
Du coup elle m’a énervé, ou plutôt son développement m’a énervé pour être plus précise.
J’aurais aimé la voir se prendre en main, redevenir maîtresse de son destin au lieu de se laisser couler tout au long du livre (surtout que c’est en général pour pas grand chose, si on peut dire ça, rien qui mérite qu’on mette sa vie en danger en tout cas, par exemple elle ne supporte pas les regards que les sholans lancent sur elle, elle se sent étrangère -en même temps elle l’est, seule humaine sur un monde extraterrestre-, elle a peur de ce que les humains vont dire de sa relation avec les sholans …).
En gros elle n’est vraiment pas bien du tout dans sa peau dans ce tome, tout du long. Et c’était fatiguant. Si encore son état d’esprit était constant, ça aurait peut être été mieux mais même pas. Elle oscille constamment entre les moments ou elle a un éclair de courage et de volonté grâce à ses amis, et ceux ou elle sombre au plus bas. Et ce au moins 15/20 fois dans l’ensemble du livre.
Bref, une lecture intéressante, un univers bien développé, mais j’ai trouvé les personnages un peu lourd dans ce tome.
Le pire c’est que si on prend les éléments un par un, j’ai trouvé que sur le principe ce tome ressemblait pas mal à un de mes livres préféré, à savoir Barrayar de Lois McMaster Bujold, le second tome de la Saga Vorkosigan.
Dans les deux on a une jeune femme qui se retrouve dans un « autre monde » de par sa relation improbable avec une personne très différente d’elle. Dans les deux cas on a une intrigue très politique qui fini par mettre en danger la vie de la jeune femme. etc …
Seulement dans Barrayar la force venait de Cordelia qui ne se laissait pas faire et qui résistait de façon intelligente, l’inverse d’ici ou Carrie se laisse sombrer dans la déprime et la peur.
September 16, 2008
The second book in the Sholan Alliance series picks up immediately after the end of the first book. In the second book Carrie and Kusac return to Kusac's home world of Shola, with Vanna, their personal physician in tow.
Now that the immediate threat of the Valtegans has been eliminated, Carrie and Kusac have some time to explore the depths of their new relationship, and their Leska link. But they find themselves embroiled in local politics. Both the guild of Telepaths and the Brotherhood want to study and control them. And Kusac still has a duty as his mother's heir to have cubs of his own, something that shouldn't be possible between alien species.
And as more telepathic humans start interacting with telepathic Sholans, more alien Leska relationships are formed, including one that sneaks up on the reader. /summary
I mentioned the sexual nature of the Leska link in my review on the first book. The tease does pay off in the second book. Not LKH explicit, but a good level for what presents itself as a sf/fantasy series.
I'm still enjoying this series. In fact, even as I write this, I'm already pretty deep into the third book. The books read as one larger story, with no time or events passing between books.
Great read.
X-posted to LJ.
Now that the immediate threat of the Valtegans has been eliminated, Carrie and Kusac have some time to explore the depths of their new relationship, and their Leska link. But they find themselves embroiled in local politics. Both the guild of Telepaths and the Brotherhood want to study and control them. And Kusac still has a duty as his mother's heir to have cubs of his own, something that shouldn't be possible between alien species.
And as more telepathic humans start interacting with telepathic Sholans, more alien Leska relationships are formed, including one that sneaks up on the reader. /summary
I mentioned the sexual nature of the Leska link in my review on the first book. The tease does pay off in the second book. Not LKH explicit, but a good level for what presents itself as a sf/fantasy series.
I'm still enjoying this series. In fact, even as I write this, I'm already pretty deep into the third book. The books read as one larger story, with no time or events passing between books.
Great read.
X-posted to LJ.
February 22, 2022
Our Heroine is still a panic-likely person, in so many ways, about how the Humans will think of her, despite her strengths in times of forestry-needs, in times of other needs.
Her parents/father/culture did a HUGE number on her self-esteem. And it keeps kicking up.
Her parents/father/culture did a HUGE number on her self-esteem. And it keeps kicking up.
July 15, 2024
Nearly three times the length of the first book and equally as layered, I massively enjoyed the change in scope from the typical epic far-flung macrocosms of long running SF series for something more zoomed in. Norman's narrative is one of character, dialogue and micro-scale conflicts; individual skirmishes and powerplays take centre stage, the farther reaching consequences of which remaining as implied window dressing.
She has confident faith in the reader and leaves much to the imagination in terms of the finer descriptive details, creating her own show-don't-tell approach through an ingenious combination of dialogue and interior monologues through the use of various first person italics and an omniscient third person narrator as one.
As a whole the writing has a movie script feel with pageturner elements throughout, both in slower worldbuilding scenes and the sparse less-is-more action set pieces which shine through all the brighter given their wider context. I found myself caring about every character because they were treated as such: there are no nameless henchmen who exist only to add to the body count, each individual character has their own set of morals and intentions, understandable even if not agreeable. Flawed and humanly so, even the aliens, with believable growth and relapse along the way.
Moving the focus away from the main threat of the Valtegans to an internal affairs thriller between the protagonist races was a huge risk, one that ultimately pays off in spades. The pacing is glacial throughout the first half, with steadily mounting tension and interweaving plot threads abound. There was never a moment in this housebrick of a novel where I found myself wandering who was who, so well developed are the characters and their relations to one another. It's clear that Norman is a writer fully immersed and in control of her own universe.
The many revelations in spinning what was a fairly straightforward rebellion story into a romance plagued by cloak and daggers lead to many emotional highs, Norman masterfully nurtures and balances empathy, thrills, compassion, grief and greed in a sequel that had me moved to tears by the end.
Fire Margins, the third in the series, will certainly be among my next to read very soon.
She has confident faith in the reader and leaves much to the imagination in terms of the finer descriptive details, creating her own show-don't-tell approach through an ingenious combination of dialogue and interior monologues through the use of various first person italics and an omniscient third person narrator as one.
As a whole the writing has a movie script feel with pageturner elements throughout, both in slower worldbuilding scenes and the sparse less-is-more action set pieces which shine through all the brighter given their wider context. I found myself caring about every character because they were treated as such: there are no nameless henchmen who exist only to add to the body count, each individual character has their own set of morals and intentions, understandable even if not agreeable. Flawed and humanly so, even the aliens, with believable growth and relapse along the way.
Moving the focus away from the main threat of the Valtegans to an internal affairs thriller between the protagonist races was a huge risk, one that ultimately pays off in spades. The pacing is glacial throughout the first half, with steadily mounting tension and interweaving plot threads abound. There was never a moment in this housebrick of a novel where I found myself wandering who was who, so well developed are the characters and their relations to one another. It's clear that Norman is a writer fully immersed and in control of her own universe.
The many revelations in spinning what was a fairly straightforward rebellion story into a romance plagued by cloak and daggers lead to many emotional highs, Norman masterfully nurtures and balances empathy, thrills, compassion, grief and greed in a sequel that had me moved to tears by the end.
Fire Margins, the third in the series, will certainly be among my next to read very soon.
September 9, 2014
I made it to page 147 of this book before stopping.
I liked the first book in the series fairly well. I thought the characters and situation were interesting.
In book two, the character of Carrie was very different. In the first book she seemed strong, intelligent, curious and likeable. She made friends with the aliens quickly, handled herself well in a fighting situation and seemed to accept her relationship to Kusac and her powers. In the second book, she was more a child having a tantrum. By the end of the first 100 pages, I just wanted her to die.
There was a lot going on in this book-many groups plotting things along side the main character's personal issues. It was hard to get into the book with so many different characters/groups doing things. I didn't really get why the Sholan would need a treaty with the small human colony.
I liked the first book in the series fairly well. I thought the characters and situation were interesting.
In book two, the character of Carrie was very different. In the first book she seemed strong, intelligent, curious and likeable. She made friends with the aliens quickly, handled herself well in a fighting situation and seemed to accept her relationship to Kusac and her powers. In the second book, she was more a child having a tantrum. By the end of the first 100 pages, I just wanted her to die.
There was a lot going on in this book-many groups plotting things along side the main character's personal issues. It was hard to get into the book with so many different characters/groups doing things. I didn't really get why the Sholan would need a treaty with the small human colony.
Read
August 31, 2008Wonderful series. This series is colorful and complex. The author does a wonderful job describing and creating a whole universe of different people, cultures, and politics. I enjoy the reading about the two main characters attempts to adapt to their new relationship and over come the obstacles in their path. If their relationship problems weren't enough they're being dragged into a war involving a deadly reptilian race. Read this series to discover if their bond to each other is enough to overcome the trials that await them.
July 2, 2016
Really? Take a fragile, small blonde girl that is evidently a virgin nymphomaniac and combine her with a much larger, virile, powerful, cat-like alien. I was undecided about Carrie in the first novel. She seemed to exhibit some intelligence and independence. I get the whole mental Link is affecting her hormones and emotions, but she comes off as a petulant temper tantrum throwing toddler. I really adore the Honor Harrington series with tree cats, and the Pern series with mental links. This scenario just doesn't work for me.
December 5, 2018
It is rare for a sequel to be better then the original but Fortune's Wheel is in my opinion a lot better then Turning Point. It is also a lot longer so it has more time to develop Carrie and Kusac as characters and as a couple. Also the books focus is more on world building and establishing more auxiliary characters, which really expands the cast. (In fact one downside was that I could have used a character list in order to differentiate between the many new characters.) One of the side characters I especially loved was Vanna although I felt bad for her as well as she was paired unexpectedly with a guy who is a complete jerk for most of the second half of the book. I really hope he redeems himself in the third book since Vanna is apparently stuck with him and she is much too nice to have to put up with that level of jackassery.
I have seen some put off by Carrie's immaturity, but considering her age, the fact I am pretty sure she has ptsd, and her that her entire life changed in the span of a few weeks I think she can be forgiven for her outbursts and at times her unreasonableness. I am also assuming that the author is doing this on purpose so that she can have character growth later on. Plus Kusac for being the more "mature" one in their partnership had his own outbursts that made several situations worse.
I am especially enjoying the world Norman has created and the mystery and intrigue surrounding the various guilds and characters keeps getting more fascinating. I will definitely be continuing on to the third book as I want to know what happens next.
I have seen some put off by Carrie's immaturity, but considering her age, the fact I am pretty sure she has ptsd, and her that her entire life changed in the span of a few weeks I think she can be forgiven for her outbursts and at times her unreasonableness. I am also assuming that the author is doing this on purpose so that she can have character growth later on. Plus Kusac for being the more "mature" one in their partnership had his own outbursts that made several situations worse.
I am especially enjoying the world Norman has created and the mystery and intrigue surrounding the various guilds and characters keeps getting more fascinating. I will definitely be continuing on to the third book as I want to know what happens next.
October 21, 2017
I take back all the good things I said about book one. Everything goes to hell in this one. Weird, graphic (and I'm not a prude by any means--I read erotica & romance novels all the time--but this was much more graphic than I was expecting, since it's a sci-fi book published by DAW in the 90's) furry sex abounds--not just the main couple, but now the majority of the Sholan crew are fraternizing with humans. All the girl power of the previous book is thrown out. Kusac becomes a rapist, instead of waiting for Carrie to choose, as he had previously said he would do. He angrily demands to know why Carrie fears him, and insists that he would never hurt her, literally while he's raping her. And the other Sholan/human relationships are also pretty rapey and unhealthy, with the possible exception of Mito and Anders, but it's still all really furry and creepy. What a waste of a pretty cover. And book one was so fun.
September 10, 2025
I could not finish this book. While the characters are decently well-written (enough to enjoy some of their interactions), the story beats are not remotely fun, and the pacing is not pleasant. At times, I was speeding through plot points, wondering when it would slow down. At others, I was begging the characters to do anything to move it forward. There is a lot more buildup to the relationship between the main leads, which was nice, but it was more akin to what a teenager sees as romance and drama than what I expect out of an adult relationship.
I quit completely once she started describing the intimate relations between the two main characters in detail I did not ever wish to know about their anatomy. Not for me at all.
I quit completely once she started describing the intimate relations between the two main characters in detail I did not ever wish to know about their anatomy. Not for me at all.
December 26, 2021
More heartwarming family, even more politics, relationship troubles, and surprise attacks. OMG, these people need a month-long vacation or something! MY nerves can't take the nonstop hits from odd angles...
But the characterizations and politics are understandable and believable for two different species forced together by soulbonds. And while the cultures and politics are complex, the main characters are simple: young lovers, emphasis on the young.
But the characterizations and politics are understandable and believable for two different species forced together by soulbonds. And while the cultures and politics are complex, the main characters are simple: young lovers, emphasis on the young.
February 9, 2024
Headfirst dive into Sholan culture
Great character and culture development. Somewhat predictable course of events and actions, but very well written and satisfying results. The book end’s exactly as I expected. I still enjoyed it greatly.
Great character and culture development. Somewhat predictable course of events and actions, but very well written and satisfying results. The book end’s exactly as I expected. I still enjoyed it greatly.
May 8, 2017
EXCELLENT!!!
January 29, 2018
A great addition to the Sholan universe. I've read this book a few times now, and I will definitely read it again in the future. I just love this series.
June 30, 2023
This was such a trip. Insane. Exciting. Awesome. Sooooooo cool!
Loved every page!
Loved every page!
June 16, 2024
3.5*
November 16, 2024
A return to the Sholan Alliance ❤️
I read this series in the 90’s and I’ve picked it back up again as it is deeply inbedded in my heart and I can get all of the books now. 😉
I read this series in the 90’s and I’ve picked it back up again as it is deeply inbedded in my heart and I can get all of the books now. 😉
February 2, 2015
Human Carrie finds herself psychically bonded to feline Kusac body and soul. But all is not well as interstellar intrigue, personal jealousies and religious visions endanger the lives of just about everyone.
As simple and easy to read as Turning Point was, Fortune's Wheel is rich and full of detail. It almost feels like it was written by a completely different person. Which makes me wonder if someone made Ms. Norman break up a single book into two and then fill out the first one with some fluff just to pad it out.
Fortune's Wheel is really an epic scifi adventure with a ton of romance, angst, and a surprising amount of furry smexing. So be aware that there is a whole lot of loving going on of the mixed species variety and I would personally rate one section as lite "R"-ish but the rest is rather fade to black. In a way this is were this book actually shows its age, because what was rather risque in the mid-90s is actually pretty tame nowadays.
Plot wise there is a lot (A LOT) going on and a TON of characters coming and going. What starts off as a bit frustrating actually saves the book because if all 600 pages had been about Carrie and Kusac, I don't think I would have gotten halfway through it. Carrie in this book suffers from the 'virginal TSTL syndrome'. More than once I just wished someone would b*tchslap her already and tell her to grow up and buy a pair. However, the fact that there are so many other things and new characters with their own little subplots emerging, saved this book from being a wallbanger.
Now there are A LOT of tropes in this book: TSTL, whiny virginal heroine; rich, powerful, struggling to get out from under the thumb of his father, hero; evil bitch trope, interesting new 'protector' guy; unrequited love; miracle baby; duel to the death; one dimensional assassins; evil (or just kinda mean) manipulative parents, etc. I'm sure I missed some and at some level it starts to weigh down the story and you can't help but wonder when the kitchen sink will show up too.
There are definitely sections that should have been cut and some of the dialog is clunky but ultimately, I liked this universe and most of the people in it. I wanted to know more about it and more about what is actually going on and were the whole thing is going. And in the end that's what it's all about. I was definitely entertained.
As simple and easy to read as Turning Point was, Fortune's Wheel is rich and full of detail. It almost feels like it was written by a completely different person. Which makes me wonder if someone made Ms. Norman break up a single book into two and then fill out the first one with some fluff just to pad it out.
Fortune's Wheel is really an epic scifi adventure with a ton of romance, angst, and a surprising amount of furry smexing. So be aware that there is a whole lot of loving going on of the mixed species variety and I would personally rate one section as lite "R"-ish but the rest is rather fade to black. In a way this is were this book actually shows its age, because what was rather risque in the mid-90s is actually pretty tame nowadays.
Plot wise there is a lot (A LOT) going on and a TON of characters coming and going. What starts off as a bit frustrating actually saves the book because if all 600 pages had been about Carrie and Kusac, I don't think I would have gotten halfway through it. Carrie in this book suffers from the 'virginal TSTL syndrome'. More than once I just wished someone would b*tchslap her already and tell her to grow up and buy a pair. However, the fact that there are so many other things and new characters with their own little subplots emerging, saved this book from being a wallbanger.
Now there are A LOT of tropes in this book: TSTL, whiny virginal heroine; rich, powerful, struggling to get out from under the thumb of his father, hero; evil bitch trope, interesting new 'protector' guy; unrequited love; miracle baby; duel to the death; one dimensional assassins; evil (or just kinda mean) manipulative parents, etc. I'm sure I missed some and at some level it starts to weigh down the story and you can't help but wonder when the kitchen sink will show up too.
There are definitely sections that should have been cut and some of the dialog is clunky but ultimately, I liked this universe and most of the people in it. I wanted to know more about it and more about what is actually going on and were the whole thing is going. And in the end that's what it's all about. I was definitely entertained.
February 23, 2016
Tbe story of Carrie and Kusac continue...
This book is a big step down from the first book in the series that had me hooked from the start. 'Fortune's Wheel' is broken down into two halves: the first taking place on the Sholan spaceship in orbit above Carrie's planet and the last taking place on the planet of Shola, Kusac's homeworld. The first part is incredibly boring. A lot seems to be happening onboard the space ship but, in reality, not much happens. The author was trying to juggle too many plots and characters at once and ended up going nowhere.
Thankfully, their time on Shola is far more interesting and is definitely worth wading through the first half of the book. The second half of the book is very fun, fast-paced, dangerous, and full of twists and turns. I wish the two halves could have been broken off into two books so that I could have given the first half one star and the second half of the book four and a half stars.
Carrie, who was a very interesting and active character in the first book, spends most of this second volume being a damsel in distress. She gets kidnapped, she gets sick, she gets attacked, she gets injured, she even has to be rescued from her own nightmares! Most of this rescuing comes from Kusac, which would be tolerable except for the fact that he is constantly reminding the readers that he is turned on by her weakness. He likes protecting her because a female of his own species would be able to protect herself while Carrie depends on him for nearly everything. Even another character points out that Carrie has him very well 'trained' to rescue her whenever she needs it. She finally begins to come into her own in the second half of the book but she still has a long way to go.
Also the cast explodes with a ton of new characters, most of them Sholans who all have very similar names. I could barely keep any of the characters beyond the main cast straight.
These points aside, 'Fortune's Wheel' is still a good book and the second half of the story (especially the wonderful ending) is well worth fighting through the dullness of the opening half of the book. I've heard the books to follow are a major step up from this one; I hope that is true.
This book is a big step down from the first book in the series that had me hooked from the start. 'Fortune's Wheel' is broken down into two halves: the first taking place on the Sholan spaceship in orbit above Carrie's planet and the last taking place on the planet of Shola, Kusac's homeworld. The first part is incredibly boring. A lot seems to be happening onboard the space ship but, in reality, not much happens. The author was trying to juggle too many plots and characters at once and ended up going nowhere.
Thankfully, their time on Shola is far more interesting and is definitely worth wading through the first half of the book. The second half of the book is very fun, fast-paced, dangerous, and full of twists and turns. I wish the two halves could have been broken off into two books so that I could have given the first half one star and the second half of the book four and a half stars.
Carrie, who was a very interesting and active character in the first book, spends most of this second volume being a damsel in distress. She gets kidnapped, she gets sick, she gets attacked, she gets injured, she even has to be rescued from her own nightmares! Most of this rescuing comes from Kusac, which would be tolerable except for the fact that he is constantly reminding the readers that he is turned on by her weakness. He likes protecting her because a female of his own species would be able to protect herself while Carrie depends on him for nearly everything. Even another character points out that Carrie has him very well 'trained' to rescue her whenever she needs it. She finally begins to come into her own in the second half of the book but she still has a long way to go.
Also the cast explodes with a ton of new characters, most of them Sholans who all have very similar names. I could barely keep any of the characters beyond the main cast straight.
These points aside, 'Fortune's Wheel' is still a good book and the second half of the story (especially the wonderful ending) is well worth fighting through the dullness of the opening half of the book. I've heard the books to follow are a major step up from this one; I hope that is true.
June 11, 2017
I enjoyed the first book in this series and looked forward to this book. However after the first chapter I nearly gave up. I just got so fed up with the irrational behavior, temper tantrums and constant whining from just about every character, especially Carrie. I don’t understand what the author is doing, it’s as if she has decided to completely rewrite Carrie’s characteristics and create a new individual. An individual that is annoying and I don’t want to read about.
I kept reading in the hope things would improve, but the next chapter turned into a badly written SiFi Soap Opera (Yes SOAP not SPACE), illogical intrigue, gossip and back-biting rubbish. Added to this are numerous sub-plots that completely stop any flow to the story.
It maybe that the book improves, but I was so disappointed with the start of this book that in the end I just gave up.
I kept reading in the hope things would improve, but the next chapter turned into a badly written SiFi Soap Opera (Yes SOAP not SPACE), illogical intrigue, gossip and back-biting rubbish. Added to this are numerous sub-plots that completely stop any flow to the story.
It maybe that the book improves, but I was so disappointed with the start of this book that in the end I just gave up.
September 1, 2009
Thank goodness I have Fire Margins already, or I'd be going crazy trying to find a copy. Fortune's Wheel leaves off on a very important cliff hanger.
Overall I was highly pleased with this book. There were many twists and turns that I hadn't at all expected, like what happens with Vanna for instance, and the death of one character at the end. I'd hoped she would live, but the death adds more of a realistic touch to the story.
Anyway, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat, especially near the end. I think Lisanne Norman was also caught in the energy of her own story, since I noticed a larger number of typos near the end of the book.
If you loved the first book, you'll love this one twice as much. I can't wait to start reading the next one.
Overall I was highly pleased with this book. There were many twists and turns that I hadn't at all expected, like what happens with Vanna for instance, and the death of one character at the end. I'd hoped she would live, but the death adds more of a realistic touch to the story.
Anyway, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat, especially near the end. I think Lisanne Norman was also caught in the energy of her own story, since I noticed a larger number of typos near the end of the book.
If you loved the first book, you'll love this one twice as much. I can't wait to start reading the next one.
July 2, 2012
Combining the human/alien romance theme of My Hero, the interplanetary settings and beings of Star Trek, and the drama of a soap opera, Lisanne Norman's Fortune's Wheel is a well-written and involving, yet morally problematic, science fiction novel. The bi-species couple is easy to root for, and the book doesn't feel nearly as long as the 646 pages it really is. However, some sexual content, profanity throughout the novel, a disappointing ending, and a few graphically violent scenes messed up Fortune's Wheel. Will I read the next novel in the series? I don't know.
September 7, 2010
While the first book was very good, this second volume was much longer, and far lesser in quality than I had hoped for. Here, the characters slide into overused tropes, and the heroine is very quickly turning into a Mary-Sue. Arugh. Worst still, the hero for all of his feline sexiness, is also a powerful warrior, heir of a powerful family, and blah, blah, blah. Can't anyone do something a bit more creative with science fiction? Please?
For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_33658...
For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/content_33658...
December 26, 2025
Carrie and Kusac continue to struggle in their relationship and find themselves in the middle of a political nightmare. Carrie faces censure from her fellow humans and Kusac is pushing back against his family and the life they want him to have.
June 7, 2015
Obsession can be dangerous and one carried for many years even more so. The continuing story of the humans and sholans. A great series
January 12, 2017
Great Continuation of the Sholan Alliance. More Sci Fi Romance than the previous. Well Written.
March 7, 2011
Where can I get a Leska link?????
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