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Okal Rel Saga #8
Gathering Storm
It was supposed to be a civilized event...
But the first-ever cultural exchange between the Sevolite empire and the worlds of Rire was in trouble even before festivities were interrupted by the desperate rescue of a rebel Nesak priest.
There are plenty reasons for cross-cultural relations to be strained. Horth braved a Demish ball to find out why Ilse ran away. Ilse’s not the only woman dealing with an unexpected pregnancy. And Eler’s staging questionable plays. Amel’s in trouble with the Vrellish for agreeing to get married and in trouble with the Demish for agreeing to perform with a Reetion dancer who turns out to be gay. When Amel’s ex-lover, Ann of Rire, puts in an appearance with a baby she claims to be his, his Bridegroom ball is at stake. As well as the baby’s life, if the Vrellish suspect unnatural origins.
The arrival of a Lorel doctor in a bizarre ship stirs the mix. And controversy flares into a duel when Rire discovers Nersallians hunt and kill grabrats – the only intelligent aliens known to Rire.
And then the Nesaks arrive, prepared to shut down the new dawn of civilization with total war.
But the first-ever cultural exchange between the Sevolite empire and the worlds of Rire was in trouble even before festivities were interrupted by the desperate rescue of a rebel Nesak priest.
There are plenty reasons for cross-cultural relations to be strained. Horth braved a Demish ball to find out why Ilse ran away. Ilse’s not the only woman dealing with an unexpected pregnancy. And Eler’s staging questionable plays. Amel’s in trouble with the Vrellish for agreeing to get married and in trouble with the Demish for agreeing to perform with a Reetion dancer who turns out to be gay. When Amel’s ex-lover, Ann of Rire, puts in an appearance with a baby she claims to be his, his Bridegroom ball is at stake. As well as the baby’s life, if the Vrellish suspect unnatural origins.
The arrival of a Lorel doctor in a bizarre ship stirs the mix. And controversy flares into a duel when Rire discovers Nersallians hunt and kill grabrats – the only intelligent aliens known to Rire.
And then the Nesaks arrive, prepared to shut down the new dawn of civilization with total war.
- GenresScience Fiction
254 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Lynda Williams
78 books44 followersThe Okal Rel universe of author Lynda Williams is peopled by larger-than-life characters navigating cross-cultural dramas.
In 2021 the series is the basis of an experimental word-gaming gig inspired by Lynda's own writer's journey and interests.
Originally published by Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing, the series was taken over by its author in 2014, through Reality Skimming Press (2014-2017).
Williams taught applied computing at the University of Northern B.C. for 15 years, where she headed the Center for Teaching and Learning, and ran a web development lab for producing online courses. Since 2012 she has been Learning Technology Analyst and Manager at the Teaching and Learning Centre of Simon Fraser University, in Burnaby, B.C. She also teaches introductory web design, part-time, at BCIT.
She was founder and producer of the online journal Reflections on Water, which ran for ten years ending in 2007.
In 2021 the series is the basis of an experimental word-gaming gig inspired by Lynda's own writer's journey and interests.
Originally published by Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing, the series was taken over by its author in 2014, through Reality Skimming Press (2014-2017).
Williams taught applied computing at the University of Northern B.C. for 15 years, where she headed the Center for Teaching and Learning, and ran a web development lab for producing online courses. Since 2012 she has been Learning Technology Analyst and Manager at the Teaching and Learning Centre of Simon Fraser University, in Burnaby, B.C. She also teaches introductory web design, part-time, at BCIT.
She was founder and producer of the online journal Reflections on Water, which ran for ten years ending in 2007.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 1, 2013
Had I happened upon this gem browsing a bookstore, I probably would have ignored it. Which would have been a shame. The reasons for my continued ignorance would have been: 1. It's vol 8 of a series. 2. The visual style, while pleasing as such, would have given me the wrong impression that I (male, over 40) am not part of the target demographic. Luckily, I received "Gathering Storm" as a present.
I don't like to read plot summaries, so I won't write one. Did I mention this is vol 8 of a series? Which meant I was quite lost as to plot, story and background. Neverthess, I had no trouble "getting" the book. Williams writes very clear, exact prose emphasizing characterization through well crafted dialog. The book's main strength is the description of social (in the widest sense) interaction between interesting, distinguishable characters. The exotic background is evokative rather than exhaustively detailed. If you like your novels character-driven without woodcut/cardboard villains, this one might be for you. It may, nevertheless, be a good idea to start with the first installment, "The Courtesan Prince".
I don't like to read plot summaries, so I won't write one. Did I mention this is vol 8 of a series? Which meant I was quite lost as to plot, story and background. Neverthess, I had no trouble "getting" the book. Williams writes very clear, exact prose emphasizing characterization through well crafted dialog. The book's main strength is the description of social (in the widest sense) interaction between interesting, distinguishable characters. The exotic background is evokative rather than exhaustively detailed. If you like your novels character-driven without woodcut/cardboard villains, this one might be for you. It may, nevertheless, be a good idea to start with the first installment, "The Courtesan Prince".
Displaying 1 of 1 review