After a spaceship crashes into the planet of Tonath, the lone occupant survives and fights his way to sunlit part of the planet. When a passing freighter finds him and takes him to the Western Starshift Institute of the Way, where the Teacher rules the sunlit part of the planet, Tonath is a planet being torn apart by the forces of nature, and only the Teacher can predict the movement of the stars and interpret the prophecies. Will the Teacher be able to recognize True Man and True Foe in time to save Tonath from a thousand years of burning?
I was born on a farm in the state of Iowa, Audubon County, Lincoln Township. To say that my upbringing was bucolic would be an understatement. My first writing was for the Audubon Advocate as the Douglas Township correspondent. I was 13 and received the magnificent sum of $.03 per line. If the item were published in the society section, the pay increased to $.04. The monthly check was always under $5.00.
My mother took me to Phoenix, AZ when it became impossible for me to eat, sleep, or breathe in Iowa. The climate restored my health and I attended school there, graduated, and married my high school sweetheart. Together we raised two wonderful children. During this time I started writing stories and sold one story to Jack and Jill. In 1976 he moved us to Western Washington to escape the desert sun. Washington is a land where it can and did rain 133 1/3 inches of water a year. He was a finish carpenter contractor; I did the books, and worked for Nintendo of America. Upon retirement, we returned to the desert and this wonderful, quirky town of Twenynine Palms. We had just celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary when he passed away.
I serve on the Twentynine Palms Historical Society as a docent, and write a column for the Old Schoolhouse Journal.
When you awaken in a strange place, and your mind has no recollection of how you got there, the plot thickens. But when you also have amnesia and find yourself surrounded by green and only green... and determine that you are being hunted, the plot is off the charts. That's the beginning to Mari Collier's 'Man, True Man,' a novel in her Chronicles of the Maca or Tonath series. I believe they intertwine at some point; I've only read one in the collection previously, but I've enjoyed several of the author's other books and highly recommend them. For science-fiction fans, and possibly even a bit of those with a flair for fantasy, the unnamed protagonist will capture your attention immediately, but then the chapter ends and a new one begins with an entirely new POV. Someone has found the mystery man, days later, and readers soon learn we are dealing with a different species. How will this quest turn out? Who is really the hunter and the hunted? And what happened to cause someone to crash on this uncommonly frightening new planet.
Collier excels at creating a universe like no other, instantly drawing in readers to an imaginative world ripe with conflict and drama. Supporting characters rise to the top and encourage readers to choose early on who they want to believe, but mostly, who they want to survive. How much history exists before we see it all come flooding back? A great read for those with a desire to immerse themselves in a habitat very different from Earth, or possibly not so much. That rabbit scene in the beginning was intense and made the first impact on this reader - I knew quickly to prepare myself for a wild ride. Great installment, and I'll be on the lookout for more in 2023.
Man True Man by Mari Collier is an installment from the author's Maca anthology, a stand-alone work that resonates with the intricate and well-contrived sci-fi series. Loren Donald is the main protagonist who finds himself on the planet Tonath in an amnesic state amidst a rugged frontier populated by hostile communities. The Western Starshift Institute is governed by the Way, a strict and unyielding philosophy dictated by the Teacher. Loren's instincts help him assimilate with the outback culture, and soon he finds himself in a marriage of convenience with Morgana Swen. A conflict develops as the birth of a child reveals Loren's physiological dilemma as a man with two hearts. He is suspected of being a Green, the apostate enemies who inhabit the Belt Lands from which he came. Loren is faced with the prospect of establishing his identity or losing everything he has acquired to a Contract of Dissolution which might cost his very life.
As in the other works in the series, the third-person narrative has a canonical quality that keeps the diligent reader mesmerized. The Old West atmosphere authenticates the WSSI community's blind faith in a reactionary system that is the only alternative to the Greens' lawlessness. The Krepyons lay siege to the WSSI organization in a climactic episode, and its premises are tested far more than their faith and fortitude might endure. Loren and Morgana are caught in the middle, and their fate will keep readers in doubt to the finish. Collier fans, sci-fi lovers and speculative fiction buffs won't want to miss it.
On the planet of Tonath, a man awakens. His memory is gone and he is attacked by creatures that can only be given the name greenies. Surviving that. the man again awakes in another strange place. People, not quite the same as him are trying to help the man who now is going by the name Loren. The man is going to find the world he is in is in trouble, but he will survive. The story takes readers into the life of Loren and a science fiction adventure that is hard to put down. The author has combined science fiction with a chronological look at what a man endures as he finds love, life, hardships and even some horrors on a planet far, far away.
I absolutely love the sci-fi/Western sub-genre (my favorite TV show is Firefly), so Mari Collier's books are always fascinating for me. I don’t want to talk about the story so that I don’t reveal any surprises, so let me just say it’s fast-paced, action-packed, full of wonderful characters, and difficult to put down. It also reminds me of another favorite sci-fi series where one if the main characters has two hearts:) Like the other books I’ve read from this author, this was a great read and a fantastic way to start a new series. Highly recommended.
( Format : Audiobook ) "Who am I?" The lone traveller with two hearts wakes with the realisation that his space ship is in trouble before it disintegrates, and, waking a second time, finds himself in a strange, foul smelling world of green. Pursued by green men and struck on the head, he wakes once more, this time to find himself tended by a doctor in a type of monestary, the world no longer green but normal. He had been unconscious for at least two weeks and, slowly recovering, finds he no longer has any memories. He is on Tonath, ruled over by the Teacher who accepts him, names him Loren and sees that he is cared for and educated in the Way. The story follows Loren's life on this pre industrialized planet.
This was an excellent start to a novel but, unfortunately for this reader, despite the character of Loren totally dominating the story, he seemed a two dimensional character and, moreover, an unlikable one. The almost wild West setting was similarly off putting and I struggled to stay focused on the progress of our hero as scenes tended to jump about on the linear timeline. The Teacher's quest for the.one True Man, as opposed to the True Foe, whose identity was believed to save or destroy the planet, was far more interesting but, sadly, much less prominent.
The book was, otherwise, well written and, mostly, well read by Sean Duregggar, whose performance is well paced and modulated, with individual voicings for the numerous characters, though occasionally, especially towards the end, these voices seem to become muddled. Regretfully, I have to admit this was not a book for me: vast potential but not a story which grabbed and maintained my interest after the initial chapters, more like fantasy than science fiction. There is obviously going to be a continuing series but I doubt that I will continue with it, although I am sure the book will appeal to many readers. My thanks, however, to the rights holder of Man, True Man, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. And I must commend the stunning cover.
I was first introduced to Mari Collier's ebooks through her "Twisted Tales" short stories, which are full of surprises and twist and turns. Certainly, this book did not disappoint me and as I read it over Christmas holidays, I was able to thoroughly enjoy the masterful character development and use of the fantastic and believable history Mari has developed for the mutant men with two hearts over the course of her many Maca novels. This is the seventh in the series though I suspect it was written much earlier.
Mari's interest in history and the environment are evident as she weaves a tale of an alien world and lifestyle, family and political intrigue, with no strings left unraveled from what I could see. Tragedy, the mystery of his own origins, and realistic medical issues riddle the protagonist with barriers to the final satisfying conclusion, but the series is far from finished. This author is surprisingly complex and has deep messages for humanity. We really care about the Thallians and the rift between disparate alien diplomats seems all too realistic. Excellent story. I must go back and read more of the prequels. I would recommend this sci-fi western author as a truly authentic American author who is enjoying much deserved success.
We meet Loren as he struggles with his spacecraft on a scouting/surveying mission to this planet which is being torn apart by vicious forces as it is caught between two different space-time dimensions. After he crashes and is badly injured, suffering from amnesia, he is rescued and taken to a colony of earth like inhabitants, reminiscent of the Texas cattle lands of late 19th century. Loren Donald isn’t his real name, he adopts it as it feels familiar and comforting to him. This planet, Tonath, is under the auspices of the Star Shift Institutes and its devout leader, the Teacher. The Teacher knows that Loren, with his two hearts, is not all that he appears to be, but his memory loss is a confounding obstacle. We are taken through decades, as Loren settles into life on this planet until the truth finally surfaces towards the end of this magnificent SciFi/Western saga. This is truly, SciFi at its best. Wonderful characters, settings and amazing detail all woven together to give us an unforgettable read. I have already purchased The Silver and the Green, which is Book 2 of this series, to continue a must read for all lovers of SciFi. Five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ truly unforgettable, magnificent stars for Man, True Man.
Loren McDonald crash lands on a strange planet and is met with some physical harm and loses his memory. He has difficulty breathing the air. He outwits strange beings who attack. Later, he finds himself on a planet called Tonath. Once he stabilizes, he is able to live among these strange people and adapt to their peculiar ways The leader of Tonath, who adheres to strict rules of governing, is called The Teacher. He administers The Way and its Brotherhood. The people of this planet are guided and live by these rigid teachings.
Though Loran adapts to a regular life among these people on their completely strange and foreign planet, and becomes known simply as Loren Donald, this story is anything but usual. The author has created a true fictional world and story, complete with well-drawn unique characters as one would expect from science fiction. That is another aspect that drew me in.
For example, Loren is different from the planet’s inhabitants because he has two hearts. His differences sets him way apart from the locals. As the story progresses we learn about Loren, from where he came, and his way of life. Characteristics like these drew me deep into the story because they were – to me – surprisingly different. I have never been a fan of science fiction and read little but heard positive remarks about Mari Collier’s books. While perusing, I found this one easily digestible for this non-science fiction reader. Needless to say, I’ll be looking to read all the books in this series, maybe having to backtrack to previous stories to catch up. I highly recommend these books with stories easy to get into.
This was awesome. I powered through this in like 2 days. It was so interesting and very different from anything I have read before. And I read a good amount of fantasy/ Science fiction type stuff. Also, I think the books next books in the series are going to be even better. The narrator also did an amazing job. He was a perfect fit for this book. I can't wait to listen to more from these guys!
I enjoyed this story. What I like most about reading is the awesome imaginations of authors. "Man, True Man" by Mari Collier is a story about a crashed space traveler who makes a life on his new world, not remembering his past. A fantasy adventure with a touch of the Old West and a developing society, in a world drifting between dimensions. How's that for imagination? Like the steam engines of old, you start with a lurch and slowly pick up speed. A wonderful tale.
While I occasionally found this confusing and had to go back and reread a few pages I found the story and world interesting and became very involved. May not be for everyone but I definitely recommend it.
I enjoyed the read very much. Plenty of suspense and all around great story. The characters were well written. The story didn't feel rushed and everything flowed together nicely.
Teacher had an impossible task. With the death of his predecessor and the predicted Star Shift, a heavy burden was placed upon his shoulders. It was said he would either save or condemn their world. To do so he must discern who the True Man and the True Foe is. To put his faith in the wrong one would condemn them all to ashes. When Loren's ship crashes he is robbed of everything but his instincts. After battling through the Green Belt he is taken in by those following the teachings of the Way. With only the experiences of his time here, and the name, Loren, he was given by his rescuers, he must find his place in this world, and by doing so hopefully, reveal his place in the prophecy while there is still time to act. Is he True Man or True Foe, and how can the actions if one condemn the world or lead it to salvation?
Man, True Man is the first book in Mari Collier's The Chronicles of Tonath series. Set in the future on an alternative planet it follows the life of Loren as he finds himself within these unfamiliar lands with no memory of his past. Within this book is a deeply woven plot and a world filled with its own struggles, politics, and factions. I enjoyed watching his life unfold, and his instincts guided the path he set himself and his family upon. Danger, uncertainty, strife, and challenges fill the well-paced plot and leave the reader wondering the truth behind Loren's path and how his life would shape the future and the dangers it would bring.
I hate reviews that tell the story, so I won't do that. These are the things most important to me for a good read... This book drops you into a different planet, later filled with familiar settings. Language includes some words that are foreign, yet context makes them understandable. The world-building was well done. Explaining shifting dimensions is difficult on a good day, but this author does a decent job of it. I would like to have the aliens described better; maybe that is in later books. The pacing was well done. There's excitement, fighting, tenderness, sorrow, happiness, and hope throughout. I liked the MC. He struggles with his identity, whilst adapting to this new environment society. There was a long list of good guys, mediocre guys, bad guys, & evil guys. This book is stand alone, with a satisfying ending, but I enjoyed her writing and storyline so much, I'm eager to continue after reading the epilogue. I think the story would benefit with time stamps, as weeks and months and years pass suddenly at times.
TL;DR I didn't like this book, 90% of it is a weird old western with cowboys on a different planet then at the end it turns into a fantasy.
My Scoring System I have five things I look for in a book, if the book checks all five it's a 5/5 stars book, if it checks none it's a 1/5 stars and everything else is a combination:
X - Main Story: It was very boring in my opinion, it's just about a guy who has no memories and we follow him just living his life and being a cowboy.
X - Side Stories (if it applies): Didn't enjoy the stories with the Brothers and their religion.
✓ - Characters: The main protagonist is good, I liked his character and how quick thinking and smart he is.
X - Setting/Ambiance: Didn't like it but thats just me because I don't like western style.
✓ - Ending: The best part of the book, when the protagonist starts to remember who he is and we get some answers.
This story is a great outline for an epic series. The way that it jumps through time is unnecessary and leaves the story as a bit more of a sketch with broad strokes, rather than a complete tale.
This book has many twists and even though it is sci-fi a lot of it covers the same social problems and prejudices we have today. The author does a great job of expressing this.
A prophesy, power hungry neighbors, religion, and machismo. It all brings new meaning to the ancient curse - may your life be interesting. Now throw in an alien living in the community and life is pretty messed up and violent.
This installment of the series was one of the easiest to follow, without all the jumping through time without warning. I really like these books and the characters.
Lorenz Mc Donald, the Laird of Don, has left Thalia. He approaches a new planet in his travels, initiated after the death of his wife, and some form of anomaly causes him to crash and lose his star traveling craft. He is hit in the head and has amnesia, doesn't know who he is, how he got to his new home, and has no memories of his prior life. He begins again, though, with the blessing of the "Teacher," the leader of the faith on his new planet, called The Way. The Way and its Brotherhood controls everything there and has established a primitive life style. Loren Donald, as Lorenz is now called, flourishes there. He remarries, has three children of his own, establishes a find cattle and sheep ranch together with his new wife Morgana. And then along comes a group of newcomers from outer space. The newcomers, unbeknownst to Lorenz, include his son, the Wee Da, Daniel and his daughter Melissa. They are reunited, Lorenz regains his memories and leaves for Thalia with his "elder fither." And a new sequel potential is born with the survival of Lorenz' grandchildren and great grandchildren. I enjoyed this novel a great deal. It is, as usual with Mari Collier's books, very well written, with characters who are repetitive and yet also new. It is definitely a cross over novel and would be fine for ages from tweens and above. A very fast read, a pleasant ending and I look forward to the next in the series.