Scattered Suns
Kevin J. Anderson
(Reviewer - D. H. BROWN)
2005 Aspect Warner
ISBN: 0446577170

Book 4 of The Saga of Seven Suns continues the war between the alien hydrogues & faeros, reducing suns to blackened shells, including one of the fabled seven suns of the Ildiran Empire.

Instead of protecting themselves, the Ildirans engage in bloody civil war. The many factions of humanity are so bitterly divided, can they overcome their internecine fighting to face a new deadly enemy about to annihilate them?

Newly ascended to the Ildiran throne, Mage-Imperator Jora'h must quash the rebellion launched by his mad brother before the hydrogues destroy what is left of the empire. Assailed from all sides, Jora'h turns to his beloved half-human daughter, dispatching her on a desperate peace mission.

Hope for humanity now rests with Jess Tamblyn, who continues to seed worlds with the watery wentals, the mortal enemies of the hydrogues. & on the ravaged planet of Theroc, home to a telepathic worldforest, a dead man is resurrected to prepare for the arrival of mysterious new allies.

Sr. Staff Reviewer D. H. BROWN writes:

Alright! Book 4 & Kevin Anderson has not yet writ himself out. The end game is still murky & the plot has thickened with the addition of new aliens & the transformation of old players. Humans are still acting like humans & the short-lived apes we truly are. This series now qualifies as a SAGA without a doubt.

I will admit to being reluctant to continue as I've come to believe that an author should be able to cover the scope of his ideas in no more than three books. This doesn't seem to be the case with Mr. Anderson. So I finally picked it up & began. & yes, I soon found myself rooting for the good guys & hissing at the bad. I believe that is what makes a doubtful work into a good one. My attention was held to the end & I wanted Book 5 in my hands right then.

I will not be reviewing anymore of this series. I feel I have said all that can come to mind. I have no regrets, barring my petty reservation on the length. I will read the next & probably the one thereafter. After all, good writing is good story telling, & that Mr. Anderson has accomplished with flair & imagination.

I encourage Sci-Fi fans to acquire the ones thus far written & watch carefully for the balance. A really well done effort.

More from Kevin J. Anderson:
Horizon Storms
Hidden Empire
A Forest of Stars
Dark Lords of the Sith (Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, Volume Two)
Dogged Persistence & many more!
(07/31/05)

D. H. BROWN
A RebeccasReads.Com Sr. Staff Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
D. H. BROWN is the author of the critically acclaimed HONOR DUE and the Citizens Warrior Series. The son of missionary parents and with the help his Uncle Sam, he has touched base in more than 40 countries.  In 1986 he produced the independent children's film Lessie's Rainbow.  During the late 80s and early 90s, he wrote the book Common Sense and delivered the seminars of the same name for the Community Action Network of Seattle (CAN).  While doing his early Vietnam recovery work, he counseled Veterans and spoke widely to men's groups in Washington state, and was a founder of The Lodge of the Wolf.

D. H. BROWN has worked as a Logistics and Weapons Specialist in Viet Nam; day laborer; Director of Security; Armored Car Driver; Police Officer; Professional Hunting Guide; Trapper; Dog Sledder; Homesteader; Truck Driver; General Contractor; Minister; Editor; Writer; Speaker; Restaurateur; Movie Producer; Antique Restoration Specialist; Personal Care Worker; PC Repair Specialist; Computer Instructor; Webmaster and Web Designer. "I write about what I know."

He lives deep in the Pacific Northwest rainforest with his wife, author and editor Rebecca and Buddy Dog, working on his next book.
Visit him at: www.dhbrownbooks.com