Check out website: www.orionbooks.co.uk
This SF omnibus is of two novels and a short
story set on the world of Orthe.
 The
first novel 'Golden Witchbreed' has Lynn de Lisle Christie, envoy
for Earth, sent to the planet Orthe to open up trade negotiations.
Some parts of this new world are ruled by the Crown and others by
the Church.
As Christie travels she is arrested by those who believe her to
be a descendant of the Golden Witchbreed. The Witchbreed were
a cruel and powerful race supposedly extinct. They were a technological
people who devastated the land which is why many Ortheans are against
Earth's presence - they fear a repeat of history.
On the run with her Orthean assistant; a barbarian woman and a
man paid to kill her she begins to realize they've seriously underestimated
Orthe. When she reaches civilisation her enemies are brought to
justice but, unfortunately, she is then accused of murder.
After much inner turmoil, which includes a new Crown, she finds
that her real enemy was one she least expected. The second novel
'Ancient Light' has Christie going back to Orthe ten years later
after Earth's archaeologists have uncovered some ancient technological
finds.
Almost as soon as they arrive they realise that the land is in
turmoil verging on civil war. Earth's presence is even more resented
than before and many Ortheans are openly hostile towards Christie
and her colleagues.
Christie finds herself torn between her loyalty to Earth and her
love for the Orthean people. Matters get worse when Earth intervenes
and the descendants of the Golden Witchbreed threaten to use an
old but extremely powerful weapon called Ancient Light.
The short story, ‘The Crystal Sunlight, The Bright Air’, is about
a young man who makes a pilgrimage to a now peaceful Orthe after
the death of his lover. Phew! This is some book! I must admit
when I first picked it up my first reaction was 'Thanks Geoff!'.
This is a big book aptly described as a 'doorstop' so after putting
it off as long as possible I finally began to read. Mary Gentle
has created a uniquely alien world and a rather complicated social
structure.
She writes vividly and her characters are strong and fleshed out
well, although I did find at times her titles for various ranks
and places confusing. The story itself was intriguing but it did
drag at times.
Things that could have been concluded in a chapter or two went
on for several.
Overall it was a good read - a unique world and interesting characters.
Jacqueline Kirk
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