[Review] Faded Sun Trilogy

Hi All,

Since we talk about books ever so often, I thought I'd impart my impression of
this one, and you can decide for yourself if it's for you.

The Faded Sun Trilogy by C. J. Cherryh (DAW Books) (Includes the novels
Kesrith, Shon'Jir, and Kutath)

To start off, this book gives the FT, DS, and/or SG player virtually
nothing to work with in terms of scenarios.

In fact, the only thing that made me think of FT while reading was the effects
of FTL travel. Remarkably similar to the effects described in FT, causing
disorientation and nausea. Humans counter the effects with drugs, but another
race, the Mri, are immune to the effects.

This DOES suggest an interesting idea for the FT universe, a race whose
people are not disoriented by FTL - though their computers might still
be! This would have little effect in the tactical game, but could be an
interesting campaign mechanic.

A quick synopsis - without giving anything away: the last of the Mri
escape the Regul (and Humans) and search for their homeworld. The Mri are a
race with a strong warrior caste. The Regul are a race of "Jabba the Hutts."

The books are primarily about the discovery of the culture and heritage of the
Mri, which is revealed through various characters either teaching or learning
various aspects thereof. So if you think you'd like a book about the culture
of a strict caste system with a strong, stubborn warrior mindset, then this is
for you.

One very interesting aspect of the book is that racial points of view are
given alot of attention. What makes sense to a Mri or Human is
incomprehensible to a Regul, and vice versa. Much in the same way the Humans
do not understand the motivations or thinking of the Kra'Vak, Sa'Vasku, or
Phalons.

Cherryh writes well, with very good character developement, and lots of
cultural goodies to keep you thinking. You'll be hooked into flipping pages
just to see what's revealed next. The end, while not a surprise as such, is
not quite what you expect.

I think I've wasted enough of people's time for now.

> --- Sean Bayan Schoonmaker <s_schoon@pacbell.net> wrote:

Note that this is currently available as an omnibus edition with all three
volumes in one.

> Cherryh writes well, with very good character developement, and lots

I'll second this

> I think I've wasted enough of people's time for now.

recommendations for good books wastes nobody's time

> Michael Llaneza wrote:

> > The Faded Sun Trilogy by C. J. Cherryh (DAW Books)

Especially when one can draw cultural/background bits from a novel to
help spruce
up their own games...;-)