Kinsman's Oath

Rating:
Summary: An Intelligent Escape Novel
Review: A hallmark of Susan Krinard's writing is a significantly deeper level of psychological exploration than the typical escape novelist offers. Kinsman's Oath provides an abundance of psychological exploration. The role of a telepath, seen particularly in the two lead characters, stems from more than the desire for mental connection that many people seek. Three psychological issues that Krinard explores are self-identity, manipulation of memory, and cultural conditioning. Some issues are explored more skillfully than others. In addition to the psychological issues mentioned, many additional themes are entwined throughout the story. Being classified as a romance novel, love is one of the additional themes.

If you're looking to escape into a simple, rather superficial story that doesn't require much thought, the choices are bountiful, and Kinsman's Oath might not be what you're looking for. If you enjoy reading high quality fiction / literature, yet wish to escape every so often without sacrificing intelligence, then you may find Kinsman's Oath to be an enjoyable reading experience.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding book
Review: I read Susan's story Kinsman in the "Out Of This World" anthology. When I heard she was putting out a full novel along the same vein, I rushed to order it. I was not disappointed. Susan builds an immense and colorful world in her tale of the shaauri and humans. The suspense and intrigue keep you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you have a handle on what is going on in the story, she throws a curve ball at you out of left field that you never saw coming. The building romance and tension between Ronan and Cynara balances out the action, adventure and suspense. Complex and enthralling saga. Albeit a reader might be slightly lost in the beginning had they not read her first story, they will catch up with out any problems.

Rating:
Summary: Confusing plot
Review: The problem with having TWO telepaths falling in love with each other is that, obviously, they can read each other's minds. In this book, the plot curve balls don't come externally, they come from the telepathic hero and heroine themselves. So how do you have plot curve balls with telephaths? You have them hide themselves. So for the first half of the book, the hero seems like a good guy. Then the second half of the book, you learn his hidden agenda, which also totally altered his personality and made me not like him at all. So I spent the first half of the book getting to like the guy, then in the second half that guy wasn't there anymore, but someone else with the same name and face.

The first half is spent introducing the reader to the characters and universe. The second half is where everything gets very confusing and tangled up, as the two telepathic leads subvert their personalities and plots again and again. Because they are telepathic, the two leads are like giant onions, with each layer, complete with personality, plot, and thoughts, hiding the thoughts and goals of the layer underneath. After the author forced me to go through at least 4 layers, I was completely bewildered by who believed what and who each person truly was. One minute, the heroine or hero was doing something for a particular reason. Then you learn they were lying about it all the time, they really meant to do this. Then you learn that that was just an act, they really want to do this. And so on. By the end of the book, I felt that I didn't know either character at all, they were so full of subterfuge.

I hope her next novel has better plot devices, preferably more creativity in exploring worlds, flora and fauna, rather than this confusing personality-crisis business.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding book
Review: Two decades ago, war between humanity and the Shaauri broke out. Most of the Kinsmen, humans with telepathic abilities, supported the Shaauri against their own kind. Abductions were not uncommon and a young Ronan velKalevi was taken as a lad by the Shaauri during the early days of the conflict

Now Ronan tries to escape from his captivity. Blockade runner Captain Cynara D'Accorso of the Pegasus sees Ronan flee a Shaauri warship, but though her better judgment says to stay out of this potentially dangerous scenario, she rescues him. When she realizes he is telepathic she becomes concerned because many of those with that skill joined the enemy. Though extremely attracted to him, she wonders if he is a mole sent out to stop activities like hers. Ronan, unused to human contact finds himself in love with his rescuer, but is not sure how to prove he wants to be on her side.

Returning to the "Kinsman" universe that she first described in an OUT OF THIS WORLD novella, Susan Krinard furbishes science fiction romance readers with a wonderful tale of a future in space marred by armed conflict. The delightful story line hooks readers of both genres with its descriptive insight into a galaxy under siege while also providing two wonderful characters wondering whether they should be loving partners or disillusioned antagonists. Fans of the author will appreciate this fine futuristic adventure tale though there is not a werewolf within a zillion light-years of this novel.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: wonderful OUT OF THIS WORLD science fiction romance
Review: Two decades ago, war between humanity and the Shaauri broke out. Most of the Kinsmen, humans with telepathic abilities, supported the Shaauri against their own kind. Abductions were not uncommon and a young Ronan velKalevi was taken as a lad by the Shaauri during the early days of the conflict

Now Ronan tries to escape from his captivity. Blockade runner Captain Cynara D'Accorso of the Pegasus sees Ronan flee a Shaauri warship, but though her better judgment says to stay out of this potentially dangerous scenario, she rescues him. When she realizes he is telepathic she becomes concerned because many of those with that skill joined the enemy. Though extremely attracted to him, she wonders if he is a mole sent out to stop activities like hers. Ronan, unused to human contact finds himself in love with his rescuer, but is not sure how to prove he wants to be on her side.

Returning to the "Kinsman" universe that she first described in an OUT OF THIS WORLD novella, Susan Krinard furbishes science fiction romance readers with a wonderful tale of a future in space marred by armed conflict. The delightful story line hooks readers of both genres with its descriptive insight into a galaxy under siege while also providing two wonderful characters wondering whether they should be loving partners or disillusioned antagonists. Fans of the author will appreciate this fine futuristic adventure tale though there is not a werewolf within a zillion light-years of this novel.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Susan Krinard has just won herself a new fan!
Review: Wow! I am blown away! Excellent book! Susan Krinard has created a vivid and compelling futuristic world with fascinating and belivably complex societies. Each planet -- even the ones that belong to the same unifiying government -- has its own unique personality, flavor, and society. They all feel organic and real, as well as being original and unique. The alien culture of the Shaauri is fascinating too, as well as feeling convincingly alien. Krinard does not fall prey to the same trap many science fiction writers find themselves in -- the Shaauri are original and new and truly alien; they aren't simply a human culture reworked with new names. Really amazing world-building here.

The characters too were complex individuals, with a psychological complexity and depth that made them all a joy to read about. These were real, three-dimensional people, in all their contradictory human (or alien, as the case may be) glory.

The plot was also fabulous, a complicated blend of action, intrigue, and politics that kept me turning the pages furiously! Kinsman's Oath was complex, thought-provoking, and deep, dealing with issues of self-identity and the way one's sense of self is influenced by one's culture, one's memory, and one's family -- and the way all of these things can be manipulated when you live in a world peopled with telepaths.

All in all, this was a marvelous book! A great read! I'm going to look for Krinard's other novels; she has just gained a new fan!