|
Effie and Craig Bellman are vacationing in upstate New York, trying to forget recent traumas and hopefully repair their troubled marriage. That's when they hear about a place called Valhalla, a run-down but still awe-inspiring mansion built by a notorious gambler named Jack Belias in the late 1920s. Craig immediately becomes obsessed with the place, and purchases it against Effie's wishes. He begins to change, becoming irrational and eventually violent and abusive. Effie finds herself more in danger of losing her husband than ever, and in ways more permanent than she could have imagined. For a large portion of this novel I was somewhat disappointed, as it comes off as a standard… Read more
|
|
|
A trio of good-natured space miners picks up an errant escape pod which happens to contain an orphan girl of an unknown alien race. Her features are slightly equine, and she has a horn growing from her forehead. They name her Acorna and raise her as their own. Unfortunately, they have trouble keeping her under wraps, and they find themselves having to prevent her from falling into the hands of everyone from the scientists who want to study her, to a "collector" with an interest in rare creatures. Taking refuge on the planet Kezdet, they make the acquaintance of a wealthy businessman of Chinese descent, who recognizes Acorna as the Kirin of ancient mythology. He is on a… Read more
|
|
|
This is the third book I've read by this author. One of the things I admire about her work is the way she writes about sensitive issues while completely avoiding any kind of reactionary attitude. This particular story involves a subject which, while entirely consensual, carries a heavy societal taboo. The matter of fact way in which it is handled is refreshing. Siblings Marina and Lex have always been very close, so close that they have always had trouble finding interest in any others. One night things go too far and shortly afterward Lex takes his own life. Marina is left to deal with the loss of the only person who ever really mattered to her. I've enjoyed Block's novels in the… Read more
|
