"Jinian Footseer", "Dervish Daughter", and "Jinian Star-Eye" were all published in "The End of the Game." This is a sequel to "The True Game" and tells the story of Jinian, who appeared in the third story of that book, "Wizard's Eleven".

Lom, the world, is depressed -- utterly distressed, to the point killing itself -- thanks in large part to humans who engage in great Games of mass destruction. Jinian and Peter search among the memories of Lom to learn why Lom is killing itself, and what they can do to stop the final destruction. In the process, they learn about the original inhabitants of the world before man arrived, and the truth about the Oracle whom Jinian has earlier encountered.

Jinian also learns about the blue crystals and some new rules of morality, that I don't quite agree with. Also, she falls into the trap that she implicitly argued against earlier on: at one point, she was compell! ed in the worse possible way, in that she thought she was doing something (ie running the roads and delivering the messages as an Eesty) solely because she wanted to. In reality, she was compelled to want to do it.

In all three stories, Jinian is not the perfect heroin that she (and the author) thinks she is. On a number of occasions, she causes death and destruction with little concern. Likewise, I don't see the Oracle as the ultimate evil being. On the one hand, the Oracle was pretty much all talk and no act; it only motivated others to act. On the other hand, it seems that the Oracle, in forming the Brotherhood, hiding the crystals, destroying the Bell, was simply following the "Lesson of Chimmerdong" which is apparently that you have to do SOMETHING when there's a major problem. The humans were destroying pretty much everything good and beautiful, and Lom and the older Eesties more or less accepted and encouraged it. The Oracle tried to solve the prob! lem in its way, and wound up making things worse.

Now Jinian and Peter know that Lom, the world in which they live, has decided to die. Part of it is humankind's fault, with all its abuse of the Talents, all the spiritless use of the land and its original creatures. But, another part entirely is due to the wounds administered by its own kind. Lom lost its hope when the Eesties brought down the Tower of the Daylight Bell. Now Lom grieves for what was once in its heart.

Led by Ganver, one of the great Eesties, Jinian and Peter study the Maze, where Lom's memories are stored. For a long time the Oracle faction of the Eesties has deliberately trod the paths of the planet's most painful memories. And without the Daylight Bell to ring, shadow gathers and is put to hurtful work. In the world outside, Huldra the Witch and Dedrina Deadeye search for vengeance for their losses at Jinian's hands, while trying to complete the grim tasks given them by the Giants of the Backless Throne.

Even though Ganver and the Maze have given Jinian needful clues, a daunting task awaits. Hudra must be defeated. The Tower rebuilt, the Bell recast, and then and only then can Lom begin to heal. But for all these things there are great prices. Many among the gamesmen will shed true tears as Jinian and the rest of her Seven gather power and bring this trilogy from Sheri Tepper's world of the True Game to its conclusion.

This is an amazing book in an amazing series. Tepper finally fills in the gaps in our knowledge of Lom's true nature. With each volume we believe again that the great battle is won and what we find is that there is always a ways to go. Now we are at an end and find again that something must always replace that which dies. Over the six volumes so far we have come to understand that underneath the little mysteries are greater ones. A wealth of meaning abides in the heart of this world, and Sheri Tepper knows how to share it.

As anyone here may have noticed, I tend to review books and give them good reviews, and I will this time as well, because this is a good book. Jinian's plight and solution are somewhat surreal, but on the whole, tepper does a nice job of presenting a believable and human heroine, though I agree that Jinian does sometimes cause needless destruction with her naitivity, she makes mistakes no more often than anyother one of us. At times poignant and at other times jolly, I recommend Star-eye to anyone who likes fantasy books!

I really enjoyed this book, and the rest of the series that it's included in. In it, a boy named Peter(the son of Mavin Manyshaped), grows up in a schooltown. In the schooltown, children that have a chance of gaining a Talent learn about the Great Game and the rules pertaining to it. Those that don't have a Talent are the pawns. So it makes the whole setting seem kind of like a chess game or something.

So anyways. Peter ends up going on an adventure like most fantasy books and he ends up having some unknown Talent. He finds the Gamesman of Barish. But I won't tell you anything more about what happens because that would spoil the book. You'll just have to read it to find out everything.

A good book, and it's not hard reading. I definitely recommend it.

After the great game at Bannerwell, Peter quickly tires of life at the Bright Demesne. There is much he still has to discover about his own nature, and Himaggery and Windlow never seem to lack for tasks to distract him. Finally, Peter takes matters into his own hands (claws) and declares his intention to find his mother, Mavin Manyshaped, and find out more about his heritage and powers. He visits first with Mertyn at Schooltown, where his old teacher gives him a riddle that will guide him to Mavin. An Elator suddenly arrives with news that Himaggery and Windlow have disappears, and what Peter thought was a leisurely voyage turns out to be a desperate quest.

And so begins the second volume in Sheri Tepper's series about the lands of the True Game. Peter's travels will take him all over the map of the Lands of the True Game, and by the time he finds Mavin he will visit a city haunted by a ghost of the future, he will find friends in the shadows, and visit the shifty valley of Schlaizy Noithn. He will avoid an attempt to capture him. In the process, he will learn to work better with the game pieces of Barish as they provide him with needful talents for getting past the rough spots.

Mavin and Peter have a quest all their own, as they seek to solve the mystery of the disappearances. They find themselves embroiled in the strange workings of Magicians and Monsters. The prize is a better understanding of how Peter's world came to be and a sense of the scale of what the young shifter must hope to accomplish if he is to bring justice to the game.

Just when we were satisfied that Sheri Tepper was a promising fantasy writer. We discover that she has actually written a crossover novel where the Talents that make everything seem magical are true forces as well. This is fiercely intelligent and imaginative work, where even the most eccentric minor character is memorable. First you think the author has concocted everything out of whole cloth, and then you find that there is a convincing logical coherence that drives the events. Prepare to put this book down and immediately reach for its sequel,

I found the Land of the True Game [and thus Sheri] with this book first, and adored it. Then after much searching I got the others in this [the Peter] set so I could read #1 and #3 of the True Game. Many reads later I realized that it's the sort of world you prefer to be a spectator/read about, rather than live in! But oh! what a world, what people, what Rules, what Games they play!!

I actually was drawn to this [paperback] book by the cover, which was of a brown-eyed youth with fiery hair... It was one case where the illustrated hero's allure was well worth my time. [I also liked the name and legends of his discovered parent, who possesses a favorite Talent of mine.]

Foundling Peter has adventures which don't go under the heading of 'typical fantasy quest/journey'. You may shrug it off as a mere rite of passage; he learns a lot about himself, and others, as he goes along - no surprise to the average reader. Peter begins by being naive; as he learns, though, he doesn't completely slough off the many qualities that make you like and identify with him. But you may be surprised anyway, because his world is like no other before in the genre, and the society well matches it. I believe Roger Zelazny recommended the book [possibly all three of the first True Game trio], which also spurred me to enter the world of the True Game. I don't want to spoil any more, unless you've a weak stomach [in which case you might want to avoid the series as it progresses, or take it in doses].

If you read the other 8 books in the series [as it's 3 trilogies], you'll get to see people from different viewpoints. This is where you'd find Peter's tales are actually behind one trio and intermingled with the other. :> And I've been sorry for most Tepper readers that the True Game books went out-of-print and/or were eclipsed FAST by her other books. Starting with her beginnings definitely hooked me on her works. If you cannot find this one, the whole first [Peter] trilogy is now collected into The True Game.

I think the only author I could properly compare to Sheri S. Tepper would be Tanith Lee. Why? Well, if you're not afraid of being scared, having your thoughts disturbed, enjoy compelling imagery and characters, understanding different views and finding yourself taken to a place you may never have imagined... both do that to you.

It's embarrassing when you are digging through your to be read shelf (shelves) and you discover that a book has managed to get tucked away so well that it has remained hidden for ten years. Sheri Tepper, probably still best known for her True Game series is one of my favorite fantasists. She has an artful way of combining humor, whimsy and drama into works that take frequent unexpected turns and have endearing casts.

'Marianne, the Madame, and the Momentary Gods' is the sequel to 'Marianne, the Magus, and the Manticore,' which I read so long ago that I dare not attempt to remember it. But the heroine is Marianne, a young woman with surprising talents and assets that are coveted by Madame Tabiti Delubovoska, a very nasty witch who has a knack for catapulting her victims into bad places and doing away with anyone who gets in her way. When the Madame kills Marianne's parents and sets out after the young lady, Marianne escapes, and then doubles back on her history to try to set things right.

And this brings us to the current volume, in which Marianne reawakens as a child and starts to relive her live, this time with the assistance of the previous Marianne and 5 dog-like Momentary Gods, who just might control reality. The Madame's attempt on Marianne and her parents is foiled this time. However, Marianne, a bit upset at discovering there are two Marianne's in her head, rebels and sets out to live her own life. Unfortunately, this leaves her vulnerable, and the Madame traps her in a world where nothing stays the same and one needs a new map every day. The Momentary Gods and Makr Avehl (her former lover) come to her rescue, but is will be an intense struggle and a very close thing.

While the concepts that underlie the story are fairly complex, Tepper manages to avoid and gobbledygook in exercising our imaginations. The story is light and charming, perhaps a bit too much of an appetizer than anything else. Even so, the writer shows a talent for social satire in her depiction of the chaotic city. Tepper also makes sure that the reader understands that finding two minds in one body is no trivial thing. Although the story really should be read after it's predecessor, no harm was really done by my memory failure. Even after ten years this is a pleasing confection.

This haunting book by Sheri S. Tepper draws me back year after year. Images pop into my mind of huge washing machines where people clean and tumble dry their lives and sins. This book has many images that are incredibly vivid.

Marianne is back after finding herself in Marianne the Magus and the Manticore (the first book in the series). She starts her life over again and is transported to a new world with strange rules. This time five helpers/dogs/gods go with her with unique abilities of their own. A girl once abused and withdrawn learns how to live, fight, and trust.

A person can get lost in the deep symbolism apparent in this complex, short novel. This book it can be equally enjoyed by tasting, and feeling the rich tapestry of colors, sights, and smells of this very intriguing book. To read this book is to experiance something totally unlike reality and totally enjoyable. Enjoy the ride.

This is the third book of the Peter Trilogy, the middle segment of Tepper's True Game 9-book series. Its events run more or less concurrently with the first book of the Jinian trilogy, Jinian Footseer. I would recommend reading this before Jinian Footseer--if, that is, you can find a copy. I was fortunate enough to buy my copy new when it was still in print.

Wizard's Eleven sets out, perhaps more clearly than in the previous books, the world of the True Game, the society of Gamesmen, and the nature of Talents. Like most of Tepper's books, it also raises questions of law versus justice, the appropriate use of power, and the ethics of concealing one's gifts or nature. Recommended, but only after you've read at least King's Blood Four and Necromancer Nine.

Peter Mavin's Son has been kept busy since the downfall of the magicians. He hunts for the tiny blue figures that are the extracted essence of those who were reduced to empty bodies. In addition, he is earnest for any information about Huld, the Demon who is Peter's true enemy. When he has time for himself, he finds that he misses old friends. Especially Silkhands the Healer, who has gone away to teach at Xammer.

When Windlow's blue suddenly has a vision of Silkhands and Peter gone far to the north, the young shapechanger seizes the excuse and sets off to visit. No sooner are they on the road than an attack befalls them and Peter realizes that he has more to fear than just Huld. He and Chance survive the game and arrive in Xammer to the delight of Silkhands. When a minstrel sings the two of them a haunting song, both decide to head North, accompanying Jinian Footseer to her proposed husband. And Jinian is very, very special.

And so they are off, passing places with eerie names - Dindinaroo, Waeneye, and the Wastes of Bleer, encountering old friends and new, and some familiar enemies. Peter seems for ordained to bring about the changes that Mertyn and Himaggery dream of, but he must first face the places of bone and Huld's unending betrayal and evil.

There is a writer's urban legend that says that one of a trilogy is supposed to be worse than the others are. I am here to insist that with Sheri Tepper this is hardly the case. Not only is this first of the three trilogies composed of staves of equal strength, but also there is more to come for anyone so bespelled. Three times now I have read "King's Blood Four," "Necromancer's Nine," and "Wizard's Eleven" all in gulps because I can't make myself stop. Three times for three threes - I confess - I am charmed.

On the far side of Lom, across the sea lies a land that adapted differently to the troubles than did the lands of the True Game. Here humans, fleeing the uprising of the native creatures descended into a great chasm that split the continent. Gigantic plants lived in the chasms ecosystem, and the people built cities suspended from the great roots, connected by bridges and stairs. The cities are peopled by castes, Bridgers at the top, followed by Fishers, Harvesters and all the other folk that make the cities work. And where there are cities of people there are politics and power games. Beedie, a Bridger, finds herself in conflict with another Bridger clan - the Banders. The Banders play for big stakes and will stop at nothing to control the council, even murder.

Into this comes Mavin Manyshaped, flown across the sea on a quest for Handbright, her lost sister. When Maven left Danderbat Keep, she convinced her sister to flee as well. But, once free, Handbright took the shape of a bird and never really stopped flying. Now Mavin has found her a continent away. Gone mad, adopted by the Chasm folk as a messenger from the Boundless, and pregnant by a Birder priest who should have known better. Mavin enlists Beedie's help in keeping Handbright from further harm. Of course, Mavin is enlisted as well. This time to stop the Banders and find out what is killing the great roots. For the first time in a great while, humans descend to the bottom of the rift.

Sheri Tepper loves to tell tales that are quests within quests. When the first layer is solved then other layers are revealed, until the reader finally accepts that there are no real endings. Tepper isn't the only author to work this way, but she is one of the few that can maintain the level of inventiveness required to sustain a long effort. Mavin downplays her ability to shape-change in this volume so that the other characters that form her party can become real players rather than simply puppets. Beedie in particular is a character who could easily have stood all on her own, questioning and fiercely independent. This book represents a break from the True Game books, set on another continent with a whole variant ecology, proving there is nothing gimmicky about Tepper's skills.

In this, the second of the Chronicles of Mavin Manyshaped trilogy, prequel to the True Game trilogy, Mavin is 15 years older and seeks her sister Handbright among the people of the Chasm -- who do not have Talents -- over the sea to the west of the Land of True Game.

This is a fun, enjoyable, creative story, with a drip of tension part way through; a worthy addition to those in the series preceding it.

I have always enjoyed reading Sheri Tepper, and her Land of the True Game books are a particular favorite, but her Mavin books are the best, maybe because they were written later than the Peter Trilogy, and the Jilian Trilogy had too much of an agenda. Regardless, this is a book I highly recommend!

I have been asked by numerous friends whether I would recommend this book, and have found myself hard-pressed to give a clear answer because there is much about it which is very well-done. Broad in scope, this novel draws on the commonality of beautiful princesses and fairy-god-mothers in some of the best-known fairy tales. It weaves in the darker side of those tales as well, and specifically the unfeeling beauty of the faery-court. Along the way there are many deft touches, such as the titular 'Beauty' creating glass slippers for Cinderella because she knows that they become a part of the legend.

Despite this, I found it difficult to read, and finished the story with a genuine sense of dislike. I would not describe this as a fairy-tale, or even a retelling in the pure sense of the word. I was left with two basic messages; one that beautiful people rarely have other desirable qualities, and the second that our world is increasingly devoid of magic and faery and, by extension, anything beautiful. And for me, the rest of the story is overshadowed and burdened by these rather-depressing ideas. I prefer to think that there is always beauty and magic in our world if we want to see it, and that it is just as real as the ugliness.

And perhaps, I was disappointed to find that a book entitled "Beauty" should contain so much cynicism and be as much about the slow decline of beauty as about those things which are beautiful.

I wasn't sure what to rate this, right now I am giving it a four, but I just might change my mind by the time I am done writing this. I can say that this was my second tepper book. The first was A Plague of Angels, and the only reason that I read Beauty was my friend promised me I would like it. I have to say that overall, Tepper has the gift to disturb her readers, well at least almost all her books disturb me. Beauty isn't any different. I was told that this was a book about Sleeping beauty who had a daughter who turned out to be cinderella whose daughter was snow white, etc. I thought it sounded like a fun book. Boy was I wrong. From the author's note to the last sentence, this book plunges you down into a deep (abyss?). It's not a "fun" read, rather, it's a very deep story. It definitely hits heavy on the environmentalist aspect, but it's also speaks about loosing "magic" (hope?) and all that is not just physically beautiful in the world, but spiritually for lack of a better word. While I loved this book and have reread it, I have to say that the two parts that I didn't like was the Chinanga part--I didn't particularly see the point of it, and also Giles character. What a shallow shallow hero. However, it is still a beautiful story and as depressing as it is, ends on a note of hope.

Oh, I guess to be fair, I agree with the person who said that Tepper uses religion to get out of situations. I guess I'll let the four stars stand after all. I still highly reccommend this book though

This book was very interesting because it was so...different. I'd never read anything like it. It's not often you read a book about Sleeping Beauty giving birth to Cinderella, who has a daughter that it Snow White, who then concieves the well-known frog prince. The story is not only a crazy medieval tale but it also takes place in the future, or at least parts of it does. The main character, Beauty, has the power to time travel. This novel is one like "Fahrenheit 451" By Ray Bradbury because it makes u think about what our world is coming to. F451, in case u havent read it takes place in the future when book banning has been taken to such an extreme that not one is allowed to own books. Because, the government reasons, if people read books they become individuals, and then they try to change things that they don't like. This type of future is similar to the one Beauty visits, where people hardly live lives of freedom. But Beauty, unlike F451, has more of a fantasy touch to it. The basic moral of "Beauty" is that the beauty of the earth must be preserved so that it does not become something we regret. And at the end of the novel, just like in F451, a small flicker of hope is presented that maybe everything will turn out ok. The overall story is wonderful and imaginative, i trully enjoyed reading it. The only reason i gave it a 4 out of 5 is because a few points in the story were boring between the action. i recommend it though none the less.

I don't want to reveal too much about this book, because one of the most rewarding things about it is watching the expertly crafted plot unfold, doling out tiny hints and clues, but never truly revealing everything until the very end.

This story takes place in three time frames. Stavia in the present, a woman and mother, forced to surrender her 15 year-old son to the warrior clan of men which claims most of the males of her society. Stavia in the far past, age 10, seeing her brother go to men's country and in the process, meeting a warrior of her own who makes her question everything she knows to be true. And last, Stavia as a young adult, compelled to break the rules of society for the warrior who has haunted her life.

There is a fourth portion of this book, a play which is enacted every year in "Women's County," a play which seems a bit obscure at first, but grows into a key to reveal all the books secrets.

My best advice is to read this book twice. I finished my first reading, turned back to page 1 and began again. The second time through, all the clues jumped out, screaming for notice. A lot of things I glossed over in the first reading became so VERY important. Most of all, the play takes on new meaning, revealing some things I would never have noticed without reading it a second time.

I give this my highest recommendation. Everyone should read this book!

Having stumbled on "Gate" almost 10 years ago, I have since read it 4 times and recommended it to countless friends and even strangers! My daughter read it for the first time at 14 (and several times afterwards)and I believe it explained to her better than I ever could just how difficult it is to be a young woman (or man) and how you need to protect yourself as best you can, emotionally and physically. The entire premise hits me in the gut every time I read it. The women may be making 'man-like' decisions about their world, but then, why not imagine what it would be like if we actually COULD control our destiny? I do not think Tepper places women above men, I think she is brutally honest about what is noble and stupid and heroic in both sexes... One of the most beautiful images in the book appears near the end, having to do with holding the moon. Grass, Raising the Stones, Beauty, I reccommend all...

This story does not "bash" men, as some reviewers have suggested; it reveres gentle men. The males have a choice between maintaining the status quo of untold centuries, (which hasn't worked to the benefit of society), or crossing through the gate to an entirely different and, for them, unknown reality.

The women, too, are torn by indecision, and the women who are charged with making the hardest decisions, (for others as well as themselves), recognize their responsibility, and proceed with courage no matter the difficulties.

I have given this book to all five of my (very strong) daughters and have recommended it to many others, male as well as female. It is always well-regarded, and I have re-read it a dozen times,... always finding something new. The several surprises in the story continue to be a delight, even though they are now familiar to this reader.

Everything Sheri Tepper writes is engaging but The Gate to Women's Country is her best work.

I'm not a militant environmentalist, and I don't think men are evil, so I frequently found Singer from the Sea (like many other Tepper books) totally infuriating. That aside, I also couldn't put it down. Tepper writes beautifully, builds intricate and fascinating worlds, and even if you (like me) disagree heartily with her sociopolitical agenda, the book is still worth the read.

This was the first book of hers I read, and I give it four stars for getting me so hooked I read four more of her books within a week. I ditched the fifth star for making me so angry.

I noticed that one review described this book as "dull." It is true that Tepper has certain themes that recur in all her books, i.e., men oppress women, and as a species, we all seem willing to oppress nature. But, really, I don't need to agree with every one of her opinions to enjoy her wonderful stories. It's the old "Willing suspension of disbelief" that the true book lover is willing to engage! Ms. Tepper's stories are the best as far as my family is concerned. We look forward with eager anticipation to each new book. And this most recent one was among the best. I couldn't stop reading once I started and read straight through to the end! I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves fantasy/science fiction, or just a good story with a real surprise at the end!

I really enjoyed this book. I read everything of Tepper's that I can get my hands on. She has an unbelievable imagination. Even though she repeats themes, each story she tells is fresh and interesting. Each world is new, original, and meticulously detailed. And there is always a mystery to solve or a secret to uncover. Those who have read many of her books know that she comes back to ideas such as the repression of women and the superiority of nature but she does not allow these to overshadow the plot and become "preachy"--although, I admit, she does come close a few times. She usually pulls herself back from the brink by using one of her delightfully ridiculous characters to "tell" us not to take it all so seriously. The worlds she creates and the events that occur are logical and believable. Her main characters are well rounded and the peripheral players are amusing, three dimensional and do a good job of moving the plot forward. I was pleasantly surprised with the ending of this book because it is atypical of Tepper in many ways. Not to give anything away, but I often find myself a bit disturbed and depressed with her endings. This ending was more hopeful, although perhaps a bit too pat in its resolution. I think it would be a great book for those getting started with this genre or with Tepper. Both can be a bit convoluted and confusing, but this story is pretty straight forward as long as one understands that Tepper loves to foreshadow and hint at secrets. But that is the best part!

After having eagerly anticipated reading this book, I found that the wait was worth it - as I think it will be for any fan of Ms. Tepper's work. Having read the previous reviews, I think I can see the point of those who were disappointed, but I cannot agree. What I enjoyed most about this book is probably the same aspect that drove them crazy. I refer to the pace and predictability of the plot unfolding. I found the lack of the gut-wrenching tension strangely satisfying, which is not to say that I didn't care about the characters or their predicaments. Rather it was that you felt comfortable to let them handle things and curious about how they would do it. It seemed to me that Ms. Tepper created a true partnership with the reader and I felt as though I could trust her to guide the story with out any angst on my part. Or maybe it's just that everything happened just the way I would have wanted it too - noone being annoyingly stupid or making obviously dumb mistakes.

All that aside I just thoroughly enjoyed the story itself and the characters and outcome. But this is not unusual for me as I find that I always love Sheri Tepper's books. If you do too, then you will like this one as well.

I've always loved the way Tepper's books thrust you into the middle of the action, without the patronising and tedious explanations so beloved of other fantasy writers.."As you all know the war between The Gloops and the Orcs began 20 years ago when the legendary sword...'etc. I don't want to say much about the plot - I hate it when people retell the story in these reviews... This book delights in taking our preconceived notions and stereotypes by the scruff of the neck and giving them a damn good shake. Combine this with an exciting quest/adventure, ecological fable, literate writing, and well-drawn characters, and you have another excellent novel from this, one of my favourite novelists. Don't just take my word (write?!) for it. READ IT!!!

Tepper would have to be one of the greatest storytellers going. I loved this book and the character twist halfway through was a gem. A second reading found the clues all there - but they were wonderfully subtle.

Her 'message' is loud and clear - but for me a little too 'loud and clear'. Increasingly Tepper is getting a tad heavy-handed in this department. However, she is not getting any younger and perhaps she feels in a hurry to make her points. As her points are ones that need to be made, I for one, can forgive her. Long life and keep writing Sheri! You always produce fantastic, magical journeys that are full of wonderful surprises. I recomend Tepper's books wholeheartedly.

I am a great fan of Tepper, I own and have read all of her books. Unfortunately this book struck me as repetitive in the resolution of the characters, especially Owldark. I read for pleasure as well as to learn, this book was so dark and uncomfortable that I did neither.

While the story was well crafted, I didn't like any of the characters and could not make an investment in their stories. The creativity and ingenuity of the plot may however be enough for other readers.

I am Tepper's most avid fan, and, as such, I guess there must be one book that is my least favorite. This one is it. It is very dark and violent and it is the only one of her books that I could not read more than once. This is a great author. If you want to read her work, please do not start with this book. I highly recommend her "Beauty," "Grass," "Raising the Stones," "Family Tree," "Gibbons Decline and Fall," and the entire True Game series.

This was my introduction to Sheri Tepper and, while I didn't understand all the references to the previous happenings in this trilogy, I couldn't tear myself away. I liked the characters a lot, I loved the world (altho it is a little similar to one of Jack Chalker's series), and I thought the overall plot was good. If you like plot-driven books (as most SF books are), you probably will enjoy this one. Plus, the sheer variety in this world is fascinating. I would probably recommend that you start off with Grass, tho it didn't hurt me to do it backwards. This book will always have a place in my heart since it introduced me to a great SF writer.