"New Space Opera Series"
OF HONOR AND TREASON is the first book in a series
about two young males, one human, one Hsassan. Both find
themselves subject to corrupt empires, which they have
independently decided to overthrow. But to succeed this
unlikely pair will soon discover that the need each other.
This book is an introduction to these two characters, their
hopes, dreams, goals, and their loves. Several centuries into the future, the universe is a very
difference place. Two new empires are the focus of this
novel. The Earth having been destroyed to save other
planets, the center of the human sector is the Klimar
Empire, ruled by the emperor. Property, land, is the object
of power and wealth in this world. His father recently having been murdered by order of
Emperor Hazdel, young Eivaunee Dorlan finds himself the
head of the Dorlan Estates and the most powerful Consenti
Family. The Emperor covets the Estates, and feels the young
Dorlan is no match for his cunning. Eivaunee hopes
otherwise. He is determined the bring down the man who not
only is responsible for his father's death, but whose sick
obsession had resulted in his mother's death when he was
yet a boy. The other empire is the Norda Homelands, inhabited by a
race of humanoid aliens, and ruled by a council of elders,
known as the Yseret. The Yseret are responsible for the
breeding of the Hsassan, a race of fierce warriors. Through
their efforts they have finally bred the perfect Hsassan,
the Qtesark, or Genetic Messiah from whom all future
generations will be bred. At least that is the plan.
However, inbred in the young male Zsar't'lac is more than
strength. He is highly honorable and intelligent. As he
comes of age he realizes that the Yseret have outlived
their usefulness. He refuses to breed. He also refuses to
participate in the Yseret's latest plans for conquest, a
plan that consists of destroying what they consider the
human vermin. As a result of his disobedience the Yseret
decree that he is a breeding error and must die. Zsar't'lac
soon realizes he must leave in order to survive long enough
to overthrow the outdated government. His honor dictates
that he must do so, and in the doing leave the love of his
life, Sing'm'li (another Hassan male) behind. This is
especially difficult because Sing'm'li has reached the
point in his life where the mating urge has become
critical. Because of his deep love for him, Zsar't'lac will
not risk a mating. He cannot bear the thought of
Sing'm'li's lifelong grief should they bond now, or his
suffering if asked to wait for his improbable return. In an act which Zsar't'lac's comrades consider the ultimate
act of Treason, he defects to the Klimar Empire. Eivaunee,
has refused to marry the emperor's daughter, which would
have been the easiest way for the Hazdel to gain the
Estates. Either way Eivaunee is expendable, and it is for
that reason that he is charged with retrieving the alien. Zsar't'lac, being both strong and fierce is made offers of
employment, by both the Emperor and the Princess, but
having sized up the humans of his acquaintance, Zsar't'lac
chooses to serve Eivaunee Dorlan. The human standard of
wealth means nothing to him; he has judged Eivaunee to be
an honorable man. Honor is what defines a Hsassan. With
his own survival at stake can Eivaunee afford to trust the
alien? Somewhere back in the Norda Homeland sits a wise Yseret
elder. The oldest of all, his wisdom sees beyond the narrow
focus of the breeding program. He alone knows the real
reason for which the Qtesark has been bred. He has lived
long, and wishes to live just enough longer to see
Zsar't'lac rule the Norda people. Even he had not dreamed
that Zsar't'lac would involve the humans. Will the two
very different young males find the common ground to
achieve their goals?
I think the next installment should be very interesting
indeed. Leslie Tramposch - Copyright © 2001
for PNR Reviews
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Courtesy PNR
Posted June 27, 2001
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