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Reviews by Larry D. Woods
Writing a really good science fiction novel requires hard work, dedication and creativity. Vision and genius don't hurt, either -- and Vonda McIntyre, who already has one classic novel to her credit ("Dreamsnake"), seems to be blessed with both of these. Her alternate history depiction of the court of King Louis XIV in 1693 is a magical and vivid story.
In "The Moon and the Sun" McIntyre writes about sea monsters, ancient alchemy and immortality with style, grace and intrigue. It is seventeenth-century France and the king is constantly beseeched by suitors, sycophants, allies and enemies to engage in schemes for the greater glory of king and country. King Louis XIV sends his natural philosopher, Father Yves de la Croix, to discover the source of the fountain of youth. Yves succeeds at discovering the true key to immortality but must gain control over a sea monster in order to obtain it. He triumphs and returns the monster to the king packed in ice.
With a gargoyle face, Medusa hair and a singing cadence, this sea creature fascinates and mystifies. Marie-Josephe de la Croix, sister of Yves, plans to help her brother study this wonder but soon has to confront choices that conflict with her loyalty to king, country, church as well as her brother. She chooses to follow the song of the sea creature, and therein lies a marvelous and sensitive classic fable about human morality.
Following her success with "Ghostlight" and "Witchlight," Marion Zimmer Bradley continues her dramatic tales of horrific sacrifice. "Gravelight" is the story of Wycherly Musgrave, a typical drunken ne'er do well with a dark past. Attempting to escape the memory of a young woman he may have killed in a drunk-driving accident, Wych speeds off in his car and ends up in a near fatal crash.
Though the car is totaled, Wych, amazingly enough, survives, and finds himself stranded in the mountain town of Morton's Fork. He decides to remain in this tiny enclave for the summer and try to get back on the wagon, but he has no idea of the troubles that await him. There he meets Sinah, a Morton's Fork native and famous actress who possesses psychic powers. Hovering over their budding relationship, however, is Sinah's fear of losing her own identity and the looming evil power of a nearby sanitarium.
Marion Zimmer Bradley has written a tightly plotted and highly suspenseful tale of fantasy.
©1997, ProMotion, inc.
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