The SF Site: Featured Reviews Archive

The reviews are sorted alphabetically by authors' last name -- one or more pages for each letter (plus one for Mc). All but some recent reviews are listed here. Links to those reviews appear on the Recent Feature Review Page.

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Nekropolis by Maureen F. McHugh
reviewed by Lisa DuMond
The author tackles the touchy subject of life in a fundamentalist theocracy. Gender bias, genetic bias, and ancient traditions combine for a society that leaves little room for personal preference, and no chance of forgiveness. Hariba, at the young age of 26, has seen her life and future shattered by her brother's illegal actions. Her lesser-of-two-evils choice is to submit docilely to a form of slavery that will comprise the rest of her life.

Mission Child by Maureen McHugh
reviewed by Jean-Louis Trudel
The novel's opening showcases all the author's strengths as she brings to life the character of Janna, a mission child on a strange planet. A daughter of the world's native inhabitants, she has grown up within the confines of the small Earth mission. In quick succession, she is faced with the arrival of "outrunners," young unattached men from a nearby clan, a near rape, the shooting of her father, and the looting of the mission by the "outrunners."

Mission Child by Maureen F. McHugh
reviewed by Greg L. Johnson
Fans of the author's first two novels should find this novel to be better than either of the previous two. Newcomers to McHugh's writing will find the novel to be the work of a mature writer, full of ideas and interesting characters.

The Moon and The Sun by Vonda N. McIntyre
reviewed by Catherine Asaro
Guest reviewer Catherine Asaro looks at this award-winning novel set in Versailles, France, in 1693, which tells the story of Marie-Josephe, a lady-in-waiting to the niece of Louis XIV -- the Sun King -- and her brother, the King's natural philosopher and explorer. He has brought the King a living sea woman and a dead male, both captured on an ocean voyage. So begins a rich tale of conscience, politics, science, history, and love -- and one of Catherine's picks for the Best Book of 1998.

The Moon and the Sun by Vonda N. McIntyre
reviewed by Steven H Silver
The author spends much of the early portion of the novel trying to establish atmosphere and introduce the characters. Although McIntyre does a good job of setting the mood, so many characters are thrown at the reader so quickly, and with such few distinguishing characteristics, that it is, at times, difficult to keep their identities separate.

Prince of Dreams by Nancy McKenzie
reviewed by Cindy Lynn Speer
High King Markion would not wear the crown that unites all of England if not for the bravery of his nephew, Tristan. In return he is given the crown of Lyoness, which he has been promised for years. Tristan admires King Mark and wants to support him to keep alive the work that Arthur accomplished before his death -- keeping all of England united. Soon he begins to suspect that his loyalty is not returned. King Mark is jealous of his power...

Dennis L. McKiernan

Patricia A. McKillip

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