Status
Available
Series
Publication
Harper Voyager (2006), Edition: First Printing, 400 pages
Description
In thirty years, the invincible Eqbas will arrive at Earth to forcibly return the planet to what it once was--as retribution, in part, for the gethes' thoughtless near-extermination of an alien ocean-dwelling species. First, however, another world requires their attention: the crowded, ecologically ravaged planet of the swarming, insect-like isenj. Efforts to drastically reduce the isenj population have sparked a devastating civil war--which may well do the savior/destroyers' work for them. And the human visitors can only watch. Rendered immortal and ever changeable by a parasite in her blood, ex-cop Shan Frankland isn't content merely to play Matriarch to her two similarly infected mates--one earthborn, one alien wess'har. Her fears for the future of Umeh and the ultimate fate of humankind must be set aside while she tackles an unfulfilled duty that haunts her every waking moment--a mission that must be undertaken for the sake of the future--and pursues a righteous vengeance.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member SimonW11
It continues to amaze me that this very English writer does not have a British publisher.
Matriarch is very much a mid-series book. So do not read this this unless you have read the first, City of Pearl, and the other works that proceed this. I was aware of some copy editing errors this time out
Matriarch is very much a mid-series book. So do not read this this unless you have read the first, City of Pearl, and the other works that proceed this. I was aware of some copy editing errors this time out
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which always annoys me. The issues this series deals with all seem to have been pretty much defined now. Althought the cast do have their individual character and moral values tested as much as ever. I lacked the feeling of empathy with the characters that Ms. Traviss usually instills in me. I found what happens after and before this book more interesting than what happens during it. Show Less
LibraryThing member slothman
The interactions of humans and four alien species grow more complex. The ecological ramifications of the actions of individuals and groups reflect on the fate of human civilization.
LibraryThing member amf0001
This is the 4th of the series (starting with City of Pearl) and is not a stand alone book at all, though it does start with a brief summation to bring you up to date, I don't think that that would be sufficient for a new reader. The pace is slower than the previous books but still engrossing. Shan
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strikes a few repetitive notes, but her dilemma is real and tragic - the 'gift' of immortality via the alien viral symbiot, and how to stop humans from exploiting it. The comparisons between humans and the other alien organizations/cultures continues to be interesting. I'm starting book 5 today, so clearly I'm on the bandwagon. I realised I was so obsessed with these books, I didn't even look to see if my local library has them (it does) I just ordered them off amazon straight away. So you can tell I think they're keepers! Show Less
LibraryThing member markg80
It's a nice SF read. Fast, easy, so amusing for a while. The reason why it only get's 4 stars is that I had the feeling I didn't understand much of the background story, which probably is told in the previous 3 books. It really isn't a stand-alone book.
LibraryThing member TomMcGreevy
The fourth volume in The Wess'har Wars series. A better book than the previous one, with a plot that is less repetitive. The examination of human morality continues, with the lead character making decisions that are internally consistent with her belief system, and yet cruel at the same time. A
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good series, worth reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member devilwrites
The premise: ganked from publisher's website: In thirty years, the invincible Eqbas will arrive at Earth to forcibly return the planet to what it once was -- as retribution, in part, for the gethes' thoughtless near-extermination of an alien ocean-dwelling species. First, however, another world
Rendered immortal and ever changeable by a parasite in her blood, ex-cop Shan Frankland isn't content merely to play Matriarch to her two similarly infected mates -- one earthborn, one alien wess'har. Her fears for the future of Umeh and the ultimate fate of humankind must be set aside while she tackles an unfulfilled duty that haunts her every waking moment -- a mission that must be undertaken for the sake of the future -- and pursues a righteous vengeance.
My Rating: 7 - Good Read
Despite what felt like a slow start, which I think was inevitable, as book four doesn't start out with the same feeling of numb shock that book three does, Matriarch really feels like it's developing and fleshing out it's themes, and the actions characters take to empathize these themes are in turns fascinating and horrifying. It does feel like a bit of a transition book, because much of the action here is the similar to The World Before, and since there's only two books left in the series, I'm curious to see how things escalate. I'm still jonesing on the series though, which is a good thing, because I'd heard Matriarch was something of a tipping point, and right now I'm chugging along just fine.
Spoilers, yay or nay?: Yay. I want to talk about some major decisions made in this novel and how those decisions are playing into what I see as emerging themes. Do not read this review (nor the book) if you haven't yet caught up on the series. Go read City of Pearl instead. :) Everyone else, if you're caught up, feel free to read the full review at my blog, which is linked below. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome. :)
REVIEW: Karen Traviss' MATRIARCH
Happy Reading!
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requires their attention: the crowded, ecologically ravaged planet of the swarming, insect-like isenj. Efforts to drastically reduce the isenj population have sparked a devastating civil war -- which may well do the savior/destroyers' work for them. And the human visitors can only watch.Rendered immortal and ever changeable by a parasite in her blood, ex-cop Shan Frankland isn't content merely to play Matriarch to her two similarly infected mates -- one earthborn, one alien wess'har. Her fears for the future of Umeh and the ultimate fate of humankind must be set aside while she tackles an unfulfilled duty that haunts her every waking moment -- a mission that must be undertaken for the sake of the future -- and pursues a righteous vengeance.
My Rating: 7 - Good Read
Despite what felt like a slow start, which I think was inevitable, as book four doesn't start out with the same feeling of numb shock that book three does, Matriarch really feels like it's developing and fleshing out it's themes, and the actions characters take to empathize these themes are in turns fascinating and horrifying. It does feel like a bit of a transition book, because much of the action here is the similar to The World Before, and since there's only two books left in the series, I'm curious to see how things escalate. I'm still jonesing on the series though, which is a good thing, because I'd heard Matriarch was something of a tipping point, and right now I'm chugging along just fine.
Spoilers, yay or nay?: Yay. I want to talk about some major decisions made in this novel and how those decisions are playing into what I see as emerging themes. Do not read this review (nor the book) if you haven't yet caught up on the series. Go read City of Pearl instead. :) Everyone else, if you're caught up, feel free to read the full review at my blog, which is linked below. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome. :)
REVIEW: Karen Traviss' MATRIARCH
Happy Reading!
Show Less
Awards
Otherwise Award (Shortlist — 2006)
Locus Recommended Reading (2006)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2006-10
Physical description
6.75 inches
ISBN
9780060882310