Synopsis
The first in the "Catteni" sequence. When the alien race of Catteni invaded Earth, they forced thousands of humans into their spaceships, and transported them to an eerie and seemingly uninhabited planet. But it was not as empty as it seemed. McCaffrey has won both the Hugo and Nebula awards.

RELEASE NOTES:

To be released at my friend Fiona's wedding reception!

not released at wedding reception after all, as yours truly was buisy catching up with people and eating own weight in fried food, thus completely forgetting bookcrossing duties.

TEEhee. Didn't see you at the Unconvention, Semioticghost, but I managed to catch this book. Have read lots of McCaffrey books but can't remember reading this. Thanks!

Well, I always thought I liked McCaffery, but I really didn't like the politics inherent in this tale of the colonisation of the new world, Botany at all. Maybe I've become more selective in my old age, but I was so aware that, despite the main character being a feisty female, the men had all the lead roles. I was also aware that the American Way held sway in this brand new world and I could even spot hints of American paranoia and the beginnings of secrecy and political intrigue. Bleugh. McCaffery also seems to have the greatest respect for caste, or inherited rank - particularly noticeable in her depiction of Zainal, the Catteni who, with his patrician looks and refined manners, was 'superior' to the ordinary guys merely by dint of his birth.
I didn't like the treatment of the bad guy, Dick Aarens - the only way this new society could think of to change his attitude was to stick him in the stocks or threaten castration? How enlightened an approach is that?!
I don't think I'll be so eager to read another McCaffery novel :-(

RELEASE NOTES:

Picked up from the book buffet at the convention. I haven´t encountered this Anne McCaffrey series before, though I´m familiar of course with her Pern books, so it´ll be interesting to see how it compares.

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I was a bit off and on about this book. Like tutleymutley, I found the politics a bit suspect, and the humans were definitely US-centric - although she does at least nod towards there being more than one country on earth, the other nationalities were all stereotypes (Australians calling women sheilas, really? I don't think I've ever heard that out of an Australian's mouth other than as self-parody), and she couldn't even get the stereotypes right (an Irishman might well be a fan of football, but he'd never call it "soccer"!)

The story did flow along nicely, and there were some interesting ideas. But overall, definitely not McCaffrey's best.

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Given to another bookcrosser at the December meetup.

Happy bookcrossing to the finder!

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P.S. If you live in the Christchurch area, you might like to join us at our monthly bookcrossing meetups. For details, see the BCNZ Yahoo Group.