| Though classified as science fiction, The Bretton Katt Alliance has all the feel of a high fantasy. While aliens and space travel abound, they are secondary to the epic fantasy feel of this story. On a fateful January morning in the year 2441, Anna Helsak, Chancellor of the Bowman Pact, puts into play her plan to not only not renew the treaty, but also hand over the Free City of Bretton Katt to her enemies. This decision sparks a chain of events that places her old allies, her family, and her new alliance in jeopardy. |
| Margaret Garside has written a massive political chess match of sorts, with each character carefully planning his or her respective move. Garside provides intricate details for the inner workings of the governments and organizations in this deadly game, and readers find themselves trying to predict each player's next move. But more important that the political game is the emotional toll the story takes on the characters. Helsak's friend Rusorin struggles to both stop Helsak's plot while trying to understand why she betrayed everyone. She forms an alliance with Helsak's son, Rob Lorrondon. But after Helsak's betrayal can she trust him? |
| There are a few points early in the book where the story gets bogged down with too many characters, and sorting out everyone's place is a bit cumbersome. But once the reader can assign the mental nametags to everyone, the story begins to flow with a wonderful fluidity. |
| The Bretton Katt Alliance is Book One of the author's Lorrondon Cycle. Garside does an impressive job of bringing her universe to life, and it should be interesting to see where this series goes. |
 |
 |
 |
| The Bretton Katt Alliance Margaret Garside ISBN 978-1-59800-925-5 Softcover, 353 pages $13.95 U.S. |