Avalanche Soldier by Susan R. Matthews Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Avalanche Soldier
Book Review: Avalanche Soldier
Summary: 1 Stars
I bought Avalanche Soldier without giving it second thought sure in the knowledge that, since it was written by Susan Matthews, it would be good. Unfortunately, I am very dissapointed: this book is not in the same class as her extraordinary Anrej Koscuisko series (An exchange of Hostages; Prisoner of Conscience; Hour of Judgment).The story takes place on a planet with a confusing religious system and a violent society stratified due to poor quality scientific assumptions. The plot revolves around a religious teacher, Varrick, who is held by many, including the heroine, Salli, to be the prophecied "Holy One," but who belatedly insists she is just another teacher. This religious leader claims to be divinely inspired, but at the same time, denies divinity; she works miracles, both spiritual and physical, while having at the heart of her dogma the premise that the days of miracles are past, in spite of the prophecies she expounds. Varrick is a dissapointment, if only because of the great expectations I had for her. I did like the Holy Fool, however.
The protagonist, Salli, is a nice enough lady, a member of a paramilitary force/forest ranger organization that patrols the mountains, rescues lost hikers, and stops terrorists all in a single bound. It was never quite clear why there were so many terrorists, but Salli is good at what she does, until she stops doing it to go AWOL to chase after her empty headed brother the cop and jerk first class. I guess the career didn't mean much to her after all. If the religious side of the story wasn't quite convincing, the career side should have been easier to pull off. No such luck.
As to the relationships between the characters, Salli and her brother Meeka start out simple enough, but their relationship grows absurd towards the end without adequate explanation. The kinda sorta unrequited love angle is nice, but the story is very unsatisfying with a big letdown at the end. I suppose a sequel is possible, but..., why bother?
This blooper probably won't stop me from buying Ms. Matthews' next book: she does have great talent, but I will be more cautious the next time.
Book Review: Science Fiction or Literature?
Summary: 4 Stars
As with her other books, _Avalance Soldier_ can only be classified as science fiction because of its setting. This is an excellent study into the psychology of the convert and the inner workings of a religious organization with a charismatic leader. Ms. Matthews has a powerful way with language, simple to read, but complex in tone. Her books touch on the dark side that resides in us all, but with a liberal sprinkling of humanity and emotion that makes it much easier to bear. _Avalance Soldier_ is less dark than _Exchange of Hostages_, _Prisoner of Conscience_ or _Hour of Judgement_, but also of the same high calibur of writing.Book Review: not up to matthews' usual standards
Summary: 2 Stars
I've read all of Susan Matthews' other novels and eagerly await the next one. I knew that since her last novel had just come out in early 99 it was unlikely she'd have another so soon. However, I was delighted to find that she had published Avalanche Soldier. Unfortunately, this one is far below the previous books that feature her torturer-physician, Alexi whatever his last name is. The Hour of Judgment, Exchange of Hostages and the other one, I can't think of the title, are excellent. Alexi is an enigmatic character--compassionate, brutal, tender;he is a delight to read about. I've always admired Matthews' ability to make this complex character so sympathetic. I also admire her creation and portrayal of the Byzantine, highly political, manipulative society that he tries to function in. Her writing is superb in these novels--shocking, surprising, wrenching--I like her ability to portray rigidly restrained emotions. Her characters are unpredictable and even when they are not particularly sympathetic, they are fascinating. Avalanche Soldier is a stolid, boring, predictable book. I was very disappointed in it and look forward to Matthews' return to the series that features Alexi and his difficult yet fascinating profession. The characters in Avalanche Soldiers are especially disappointing. They are are one-dimensional, the plot is predictable--the whole thing is simply dreary and ordinary. I think the most irritating thing about the book is its unbelievably naive main character. Her inflexible ideas expressed at the beginning of the novel are obviously naive and Matthews doesn't try to conceal how stupid she is from the reader. There's something disingenuous about Matthews' attitude toward her main character. I couldn't identify with her or feel empathy for her. This book is bereft of irony, there are no surprises, no fun. I can't figure out how someone who could write the previous books she has published could write such drivel. If you like Matthews' work, wait for the next novel featuring Alexi. I wish I had.Book Review: Could have used 200 more pages
Summary: 3 Stars
This book could have used 200 more pages, to give the author more chance to share the deeper feelings of the characters with us. Matthews other books allowed us into the soul of every character who even as much as passed through the scene. So I'm sure that in this case, it was probably some reason I can't imagine that the book appeared far too short, and left me feeling that with the extremely interesting moral dilemma she explored, there was a lot more she could have told us about.Book Review: Bad. Period.
Summary: 1 Stars
Ugh! I loved Susan Matthews' three previous novels, but Avalanche Soldier is hideously amateurish -- did she write it a long time ago, and only publish it now? The writing is choppy; the plot color-by-number; the emotions unconvincing; the religious backdrop derivative; the characters unengaging. I lost count of how many times the stupid heroine lost consciousness, and how many important plot points happened while she was unconscious. My disappointment was such that I tossed the book right in the wastebasket upon finishing -- and I only finished it as a result of nagging incredulity: how could this drivel be written by the same woman who'd written the wonderful Prisoner of Conscience, etc.? SHAME on the author and publisher for fobbing off genuine fans with this rubbish.
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