Author, Marjorie F. Baldwin, sent me an e-copy of her sci-fi (possibly romantic sci-fi novel) Conditioned Response (Phoenician Series).
Shayla didn’t ask to be a Councillor. As a Phoenician, she shouldn’t have to live among the humans, let alone take part in their world. But the Seven Chiefs ordered her to go with Raif, a Proctor from the world Outside. They said they had a Plan. Well, the Seven Chiefs always had a Plan, and Shayla had plans of her own after suffering 13 years as a member of the humans’ World Council.
Raif had never intended for things to go this far. A few months, maybe a year, and he could send the little Phoenician girl home again, back where she belonged. She’s not a little girl anymore and now he finds himself in competition with his own progenitor for control over his Heir–and future. It’s not a Councillor’s job to protect a Proctor but that’s just what Raif needs right now. Can Shayla save him before he loses his mind completely?
Review:
Awesome, just Awesome. I stayed up way too late on multiple night to read it and still would have been happy for more. (I wonder if I could claim recompense from Baldwin for the bags under my eyes.) I just loved the characters’ personalities and their interactions. They all had their own little bit of wit that was distinctly different from one another. I did wonder how it was that the bad guys continued to get away with their depravities, since everyone seemed to know about them. But it didn’t bother me enough to get huffy about.
What I loved the most about the story is that Baldwin was willing to let people be unhappy. Don’t get me wrong I love a happy ending, but it always feels disingenuous when plots spin like pinwheels to bring one about for everyone involved. Let’s face it. Life is hard. People don’t always get what they want. They die or are left dissatisfied for a million other reasons. I really appreciate that Baldwin was willing to allow her characters this slice of reality in their fictional world. I’m not saying no-one leaves the last page ofConditioned Response happy, just that I liked the balance.
Baldwin is, quite frankly, the kind of writer that leaves other feeling inadequate. She is definitely playing with the big boys. I would happily compare her to Asimov, Huxley or Heinlein. Not only was it clear and easy to understand, it never felt forced and always managed to find the right tone for the scene. I am in awe…and I’m not really one to fawn over people. I just can’t wait to read the rest.