Though most sequels disappoint, they are also an opportunity for a new author to refine his or her craft and to eliminate the inevitable errors of literary adolescence. But though The Radiant Seas has a potent second half, the novel has convinced me that this series from Ms. Asaro will never advance beyond a kind of 21st century version of the 19th century, English, Gothic novel. Ms. Asaro has considerable talent; her science is interesting; her world is enjoyable if cliched. But though all the pieces are in place, there's no ambition to be more than a dressed-up love story cloaked in grandeur.
The doom that was always going to befall Sauscony Valdoria's plan to be left alone by the universe crashes home in The Radiant Seas, scattering her hopes for the future far and wide. But though Valdoria is clearly stunned by recent developments, both personal and galactic, she recovers to rally her people in what she hopes to be a war to end all wars. She will do what others who've come before her have failed to do, to throw the dice high and see where they land in an all-out gamble for the future. And if it doesn't work out, well, the pain of the loss won't last long because she'll be dead and it won't much matter anymore.
Valdoria's general bad-assedness completely carries this novel. Her fury is a rich concoction made from mother's pain and wounded pride. Her resolve is nearly a character unto itself as it propels the series' primary heroine through to a destiny that's been a long time in coming. But if Valdoria is the novel's strength, its other protagonists fail to meet her mark. Kurj, the Scolian ruler and brother to Sauscony,is a hackneyed reworking of Darth Vader while Althor, another of her brothers portrayed here, is straight out of central casting for boy scouts. No, Ms. Asaro does not construct dynamic characters, choosing rather to hurl them together at tremendous speeds and see what is smashed out of them. And though their suffering ought to provoke empathy, that's rather difficult when you can't help but flip the page in hopes that you're at the next chapter and a change in P.O.V.
But through its flaws, there is still meat on this bone. The war is well-plotted, well-executed and deeply satisfying, paying off much of Primary Inversion's promise. But the hackneyed world got to me here and I doubt I'll continue beyond the next novel. (2/5 Stars)
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