Of Honor and Treason by C. J. Merle

Review from: Midwest Book Review and Bookbrowser.com
Reviewed by:Harriet Klausner

By the twenty-sixth century, outer spaces colonies destroyed the earth during the Wars of Freedom. With the demise of the mother planet, the various colonies establish competing empires to fill the power vacuum.

One of the more dominant is the Klimar Empire, ruled by a half-mad individual. As a revolution was about to occur, an assassin killed the dynamic rebel leader. Still, he left behind a message that when finally understood would provide his son Eivaunee and his followers the information needed to overthrow the oppressors.

The Yseret, a cerebral humanoid race, have bred a warrior people, the H'ssassan. They have also created a super soldier Zsar'T'lac to lead the revolt. However, a group of Hssassan rejects the Yseret as their masters and plans their own revolt. Meanwhile Zsar'T'lac and Eivaunee form an alliance, but freedom remains a stretch goal.

C. J. Merle's novel takes the best of Star Wars and Star Trek and blends them into an exciting space opera. The story line is at hyperspeed while the lead cast shows much of their inner selves to allow the readers to believe they are real and their motives appropriate to their persona. Though not stated, OF HONOR AND TREASON appears as the opening gamut in a series that will not only is going to be a best seller but whose audience will care what happens to the prime players.

Review from:Affaire de Coeur
Reviewed by:Harriet Klausner

Commander Tamsek Dorlan has found the way to penetrate the shields protecting the Klimar Empire's Imperial Palace where a maniac rules. He has attained the blueprints of the palace that show a vulnerable area. However, before he can use his new information, an empire assassin kills Tamsek. Before dying, Tamsek transmits a message that contains the data his son Eivaunee will need
to complete his work.

In the nearby Norda civillization, the scientific race of Yseret feels the threat of encroachment from the Klimar Empire. Zsar't'lac , the genetic
messiah of the Hssassan (a race created by the Yseret) fears the outcome of war. He travels to Klimar to avoid the pending catastrophe by dealing with the Emperor. He meets Eivaunee and the two warriors forge a temporary alliance that will last at least into the sequel.

Of Honor and Treason is a compelling science fiction work with alien characterizations that rival the best of Star Wars. From the first page to the climax, C. J. Merle captures her audience with the fast-paced space opera that never lets up for a moment. This ultra warp speed novel requires a
reader warning that should state the habit-forming plot requires purchase of the sequel.

Four hundred years in the future, two powerful and opposing groups seek to rule the universe. The Klimar Empire, a human Imperial oligarchy, represents one faction. The Norda Homelands, ruled by humanoid-alien scientists who consider human beings an inferior species, seek to wipe out the Empire, which recently encroached into Norda space. Neither faction would score high on a moral test -- both wallow in corruption, greed, and violence. And war between the two looms on the immediate horizon.

Can it be stopped? Good question.

One being, Zsar't'lac the Qtesark (a genetically engineered warrior messiah), might possibly stop the war -- if he defects from the Norda to the humans. To do that, Zsar't'lac needs the help of Eivaunee, the richest man in the Empire -- and a man who the mad Emperor wants dead.

The enemy species live in complex and beautifully delineated worlds made understandable and acceptable by the talent of the author. The greed and corruption inherent in power provide a backdrop for the interactions necessary for the two beings, one human, one not, who must work together to save their worlds. This team effort can only be achieved by trust -- something Zsar't'lac and Eivaunee sorely lack.

Space opera, for sure, but more. This book offers action, interaction, a good plot, interesting characters, incredible worlds made credible, and pages of totally enjoyable reading. The book might not ever achieve the fame of Star Trek, but I wouldn't count it out. Of Honor and Treason deserves more than a hasty glance from SF fans. It's a keeper.

Review from: Strange Horizons
Reviewed by: Chistopher Cobb
Love versus Corruption in a Psychological Space Opera. Fundamentally, Of Honor and Treason tells the story of the education of two beings, one human, one alien, as they come to understand their honor as unselfish love and as they struggle to uphold it in spite of corruption around them. The balanced interplay of the similarities and differences between the two characters and their cultures give the work poignancy and moral depth. The characters are worth knowing.

I enjoyed reading Of Honor and Treason and look forward to the next book in the series. It's my pleasure to recommend to you a small-press book that deserves to be widely read.

Review from: Romantic Times
Reviewed by: Kathy Boswell

If science fiction is your reading genre of choice, then OF HONOR AND TREASON is a book not to be missed.