Harmony

by C.F. Bentley

Book Overview

Within a space opera landscape, H armony explores the spirituality of a different human culture bound by a rigid caste system. Laudae Sissy, the new H igh Priestess of the world called H armony,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0756404851
• ISBN13: 9780756404857
• Release Date: August 2008
• Publisher: Daw Books
• Length: 387 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.5" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Choppy start, but excellent finish

Everything that takes place on the planet Harmony is amazing writing. Truly well done. The only problems are at the begining with some of the offplanet action. Very stilted and poorly written. Once you get past the first few chapters the book really comes to life.

Must Read

Harmony is a rip-roaring fantasy/science fiction/space opera. It is full of twists and turns. It contains mystery and a touch of romance. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going the author threw in a new twist. With great characters, a well constructed plot and a well though out universe this is a book science fiction readers should not miss. . I was sorry to see the book end and was glad to see on C.F. Bentley's web site that this is the first book in a new series. Enigma, the next book, is due out in August of 2009.

One of the best SF books I have read in awhile -- it has heart & soul

The book captured my attention as soon as I started reading it. It has adventure, love, compassion and food for thought regarding our connection to the planet Earth. When I finished it, I came immediately online to see if I could get more from this author.

Amazing new book

I don't have time to write a long review, but I started reading this book figuring I would read for a few minutes and then go clean the kitchen. Well, the kitchen will have to get cleaned tonight because I spent the rest of last night completely engrossed in this book. I was enthralled and read the book through to the last page. When I read the last word I was dissapointed; how could the book end?! I want more!! (although I suppose it's a good thing that it did end otherwise I would not have gotten any sleep last night at all!) All I can hope now is that there will be a sequal and the author does not take too long to write it. While this book was satisfying in and of itself, it left lots of room for more. So, please CF Bentley I need more!!!

Excellent space opera

Chaos is the operative word in outer space in the distant future. The Human Confederate Star System (CSS) is at war with the Marillon Empire, which controls numerous avian based inhabitants. Harmony and its colony plants have closed itself from the rest of the universe; refusing to allow their orbs to be polluted. However the two confrontational empires will not allow the Harmony Empire to remain neutral because both hostile sides need Badger Metal only produced on Harmony; that metal makes navigating and communicating much easier in hyperspace. When a quake hits a Harmony factory, worker Sissy sings to the core of the planet to stop the tremors from reoccurring. She gives voice to the prophecy and comes to the attention of the High Priest Gregor, who seeks a new High Priestess since the incumbent just died in the quake. The people adore Sissy for the changes she is bringing to a world that thrives on status quo to a dangerous fault. Jake, a CSS agent, hopes to exploit her and steal the Badger Metal formula. Instead he finds himself in love risking his life and mission to protect Sissy from assassins who might be local traitors supporting the Maril he anticipates will soon invade. However, when Sissy learns the true history of her planet, she vows to break the strangling caste system in order to save her people by retuning to what the founders hoped for their future. This stand alone space opera is exciting and filled with action, but caste (pun intended) driven. Readers obtain a full spectrum of the political, economic, cultural and social engines that run the harmonic Empire. Sissy is the glue who holds the story line together as a lowly Worker caste becomes the Temple High Priestess; she and readers learn on the job what she is supposed to perform and as important what to do regarding the future threat to and the ancient history of the planet. A bright star in the outer space galaxy of science fiction, C.F. Bentley provides a strong tale. Harriet Klausner