L.E. Modesitt Jr, Soarer’s Choice

Soarer's Choice

L.E. Modesitt, Jr.

Tor, November 2006, $27.95

ISBN: 0765316471

Every few thousand or so years, the Alector must move to a fresh planet, having exploited and ultimately devastated the resources of the orb they have resided on. This has happened to their home world Ifryn, left as ruined husk. Now it is time to leave Corus after farming the planet to such a waste that sustaining life is nearly impossible.

However, who is left behind besides the crops of species raised to feed the vast vampiric Alector populace becomes the issue. High Alector Dainyl is a Marshal trying to keep a civil war from breaking out, as various groups argue over who stays to die on this exhausted orb. However, instead of the Undesirables, losers left behind, neither Dainyl nor others in the government abandoning Corus anticipated on the Ancient winged native Soarers suddenly interceding on behalf of their planet. No one before truly challenged the Alectors.

The end of the second Corean Chronicles trilogy is one of the best science fiction tales of the year, and perhaps the best in a powerful series that reminds readers (at least older ones) of the Zager and Evans song 2525: "He's taken everything this old earth can give, And he ain't put back nothing". The storyline is filled with action, whether it is battle scenes, government intrigue or social dysfunctional interaction. Readers will choose to soar with L.E. Modesitt, Jr. as he takes his fans on quite a ride.