I read this book years ago and just recently purchased the CD recording via audible.com . I'm interested to see if it captures me as much as it did the first time (back when I wasn't quite so crabby).

Here's the original review I wrote way back when (ehhhh, I used to be so gushy):

Ahhh, what a satisfying book. If only everything I read were this good, well, I'd probably never get anything done! This is the second book in Catherine Asaro's Skolian Empire Saga and is also another not-to-be missed read for hard-core scifi fans and romance readers looking for a well-written futuristic love story.
Ms. Asaro has created another extraordinary heroine and hero while maintaining a non-stop action filled read. I now know why these books appeal to so many different types of readers - there's adventure, romance, political intrigue and interesting future societies and theories that boggle the mind.

The best thing about this book for me was the characters. If I can't care about them I just won't be able to get into a book, no matter how interesting others may find it. The author takes as much care developing her characters as she does her plot which makes this book so special. Tina may only be seventeen but she was forced to grow up early and her actions, and responses to the unbelievable situations she's thrust into are very realistic. She's vulnerable and tough, smart and easy to like. Althor is a perfect match for her, he's strong, sensitive and moody and with her strong empathic abilities she's probably the only one who would be able to fully understand and love him.

My only complaint, and it's a minor one really, that can probably be attributed to the fact that I don't read much hard scifi, is that sometimes the book lapsed into long technical explanations that jogged me out of the story and because I read this book immediately after finishing PRIMARY INVERSION some of the explanations didn't seem necessary to me so I skimmed them. Despite that nit I can't recommend this one highly enough. The characterization is flawless - you'll love and route for these people as they face impossible odds.

So far so good. I'm enjoying this as much the second time around as I did the first time. It hooked me from the beginning and I realized I had forgotten most of the details (not surprisingly considering my memory). I was a bit taken aback at how quickly the first love scene occured. I don't remember that fact standing out before. . . Could I be turning into an old prude?! The techie jargon is a bit tough and heavy handed when listening to this on audio. It was much easier to "skim" when reading in book form. Now I have to listen to every way-over-my-head word ;)

This book has now officially become a Bookray!

What is a bookray and how do I get in on it? (thanks go to PHC for her detailed instructions which helped me greatly in understanding the process)

A bookray begins when a bookcrosser decides to send a book on a controlled journey. A list of interested readers is set up and the book passes from one reader who reads it and then sends it along to the person next in line. The final person on the list will set the book "free" or pass it along to other interested readers. A reader can join a bookray at any time unless I decide to close it (if that happens I will make a note that the ray has closed). Just private message (PM) me and let me know where you are located (city, state & country) and if you are able to ship internationally. Also let me know if you would like to be placed lower down on the list.

What should I do when I receive the book? Log on to bookcrossing and type up a journal entry so I know it reached you okay. Then private message (PM) the next person in line to get their mailing address so there will be no waiting once you finish the book, if they do not respond within 10 days PM the next reader in line (and me too so I know they are no longer interested). Please read the book within 30 days and when complete add another journal entry with your thoughts about the book. Tell me the truth! Was it the best thing you ever read or a complete and utter waste of time? I love to talk books, the good, the bad and even the ugly (ugly can sometimes be lots of fun to dissect), you can write one sentence or a hundred. When you finish send the book along to the next reader in line. Please mail the book via Media Mail to save on postage in the US or via the slow boat to China if sending overseas.

What if I'm the last in line? Journal upon arrival, listen, journal again with your thoughts & set the suckers free!!

Help! I'm too swamped with book commitments and it is almost my turn! If you find yourself in this situation PM me and I will bump you down a few notches on the list (if possible). Believe me, I understand!

Thanks for participating and for reading this tome if you have made it this far.

Please PM me if would like to be added to the list or have any questions about the book or the bookray!

The List:
jamie2003
stellertony Alaska
BunnyLady US Current Reader
1stlite US/International ship

Released on Monday, January 03, 2005 at about 12:00:00 PM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at Bookray in Bookray, A Bookray Controlled Releases.

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed off to Jamie2003 today. Enjoy!!

Sorry for the delay in journalling but I actually received this at the beginning of the week. I had to wait until my new computer arrived prior to
being able to get on the internet again.
I should have this done and on its way to the next participant within the next week or so.

I liked this a lot. However, ever since LaurieS had the bookring for The Last Hawk, about Kelric I've become an intense Skolian Empire fan. I can't believe that I've missed Asaro's work for all this time! Thanks for sharing this Laurie. I've only "read" a few books on audiobook before but I'm beginning to really enjoy this experience as well. It looks like you might have gotten me hooked on another format now too:)

I like the way Asaro mixes hard sf with very genuiune seeming characters in these tales and look forward to reading many more books by Asaro. This is off to stellertony as soon as I receive an address.

RELEASE NOTES:

and it's off to visit stellartony in Alaska.

Received in the mail today - thanks!

RELEASE NOTES:

This audiobook has now taken up a residence in my iPod and is very comfortable there. Consider it a technological extension of Mount TBR.

I really enjoyed this book. It was very intriguing, and gave me something to listen to on the bus. Now I'm going to have to find more of her books!

I rec'd this ring on 2/25/05 but forgot to journal it. I am currently listening to it and will send it on to it's new listener as soon as I'm thru. Sorry for the delay in this ring.
3/30/05 All finished listening to and will be mailing home.
7/11/05 Had borrowed this to a friend due to me being the last person and there were no others joining (OKed by LaurieS.) Have just rec'd it back and see there's been another added so I will be sending out shortly to that person.
I'd LOVE to travel throughout the world. Here are all the places I've been to so far:

Merrimack, New Hampshire, USA
Wiley Ford, West Virginia USA
Anchorage, Alaska USA
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin USA
Forsyth, Montana USA
Chobham, Surrey United Kingdom


Please help me to travel the world by passing me on after you've read me. So I can visit other new places.

Ooops. Sorry, didn't get it journaled when I receievd. I must have received when my computer crashed.

What a great book! I wished it had lasted much longer. The plot was wonderful. Great people. Just great!

Am PMing to see if it should go home or if it needs to go elsewhere.

Arrived by post today which is great as I have just finished my last audio tape and now have something to keep me going again as I paint.

thanks for sharing