Book Review: The Ghost Sister

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Ghost Sister     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Liz Williams
Class/Genre:   SF AND Fantasy
Bantam, Jul 2001, $5.99, 352 pp.

The founders of the colony on remote Monde D’Isle established the prime directive of harmony with nature. Thus, the life cycles of the descendants tie into the planet’s pulse including a feral urge to unleash their animal instincts. The weak are systematically killed.

Somehow Mevennen ai Mordha survived her time out in the wild, but upon returning everyone knew something was wrong with her. Her family wanted to kill Mevennen as befitting the weak as only the strong survives. Only her brother Eleres and the Satahrach Luta kept her alive. However, as the tides have increased in velocity, Mevennen suffers increasing fits. To save his beloved sister Eleres takes her inland to an abandoned tower. Not long afterward off-planet individuals arrive. Mevennen believes she sees a ghost while the visitor insists she is a Gaian anthropologist sent to help the people.

THE GHOST SISTER is an engaging science fiction novel that follows closely a culture that seems like nomads living within the cleansing of Ancient Sparta. The story line moves slowly forward to insure the reader understands the civilization and the key players. Fans of speculative fiction that focuses on characters and lifestyles will enjoy Liz Wlliams’s THE GHOST SISTER.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner