Marianne de Pierres

D

Deornoth

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Jul 14, 2005
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I just finished reading 'Dark Space' (Book One of the 'Sentients of Orion' series) last night. While it has the potential to become a decent series, I thought the characterisation was weak in places and some plot elements went off on tangents when they didn't need to... (see my review Here )
I know Marianne de Pierres has written other stuff and I was wondering if anyone had read any of it ('Crash Deluxe' etc) and what they thought of it. Like I said, there were enough good bits to suggest that the series has potential and that it also may be worth checking out some of de Pierres other books...
 
I read her Parrish Plessis trilogy and I must say I liked them despite some obvious flaws.

Of course these Parrish novels are not space opera like her new series. It's set in future Austalia and it's kind of a mix of cyberpunk, pulp noir, detective story, Aboriginal mysticism all put together. The series is pretty cool. The heroine of the story is a tough but likable girl mercenary/detective/saviour type.

However it's obvious these are her first novels. The characters are very good, the worldbuilding way above average but I found the plotline rather chaotic. And the ending of the series is really weird. Can'"t say I really understood it. A bit of a cliffhanger ending which is strange because the third volume is supposed to be the end and there is no fourth volume planned.

And of course the books are rather violent. Lots of killing and sex. So not for prudes.
 
Marianne has her own Forum area at SFFWorld: HERE which should answer your questions. I am looking forward to getting my teeth into Dark Space which I understand is a nicely complex Space Opera.

Hobbit
 
Hi All.

I don't suppose an author has a right of reply in these things but I would say two things:

The 'tangents' in the novel all relate explicitly to the main story - but the connections are subtle and are revealed over the arc of the books. The book has chaos theory at its essence, hence the message in its book trailer: http://www.andromedaspaceways.com/book_0001.htm

In terms of characterisation - well I guess people see things differently as is demonstrated in this review: http://www.andromedaspaceways.com/book_0001.htm

bests
Marianne
 
Oh...and one other thing...

The Parrish series is not necessarily over.
 
EEEK! :eek:

Hi Marianne,

No offense meant, honestly! I was just trying to get my reactions (to the book) out, perhaps they didn't come out as well as I wanted them to... :(
In my defence, I did say in my review that I thought the series had potential. I think perhaps my overall review (of the entire series) would be different.
As a reader I reserve the right to judge characters according to my own perceptions. I was shocked at Trin's actions towards the end of the book (never saw that coming!) and again that influenced what I wrote...
Again, sorry if I caused offence as none was meant. Believe it or not, I am looking forward to seeing where this one is going :)
 
No problems Deornoth!

Nothing wrong with healthy debate and opinion.

On the Trin issue, the reason I let him do *what he did* was this...
***SPOILER ALERT****

Even though he was beginning to grow as a person, when push came to shove the thing that mattered more to him than anything - more than Djeserit even - was the continuation of his line. It was/is so inbred in him the need for that that decency didn't come in to it.

Personal growth in someone so twisted is not necessarily a linear thing. It misfires often. He failed the test if you like.

Even is that spoiled the character for you - at least you know now why I did it :) :)

Feel free to comment more, I'm very open to discussion, time permitting!

best
MDP
 
Hi Bren,
thanks for posting that. How is the writing going?

MDP
 
All kicking off again after the great 2006 drought. Five short stories accepted in adult SF genre already this year.

Maybe my luck is tied to El Nino! :eek:

You're certainly doing well. :D
 
I hesitated abut ordering Dark Space due to some so-so reviews seen here and there, but finally I got it because it's my favourite genre space opera and I liked the few pages I read from Nylon Angel (never got to read it since I have not been in the mood for cybernoir for a few years now, but if I want such, that one, Hammered and Keeping it Real all wait on my bookshelf...).

I expected a pulpy space opera (like the recent Helix by E. Brown and Saturn Returns by S. Williams), and to some extent Dark Space is such, but I really was pleasantly surprised and found myself enjoying the book much more than either those two. The next book is on my buy on publication list since I really want to find out what happens next.

There is a lot of sense of wonder and hints at deeper mysteries, and the characters are interesting. There are the "godhead" characters including Jo-Jo and Tekton and their interaction is a hoot, but the ones that are developed the most are the Araldis ones Mira and Trin and while quite clicheic to a large extent -spoiled brat of the ruling family, and plucky girl with many talents- their encounters throughout the book are well done, and the one at the ending for once distinguishes Araldis from the run of the mill patriarchal on poor planet society of space opera.

One of the pleasant surprises of 2007 for me, Dark Space is the start of a very promising series.
 
Hi there suciul,

thanks for the positive feedback.

best
Marianne
 
MDP said:
p.s. there are links to some great reviews here if you are interested:

http://www.mariannedepierres.com/books.cfm?series=3&book=22


Shame the less attractive ones seem to be seen more :)
Click to expand...

Thank you for the link. I read the excerpt from Wither and loved it; just based on the first 2 lines and I would have decided to get the book when published even if I had not made my mind earlier:

"Thales prostrated for the last time that day. As he lifted his lips from the cool marble floor of the Jainist upashraya, he sent a message to his Moud: quesadillas for dinner with spiced ratafia and a side of hot-meat stuffed peppers.."

Also I think that the excerpt from Dark Space is great and should encourage people to get the book (were I to have read it earlier, again I would have ordered the book immediately).

I remember I saw a very good review in Hub, an online magazine I found out about recently, though I think I had already ordered the book from BD by then.

I also decided to start Nylon Angel and since Crash Deluxe is not available yet here in the US, I will use BD again to get the UK edition, with Code Noir from a bookstore around (all the 3 Borders around here carry it according to their site).
 
Well, I hope you enjoy them. Thanks.
Please bear in mind - the Parrish series is fun (most of the time) with dark undertones - whereas the Sentients series, though it has lighter moments, is deadly serious.

The Hub review is being re-published in much greater depth at the new Scalpel Magazine according to Paul Raven the reviewer. Should be out any moment - I'm looking forward to reading it.

best
MDP
 
Last edited:
Another great review in AurealisXpress. :D

I grabbed a copy at the Dark Space launch. Looking forward to reading it. Great to see you again, Marianne.
 
Hi Bren,

great to see you again also.
Congratulations on all the sales you've been making especially being in the new issue of Orb.

Good luck with things for the rest of this year. Keep me posted.

MDP
 
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