Left-Photo from KHAN: A MAINE COON Epilogue. Kai and Phantom. Above from KHAN: A MAINE COON. Khan at 3 months old.
Left; Watercolor pencil illustration from KHAN: A MAINE COON. Khan faces down Damien.
Above: From KHAN: A MAINE COON. Khan with kitten Indy.
Below-illustrations from The Furlites of Aroriel.
Left-Elara and Teseuis from Chap 6, Book One-On Matissia Wings. Right- Geupetus, Nethunia, Orios, Isea, Rania and Telluris from Chap 4 Book One-On Matissia Wings.
In Memory of David Ayscue, my friend and mentor. (1953-2010)
Thanks for everything. You are missed!
This review of my THE FURLITES OF ARORIEL series is from my
mentor, friend, editor, and Literary Agent, David Ayscue, who passed away Sept of 2010. Thanks for everything, David. You are missed!
Author-Marie J. S. Phillips
David’s Review;
The
author describes these books as “an alien family saga.” These tales are
suitable for science fiction readers who enjoy reading stories from the
alien point of view. This book fits the niche that includes Robert
Sawyer’s FAR-SEER, Lisanne Norman’s SHOLAN ALLIANCE series, and David
Brin’s Trilogy which included INFINITY’S SHORE. Her books are not exactly
like any of the above, but probably most like Robert Sawyer’s FAR-SEER,
and its sequels. In his books, human involvement with the Quintaglios is
zero, whereas the characters in ON MATISSIA WINGS have some contact
with humanity. This brief contact forever changes the Furlitian people
in more ways than they ever imagined possible.
Human bias generally
assumes most sentient civilized alien life must be humanoid or
primate-based, which may not be the reality at all. With a twist on an
old theme, the author stresses in subtle ways through Furlitian culture,
how real freedom and personal responsibility can help any society
produce good people, without any strict taboos, religious fanaticism,
and overbearing governments. I have also compared it to E. R. Eddings,
though this author’s books are far more science fiction than fantasy –
once you accept the premise, of course, of a world where primates never
evolved, and where furred dinosaurs became the dominant species … who
now have a space program … which leads them to … our world.
The
illustrations -- a mix of freehand artwork, real photos, and
computer-generated graphics -- include detailed hand drawings of her
characters. In ON MATISSIA WINGS, the six plates, plus the cover are integral to the book. Who
knows better what a Furlite looks like than their creator?
The sequel, EARTH-BRED; MATISSIA-BORN, is, perhaps, an even better story.
There
is a third book in this series, EYES IN THE DARK which is as yet unfinished. The world
is fully realized; the depth of characterization is … epic, wondrous,
and, frankly, I think this author is a great storyteller.
Reminiscent
in some respects of Military SF, in the tradition of Heinlein and
Asimov, told from the point of view of the aliens -- they are PEOPLE,
with their own culture, and … they are better people than we are.
Remarkable books, deserving of publication, I think, or I would not have
done all that I have done to help this author realize her dream of
seeing her own trilogy for sale in bookstores everywhere.