INNOVATIVE ONLINE BOOK TOURS: The 5 Moons of Tiiana, by Paul T. Harry

 

 

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Goodreads Synopsis

Captain Rez Cantor is a diplomacy officer in the Imperial Army, and personal attaché to Princess Leanna, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the Emperor, and sole heir to the Melelan throne.

 

On the eve of a treaty signing ending the twelve-year-war between the alien-hybrid Relcor and the Empire, Rez Cantor learns that the Imperial family has been slated for death. Under orders from his Queen, Rez is given his final command–save the Princess at all costs.

Overcoming incredible odds, Rez abducts Leanna, and the two flee Melela along with others of the Imperial guard. Unfortunately, their ship is nuked as it enters warp creating an event horizon that sends the ship 128,000 light years across the galaxy to the Moons of Tiiana. It is on one of these moons that Rez awakens on a beach–injured and alone–without the Princess.

So begins the sojourn of Rez Cantor upon the moons of Tiiana: five moons stagnating from a 2000-year-old war that has left its alien races in limbo and decay. Five moons that crave a hero bold enough to lead their people out of the darkness. Five moons that hold the future of the Melelan Empire deep within the ashes of war.

My Review

(Note: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.)

I haven't read any science fiction in quite a while, so I was glad to get the opportunity to read this novel.   The cover is certainly beautiful, and I could tell I was in for a great adventure!

Before starting on the novel itself, I read the author's note at the back of the book.  He mentions that he's been an ardent Edgar Rice Burroughs fan since childhood, getting lost in the John Carter books, which recount the hero's adventures on Mars.  I was delighted; I've read a couple of those myself, and loved them! 

As I started the story, I could see the Burroughs influence almost right away, although I also detected echoes of Jules Verne, especially when Rez Cantor, the hero, landed on Urlena, one of the moons of Tiiana, and was subsequently captured by the Aquella, a race of water-breathing aliens.   This part of the novel was rather eerie; Cantor awakenened after a strange, time-warp explosion, on a deserted beach.  The author painted a very vivid picture of the setting, making it very easy for me to get totally immersed in what was happening.

As I continued to read, the feeling of eerieness continued; before being captured by the Aquella, Cantor explored a deserted city, where he encountered some very unpleasant rodents.  Thankfully, he later came across far more benign creatures, called the Dolla.  These aquatic denizens of the sea, who reminded me strongly of dolphins, were gentle and telepathic.  They developed a very touching relationship with the hero. 

There are other alien races in this novel, and the reader gradually meets them as Cantor travels from moon to moon, accidentally at first, then purposefully, when he discovers how to transport himself from one moon to the other.  On the moon called Boutal, he meets the enigmatic Ashka, a seer, and her adopted son, Oolat, a member of the Solula race.  He is somewhat reminiscent of Chewbacca, the Wookie from "Star Wars".  Later on Cantor meets the Motula, finding, to his surprise, that the Princess is living among them.

Still later in the story, Cantor travels to the other moons -- Aura, Zin, and Vashia, encountering still stranger aliens, especially the mysterious Visi, whom I found absolutely fascinating, as they are very mystical, almost incorporeal creatures.

There are, of course, nasty villains involved in this highly-imaginative plot -- the Brata, who are flying gargoyles, and the Zecla, a weird blend of humanoid and insect.  These vicious, cruel races threaten the very survival of the other, peaceful races on the five moons, and it becomes Cantor's mission to stop them from doing so. 

This novel is full of very unexpected twists and turns, and Harry leads the reader through them seamlessly, with his beautiful, flowing prose.  One event leads to the next, as Cantor must use every resource at his disposal to overcome the challenges constantly thrown his way.  His indomitable spirit is one of the highlights of this novel; although he is by no means flawless, he nevertheless emerges as the quintessential hero, never backing down from an obstacle, working to overcome all the odds against him.  He is also a tender lover to Princess Leanna, who confesses that she has always loved him.

The characters are appealingly drawn -- Cantor, of course, is the main one, but Oolat is also very memorable.  His friendship with Cantor is a wonderful one; indeed, they become like brothers, and I would love to see this gentle yet fierce giant in a sequel!  Philip Golan remains quite mysterious to the end, when he is no longer quite human.  He is the novel's brillliant theoretician, while Rez is just as brilliant, as a war strategist.  I wish Leanna had been further developed, and had also participated more in the action.  Still, I really liked her as a character.  She never attempts to cling to Rez, but accepts the fact that he has become a leader in the fight to free the moons from the oppression of the Brata and the Zecla.  Besides, she is instrumental in striving to achieve the peace so long fought for and desired. 

The fantasy elements in this novel are intrinsically woven together with the science fiction elements, which gives the story a rather nostalgic atmosphere, strongly reminiscent of 1950's SF films, as well as 60's and 70's productions.  I have already mentioned Star Wars.  I will also point out that I saw some echoes of Star Trek, too, particularly in the character of Philip Golan, who comes across much like Spock (in the original version of the TV series) at times.

The romance between Leanna and Rez is of secondary importance; the emphasis is placed on all the action.  I would have enjoyed it if Harry had chosen to give their relationship a more prominent place in the plot, but then, that probably would have affected the pacing of the story. 

In short, The 5 Moons of Tiiana is an exciting, as well as fascinating, read -- a space 0pera in the tradition of those published in the pulp magazines of the 40's and 50's, as well as by such writers as E.E. "Doc" Smith, Jack Williamson, Poul Anderson, and C.J. Cherryh.  I highly recommend this book to all science fiction fans!  I'm eagerly hoping for a sequel.  Meanwhile, I think I might just want to re-read the adventures on some far away moons orbiting the red giant, Tiiana...

MY RATING:

Paul T. Harry Author Bio

Paul T. Harry attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas as an English major with a theater arts minor before beginning his career as a writer and music producer. He also worked as an editor with Second Avenue Songwriter’s magazine and has spent the last 30 years writing novels, screenplays and short stories. Paul is married with four children and resides in Gold Canyon, outside Phoenix.

PAUL T. HARRY ONLINE

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Here's the complete tour schedule:

7/23 Turning The Pages Spot Light
7/26 Crossroads Spot Light and Giveaway
7/27 Journey with Words Spot Light

7/30 Bibliophilia, Please

Spot Light, Interview ,and Giveaway
7/31 Princess of Pages Review and Interview

8/1 On Emily's Bookshelf Review, Interview,and Giveaway

8/7 My Cozie Corner Review andGiveaway   8/13 Close Encounters with the Night Kind  

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8/15 Kristy Centeno Spot Light and Interview

8/15 The Avid Reader Spot Light

8/15 All Things Writing Interview and Giveaway

8/16 Little Hyuts Review and Giveaway
8/17 Andi's Book Reviews Spot Light and Giveaway
8/20 Soliloquy Review and Giveaway
8/20 Lissette E. Manning Review
8/20 The Book Tart Spot Light, Review, and Interview
8/21 Dahl's Doll Spot Light and Giveaway
8/21 The Jeep Diva Spot Light and Giveaway
8/22 Words I Write Crazy Review and Give Away
8/22 Danasquare Spot Light
8/23 Always a Booklover Review and Giveaway
8/23 Romance Lives Forever Interview
8/24 The Bunny's Review Spot Light
8/24 A Night’s Dream of Books Spot Light and Review