Warrior's Woman (Mass Market Paperback)

The story started describing Tedra, the heroine, in her rented apartment, and from the first page we are well aware she’s in a different world – a world of technology, labour-saving devices and computers on a planet with no natural vegetation and where people aren’t “born”, they are created via IVF and incubated through artificial wombs. Tedra is a Sec 1 which is a member of the security forces and she’s proud of her skills.

When the government is taken over by a man working in concert with a warrior tribe of people from another planet, Tedra realises she has to leave and escape as Sec 1 women are being enslaved by the warriors and carried off to their planet. Although when she meets one of these people she actually finds him rather attractive, she manages to disable him and escape with her computer, Martha, and a robot, Corth.

Much is made of the fact Tedra hasn’t been “breached”, i.e. is a virgin, and she legally has to give up her virgin status by her 25th birthday (in just a year’s time). She has nothing against it, is just waiting for the right man – who hasn’t yet shown up.

Tedra travels a long way and eventually Martha decides they have found a good planet for her to start her experience as a trader of goods. Tedra is transported (in a rather Star-Trek manner) to the planet surface and immediately runs into Challen, a very tall warrior who she finds instantly appealing. The rest of the story is about their culture clashes and his apparent refusal to believe that she is actually from another planet. They have multiple clashes of wills with Challen thinking she should submit to his authority and Tedra being reluctant to do so. Their relationship appears to be cemented through sex and eventually he and some of his warriors help her wage war against the coup leader on her planet so that it is all fixed again. She returns to Challen’s planet to live there as his wife.

It’s a nicely-written story with amusing dialogue, a light touch and a lot of fun. Nothing too taxing for the brain but an enjoyable way to while away an afternoon.

OK, the story line is not exactly the freshest thing, but it doesn't have to be. Tendra and Challen are both such strong individuals, and even secondary characters not least including Martha are well developed. The characterisation is definately for me the reason for enjoying the book. The two central characters are from such different cultures, and yet their personalities ultimately (after a few adjustments) fit together so well, and it was this period of adjustment that makes the story so enjoyable.

It is difficult sometimes to connect with Tendra's gradual reconcilliation with the male dominance of Challen's world, which includes the right to punish 'their' women as males see fit. It helps that Challen ultimately changes himself to become a fit partner for such a strong woman, although I hope that Tendra would eventually emancipate the females and educate the males of Sha-Ka'ani!

I have read "Keeper of the Heart" as well also enjoyed it now I am waiting for Dalden's story I have a feeling he's going to fall hard.