Kusac, a 'feline-like' sholan, has to cope with the loss of his special telepathic link to Carrie, a human, as well as hide the fact that the sholan kit he's trying to rescue from the Valtegan General, Kezule, is his son. Kezule, meanwhile, needs Kusac's grudging help to whip his fledgling colony into the general's idea of an ideal Valtegan society. Valtegan's and Sholans are normally enemies, so this alliance is fraught with problems. Then there's the traitor in the sholan contingency who could ruin everything. And why is Kusac so attracted to General Kezule's wife, especially since he doesn't want to be! Needless to say, there's lots of intrigue in this story.
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The review of this Book prepared by Philip Eggerding
Daw, Jan 2003, 6.99, 752 pp.
ISBN: 0756400155
The triad of Kusac, Carrie, and Kaid know that the unrest on Shola will keep them very busy. However, suddenly everything changes when Kusac does the unthinkable and leaves the planet without a word to his two partners. They even wonder if he has turned traitor.
Instead the ruling Brotherhood has assigned Kusac the mission to rescue a Sholan cub held hostage by Valtegan General Kezule. However, instead of success in rescuing the cub, Kusac is captured and his link to his triad partners severed. This makes his people except for loyal Carrie believe he has switched sides but Kusac makes a pact with his deadliest enemy Kezule in an attempt to buy time so he can save his life and that of the child. For behind the scenes orchestrating all the species are the Watchers who do more than idly observe.
The seventh Sholan Alliance tale, BETWEEN DARKNESS AND LIGHT, is an exciting thriller that never slows down yet insures the audience believes in the various species populating these novels. The story line is action-packed yet provides deep insight into Kusac and Kezule. Especially intriguing is the loyalty of Carrie, who in spite of overwhelming evidence believes that her triad mate will one day reveal a greater truth. Series fans will have a field day (or two) reading this delightful, but complex tale with multiple subplots that ultimately tie back to the main theme. Newcomers can read this as a satisfying stand alone, but will find it even better if they start at the beginning with book one (see TURNING POINT).
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner