Razors Edge

by

Lisanne Norman

In the fourth book of Ms. Norman's Sholan Alliance, Carrie and Kusac, this first mixed Leska pair, have returned for traveling to the past and Carrie has given birth to their first child. The story immediately picks up where "Fire Margins" left off. Kaid, the security specialist is the third member of the group, but he is having problems accepting his role in the relationship.

After establishing the Leskas as a separate guild in the Sholan society, They begin to train to rescue fellow Sholans captured by the Valtegans and sold into slavery on the planet Jalna. Kaid, is haunted by memories of his past, being from the past and brought forward by Varta, the creator if the telepaths, who defeated the Valtegans in the long past. Kaid is repeatedly taken to the past and witnesses several experiments by Varta. This makes him withdraw from the others and causes problems with the training. He is able to come to grip with the situation and begins to become his old self again, mostly with Carrie's and T'Chebbi's help.

After returning from the past in "Fire Margins" the companions brought back a Valtegans general, Kezule. He is imprisoned and interrogated, but it does not work. he is given a female Sholan who he humiliates at every chance. He is able to escape and kills a Leska at the same time. Carrie is able to rescue the other member of the pair by helping her accept a human male as her partner. He is still at large when the book ends.

Carrie, Kusac, Kaid, and T'Chebbi arrive on Jalna and set about rescuing the trapped Sholans and humans on the planet. They find a Leska pair who are from the past, having been held in stasis until the Valtegan ship crashed on the planet. They are held captive of a local warlord and are forced to provide laser weapons for him. They delay as long as they can and finally escape. The meet with Carrie and Kusac and are smuggled into the spaceport. There is a fight and the group is forced to escape in a Sumaan ship. The Sumaans are like Sholans, being evolved from felines.

So ends the book. It was a good read, flowing from the others in the series easily. Ms Norman is a delightful writer, spinning a fanciful but exciting tale. The interactions between human, Sholan, and other aliens is wonderfully carried out. This, as well as the others in the series: Turning Point, Fortunes Wheel, and Fire Margins are a must for anyone who loves a good Sci Fi thriller.