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by Liz Williams
(Spectra Books 2001, ISBN: 0553583743)
Science-Fantasy from one of our own druids. This is a book to give
you to think. The indigenous race on Monde d'Isle have the innate
ability to 'hear the land', hear ley lines, feel water, see the
bright energy lines ... and more.
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A team of humans come to the planet looking for their lost colonists.
They are followers of the Gaia path and see this world as looking like
old Earth. They are surprised the colonists haven't re-formed it, for
re-forming the planet to be in harmony with themselves is the Gaia way.
The two groups meet over a girl who is deformed, out of harmony with the
planet. Both groups want to cure her ... and thereby hangs the tale and,
by the gods, it's a good one. Liz turns commonly held ideals on their
heads, gives them a good shake and leaves you gasping at what you find
in them.
You see the story through the eyes of two main characters. It weaves through
the lives and purposes of the indigenous people, who have grown from the
original colonists, and those of the team who have come to save and help
them. You can feel into all of the characters, even those you dislike.
They stretch your imagination, widen your horizons and jerk you out of
that comfy armchair of habit!
Ghost Sister does suffer from a not very inspiring cover - but that's
publishers! - it really doesn't give you any idea of the beauty of the
tale within, so don't be put off. This one is a must read. It will stay
on my shelves to get ragged and dog-eared as I go back to it, many times.
Elen Santier
