User:IdRatherBeAtTheBeach/sandbox/tempfdtara

From Scott, Tara (20 June 2018). "'Outcaste' by Fletcher DeLancey". Lambda Literary. Although 'Outcaste' is the sixth book in the series, it can be read first. It covers major events of previous books from the perspective of different characters. The battle of Alsea is seen from the perspective of a soldier, instead of Lancer Tal's and Captain Serrado's, and the motivations and machinations behind the traitorous kidnapping of Salomen Opah's brother are illuminated.

[Unlike the previous books in the series, where the main characters hold positions of power, the main character in Outcast is Rahel Sayana, who is born into an ordinary family in a small town on the southern continent of Alsea.]

"The world building is rich, believable, and easy to imagine." The Alsean world has many unique elements. [Expand on the effort and thought that went into the worldbuilding. The first cocktail hour interview covers quite a bit of world building backstory.] [* Alsean flora and fauna
 * An Alsean time system [Fletcher describes why in the first Cocktail hour interview]
 * Alsean idioms
 * Alsean caste system
 * Alsean legal system
 * Alsean religious beliefs
 * Alsean military hierarchy
 * Alsean political structure
 * Alsean EMPATHIC ability
 * Alsean technology]

[Choice 1: Use a long quote] Rahel's journey is "complex, layered, and through. We first join her as a child, when she’s frustrated with the path that her father insists she take, and follow her for more than 20 years. We see the sheer grit and determination she has and her willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve her dreams, some of which put her in harm’s way just to keep a roof over her head. And, because it takes place over such a long period of time, it feels like the story shifts from YA sci fi in the first part to being more like the sci fi for adults that comprises the rest of the Alsea series."

[Choice 2: if we don't want to use a long quote.] Rahel's journey is "complex, layered, and through." Covering more than 20-years, it starts like YA science fiction, centering on her childhood and frustrations [in a classic coming-of-age struggle] with her father's insistence she follow in his footsteps. As Rahel matures, the story evolves into adult science fiction, focusing on how Rahel deals with the emotional aftermath of battle and the consequences of her decisions and actions. There is a strong cast of characters. It includes Rahel's family and friends.[need to finish mining the article]