Throne Price
Lynda Williams & Allison Sinclair
Edge Science Fiction & Fantasy
ISBN 1-894063-06-6

Almost twenty years ago, the Avim gave up her bid for the Ava throne in exchange for a child from the Ava-her throne price. The Throne Price was stolen away shortly after his birth, his whereabouts kept secret until political unrest and the threat of war brings the importance of the child, who would now be seventeen, back to the center of the conflict. Two men, Amel (a pureblood who was stolen as a child and sold into sexual bondage until his true identity was discovered and he was returned to his family) and Erien (a highborn of unknown ancestry-fostered by both Galek and Reetion families) scramble to prevent war that could destroy all that they hold dear.

This book is way too complex to try to describe. All I can say is buy it and read it. It's excellent. My only problem was not realizing there's a glossary in the back, which would have helped tremendously while I was reading. After finding it, reading it through the second time was pure pleasure.

THE THRONE PRICE is to be part of a series (ten books, I believe)-in true Star Wars form-as in, it starts in the middle of the action instead of at the beginning, so you'll have to wait for future volumes to see exactly what happened before. So much was referenced that happened twenty years ago-important things-that this story really should have come after a prequel. But, the characters and universe are interesting enough that I'd go back and read that prequel even knowing what happens now. (Just like Star Wars!).

This is a very different, rather alien culture the authors have created. Incest isn't uncommon, and if the thought of it bothers you, you might want to look elsewhere. If you can keep in mind that the culture is very different, and what's accepted there is not what we'd expect, you shouldn't have trouble with the story. I didn't, because they were characters in a book, and not my neighbors. Amel, alone, is worth the read.

An excellent piece of science fiction. I look forward to more from Williams and Sinclair. —Lisa Ramaglia