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Scattered Suns (The Saga Of The Seven Suns Book 4) by Kevin J. Anderson
01/02/2007 . Source: Phil Jones 
Pub: Simon and Schuster. 728 page enlarged paperback. Price: £10.99 (UK). ISBN: 0-7432-7544-6. Buy Scattered Suns in the USA - or Buy Scattered Suns in the UK  check out website: www.simonsays.co.uk
OK ,fun fans, this is Anderson's fourth outing in 'The Saga Of The Seven Suns', following on from 'Horizon Storms'. We've still got another three books to go with the seventh being the final instalment of this huge space saga. We're given a nine page refresh of what's gone on before which also allows new readers to jump in at this middle point in the series.
So at the end of the last book, 'Horizon Storms', the sentient worldtrees know the Verdani's home-world Theroc had been decimated by the Hydrogues who inhabit gas giants. In an attempt to preserve the Verdani, the green priests are trying to distribute as many treelings to as many worlds as possible, knowing another Hydrogue attack could be imminent.
After successfully destroying a Hydrogue ship, the Earth's EDF build a fleet of rammer ships manned mainly with soldier companies which unbeknown to them have Kliliss programming that can turn them rogue and be used by the Kliliss robots when they desire.
The Ildrians are on the verge of a civil war. The Ildiran Hyrillka Designate Rusa'h has instigated an uprising using shiing, a chemical that can break an Ildrian from the thism that connects Idrians telepathically to others and the ldiran Mage Imperator. The Mage Imperator struggles with his new found knowledge and history of the Ildrian race and the bargains made 10,000 years ago to ensure their continuing survival in the universe. Their only hope is an Ildrian, green priest hybrid, whose half-breed daughter has the ability to communicate with the Hydrogues.
The Roamers cease trading the star fuel ekti with Earth which declarers war on the Roamers and starts attacking their outposts, including their capital Rendezvous. Capturing the inhabitants and relocating them onto Hansa outlying colonies.
The Hydrogues continue their war with the Fareos, humans and Ildrians and their tie with the Kliliss robots become more apparent who have their own plans. Amassing a huge hidden army that has been hidden in various locations, they also have the modified soldier companies in place across the human EDF fleet poised to cause chaos and destruction.
So what have we got so far? An interesting outward and internal play on conflict. On Earth, the political intrigue, manoeuvring and control is becoming more extreme. From Basil Wenceslas, who is becoming more erratic in his behaviour, especially toward King Peter and Queen Estarra. He feels like his control and power is being overwrought by insubordinate actions, such as that of the King and Queen hiding an unplanned pregnancy and Prince Daniel's escape attempt. Outwardly, the Earth's military, the EDF, is becoming oppressive in nature with their newly declared war on the Roamers and blindly over-looking important events such as the destruction of a colony by Kliliss robots. Instead, focusing on the rogue pilot who returns to the Moon with the news of the attack, they decide to make an example of his dissension and court marshal him, ignoring the real threat.
I think Anderson's prelude books to 'Dune' has had a huge impact on his writing, reminding me of older space sagas such as E.E. 'Doc' Smith and, of course, Frank Herbert. I think Anderson has moved away from old styles and formulas to create an easy reading distinct space saga of his own. It is not without its problems, though. The short nature of the chapters does make you feel like your flitting from one bit of the 'verse to the next. With the large number of story threads and characters, it's difficult to really feel totally submerged in Anderson's reality.
There is, however, a good pace of cascaded information mixed into slowly enlighten you to the connections and histories of this universe's past. Along with a flurry of new dilemmas presented as the various conflicts escalate, we start to understand the history and motives about the Kliliss robots and their true intentions toward the human race. Also, we start to find out a bit more about the historic warring between the different alien races. The readers knowledge is broadened sufficiently to keep you reading - just.
The middle section of this fourth book does seem to flag a bit. I'm not sure if it's due to the length or just that Anderson is juggling too many balls at one time. It does pick up pace and interest toward the end. The end of the book leaves us with the Ildrian Mage Imperator presented with a terrible ultimatum by the Hydrogues.
So, overall an enjoyable book. Not quite in the same league as the first three books but still very readable and enough to keep both old and new readers interested.
Phil Jones
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