Travel Reads: “The Vision” by C. L. Talmadge

In a future world–or another planet–Helen Andros, a young military physician is caught in theocratic machinations that almost cost her her life. A half-breed, illegitimate, presumed orphaned, she learns her father’s identity as one of the land’s powerful lords and remains a target for the religious cast.

Specs

Summary of The Vision

When the book opens, Lieutenant Helen Andros is tending to a young soldier who has cancer. You quickly learn that her position as military physician is unusual, not only because she is a woman, but because she is a “half-breed” bastard orphan. Her mother was Turanian, the conquered people of Azgard, and her father was Toltec, the ruling race. As the story unfolds, Helen is caught up in the twisted turns of political intrigue as her father is revealed and her existence is used to lords and priests alike to turn the political tide in their direction.

What Worked for Me

I read this once before a few years ago so I could write this review, but life got in the way and it waited on my shelf for a few years. When I picked it up again, I quickly realized I had read it before, but I didn’t remember enough to write a review. So I read it again.

This is a well-written book that is easy to read. The characters–especially Helen Andros–are fairly well fleshed out, some more than others. And the society in which the novel is set is both familiar and strange—familiar enough to follow and understand; strange enough to keep you guessing (and turning the pages).

What Didn’t Work for Me

Royal and political intrigue aren’t my cup of tea. That’s really a personal thing, not anything inherently wrong with the work.

Recommendation

Did you watch The Tudors? Are you a fan of Reign? Then the Green Stone of Healing Series might be a good choice for you. It merges Renaissance royal infighting with elements of both science fiction and fantasy.

Score for The Vision: 3 out of 5 Palm Trees

Pick up your copy on Amazon.com here.

NOTE: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. If you’ve read past book reviews, you’ll know that I don’t pull my punches when I believe they are warranted. I also try to provide balanced information so you can make your own decision to read or not read the book, even if you disagree with my opinion.