The Judas Rose (1987)

This middle book in the Native Tongue trilogy is the weakest by far. The characters are drier, the plot more muddled, the goals less clear. The only real thing of worth here is the persistence of Nazareth, who I enjoy as a character. Additionally, the book suffers from the fact that the main plan behind the spread of Laadan just-- doesn't make that much sense.

There are bits and pieces that still delve into Elgin's ideas on the power of language and how it can form self-image and society and thought, but for the most part this angle fades and what we're left with is something of a mess. ( )

The first sequel to Elgin's "Native Tongue", and an enjoyable sci-fi read in that context. It's interesting to see what happened to the situation that developed in the first novel, but this book doesn't really add that much on its own. The problems with the first novel (some weakness in characterization, reflecting perhaps the very strongly feminist orientation of all of the books in this series) are still there, only more so. And the thrill of seeing linguistics used as a key to the story fades a bit the second time around. ( )

An excellent followup to the preceding volume, Native Tongue. Primarily set decades after the first novel, we see the results of various factions plans. The surprise ending is truly enjoyable, both for its tone and for what it reveals.

Like its predecessor, the characters don't feel fully real to me, a drawback in an otherwise good read. Only Nazareth can we see full dimension of character, but still from far away.

If you've read the first novel and found it interesting, I recommend you follow up with this one. Especially for the additional information at the end...if you didn't enjoy the first, I'd stay away from the second. ( )

Neither of the sequels to Native Tongue are among my favorite books. In fact I have trouble remembering what happened in each one. The thing I do remember, which I think will appeal to a certain audience, is the portrait of women working together in secret and in their spare time to try and save the world. Perhaps one of the reasons these books don't grab me is because they're so close to what real life is like for me that they just don't provide the kind of escape I look for in reading. But, boy, do they tell about real women's lives. ( )