Silent Dances

For three reasons it started out awkwardly. First, I expected (and hoped) it to be about the students on Starbridge. But no, it's about a graduate, nearly 20, and her first assignment. Second, it recaps an awful lot of the first novel. I guess it kinda needs to, because so very much happened there, but it still felt clumsy to me. Third, I kept checking the references to Native culture & history for accuracy & respect.

Well, once I accepted the story for what it was, learned that I could trust the authors' research & treatment of Native concepts, and got to the meat of the story, I started to enjoy it. And by the end I realized that the only thing that would have made it better is if it weren't actually saddled with the Starbridge label & show more lore.

Themes include exploration, science, economics, politics, prejudice, diverse and truly alien aliens, languages, First Contact, meanings of "family." Details include some information about how sign languages differ from spoken languages, how the ability to see UV affects art, how different Native nations have different customs, how humans can walk through the wetlands that 'cranes' inhabit, etc. Highly recommended.

One interesting thing is that the first book was more YA, but had some "mature" content. This reads as adult, but is "cleaner."

"Few humans ever see the beauty of their dreams or look on them as a visionary side of their minds."

I loved it when our hero was introduced to the indigenous as "White Spirit Animal." Their contact, Taller, is so very excited: "You have a *real* name!"

Some bits of humor/ black humor. This occurs too late in the book for me to give context as it would be spoilery, but, "Like I always say, two men in one work station is one man too many."

(Shomeret says "Silent Dances can be read as a standalone. The only other book in the series that relates to it is Silent Songs.") show less

As with Starbridge, this book started out a bit slow. It was nice to see two characters from Book 1, but they had minor bits. Most of the book centered on a new world with new people. Tesa was a marvellous character. Crispin and O'Malley did an excellent job creating a breathing person, who changed and grew as the story went on. In particular, Tesa's struggle with being Deaf was a unique twist that enhanced the depth of the whole book. The story itself was excellent - full of life, twists, danger, emotions and reality. A strong, satisfying read. I would highly recommend this work to anyone who want to dive into a good story!

Crispin, A. C., and Kathleen O’Malley. Silent Dances. Starbridge No. 2. Ace, 1990.
A profoundly deaf American Indian woman teaches an avian alien race, whose vocalizations are in the hypersonic range, to communicate with signs. She is an intriguing character, as are several of the aliens. I do wish the linguistic elements were treated in more detail, and sadly, the melodrama of the plot in which money-grubbing “privateers” aim to destroy the alien habitats is quite predictable. I will keep reading the series, whose novels so far are only loosely connected.

When you want to read a unique sci-fi mystery based on a world of giant intelligent birds, a deaf heroine, and AmerIndian religion, try "Silent Dances." It is definitely not a run-of-the-mill story. I solve most mysteries before half way through a book. Not this one. I was confused until the end, where everything made sense. For a good weekend escape, this is a good book to read.

I like the book overall, but the preachy tone really killed it for me.

A deaf, native American, girl struggles to cram in all the judgmental diatribes she can.