Stranger in a Strange Land is one of the great classics of science fiction. I also have a bit of a funny story about a roommate of mine who decided she wanted to read it.

This is the story of Valentine Michael Smith, a human born on the first expedition to Mars. The rest of the expedition died, but the baby survived, raised by the Martians, then sent back to Earth when humans returned.

Obviously, he is very uncomfortable in this new culture. Martians think nothing like humans, and he first finds himself trapped by the government as they try to decide what to do with him. Freed by a nurse, Jill Boardman, he begins his education into human society.

Michael has psychic talents which frighten and amaze his new friends. However, as they are all "water brothers" of his (a distinctly Martian tradition), they find they have nothing to fear.

Human sexuality and religion come as quite a shock to Mike, so perhaps it is only natural that he starts his own once he is comfortable in human society. Gets into more trouble for it than most modern wannabe prophets, of course, but I'll leave that to your reading of the story.

Now, about that roommate of mine. Picture a girl so innocent that she is embarrassed to admit to her roommate that she is on birth control only to control cramps, and who changes clothes in the bathroom. Yes, that kind of girl. Never even been on a date at this point, to my knowledge.

She cannot understand my interest in science fiction, but being curious, decides to give it a try, and asks if she can borrow my copy of Stranger in a Strange Land. She has never read any science fiction before in her life.

Did I give it to her? Are you NUTS???

I loaned her Starbridge instead. That book (extremely tame in the sex department compared to Stranger, for those who haven't read it), shocked her. SEX in science fiction?? She was bright red and couldn't believe there was sex in science fiction. Yes, I did laugh my head off, but all in all, I'd say it was a good thing I didn't let her start out with Stranger, wouldn't you say?

The Coelura is a short, easy read. Probably the main problem with it is that it is so short it's not exactly worth what paperbacks cost right now...  The artwork throughout the copy I own is intriguing, however.

Lady Caissa is the dutiful and accomplished daughter of the Ambassador of the Federated Sentient Planets. She is considering her first contract marriage. Her father's choice proves unacceptable.

She is also quite curious about  the mysterious, unfulfilled clause in the contract between her parents, one that brings her mother back regularly. She finally hears of coelura, a mysterious life form on the planet.

On a trip out, she fails to check the charge on her vehicle  and has to land in the forbidden territories. This accident leads her to discover coelura and drives the rest of the story.

This is not the best of stories, but it would be worth reading as part of an anthology. It's at least as much romance as it is science fiction.

A Pride of Princes is more or less three stories in one. It is the story of the three sons of Niall - Brennan, Hart and Corin, as they learn their duties and struggle with the Ihlini, who continue to try to destroy the prophecy.

Brennan is the classic good kid in most ways. He is determined to be worthy of his position of Prince of Homana, heir to his father's throne. He has weaknesses, however, mostly relating to his twin brother Hart. He tries to keep his brother out of trouble, and gets into it himself.

Hart is a compulsive gambler, unable to resist a bet and always "needing a game," no matter the consequences. He is Prince of Solinde, the country which had once conquered Homana, now a vassal.

Corin resents his position as the third son. He wishes he could have his brother's position as Prince of Homana, despite being the Prince of Atvia. He is jealous, resentful and often sullen.

Each is an important part of the Cheysuli prophecy, and the Ihlini sorcerer Strahan is determined to bend one or all to his service. 

One of the things that drives me nuts in this series occasionally is Jennifer Roberson's persistence in maiming characters. It amazes me how consistently she does serious, permanant bodily damage to one of her characters.

All in all, however, the story is pretty good. Not great, and the entire series revolves around very similar plot lines, but Roberson does relatively well despite that. 

Track of the White Wolf tells the story of Niall, son of Donal from Legacy of the Sword. He, like his father, is trying to cope with being both Homanan and Cheysuli, yet accepted by neither. For, although an adult, he has not obtained a lir, the Cheysuli mark of being accepted as a warrior, but the Homanans mistrust him, thinking he only disguises his sorcery.

This book isn't as tragic as Legacy of the Sword, so if you made it past that you'll probably be relieved. This isn't to say there is no tragedy; there is. Niall faces Cheysuli who want to put his half brother on the throne and Homanans who have found a bastard son of Carillon's to put on the throne. His life is scarcely secure. His wife is insane.

You'll also learn more about the Ihlini, why they do what they do, and are they really all evil?

Track of the White Wolf isn't necessarily the most gripping of the Cheysuli novels, but it's also not so depressing. 

Legacy of the Sword is one of the weaker books in the series. There are just so many negative events that happen that sometimes it gets a little tedious.

Prince Donal, son of Alix and Duncan, is set to be heir to Carillon. He will be the first Cheysuli Mujhar in more than 400 years. But he doubts himself and he knows that many Homanans do not want him to assume the throne. 

Donal struggles with his Cheysuli identity and the need to be acceptable to the Homanans. He finds himself trapped between two worlds, yes, that's a trite way of putting it, but very true. He must marry Carillon's daughter by Electra to secure his place, but doesn't know if she can be trusted. He loves a woman from the Cheysuli clans, but the Homanans do not easily accept mistresses as the Cheysuli do.

Throughout the story, the characters get battered about in so many ways. Donal is betrayed by those he trusts. He does things he will live to regret.

If you're going to read the entire series, however, you really do need to read this book. This is one of those series where skipping a book makes reading the next one difficult. 

The Song of Homana takes up five years after Shapechangers ends. Homana was conquered by neighboring kingdom Solinde, and their allies, the Ihlini. But now it is time for Prince Carillon to return and reclaim his throne. Finn, his Cheysuli liege-man, has remained faithful to him throughout the years of exile.

The challenge of this book is pretty typical of this kind of story. Prince Carillon has to find a way to raise an army to reclaim his throne in a land hostile to his strongest allies, the Cheysuli. The conquerers have continued the purge against the Cheysuli, and many of the people of Homana fear and hate the Cheysuli.

Carillon isn't the nicest of heroes. When he captures the usuper king's daughter, Electra, he tells her that he will kill her father and take her in marriage. She is, of course, defiant, but when he reconquers his kingdom he makes good on his threat. He does treat her with relative kindness, being a fool in lust for her despite knowing that she has been the mistress ("light woman") for Tynstar, the most powerful of the Ihlini sorcerors, who has given her the illusion of youth. She appears much younger than her true age.

Electra is no passive queen. She fools Carillon by claiming that she was given to Tynstar in exchange for his support of her father, and professes relief that Carillon will treat her better. But she in fact maintains her connection to Tynstar, betraying Carillon.

This story is pretty good... not my favorite fantasy epic, but not bad. The characters are not all admirable people, even the heroes. However, once I got started on the series I felt the urge to keep going, which says something.