The Courtesan Prince

Liz Dennett is a public service librarian in the Science and Technology
Library at the University of Alberta.

This tale is the first instalment in the Okal Rel saga and introduces
the reader to the worlds of Rire and Gelion, colonies of Earth that have
developed in isolation from each other. Humans on Rire, known as
Reetions, are tightly regulated by computer technology, which ensures a
fair and equitable society, albeit with nearly nonexistent personal
privacy. The Gelacks, on the other hand, are less technologically
focused and are sorted into rigid hierarchical castes based on each
person’s genetic structure. The rulers are the purest Sevolites, a
genetically superior race from an earlier DNA experiment, and regular
humans are commoners. Gelacks adhere to Okal Rel, a religion/ideology
based on ritualized combat with swords. Gelion society has many
prejudices, abuses, and political intrigues, all of which would be
impossible in the open society of Rire, but Gelion also seems to have
greater artistic output than Rire.

A Reetion anthropological mission is launched to learn more about the
Gelacks; the cultures’ last contact ended in war two centuries
earlier. The story focuses on Ann, a Reetion pilot. She meets and
becomes involved with Von, a Gelack sword dancer and courtesan, who has
a troubled past and uncommon abilities. There is also Ranar, the
respected Reetion anthropologist in charge of the mission, and Di Mon, a
proud Highlord of Gelion, who has become very embroiled in explosive
Gelion politics. Indeed, the intrigues of Gelion politics end up
involving all the main characters as the story winds toward its climax.

The strength of this book is its complex and detailed setting with
these two distinct cultures. The characters are reasonably well
developed, and avoid being stereotypical. Their interactions with the
foreign cultures’ values, ideas, and technology are quite intriguing.
Still, I was not particularly engaged by any of the characters;
essentially, the setting is more captivating than the characters who
inhabit it. Also, while the story moves at a reasonable pace, it
provides no deeper meaning or insights to remain with the reader. This
book is essentially escapist fiction, yet fails to be a truly satisfying
escape.