New Book Alert: Kutri by Blake Rudman; On Danger, Beauty, and The Future of Reality Programming

 

New Book Alert: Kutri by Blake Rudman; On Danger, Beauty, and The Future of Reality Programming

By Julie Sara Porter

Bookworm Reviews

Spoilers: Between Dark Beauty and his latest work, Kutri, Blake Rudman knows that there can be danger found in great beauty. His previous book, Dark Beauty, was a psychological thriller about a pair of beautiful twin models turned actresses who take their rivalry to fatal proportions. Kutri shows a future in which women exist solely as objects of beauty by men who use a declining population as an excuse to dominate and control women.

In the future, a Slow Plague killed off millions of women and girls world wide severely depleting the future populations. Females are now a rare commodity and marriage is considered so highly desirable that the Powers That Be created a reality show (figures).called Good Breeding. Good Breeding’s premise is that women are recruited from all over the world selected for their appearance, intelligence, background, ethnicity, and anything to make them desirable to their future grooms. They are selected in a process that reeks more of a sleazy beauty pageant than any promise of eternal love and personal commitment.

Trouble begins when matchmaker Jakob Freeman recruits Kutri Chandigarh, who was selected because she is one of the few remaining female Punjabi around and matching race and ethnicities is very important. (Chandigarh is not even her surname. It was the place where she was found.) She seems really good on paper, so good that Jakob falls in love with her and vice versa.

Like most good science fiction dystopian writers, Rudman crafted interesting details about a world that is in decline. Women in this universe are treated as valuable rare commodities like gold or oil. They are put on pedestals and valued specifically for what they bring to marriage and breeding. Their appearance and abilities to bear children are their only means of collateral. While claiming to respect women to the point that crimes against women are punishable by death or dismemberment, this male dominated society objectifies women by depriving them of freedom or choice in their own destinies. 

Jakob works for The Studio, the real power in what used to be Los Angeles. What studio? It never says. More than likely in this day and age of studios merging and buying each other, it's quite possible that by Kutri’s time, they simply became one gigantic media and entertainment corporation.

 In a government  controlled by corporations in Kutri's world, is it any surprise that the one that openly controls California is an entertainment conglomerate? It is they who feature the Good Breeding series and they who decide which marriages will be arranged and how the population will grow under its tight rule. When entertainment and the arts becomes propaganda to promote the government instead of the channels in which to satirize, challenge, mock, argue against, or even question that same government, it loses its bite and becomes a means of control. It becomes something to fear instead of something to engage in, enjoy, and even escape into. 

Jakob and Kutri are the typical protagonists in this kind of science fiction novel. They are participants of a system that they don't always like but can do little about. Kutri agrees to be on Good Breeding because she has very few options. She was abandoned by her father and her Punjabi heritage makes her stand out. She knows that she is being sold and forced into marriage but it her choices are limited to either being owned in public or assaulted and possibly murdered in private. From the moment that she arrives in California, Kutri is constantly monitored and on the air. People study what she wears, what she eats, where she goes, and who she talks to so they can assess her potential as a bride. Despite the pampering and celebrity treatment that she receives, Kutri is always on, a prisoner of instant fame.

Jakob has his reasons to stay within this system because he literally cannot think of any other options. He is a widower and remembers how his wife died but nothing else about her: her appearance, personality, or even her name. He was given a modification chip inside his brain to forget everything about her except for the fact that he was once married. This chip also causes Jakob and other men to be unable to resist or act with violence towards the Studio and their representatives.

It is only after Jakob and Kutri start to develop feelings for each other, that they decide to actively rebel. In this process they meet other characters who also would like to see The Studio and the rest of these tyrants taken down.

The resistance has many faces and takes many forms. There's Jason's former partner, Sven, who collected memorabilia from the time before the Slow Plague (things like Pokemon cards, old cell phones, board games, acid free paper books, and vinyl records). There's Kirmi Teng, the previous groom who commits an act of violence live on air. There's Jimmy Ching, a pawn shop owner with his own secret connection to Jakob and Kutri. 

In one chilling chapter, the couple encounter the A&L Club, a private club for men who lost their appendages after being convicted of various crimes and now want to restore the right to divorce. Then there's La Vie, a group consisting mostly of former Good Breeding couples who are planning an all out rebellion in which the women will fight to free the other women from bondage and deactivate the chip from men's brains.

The resistors are various individuals and groups that have their own agendas for fighting the Studio. Some are more trustworthy than others and some show that just because they have the same end goal in mind, getting rid of this oppressive government, doesn't necessarily mean that they are good human beings. What they have in common is they want this oligarchy gone and will use any means necessary to achieve it.

Kutri is a sharp warning about the future where beauty is valued too highly, audience dependence on exploitation entertainment becomes destructive,  and love, friendship, and commitment are distant memories. It demonstrates that we have the ability to let our forms of entertainment destroy or save us.

Weekly Reader: The Raven Tower (Fire Walker Book 1) by Emma Miles; Arranged Marriage Turns To Love Is Highlight Of This Epic Fantasy

 Weekly Reader: The Raven Tower (Fire Walker Book 1) by Emma Miles; Arranged Marriage Turns To Love Is Highlight Of This Epic Fantasy

By Julie Sara Porter

Bookworm Reviews

Spoilers: Emma Miles' Epic Fantasy, The Raven Tower is enchanted with the usual sorcery, magical powers, and feuding kingdoms that makes great works in the genre. But what really makes this novel is a theme that can be found in any genre: the power plays between men and women especially during an arranged marriage and what happens when the marriage goes beyond that arrangement.

In the Fulmer Islands, Kesta, Silene of Fulmer is an important person. She is the daughter of Dia, the Icante or Leader, in a largely matriarchal society. Kesta is what is known as a fire walker, someone who communicates with fire spirits and can see visions. Unfortunately, the Fulmers are being attacked by the army of the land of Chem, including soldiers resurrected from the dead. Kesta and her father Arrus have very little choice but to appeal to the kingdom of Elden who are also an enemy of Chem and have a larger army. 

King Bractius of Elden hears their appeal, takes one look at the beautiful and powerful Kesta, and agrees to lend his aid to the 

Fulmer Islands on one condition. Kesta has to marry. Oh not to Bractius. He's already married, but to Jorrun, Bractius' top advisor and sorcerer in residence.

 Kesta is not happy with the prospect. Jorrun has a reputation as The Dark Man. Many fear his cold and intimidating nature. There are plenty of rumors like he was found on the shores of Elden and was raised by the king's family and that he practices dark magic. Not to mention, his home of The Raven Tower has a secret room that no one, not even servants or the king have ever entered. Marriage to such a sinister and creepy individual is not exactly an inviting prospect but Kesta agrees to for the sake of the Fulmers. So off the two not so happy newlyweds go to marital unbliss in The Raven Tower until they get to know each other.

The Raven Tower has many memorable chapters that show a world of magic users. Kesta's powers of fire walking are memorably described. Her visions help both the Fulmers and Elden gain the advantage. She also communicates with a sardonic fire spirit who aids her in her visions and Jorrun in his magical pursuits. She is someone whose magic has grown naturally inside her and is inherited. She is comfortable in using these abilities and knows how they can give the people around her an advantage.

Jorrun's magic is somewhat natural but most of it is practiced through study. His domicile is filled with books, astrological tools, and magical devices. Jorrun gives off the impression of someone who wants to learn everything and has an insatiable curiosity that sometimes consumes him. However, his magical studies prove beneficial in observing the Chem army from afar and using clever and sometimes dangerous subterfuge to infiltrate enemy territory. 

Kesta's natural ability and Jorrun's studious approach comes together as the two use their talents to aid their kingdoms in this crisis.

Besides their magical abilities, Kesta and Jorrun's personalities are intriguing especially when they recognize each other's strengths and limitations. Kesta is from a matriarchal society which holds women in high regard. Women are prominent figures in the Fulmers. They are leaders, advisors, magic users, healers, and warriors. It is this society which helps to guide Kesta in this marriage. While she is not happy with what has happened, she is determined to make the most of it. She uses her Tower as a market to exchange goods and services. She trains many of the servants, even the girls and women, to fight. She befriends the people around her like Rosa, her lady's maid and Tantony, Jorrun's bodyguard.

 The changes are actually approved of by Jorrun and he encourages Kesta's leadership pursuits. This and their interest in magic are what changes her feelings towards him. 

Kesta begins to carve out a niche in Elden to the point that she is accepted in her new homeland by marriage. In fact, the only place where she is definitely lost is in the misogynistic Chem. There she has to act subservient to men and watches helplessly as other women are treated like slaves and concubines. For someone who is raised as a leader and a woman of strength and power, this is a difficult thing for Kesta to do. However, she is able to use her magic, strength, and leadership to aid both her kingdoms.

We also learn a lot more about Jorrun's character. Far from the Dark Man that he appears to be, the sorcerer is actually a kind hearted though introverted man who is protective towards his friends, family, and now his wife. He has firm loyal friends like Catya, his ward, and Osun, a relative forced to remain in Chem. 

Unlike Kesta's family who is close, loving, and encouraging towards Kesta, Jorrun's is fractured to say the least. This fracture goes into explaining why this dark introverted secretive man is the way he is and why he is so willing to defend Elden from the Chems.

 Kesta, and the Reader, see the Dark Man Act is just that: an act to keep others away. When Kesta breaks through the act and sees the real man inside is when they work together as partners, fellow magic users, teammates, and husband and wife.

New Book Alert: Enigma (Road to the Breaking Book 2) by Christopher Bennett; Brilliant Pre-Civil War Era Novel Explores the Real Cost of Slavery

 

New Book Alert: Enigma (Road to the Breaking Book 2) by Christopher Bennett; Brilliant Pre-Civil War Era Novel Explores the Real Cost of Slavery

By Julie Sara Porter

Bookworm Reviews

Spoilers: Among the myths that the Southern states held in keeping slavery is "The Good Slave Owner Myth", that as long as the slave owner is good to their slaves, never has them whipped, separated, or sold, and had them educated and converted to Christianity, then they weren't doing anything wrong. Unfortunately, that myth was so strong that many Southern apologists, Confederate fan boys and girls, and devotees of the Southern "Lost Cause" (in other words racists with a Civil War grudge) still cling to that myth.

What they fail to acknowledge is that the institution of slavery itself was wrong. If one participated in the transfer, ownership, and purchase of human beings, then their so-called goodness had already been compromised. Their treatment of their slaves was nothing more than mere hypocrisy. That the phrase "good slave owner" is as much a contradiction in terms as the phrase "good Nazi." 

Enigma, the second book in Christopher Bennett's Road to the Breaking historical fiction series about the days before the American Civil War, tackles the "Good Slave Owner" Myth head on. It shows us a protagonist who has seen first hand the horrors of slavery and has returned to his family antebellum plantation home with no intention of repeating them.

In 1860,Mexican-American War veteran Captain Nathan Chambers returns to his childhood Greenbriar County, Virginia home, to take over the run of the plantation after the death of his father. Nathan isn't alone either. He brought six of his best and most loyal soldiers and obtained a completely different outlook on life.

Because of events in the previous book, Road to the Breaking, Nathan has formed a deep fire forged friendship with his fellow soldiers, a band of brothers if you will. Nathan has also experienced firsthand the horrors of slavery and he is no longer the ambivalent boy who left Virginia. Instead, he sees fellow human beings that are dehumanized by that deplorable institution. When he returns home, he has no intention of repeating the institution on a farm that is now his. He is not content to be a good slaver owner. Instead he wants to be a good man and to that, he wants to end the institution of slavery.

Nathan instead wants to free all of the slaves. However, Virginia laws states that that can't happen. However, if laws can't be broken, then they can always be bent. The slave laws say nothing about indentured servitude. So Nathan cleverly decides to change the status of his slaves to indentured servants. They will work on the plantation for a period of seven years for pay. Then at the end of that period will have the option to either leave or become regular paid workers.

During that time, the ex slaves will be given a small tract of land in which they will cultivate for themselves, become literate, be permitted to speak and question their treatment, and have legal marriages. Even Christian sermons will reflect this new outlook, no longer emphasizing white's domination over other races. Instead, the sermons reflect equality and humanity.

The reactions from the people on the plantation vary. Some are excited and supportive. Many former slaves are skeptical and a few are contemplating escape or a violent revolution. The white employees are incensed that they can't kick around the black employees any longer. An overseer is fired when he is caught venting his rage and assaulting a female slave. The neighbors are horrified and offended. It is going to be an uphill battle to implement these changes, that's for sure.

Enigma is filled with memorable characters. Nathan is a terrific lead character who has not only realized the error of his ways. He not only talks the talk in realizing how evil slavery is but he walks the walk in doing everything that he can to get rid of it. He is a leader who leads by example and that makes him someone who is worth following.

Another character who stands out is Evelyn Hanson, a young woman who Nathan's mother has set up with her mother, for them to go courting. Evelyn has been raised, almost brainwashed, to act like a typical Southern lady to the point that she doesn't know her own mind. When she first encounters Nathan, she parrots all of the talking points about slavery that her mother told her to say without thinking about them. Then when she is finally challenged and put on the spot, she reveals herself to be an intelligent and opinionated young woman who unfortunately has had to keep her thoughts to herself. Unfortunately, that conditioning has resulted in Evelyn carrying a lot of anxiety and insecurity. Her mental questions of "Who am I?" are repeated so often that she seems to hover towards an identity crisis or mental breakdown.

Supporting characters stand out in this book particularly Nathan's men and the slaves turned indentured servants. Nathan's fellow soldiers are an extremely loyal team to the point that when Nathan asks if they want to stay working with him, they all agree, citing having no family to return to, large families that wouldn't miss them, and living too far from their former homes. They are also well writtn individuals who stand out on their own right from Stan, the friendly giant Russian who is good with children, to Billy, the quiet tracker who spends this days out in the woods to familiarize himself with his surroundings, to Tom, Nathan's second in command who has a fine organizational and technological mind that enables the plantation workers to come up with innovative ways in which slavery will no longer be necessary.

The indentured servants are well written as well, particularly how they view Nathan and his new ideas. Not surprisingly not all of them are excited. Some like the fiery Tony remain unconvinced and practice shooting just in case they need it. Others like Phinn, think that Nathan's words are all talk and will believe the change when they see it. Megs raised Nathan since he was a baby and isn't afraid to call him out in public on his behavior as a child and when he oversteps his boundaries as an adult. A particularly memorable character is Rosa who becomes involved romantically with Tony and harbors a painful secret connection to the Chambers family.Through these characters, Bennett explores the painful cost of slavery on one's humanity and self identity.

Of course since Enigma predates the Civil War, there is plenty of foreshadowing about the conflict, some very blunt and obvious. Abraham Lincoln's candidacy is referred to with admiration and contempt. Rumors of succession get louder.

 Some foreshadowing bears many similarities to modern day. One character contemplates how the election of one President could cause so much contention that it would inspire people to commit an insurrection definitely calls to mind a certain modern insurrection on January 6. Good historical fiction allows us to draw those parallels between the old days illustrated in the work and modern day, but most let us do that on our own. They don't come right out and say it. In this instance, subtlety is lost to obviousness.

However, Enigma reveals a world that is on the verge of changing. When that happens, many take long looks at themselves and realize how wrong they were.