Dark Space – Marianne de Pierres
Hachette Livre Orbit, 2007
416 pages
RRP: AU$19.95
ISBN: 978-1841494289

Chaos Space – Marianne de Pierres
Hachette Livre Orbit, 2008
395 pages
RRP: AU$19.99
ISBN: 978-184-149429-6

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

The first two novels in the Sentients of Orion series are the beginning of a fantastic space opera from Australian author Marianne de Pierres. After reading her Parrish Plessis trilogy I was expecting butt-kicking action in the same vein, rather than this twisting tale of plots and counter-manoeuvres centring around the invasion of Araldis, a small desert mining planet of no particular significance, and the discovery of Sole, a godlike entity who has an agenda which doesn’t necessarily correspond to that of the humans.

The novels tell the story in chapters from different characters’ viewpoints, which eventually begin to converge. I found this initially confusing, especially when just as we are starting to connect with characters we are whisked off to another part of the universe to follow someone else for a while. This was an interesting approach to take, especially as it allowed us to follow the multiple plots and motivations of each party in play.

The character I found most engaging was Mira Fedor, a noble in the Latino ruling family of Araldis. Although initially a passive noblewoman, she is a survivor, fighting her way through the Principe’s plans to remove her inborn Talent, the invasion of Araldis and further horrors. Other interesting persons of note were Rast, mercenary leader and Jo-Jo, the “proletarian wastrel”. Jo-Jo’s other claim to fame was being the chosen first contact of Sole.

While the first chapter of Dark Space had a little too much information, once onto the second chapter I couldn’t put the book down. I was involved in the story from then on, and was compelled to continue reading until the last, cliff-hanger page. I’ve never been so happy to have the second book of the series ready and waiting for me, though, as the ending was too abrupt to sit comfortably as a stand-alone novel. Happily, the second instalment, Chaos Space, was released in late 2008, and I was able to turn right to page one and keep going.

While most of the action in Dark Space takes place on Araldis, Chaos Space is primarily set on Insignia, the biozoon spacecraft Mira is connected to by her Inborn Talent. The unlikely group search for help to defeat the Saqr who invaded Araldis, and we find out more intricacies of the puzzle surrounding the attack, while unexpected relationships develop. Again, de Pierres has chosen to end Chaos Space on a cliff-hanger note, but to my frustration, Mirror Space, the third in the series, hasn’t been released yet.

The Sentients of Orion series is an entertaining and fast-paced read. Definitely go read them, and be prepared to be sitting at the bookshop door waiting for number three to be released!