The chief challenge is writing a review of LEAR'S DAUGHTERS is in deciding if it's a great book, or merely a really good book. It's definitely worth reading - one of the best science fiction books I've read in a while - I'm just wavering on the great bit.

In favor of LEAR'S DAUGHTERS being great are a number of factors. From the starting premise of a survey team exploring an alien world, the plot develops into a complex story of mystery, intrigue and discovery. At the core of the story is the world of Fiix and near-human inhabitants, the Sawls. The planet and the Sawls are vividly realized, and much of the joy of the book is in learning about the Sawls and their strange society. The characters, both human and Sawl, are also detailed and believable, providing an emotional layer to the book that draws in the reader. The writing itself is also a cut above the norm for science fiction, and makes the book a reading pleasure. It is the rare author that can discuss weather patterns at length and remain entertaining.

On the other hand, there are some points against the book being truly great. The first is a villain that evidently came from the Snidely Whiplash School for Villains...or perhaps Dr. Evil's. For a book with an environmentalist strain, I suppose having the corporate industrialist be the bad guy is a reasonable thing...but when he goes around murdering the natives, torturing people and randomly setting off nuclear bombs, it gets a bit silly. A little mustache twirling and tying up damsels on the railroad tracks is about all he has left to do. The book is a little bit hard to get into as well, and it's about a hundred pages before you get a real sense of the setting. And while the drawings and reports scattered throughout the book are a fantastic aid, a comprehensible map would have been appreciated.

I'm not sure if it's great, but LEAR'S DAUGHTERS is most definitely very good. I can, have and will highly recommend it. If you want to find yourself lost on another world for a few days, there are few more enjoyable ways to do so.