Freedom's Landing review

The story of people who just wants to survive, the alien race that wants to subjugate humans, and of course the humans who give into their nature and fight back. But mostly of a human girl and one of her alien captors and their fight for survival as they are dropped against their will on a supposedly 'uninhabited' planet to serve as colonists.

If you have never before read an Anne McCaffrey book, Freedom's Landing is not the one I suggest starting with. The story jumps right in with the main character, Kris Bjornsen, having escaped enslavement. But her freedom doesn't last long as she finds herself at the mercy once more of her captors. The Catteni, a humanoid race of aliens, recapture her and a Catteni fugitive she helped to rescue, dropping them both on a planet full of dangers along with a number of other subjugated races. The fight for survival begins almost immediately, and doesn't end until the last page, which gives just a glimpse of the remaining story.

Overall, the plot is thick throughout the story, and there is always more to it than the reader might immediately see. Much like Zainal throughout the book, McCaffrey will at times withhold certain information until the main character learns it. And, as often goes with strong female leads, some of the points of view border on the feminist.

There are more notable issues with the writing style. (Such as repetitive phrases and lack of distinguishable differences between character speech patterns.) But overall the enthralling plot line will make up for it and the fascinating world that McCaffrey has created will draw readers in. As will the often appropriate and amusing popular culture references. (My favorite of those being the Doctor Who references.)

It is definitely worth the read if you are a fan of science fiction/fantasy. But fair warning, there are a number of books to follow, and if you are a one and done sort of person, this may not be the book for you.
/ [Flisky]

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