I Missed a 5-Star Review of The Termite Queen, v.2!

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     Well, a revelation! I discovered that I just sold a copy of "Monster Is in the Eye of the Beholder" on amazon.ca, so I thought, maybe I ought to check out the Canadian site for new reviews. And what I discovered was a wonderful 5-star review of v.2 of The Termite Queen that I didn't know existed! It's by Tim Myles, the entomologist whose writings taught me most of what I know about termites. He lives in Canada, but his review of v.1 is on the American site, and I never checked the Canadian! Can you believe it's been there since July of 2012?  I must go through every Amazon website and check things out!  

     I honestly think Tim Myles understood this book better than anyone else who has read it.  I particularly appreciated his remark: "A story that brainy girls may especially enjoy" because I've always thought the novel should appeal to women, but very few women have read it.  I also love the fact that he found it to be a page-turner. Some people have found it long and tedious. And it's refreshing to at last find someone intrigued by the troubled mind of Griffen Gwidian.

Here is the review: 

A tragic love story set a 1000 years in the future

The Termite Queen is a novel unlike any other. Bio-science fiction at its best! A story that brainy girls may especially enjoy. It involves a tragic romance set 1,000 years in the future between a young female associate professor linguist and a senior expedition leader, who is a xeno-entomologist, one who studies alien insects. Aboard the outbound flight our love struck couple tie the knot amid a ship of mixed alien commarades. Having reached the target planet, a new intelligent life form, analogous to earth's termites, is discovered and its language is cracked by the brilliant young linguist. We are talking social science and biology here, a refreshing switch from physics and technology-based scifi. We are taken into the social world of strange creatures and embroiled in their political intrigues. But on the brink of the homeward departure the nefarious plotting of the alien termites brings tragedy to the love struck couple. Dark questions are raised about consciousness and morality. Even more disturbing questions have been raised about our protagonist entomologist. Every psychological thread is following in detective fashion to reconstruct the troubled mind of a lost lover. Mind blowing and heart wrenching. A gripping and thought provoking story that will keep you rapidly flipping the pages to the end.

New Review of The Termite Queen, Volume One

Since the front cover is splashed
all over the place,
I'm showing you the back cover.
(Click for larger view)

See this 4-star review 

(and read more reviews)

 on Amazon and Amazon UK!

I enjoyed this rather quirky book that deals with first contact between humans and insects. Very intelligent insects mind you, and goes on to show the complex relationship that develops between the insects and the humans they encounter.

It was a well-thought out future-world story full of intriguing characters, mostly termite, I wasn’t too keen on the human characters, they didn’t seem as well defined as the insect ones. That aside, this is an unusual and overall satisfying book that deals philosophically with power struggles, romance, coming to terms with death and so much more.

The most satisfying parts of the book for me are when we are in the termite mound Lo'ro'ra, and witnessing the inner turmoil and complex power play between the high ranking termites. There are also moments of tenderness too when a dying termite finds solace in the comforting arms of a linguistics expert and main protagonist, Kaitrin Oliva. I also loved the moment when Kaitrin finally manages to understand their language. A real fun Eureka moment in what is sometimes a little dry, narrative wise.

There was plenty of real science too, which gave a sense of authenticity to what could have been just another Sci-fi alien contact story. The first books ends with the humans landing on the termite planet so, lots to discover and explore in the next book.

Although the cover, which I really like, made me think this book was for children, it most definitely is not. Well, not younger children, as the phonetic language and wonderfully quirky names would not be suitable for the younger reader. Neither would the length. It is quite wordy. I however, thoroughly enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves to read quality science fiction with a quirky edge.

[This review was written by Nicola McDonagh.  You can find all her books here on Amazon, also.]

Three New Reviews on Three Different Books

       I casually went into Amazon this morning and lo and behold!  I had three new reviews, all by the same person!  The Termite Queen got a 4 star, The War of the Stolen Mother a 5 star, and Monster Is in the Eye of the Beholder a 2 star (more on that presently).

       Here is the review of The Termite Queen (it's posted on v.1, but it covers both volumes (the bold type is mine):

 

       "The two volumes here comprise a classic first-contact scifi story, and opposites attract romance, and a court intrigue "historical novel". At least. And they all flow together smoothly into a satisfying whole. The scifi part has the usual unexplainable "science" bits, but they are used judiciously as vehicle, not hinges for the whole plot. The real science -- of Linguistics, mainly, is accurate within its limits and well presented. The romance is credible and the intrigue is made new again by being adapted to structure of termite society and the realities of termite physiology (about which we learn a good deal as well). The only complaints I have are to the assumed panspermia (or whatever puts all discovered life forms on the terran tree) and the needless complex (from a linguistic point of view, not from a scifi novelist's) phonology of the termites."

 

       This reviewer really likes The Labors of Ki'shto'ba Huge-Head series (which I consider to be the best thing I've written):

 

       "This and the next volume are novel retellings of best of epic myths. Transferring from demigods to termites refreshes the perennial motifs and tales, while the mix of elements and the lively characters bring out the nobility and low cunning, the humor and the pathos of these episodes. The hero is all that that title implies, his companions the appropriate mix, complete with internal tensions and hearty cameraderie. And the narrator is just the right mix of keen observer and fussy pedant. And the tale continues into the fourth and soon fifth volume! Hooray!"
 

 

        I'm also going to give you the 2-star review of Monster.  In fact, it's a good 2-star review - nothing insulting or nitpicking about it -- it's fair-minded and reasonable.  I concede that some people will react like this to Monster -- it will creep them out.  Yet others rave about the novella and give it 5 stars.  A matter of taste, I think.  Why don't you give it a try and form your own opinion?

 

       "This is a very disturbing tale. As an allegory is quite dark; as a scifi novella it is ultimately wrenching. It starts with a twisted premise (even for an allegory) and then moves inexorably to its devastating conclusion. I like all of Taylor's other works (as I have said elsewhere) but this one creeps me out. Only the fact that Taylor is a very good writer (which makes the effect here more affecting) keeps this from a one-star (or a 0, if that were possible)."

 

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Two Great New Reviews of The Termite Queen, v.1!

My enthusiastic thanks to
Erika M Szabo and Shebat Legion

for the following 5-star reviews of

The Termite Queen, v.1: The Speaking of the Dead. 

Check out Erika's books at Amazon and at Smashwords. 

Find all of Shebat Legion's books at Amazon.

Review by Shebat Legion

Where does one even start? Brilliant? Yes. Original? Absolutely. Well written? Without a doubt! Comparisons come to mind; Dune, Watership Down, The Jungle Books… but that is where it breaks down for me as truly, it is rare to come across a work of fiction that carries the reader this many light years beyond that of the ordinary. I could attempt to describe the premise of the story but that would be doing you, hopeful reader, an injustice. I would only be describing the setting and not the nuance, this is something that needs to be discovered for yourself. I feel fortunate to have been introduced to this series written by Lorinda J. Taylor and would have no hesitation about placing it next to my most beloved books on my bookshelf. My only disappointment is that this book has not plummeted up the charts as it deserves. Read it for yourself and explain this to me, please. If I could give this book more than five stars I would gladly do so.

Review by Erika M Szabo

This book made it to my bookshelf's "read it again in print" section. When I first saw the book cover, I scrolled over it without giving it a second glance. The title didn't trigger my want-to-read-this-book either. Only after I read Lorinda's short story that she donated to my Read for Animals project, her writing style piqued my interest. I started reading the book one in her series and her storytelling and writing style captured me instantly. Her dialog are amazingly written and the characters are so easy to connect with. The names were confusing at first and hard to remember, but after a few pages A'a'ma became my instant favorite and the names of different species also fell into place and now they just roll off my tongue when I speak the names out loud, such as Tish'ra that I wanted so badly to stay alive, Kwi'ga'ga'tei or Ta'rei'so'cha. I never thought possible to forget that I was reading about a bird, termite or other species; I paid attention to their personality. Lorinda masterfully triggers emotions in the reader with a few carefully placed words, builds tension and drives the story; however she is a bit long winded when it comes to describing the anatomy of the species and interplanetary customs and practices. Although it is a bit slow reading those parts, her attention to meticulous details is unbelievable, thus I caught myself reading certain pages twice in order to take in those details instead of skimming through the less interesting parts. I didn't like Gwidian at first, but Lorinda had built their relationship into a love story so masterfully, that eventually I accepted him. The termite planet and complex society is created brilliantly with conspiracy, intrigue and assassination plot to commit murder. Overall this story is very enjoyable, the intriguing story line and budding love story sucks you right in. Highly recommend it to readers who like a fascinating, complex and perfectly detailed story.

New Goodreads Review of The Termite Queen!

       Adam Walker is one of my conlanging and conworlding associates (he's writing a book of his own that I really looking forward to because it's going to be full of fascinating aliens), and he's written a review of the two volumes of The Termite Queen.  He didn't like everything about it, but here is some of the good stuff he mentioned:

 

       "The Termite Queen (vol. 1) and The Wound That Has No Healing (vol. 2) really are one long novel in two volumes. Volume one has a logical conclusion, but the story is far from over till the end of volume two. Each of the two volumes contains two parts.
       "Personally I found volume 2 more satisfying, because I found the aliens, the "termites", more interesting than the humans. The Shshi are strange, as aliens should be, but relatable -- they plot against each other and have their customs and rituals and ways of doing things. Several of the Shshi are really fun characters, the scheming chamberlain, the child-like queen, the clever seer. Several of the warriors are especially complex as they are caught between duty and conscience trying to decide where their loyalties lie as the leadership of the termite city fractures."

 

       [I like that because nobody before has noted the complexity of the psychology of Commander Hi'ta'fu, Chief Lo'lo'pai, and Lieutenant Ni'shto'pri.]

 

       Adam goes on mention how he didn't like the romance part of the plot and then continues saying that nevertheless he really likes the book:

 

       "Languages. I love languages. I invent languages as a hobby. And the Shshi language in this book is incredible. Not only is it alien, using a non-verbal modality (radio waves!), but the version we see in the text is actually an invented language that Our Heroine invents during the course of the book as in interface between the humans, who can't detect radio waves, and the Shshi who can't detect our languages."

 

       [I like that because Adam is the first person to mention the language element that plays such a large part in the book -- the process of understanding how we really might communicate during humans' first contact with intelligent extraterrestrials.]

       Adam gave it 4 stars and recommended it.  Most of the reviews of TQ have been 4 star (I've had one 5-star on each of the two volumes, and a couple of 3-star on v.1 -- nothing lower).  I'm satisfied with 4 stars because this book does have so many elements to it (romance, a journey into human psychology, emphasis on future history, space travel, several types of extraterrestrials, conlangs, a low-tech alien culture with a tradition of heroic single combat, etc.),  With a book so heterogeneous, I'm sure everybody will find something that annoys them, but (I trust) also something to like!

 

       Give it a try here: Amazon

       Or here: Smashwords 

Nice Words about The Termite Queen

       YA author Marva Dasef reviewed The Termite Queen on Amazon and Goodreads.  I discussed one of her books, Faizah's Destiny, here on the termitespeaker blog.  She doesn't like the human part of the story (sigh), but she does like the termites!  And she appreciates my "Shakespearean" presentation!  Here's some of what she says.

       "As for volume 2, the termites have more depth and become very interesting with heroics, kindness, evil intentions, and all the other human emotions but with an imaginative twist on all of it. Yes, we've got to know them far better as they interact with Kaitrin. This new level of interaction comes from Kaitrin's development of the termite language (sort of like radio waves, not sound). By interpreting patterns in the wavelengths, various repetitions, and lots of smart guesswork, Kaitrin prepares to study the termite race at their very core--within the termite palace.
       "I love all Kaitrin's interactions with the Seer, the Warrior, the Remembrancer, several of the Worker chiefs, and, at last, the Queen in her prison of reproduction. The sections with the termites only as the evil Chamberlain plots to overthrow the Seer are well done. I especially like the blocking notes (theater talk for non-verbal movements on stage) which add to the termite language. The various posturing tells us a lot about the personalities of the individuals."

       To counterbalance Marva's dislike of my protagonist, here's a quotation from Chris Brown's Amazon review:
       "I am definitely nòt a fan of romances, but even so, I found the story of growing and deepening love between Kaitrin and Gwidian to be a most compelling one, and Taylor was certainly able to hold my interest throughout the ups and downs of this part of the story. Taylor certainly demonstrates how a love story can be more than satisfyingly written without having to rely on the crutch of over-worked sex scenes as its only means of conveying the story. I even found Kaitrin's post-adventure quest to understand Gwidian to be a rather compelling story in and of itself. I think I read the last third of the book in one sitting -- perhaps if for no other reason than to at last understand this Gwidian -- initially a bit of a snoot, and always a bit standoffish, but also somehow desperately in need of love."

       Here's where you can find Marva's reviews of Volume One and of Volume Two, and here is her Amazon page. 

New 5-Star Review of The Termite Queen!

       I want to thank Chris Brown for the following review. Mr. Brown is a familiar member of the conculture/conlanger community.  See his collection of tales called Theatre of the Mind, which I reviewed.  I think he really "gets" my intentions for The Termite Queen!  The book fails for any reader who isn't fascinated and compelled by the character of Griffen Gwidian, and it also fails if the mythic implications of the ends of Parts 3 and 4 aren't recognized.  And if you aren't entertained by Kaitrin's narration of the Cyclops episode for the Queen  and her entourage, something is the matter with you! LOL

       Here is the review:

 

The Champion and the Seer Receive the
Speaking of the Dead

       First, I would largely concur with what Mr Urquhart says of Termite Queen (in his reviews of both volumes).

       Lorinda J. Taylor does indeed take us on a wonderful literary sci-fi adventure. It is not a typical "technology" based story she tells. There are certainly advanced trains (on Earth) and space ships that take us between planets and advanced sciences; but the story is not about those things. The technology is there, but doesn't take center stage. Taylor gives just enough description of this far future world, its technology and history to set the stage; then lets her characters act out the story. It really is the story of people -- humans and off-worlders alike -- engaged in the whole gamut of sophont existence. From the highs of the quest for new knowledge to the depths of jealousy and hatred of what is not understood, Taylor gives us a well and rather tightly woven web of story. 

       I am definitely nòt a fan of romances, but even so, I found the story of growing and deepening love between Kaitrin and Gwidian to be a most compelling one, and Taylor was certainly able to hold my interest throughout the ups and downs of this part of the story. Taylor certainly demonstrates how a love story can be more than satisfyingly written without having to rely on the crutch of over-worked sex scenes as its only means of conveying the story. I even found Kaitrin's post-adventure quest to understand Gwidian to be a rather compelling story in and of itself. I think I read the last third of the book in one sitting -- perhaps if for no other reason than to at last understand this Gwidian -- initially a bit of a snoot, and always a bit standoffish, but also somehow desperately in need of love. 

       For me, the most interesting story line was the doings of the Shshi -- the Termites -- themselves. How human, and yet how other! Taylor deftly shows us a people who are both highly instinctual in their behavior, as one might expect of social insects, but also very intelligent and capable of overcoming the strong bonds of instinct. We see the extremes of absolute faith and sense of duty contrasted with base desire for power and authority, as embodied in the struggle between the Seer and the Chamberlain. Both truly believe they are working for the good of their people, but the one seeks to do the will of the Termite's nameless mother goddess, while the other seeks to serve his own will by throwing the whole place into a cunningly planned coup. The result (good wins, by the way!) might be predictable, but as we read, this outcome is anything but secure and indeed could have turned out rather differently at any number of points along the way.

       The whole of the story is also high and sacred myth retold. We find nods to the Mabinogi, classical Greek myth and the New Testament as well. Of the former, some aspects of Gwidian's life mirror the old Welsh tales. Kaitrin's retelling of the Polyphemus episode from Odyssey for her Termite audience is a real hoot and requires a good bit of cross-cultural gymnastics. Always a bit of an enigma for Taylor's 30th century, post-religious, humanistic and generally agnostic humans, the Nameless One -- the Creator as she is known by the Shshi -- and her communion with her Termite children comes across very well from the Termite perspective. Here we find several nods to the New Testament, including the sacramental nature of the Termites' nectar and how the goddess describes humans as 'not knowing what they believe'; and thus she must resort to vaguish signs to communicate with them rather than the more direct visions she uses with the in many respects more innocent Shshi. It struck me as an interesting parallel to the teaching of Jesus that one must go to the Heavenly Father "as a child" (i.e., with innocence and openness) and this pretty well describes the Shshi vis-a-vis the Mother. They have a kind of innate openness and innocence and acceptance that I think humans lack. Very nicely done!

       Altogether, I'd say that both volumes of Termite Queen constitute a good read and I highly recommend it.