Helen Wright’s A Matter of Oaths is one of those books that came out in the late eighties without any fuss, sat in bookshops for a little while and then vanished. I’ve been buying up copies whenever I see them second-hand to give to friends. I’m delighted to see that the author is making it available for free download on her website, so I can enjoy the opportunity to share it more widely.
This is a space opera. There are two opposing empires, each ruled by an immortal emperor. There’s a Guild of Webbers that controls all FTL shipping through both empires. If a webber switches empires, they have to make a new oath, or if they won’t, be brainwiped, keeping their skills but losing their personal memories. A spaceship needs a new webber, and the best candidate is a brainwiped one with a mysterious past. The mysterious past catches up with him—wouldn’t you just know it?—and things get more interesting than anyone expected. The characters are multi-ethnic and multi-coloured and compelling, there is (without any fuss about it) a gay romance, the universe is lots of fun and everything moves fast. The crew feels like a group of people who work together, and their concern and friendship for Rafe, the new webber, is much more realistic than the way people often react to someone who is special. It isn’t flawless, it’s a first novel, but it’s the kind of really enjoyable read you can just sink right into.
And it’s online for free, so go ahead and enjoy it.
Jo, thanks for letting us know about this. I read this book but could not remember the author. I’ve downloaded the book and am going to see if she has anything more in print.
Drak: She doesn’t seem to have published anything else, unfortunately. I’d certainly read anything else she wrote.
So I found. It’s a shame. I’d love to see more of the ‘universe’ of _A Matter Of Oaths_. Of course, the book has one of the best ending lines I’ve ever read. [Grin]
She does say she is starting to write again, though unfortunately this is apparently because she is not employed at the moment.
To be scrupulously fair to my ex-employer, the decision for me to leave was a joint one, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to return to my first love – writing.
Ms Wright, are you going to revisit the universe of _A Matter Of Oaths_?
Thanks for the info about this book. Is the preparation for her to write more books set in this universe?
That was an enjoyable read. Thank you, Arkessian. Thank you also, Jo, for posting about it.
Drak, Sean: There are more stories to tell in that universe, and the hooks for them are set in A Matter of Oaths. Plus, I enjoyed writing those characters enormously, so I’m pretty certain to return to them, although it isn’t what I’m working on at the moment.
(i’m no longer in touch with her, but…)
i believe elsbeth lindner would be happy to hear that you’re alive and well, and writing, arkessian.
ppint, thanks for letting me know that. I was incredibly grateful to have her as an editor.
Thanks for recommending this, Jo – 90 pages in and very much enjoying it so far!
Jo’s blog made me aware of this book, and I just finished it. Fabulous. Yes, the ending line is a classic (right up there with “nobody’s perfect”). Would love to see anything set in the same universe. And there are *many* hooks for sequels/prequels. Lots of questions! Where did a certain web come from? Why was X almost congruent with Y?
Thank you, arkessian. Would be very interested to read anything you write.