Betrayals

by S. M. Stirling

Published by Dell Publishsing

How many plots would you expect a book to have? The numerous plots and sub-plots in this book make it too complex to understand. The problem is, once you understand which part of the novel belongs in which plot, you also understand it wasn't worth understanding.

Because of the many plots the author was not focussed on each one when he wrote the book, so he wrote every story-line without depth and interest. It would be interesting to know more about the Narn - Centauri conference which takes place, but instead we hear about it only at the end, and during the beginning and middle of the novel we only hear of the preparations, which aren't very interesting. Who cares what decorations Londo wants to put in the delegates' quarters? Not me.

The T'll story-line resembles the Tuchanq story-line from "Calrk's Law". They, also, were under Narn rule. The Tuchanq story was much better, though. They weren't terrorist, so you can understand their behavior. The T'll are described as more terrorists than victims, although that is part of what they are. You can't sympathize with their cause, and that would be fine if they were supposed to be the bad guys. But the author tries to show them as the underdog. He doesn't succeed.

Another plot was the con woman plot. It was out of place and very confusing. What did she give Londo that he thought was the Eye? It took me a while to figure it out. The other plot-lines aren't even worth mentioning.

This is definitely a "must not read" book.