Review: The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord

Title: The Best of All Possible Worlds

Author: Karen Lord

Publisher:  Del Rey

Release Date: February 12th, 2013
Pages: 308, Hardcover
Goodreads Rating: 3.8 stars
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: A proud and reserved alien society finds its homeland destroyed in an unprovoked act of aggression, and the survivors have no choice but to reach out to the indigenous humanoids of their adopted world, to whom they are distantly related. They wish to preserve their cherished way of life but come to discover that in order to preserve their culture, they may have to change it forever.

Now a man and a woman from these two clashing societies must work together to save this vanishing race—and end up uncovering ancient mysteries with far-reaching ramifications. As their mission hangs in the balance, this unlikely team—one cool and cerebral, the other fiery and impulsive—just may find in each other their own destinies . . . and a force that transcends all.

MY TAKE

I have to start out by saying that this is not the type of book that I would normally love. In fact it's a very difficult book to review because I don't know what to say about it.  Plotwise, not a lot happens until the end (which I usually hate). The book sends you on a tour of many of the cultures of the planet Cygnus Delta - a sort of melting pot planet where dying races go to survive extinction. The Sadiri are one such race. Their home planet was destroyed and, being a logical and calculating people, they now seek a genetically, psychically and culturally compatible race with which to intermarry so that their race will not be lost. Because of this, emotional, impulsive Grace Delarua finds herself on a year-long expedition with the Sadiri to explore all of the cultures on Cygnus Delta that have Sadiri blood. Like I said, this is not normally my favorite type of book, but I found the world that Lord created delightfully intriguing and I found myself caught up in her characters. The book is written from the perspective of Delarua, who learns much about herself on the journey and about the sometimes strange and stoic Sadiri. Overall, The Best of All Possible Worlds is a compelling read.  4/5 Stars