The Warriors of Taan

For 200 years, the planet Taan has been colonized by Earth. The natives, sharply divided by gender (violent male warriors and generative, nurturing Sisters), have been relocated to reservations. Taan's men plot to overthrow the off-worlders by force, but the women plan to regain their world through coercion and manipulation. Into this conflict are thrown a young Sister, Elana; an Earthling boy recruited by the Sisterhood, Leith; and the king's son, Khian. Khian has been raised by his father to kill the off-worlders, regardless of the cost or sense of the plan; but the Sisterhood hopes to turn the warrior Khian into a new Messiah who can lead all of the people on Taan to peace. And with the help of Elana and Leith, truculent Khian leads the native humans and Ent-like Stonewraiths to convert the colonists to Taan's ways. Though the story is sparse in characterization, and some improbabilities strain credulity, Lawrence's novel, like her Children of the Dust, works well as fable. Its worthy message of peace through the media and how so-called feminine wiles can be positive attributes deserves to be heard. Ages 12-up. (March)