Kings Property

by Morgan Howell

Del Ray, 302 pp with additional Orc glossary. $6.99

King’s Property is book 1 of a new series, Queen of the Orcs, Book 2 is due out 8/07. Volume 3 in 9/07

Dar is a mountain peasant girl, conscripted and branded as crown property to serve the Orc army till she dies. Instead of cowering in fear, she learns the unique culture and language of the Orcs. As she is betrayed by enemies and allies alike, and avoiding rape by the human soldiers, she is adopted by an Orc leader as a muth-la, speaker to the Orcs. When a vision shows her the betrayal of the Orcs by her king, she flees with the few remaining Orcs.

A thoughtful look that reflects our own prejudices and patriarchal culture, with a strong and intelligent heroine. I will look forward to seeing what the others of the trilogy have to say. - Pam Allan