Review: Mad Hatter Reads Review Water Harvest
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 01 27, 2013
My rating: 3.5 out of 5Water Harvest is set in a future world, Kast'ar, where water is scarce and the inhabitants of the planet and the ruling families must guard against clandestine water harvesting by the lunar colonies. Shortly after being elected as head of the House Alliance, Gar Sa'n Alar finds his mighty house invaded and conquered through deceit and magic, an event that has not occurred in over 3,000 years. Once House Alar is defeated, the invading forces set their eyes on the rest of planet.With Gar and House Alar's Legions imprisoned, it is up to his son, Cairn, and the sole free squadron to save not only Alar but the entire population of Kast'ar. As he finds allies in the unexpected planetary depths, the remaining houses must face treachery and the possibility mind control from the Guild in the quest to free Alar and the planet.Water Harvest is an exciting mix of medieval trappings and futuristic technology. What...you ask? For the most part, the inhabitants of Kast'ar utilize everything from molecular canons to space fighters and transports, but the Great Houses are based on (and referred to) as medieval Keeps and the ruling families still have weaponry like great swords. Even the devices used during the battle to liberate Alar are technologically advanced versions of the trebuchets and siege engines.The story is told from multiple points of view which allows the reader to learn more of the 3000 year history of Kast'ar and how past actions have driven the characters to the current conflict. Descriptions did become wordy at times, but overall I enjoyed Water Harvest. It has been some time since I read a purely sci-fi novel and Water Harvest was a terrific reintroduction to the genre I grew up on.