Reap the Wild Wind by Julie E. Czerneda

Reap the Wild Wind (Stratification, #1)

by Julie E. Czerneda

In the first book of the Stratification series, set in an earlier time in Czerneda's Trade Pact Universe, the Clan has not yet learned how to manipulate the M'hir to travel between worlds. Instead, they are a people divided into small tribes, scattered over a fraction of their world, and prevented from advancing by two other powerful races who control both technology and terrain.

Reviewed by Metaphorosis Reviews on

5 of 5 stars

Share
4.5 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews

Summary
The planet Cersi is shared by three species - the humanoid Om'ray, the spiderlike Tikitik, and the bulky, taciturn, insectoid Oud. Since the long ago arrival of the Om'ray, they have lived under a strict agreement that forbids change. But now humans have come to visit, and they're disrupting everything.

Review
I’m a sucker for ancient ruins and origin stories. Here, Czerneda pulls off the trick of mixing both together with hints of yet another and more ancient origin story and a prequel that’s perhaps even more engaging than the original. I started my acquaintaince with Czerneda’s writing with A Thousand Words for Stranger, and this prequel trilogy draws on her strengths – credible science, engaging characters, intriguing mysteries.

At some point in the expansions of this broad series – the original Trade Pact, then this prequel Stratification, then the sequel Reunification, I lost track of which books I had and stopped reading until I had them all. Sadly, I didn’t institute a careful check until just recently. When I realized I did have all nine books, I decided to read them all in chronological order – the two trilogies I’d already read and the final trilogy that … I’m not sure how much of I’ve read. It’s been a long time.

I remember this first (chronological) book fondly, and I’m happy to say that it stood the test of time and more. I have a few quibbles here and there, but largely this is a terrific book that I really enjoyed. In fact, it seems I enjoyed it more this time than last. I have it in my records as 3.5 stars, but I’m quite comfortable giving it more now. I think the book deserves it – it’s got adventure, exploration, romance, origins, aliens, science, and, if not actual ruins, at least really old and rediscovered stuff that still works. I remembered this book pretty well and enjoyed rediscovering it too (it still works!). I’m looking forward to all the sequels, and hoping they hold up just as well.

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 1 January, 2009: Finished reading
  • 1 January, 2009: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • Finished reading
  • 1 January, 2009: Reviewed