Primary Inversion
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Primary Inversion is a science fiction novel in the Saga of the Skolian Empire by Catherine Asaro. It tells the story of how Sauscony Valdoria (Soz), Imperial Heir of the Skolians meets Jaibriol II, the throne successor of Eubians.
This is the first book written by Asaro and the first in the Skolian Empire series, copyrighted 1995.
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[edit] Synopsis
The book describes Soz's life as she copes with the difficulties of being a Jagernaut. She meets Jaibriol II at a bar on the planet Delos. Later, he is captured by Soz's brother, Imperator Kurj. In a daring rescue attempt, Soz frees Jaibriol, and with the help of her father Eldrinson they escape, including an accident that appears to kill them both. They hide on an isolated planet, with only them, Soz's father and the Allied president having knowledge of their location (and survival).
[edit] Place in Genre
"Primary Inversion" is a hard science fiction book, featuring elements of space opera (warring interstellar empires), and romance.
[edit] Elements of Science Fiction
Jagernauts have extensive biomech throughout their bodies, which allows for enhanced speed and reaction, as well as an imbedded AI.
The presence of empathy (in Rhon) and anti-empathy/sadism (in Aristo is explained by two extraneous structures in the brain, KEB and KAB. The first sends out signals of emotions, while the second interprets them. The Aristos were genetically engineered for resistance to pain, and the structure that is supposed to interpret telepathic signals is defective. They do not interpret emotions as such, instead they receive only emotional signals of pain, which their brains re-routes to the sexual pleasure centers. The perfect prey for Aristos are the empaths, since the empaths sends out stronger pain emotions, which translates into greatest pleasure.
Inversion is the means of faster-than-light space travel. Instead of breaking the barrier of the speed of light, spaceships in "Primary Inversion" go around it. By adding an imaginary component to their velocity, or "inverting," they enter a superluminal universe, allowing for near-instantaneous travel. However, because the ship must come close to the speed of light to invert, travel still took time. In addition, various space-time calculation errors add complications. The Skolians' military advantage is based on the fact that the pilots can communicate telepathically while in inversion and arrive in tight formation from inversion.
The Skolian web Skol-net (mainly called Kyle Web or psiberweb) can be used by telepaths as the ultra-Internet, a means for instaneous communication and for information storage. It is based on ancient technology of the Ruby empire and powered by the Triad of Rhon empaths, strongest empaths there are. Without the Rhon, the Web would collapse.
[edit] Matriarchy
The Skolian Empire is based on the remnants of the more powerful, ancient Ruby empire, which was a true marchiarchy. Women were the ruling class. Physically, they were taller and bigger than men. In many descriptions of women in her book, Catherine Asaro compares them to the "ancient warrior queens." Although the society is currently egalitarian, and the Imperator is male, remnants of matriarchy remain.
The main character, Sauscony Valdoria, embodies many what we could call "traditionally male" qualities. She is a warrior, a Jagernaut (biomechanically enhanced fighter and pilot) with the rank of a Primary (military status equivalent to general) and very tough. She admits to being bad with words and emotions, she suppresses her feelings and hides her weaknesses. She is much more comfortable with physical rather than emotional confrontation. In her relationship with Jaibriol Qox, she also takes the dominant role. She is more than twice his age, more experienced and powerful. When he is captured, she rescues and more-or-less physically carries him out on her shoulders.
[edit] Place in the Series
Though this is the first book of the series that was printed, events of Primary Inversion are placed somewhere in the middle of the Skolian Empire series. The rest of the books revolve around Sauscony Valdoria's family members. The direct sequel to "Primary Inversion" is The Radiant Seas, which continues the story of Soz, Jaibriol, and Kurj.
