KHIZARA
From the the Tokorel Series series, volume 1
by Drew Bankston
In this SF novel from Bankston, two enemies must work together to right the historical record and prevent an interstellar war.
Thirty-two-year-old Linsorais half-human, half-Khizaran and displays volatile emotions and ingrained knife-fighting instincts, as is typical in Khizaran culture. An archaeologist by profession, she also has the ability to “hear” voices from the past in her mind. This has led her to discover certain historical artifacts that, if reported, would keep her employers, the Carratians, from legally undertaking a lucrative mining operation on a historic site. Instead, they accuse her of stealing from them and get her thrown her in prison. Linsora blames her situation on her erstwhile crewmate, 34-year-old Permac; he’s a Tokorellan, a member of an alien species that’s widely distrusted, due to their ability to influence people’s emotions. The Tokorellans used to be Khizarans; the two cultures separated 200 years ago when the former gained their mental powers. Since then, a great enmity has existed between them, fueled by vastly different accounts of the schism. Permac feels responsible for Linsora’s plight, as he didn’t expect that Linsora would remain imprisoned after he reported her, so he breaks her out of prison. The two remain at loggerheads but are thrown together in common cause—first to flee from the Carratians, then to revisit the archaeological dig and establish the truth of Linsora’s findings. Everything changes when they uncover an ancient recording from a key historical figure, and learn that both their people’s accepted histories are inaccurate. As they develop feelings for each other, they determine to publicly reveal the truth and end the simmering hostility between their peoples.
Bankston writes in the omniscient past-tense, most often from Linsora or Permac’s perspective but occasionally from that of a lesser player. The prose is exuberant from the outset, stumbling over itself in a rush to impart information: “She froze, instinctively reaching for a knife—the weapon of choice on her home world, Khizara. Her subconscious mind reminded her she was still in prison, and correctional officers deprived her of the luxury of carrying a knife upon entry.” This ebullience extends to the dialogue, with characters prone to relating exposition, wholly for the reader’s benefit: “I’ve noticed that your clothes aren’t bulky but have a lot of flowing fabric. I imagine it’s more for functionality than anything—and for carrying knives.” This tendency will likely grate upon those readers who prefer sharper, more immersive prose. Still, there lies within it a clear sincerity of vision. Bankston has conceived a vast, intricately woven tapestry of spacefaring worlds. Permac and Linsora are likable representatives of the enemies-to-lovers trope, and of two peoples whose mutual hostility is underpinned by long history. The characters’ journey, as it gains momentum across the many pages, is sure to pull readers in. One could argue that a book of more than 500 pages in length should offer more closure, rather than simply leading into a continuation, but the journey is mostly satisfying, nonetheless.Epic worldbuilding that’s compelling in its ambition, if not always in its execution.