Kimberly Loth

Loth writes well, I just do not like the set up. That is, this novel sets up the invented world of Sol and Stella. Sol has sunlight: Stella does not. Sol can grow food; Stella has to cross the fog barrier to sell magical trinkets, potions, etc., to be able to buy food. Sol has a voice which is in everyone's head. It is sort of a "Jiminy Cricket" type of conscience that can sort of control people's actions. Stella(ns) are free, and quite individualistic. However, slavery is permitted in Sol and even some Stellans choose to be enslaved in order to survive. Also, Sol has a few kingdoms and tends to be rural with some villages. Stella is urban, a big city (maybe more than one? I do not know...that would be revealed in later books in the series).
My point is that Loth is setting up a religiously repressed society and an individualistic "free", rebellious society as a counterpoint. I do not buy this scenario as it seems to be a common worldview being expressed often. Can religion be repressive? Sure. So can political systems. So can elite societies repress those who don't fit the criteria. Loth may well have valid points to make about repression. Maybe, but I am not holding my breath.… (altro)