A world is colonized and developed by a 'Patron', a powerful member of a powerful ruling family in a far, far future which see many worlds being developed by the many cultures of an Earth barely held together by a Republic, ruling Dynastic Family clans and technology that has a mind of its own.

The Universe of 'Belarus' is actually deep and complex-- with a storyline that is taken from a Russian/European cultural perspective that is enlightening and a pleasure to read. Add in the background of inter-melding alien cultures and elder players and I found this to be a captivating, thick read.

No--- the Author is NOT Russian herself-- but she does her homework. The Universe and the culture is cohesive and compelling. And the dangers that face the young colony and its world-builders are both contemporary and ancient-- both Real Politik and an alien Horror that is not as alien as we'd like to think if we remember our own Myths of the Deep Dark Forests.

This one is Part One. The second Book is "Enemies" ( )

Lee Hogan’s Belarus is partly an exercise in world-building, partly space opera, and mostly not particularly interesting.

(Full review at my blog) ( )