Book 23 Apr 2007 07:08 am
Catherine Asaro, Physicist, Fantasy and Science Fiction novelist
I found a new Science Fiction/Fantasy Author! Catherine Asaro writes both “hard core” science fiction (actual science plus space, etc) and fantasy novels. What I think is most impressive is thta she is also a Physicist, PLUS a ballerina, in addition to those “easy jobs” of mother and wife. From her official website,
Catherine Asaro was born in Oakland, California and grew up in El Cerrito, just north of Berkeley. She received her Ph.D. in Chemical Physics and MA in Physics, both from Harvard, and a BS with Highest Honors in Chemistry from UCLA. Among the places she has done research are the University of Toronto in Canada, the Max Planck Institut für Astrophysik in Germany, and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Her research involved using quantum theory to describe the behavior of atoms and molecules. Catherine was a physics professor until 1990, when she established Molecudyne Research, which she currently runs.
Not too surprising, the series that I have started by Catherine is on the more “romantic fantasy” side of the genre. I have read Charmed Sphere. This book is about Chime, a mage of unknown strength and quantities, and what happens when that strength is put to the test!
What was the use of being a powerful mage if you couldn’t learn the spells?
Once Chime had been the most promising mage in the land, feted and celebrated for her potential and future role in the kingdom. Then Iris, her young competitor, made a stunning leap in skill and turned Chime’s world upside down.
Now no longer the most powerful, no longer promised to a prince - and still unable to harness her magic properly - Chime was set adrift. As was the new king’s cousin - and former heir - Lord Muller. Yet when the neighboring kingdom threatened war, Muller and Chime were tasked with uncovering the plot. Both were flawed, yet unwilling to accept a lesser destiny than they had once known.
Could this quest be the opportunity for redemption - or would it lead them to their deaths?
That is from Charmed Sphere. The second, Misted Cliffs, and the third The Dawn star, involve Chime’s daughter Melody. From, The Dawn Star,
High in the Misted Cliffs lives a magic unlike any other.
With no teacher to guide her, no mentor to discourage her from the impossible, Mel Dawnfield pushed her magic to its limits—and surpassed them. Only to find that her powers aren’t enough to halt burgeoning rebellion within her husband’s fledgling realm—or a plot devised to strike at the very heart of Mel’s family.
The lines have been drawn.
Mel’s mage strength has become greater than any power ever known, but dare she forge her spells into weapons to protect her people, her husband? For her magic might transform the brutality of war into the birth pangs of a peaceful empire…unless it proves the death blow to her world.
All of the reviews I have read have said basically to read Asaro. I add my voice to that. Her writing is amazing and highly enjoyable (and all this from ONE book!) Check her out and have no fear that I will be starting her other books in short order!
All of Asaro’s works are available for order. Call your local independent bookshop and see if they can get one in for you!!
Tags: asaro, catherine asaro, charmed sphere, dawn star, fantasy, fiction, hard core, mass marker, misted cliffs, paperback, romance, romantic fantasy, science, science fiction