Helpful Score: 1
This book is the second volume of the Mutant saga begun in The Mutant Season, which Haber wrote with her husband, sci-fi master Robert Silverberg. One should really read Season first, because it not only introduces the various members of the Ryton family (who are featured in both books), but it also sets up the whole concept of the Mutant race, their somewhat precarious position in society, the powers they possess over "normals", and the idea of the supermutant, with a depth that Prime does not.
In the fifteen years since the events of Season, the tele-powered Mutant race has made substantial social gains, although the Mutant community still remembers the repressions of past times and always fears a resurgence of anti-Mutant hysteria. This concern is brought to the forefront by the appearance of one Victor Ashman, a mutant of unknown origins and ambitions who possesses powers far beyond what any of the Mutant race has demonstrated. Under the protection of a wealthy dowager, Ashman claims his rightful place as leader of the Mutant community while making a prisoner of a famous but reclusive artist named Narlydda. Meanwhile, Michael Ryton is facing investigation by an agency anxious to blame his father's company for a disaster that took place on the Moon. Will Michael's troubles draw him closer to his self-involved wife, or drive him into the arms of his old flame, the "normal" Kelly? What plans does Ashman have for Narlydda, and can Michael's cousin Skerry hope to rescue her despite his frightful powers?
While continuing the saga of the Ryton family, Haber has presented a more focused story here than in The Mutant Season, which seemed to pursue too many subplots at once. Also, while there's still substantial emphasis on characterization, the characters are more grown up than they were in the first volume, so the whole work is more action-oriented and less like a "Mutants 90210". So while still not a towering achievement, this is an enjoyable, fast-paced, page-turner of a sci-fi fantasy, with an extra human touch.
In the fifteen years since the events of Season, the tele-powered Mutant race has made substantial social gains, although the Mutant community still remembers the repressions of past times and always fears a resurgence of anti-Mutant hysteria. This concern is brought to the forefront by the appearance of one Victor Ashman, a mutant of unknown origins and ambitions who possesses powers far beyond what any of the Mutant race has demonstrated. Under the protection of a wealthy dowager, Ashman claims his rightful place as leader of the Mutant community while making a prisoner of a famous but reclusive artist named Narlydda. Meanwhile, Michael Ryton is facing investigation by an agency anxious to blame his father's company for a disaster that took place on the Moon. Will Michael's troubles draw him closer to his self-involved wife, or drive him into the arms of his old flame, the "normal" Kelly? What plans does Ashman have for Narlydda, and can Michael's cousin Skerry hope to rescue her despite his frightful powers?
While continuing the saga of the Ryton family, Haber has presented a more focused story here than in The Mutant Season, which seemed to pursue too many subplots at once. Also, while there's still substantial emphasis on characterization, the characters are more grown up than they were in the first volume, so the whole work is more action-oriented and less like a "Mutants 90210". So while still not a towering achievement, this is an enjoyable, fast-paced, page-turner of a sci-fi fantasy, with an extra human touch.
