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Petaybee #1
Powers That Be
Strange things were happening on the icy planet called Petaybee. Unauthorized genetically engineered species had been spotted. Geologic survey teams sent to locate newly detected mineral deposits were either coming up empty - or disappearing altogether. And the locals weren't talking - especially not to the company bent on exploiting the planet.
Disabled combat veteran Yanaba Maddock seemed to the company to be the ideal spy: the frailty that made her no further use to the military would be a perfect blind to allow her to get close to the Petaybean natives. But miraculously, with her relocation to the arctic planet came a return of Yana's health and strength. And the more she got to know they people of Petaybee, the more determined she became to protect her new home.
For something strange and wonderful truly was happening on Petaybee. Something worth fighting for, or even dying for - but, especially, something worthy living for...
Disabled combat veteran Yanaba Maddock seemed to the company to be the ideal spy: the frailty that made her no further use to the military would be a perfect blind to allow her to get close to the Petaybean natives. But miraculously, with her relocation to the arctic planet came a return of Yana's health and strength. And the more she got to know they people of Petaybee, the more determined she became to protect her new home.
For something strange and wonderful truly was happening on Petaybee. Something worth fighting for, or even dying for - but, especially, something worthy living for...
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
About the author
Anne McCaffrey
552 books7,288 followersAnne Inez McCaffrey was an American writer known for the Dragonriders of Pern science fiction series. She was the first woman to win a Hugo Award for fiction (Best Novella, Weyr Search, 1968) and the first to win a Nebula Award (Best Novella, Dragonrider, 1969). Her 1978 novel The White Dragon became one of the first science-fiction books to appear on the New York Times Best Seller list.
In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its 22nd Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted by the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on 17 June 2006. She also received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for her work in 2007.
In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its 22nd Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted by the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on 17 June 2006. She also received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for her work in 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
May 25, 2016
Powers That Be centers on Major Yanaba Maddock, a disabled veteran, sent to the icy planet Petaybee to die, but also on one last mission: to spy on the locals and find out what is really going on there. This book has a naive sweetness to it. It reminds me of early McCaffrey books, like the Dragonsinger series. (Also my favorite of her work, and feels very YA to me.) Or even like a Mercedes Lackey book. The storyline features a native culture full of good people having nice parties and being very accepting of alternative lifestyles versus a counter culture that's more stiff and traditional. This is a trope McCaffrey is fond of exploring, like the Weyrs verses the Holds on her best known Pern. I find it interesting to read about, but in my older years I could wish it were less black and white.
The authors use a lot of Intuit culture and mix it with Irish traditions and some simplistic terraforming in a far future science fiction setting, like the Pern books or the Ship Who Searched series. This ends up feeling far more fantasy than sci-fi. One can come up for a scientific explanation as to why the horses would evolve one horn, but one has still stuck a unicorn on ones ice planet.
I know, I know, it sounds like I'm belittling the book. I'm not, but it is a creature of its time. It's like an 80s rock anthem: cheesy, and nostalgic, and taken SO seriously by the musicians who played it. Now it makes me wince a little, but I still put it on and dance around my living room. And I feel guilty and ashamed any time it comes on streaming, or is mocked in some youtube video, because I know all the words.
Powers That Be is kind of like that, only in book form. I know as I read that everything is going to be alright for the characters, the romantic thread is going to pull through, no one is going to hurt too bad. The SF concepts are going to be pretty basic and predictable, essentially I kind of know all the words.
But there is comfort in that. There's a joy in reading a book like this. It's the book equivalent of a decent cup of tea. Not a really good tea with nibbly bits and company, but still tea. And you know how I feel about tea.
The authors use a lot of Intuit culture and mix it with Irish traditions and some simplistic terraforming in a far future science fiction setting, like the Pern books or the Ship Who Searched series. This ends up feeling far more fantasy than sci-fi. One can come up for a scientific explanation as to why the horses would evolve one horn, but one has still stuck a unicorn on ones ice planet.
I know, I know, it sounds like I'm belittling the book. I'm not, but it is a creature of its time. It's like an 80s rock anthem: cheesy, and nostalgic, and taken SO seriously by the musicians who played it. Now it makes me wince a little, but I still put it on and dance around my living room. And I feel guilty and ashamed any time it comes on streaming, or is mocked in some youtube video, because I know all the words.
Powers That Be is kind of like that, only in book form. I know as I read that everything is going to be alright for the characters, the romantic thread is going to pull through, no one is going to hurt too bad. The SF concepts are going to be pretty basic and predictable, essentially I kind of know all the words.
But there is comfort in that. There's a joy in reading a book like this. It's the book equivalent of a decent cup of tea. Not a really good tea with nibbly bits and company, but still tea. And you know how I feel about tea.
January 3, 2019
Dd Jul 2016 Now, this is ONE BEAUTIFUL sci-fi borderline romance borderline space something! I read this about 10 yrs earlier and still am fond of it. I need to get my hands on the rest of the series like, yesterday!
Dd Aug 2017 This is sheer WOW! I keep returning to this book year after year, again and again. Somehow, it's immensely comforting.
Dd Jan 2018. Lovely Reread!
Dd Aug 2017 This is sheer WOW! I keep returning to this book year after year, again and again. Somehow, it's immensely comforting.
Dd Jan 2018. Lovely Reread!
July 8, 2010
Anne McCaffrey is one of my guilty pleasures. Her Brain Ships series is probably one of my favourite SF series to read, and I'd thought for certain that I'd read most of her early trilogies. Powers That Be has never been a favourite of mine (I think the Crystal Singers is way up there though), I do own one or two of the novels from the Powers series, but for some reason it doesn't pull me as strongly as her other books do.
Yana, the main character is a battle stricken veteran who is sent to Petaybee to recover from a gas attack which has pretty much destroyed her lungs. She lives in a village with the locals on this harsh planet where touching metal can kill you, it's that cold. I know, terrible description. I tried! (but not very hard). I recently started book 2 and realised, I've never read book 2 before... I hereby make it my quest this year to finish not only the Power's trilogy, but also the Freedom trilogy (tho it's now 4 books... quadility?). I know, I'm a glutton for punishment.
Yana, the main character is a battle stricken veteran who is sent to Petaybee to recover from a gas attack which has pretty much destroyed her lungs. She lives in a village with the locals on this harsh planet where touching metal can kill you, it's that cold. I know, terrible description. I tried! (but not very hard). I recently started book 2 and realised, I've never read book 2 before... I hereby make it my quest this year to finish not only the Power's trilogy, but also the Freedom trilogy (tho it's now 4 books... quadility?). I know, I'm a glutton for punishment.
July 18, 2020
I enjoyed it a bit more the second time around.
EDIT: My feelings this third(?) time are akin to my first experience; though I expected some language, as most of Ms. McCaffrey's work contains expletives, I did not remember the sexual content, and am surprised that I didn't mention it in my previous reviews of this book. (Did I read it too quickly?) It's still good, but the unnecessary content kept this from being what it could have been. Here's hoping the series improves on that front as it continues.
EDIT: My feelings this third(?) time are akin to my first experience; though I expected some language, as most of Ms. McCaffrey's work contains expletives, I did not remember the sexual content, and am surprised that I didn't mention it in my previous reviews of this book. (Did I read it too quickly?) It's still good, but the unnecessary content kept this from being what it could have been. Here's hoping the series improves on that front as it continues.
October 2, 2017
My full review is here on my personal website. I'll post my conclusion here, though:
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
So, why did I knock off half a point? I think the relationship between Sean and Yana is a little rushed. I guess with everything else that goes on in the story that both characters are involved in that it just feels like they don’t have time to try to be a couple.
However, this book is incredible! If I had a physical edition of this book it would go on my special bookshelf. One day, I will own physical copies of every book by Anne McCaffrey, but until that happens I’m happy with my ebooks that take up no extra space at all. (Let’s hear a “whoo-hooooo” for the technology that allows us to have thousands of books on a memory card that size of my thumbnail!!)
The very worst thing about this book is the rushed feeling I get about the relationship between Sean and Yana.
The very best thing about this book is the unique character of Petaybee, a sentient planet. Petaybee is very much an active character throughout the trilogy, by the way.
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
So, why did I knock off half a point? I think the relationship between Sean and Yana is a little rushed. I guess with everything else that goes on in the story that both characters are involved in that it just feels like they don’t have time to try to be a couple.
However, this book is incredible! If I had a physical edition of this book it would go on my special bookshelf. One day, I will own physical copies of every book by Anne McCaffrey, but until that happens I’m happy with my ebooks that take up no extra space at all. (Let’s hear a “whoo-hooooo” for the technology that allows us to have thousands of books on a memory card that size of my thumbnail!!)
The very worst thing about this book is the rushed feeling I get about the relationship between Sean and Yana.
The very best thing about this book is the unique character of Petaybee, a sentient planet. Petaybee is very much an active character throughout the trilogy, by the way.
February 12, 2011
This book started off really promising and was mostly good. And then the ending was truly awful. Everything I hate about fantasy and romance packed into just a few chapters. Ugh.
February 4, 2011
I'm a big fan of McCaffrey anyway, but this book is particularly strong. The premise has a breath of native american or druidic intent, but in that way anne has of making it all bigger than life.
After you get comfortable with the scenery (not a difficult task), the plot really takes over. You're pulling for the characters the whole time. I loved it.
After you get comfortable with the scenery (not a difficult task), the plot really takes over. You're pulling for the characters the whole time. I loved it.
January 4, 2022
A right good SF romp with a neat little physiological, Gaia-like twist. What would you do if the planet you were living on turns out to be sentient?
I really did like the set-up here. The cold planet where you have to be quite tough to survive. The psychic animals. A rather steamy love story. An action packed plot. Singing. And some unicorns - sort of!
The only thing that stopped me loving this as much as McCaffery's PERN novels and giving it top marks, is that the baddies are just a bit too bad. Talk about stereotypical soldiers, following orders, while the higher ups are only interested in profit and exploitation. I honestly couldn't quite buy into the fact that a space-faring civilisation would be so close-minded when discovering something so new and amazing.
But, looking forward to reading the rest of the series to find out what happens next.
I really did like the set-up here. The cold planet where you have to be quite tough to survive. The psychic animals. A rather steamy love story. An action packed plot. Singing. And some unicorns - sort of!
The only thing that stopped me loving this as much as McCaffery's PERN novels and giving it top marks, is that the baddies are just a bit too bad. Talk about stereotypical soldiers, following orders, while the higher ups are only interested in profit and exploitation. I honestly couldn't quite buy into the fact that a space-faring civilisation would be so close-minded when discovering something so new and amazing.
But, looking forward to reading the rest of the series to find out what happens next.
June 15, 2017
This is the 1st book in the Petaybee series by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough. In this one the planet Petaybee was terraformed two hundreds years ago. It is still an arctic world so it was forcibly settled by Inuit peoples from old Earth. They have adapted to their new world and have thrived but they hold a secret form Intergal, the company who terraformed Petaybee and owns the rights to the entire planet. When new mineral deposits are discovered, research teams are sent but many of them disappear and those that are found report strange sightings and even stranger animals. They turn to disabled combat veteran Yanaba Maddock who is being forcibly retired there to investigate these occurrence. She is supposed to gain the confidence of the native population and discover their secret but she soon finds herself on the side of the natives against the company. This book is rather a slow starter but the pace picks up about halfway through. If you are a fan of either author I would recommend it but if you haven't read either of them I would suggest starting with another of their works because they have both written better books.
April 29, 2022
1995 grade A
2011 grade A+
2022 Grade A-
Series book PL1 (written with Scarborough)
The story is basically socio-political SciFi, but it is also fantasy based on Irish legend. The amazing thing about the writing is the world building is All done via the characters.
The planet and the occupants have a secret. The reader knows what it is, but the off worlders trying to take over do not. The protagonist and occupants are excellent characters and have a lot of depth and development. The off worlders are extremely annoying and lack character depth. Whenever they are written about, information the reader already knows is repeated. The world building is also repeated, not as much, but a bit too much later in the book. Be sure to remember the character names. There are a few I needed a moment to recall later in the story.
The first half is excellent and I don't think I skipped over any of that. Feel free to skip or speed read later as needed, I did, although not a lot. It is easy to figure out when to skip because the paragraphs get rather long.
Recommended!
2011 grade A+
2022 Grade A-
Series book PL1 (written with Scarborough)
The story is basically socio-political SciFi, but it is also fantasy based on Irish legend. The amazing thing about the writing is the world building is All done via the characters.
The planet and the occupants have a secret. The reader knows what it is, but the off worlders trying to take over do not. The protagonist and occupants are excellent characters and have a lot of depth and development. The off worlders are extremely annoying and lack character depth. Whenever they are written about, information the reader already knows is repeated. The world building is also repeated, not as much, but a bit too much later in the book. Be sure to remember the character names. There are a few I needed a moment to recall later in the story.
The first half is excellent and I don't think I skipped over any of that. Feel free to skip or speed read later as needed, I did, although not a lot. It is easy to figure out when to skip because the paragraphs get rather long.
Recommended!
October 18, 2018
This book starts out with some interesting things: the premise that different worlds pose different challenges, spacers meeting colonists after a period of neglect, and a number of interesting characters. Then ... it just kind of fizzles, with a pat ending, undeveloped characters, everything explained, true love and all that jazz.
August 24, 2021
4/5
https://delivreenlivres.home.blog/202...
Je continue ma relecture des Anne McCaffrey avec le planète opéra La trilogie des Forces. De cette série j’avoue que je n’ai pas l’impression de me rappeler des tomes autres que le premier, un peu comme ça me l’avait fait pour la Transe du Crystal.
Dans ce livre nous suivons Yana. Employée par la Compagnie (oui, avec un C majuscule) qui possède la planète d’Effem et l’a terraformée.
Les médecins donnent 1 an à vivre à Yana. Elle a eu les poumons détruits dans sa précédente affectation par un gaz toxique qui a tué toute son équipe et de nombreux autres employés de la Compagnie quand une révolte d’autochtones (qui appartiennent aussi à la compagnie mais sans faire parti du personnel actif) est entrée dans la station pour essayer de trouver de la nourriture car ils étant en train de mourir à cause d’une terrible de famine sur la planète.
Effem semble être la planète idéale pour se ressourcer. Planète glacière ou la température ne monte guère au delà de zéro, récemment terraformée (200 ans), l’air y est encore pure et la population très restreinte.
Mais une fois sur place elle se rend compte que tout n’est pas rose. Déjà l’air glacial peut faire encore plus de dégâts sur ses poumons endommagés si elle ne prend pas garde. Et en plus la Compagnie est très mécontente de l’état de la planète et semble penser que c’est la faute des autochtones.
En effet Effem est une planète très spéciale. En dehors de la base qui est un grand complexe chauffé à grands frais et toujours à température constante, le reste est toujours plus ou moins en contact avec les températures glaciales (qui peuvent aller au delà de -100) de la planète. Du coup tout ce qui est technologie n’y résiste en général pas, ou alors rarement sur du matériel bien isolé, entretenu et maintenu à température correcte h24 comme par exemple les deux traîneaux électriques qui servent pour transporter le matériel ou les personnes importantes de la base à la « capitale » de la planète.
Le reste des habitants vivent sans eau courante, sans électronique, avec juste un peu d’électricité juste pour s’éclairer (mais pas assez pour se chauffer, ça se fait au bois). C’est une vie très rude, et un retour à la nature que Yana n’attendait pas et ne s’imaginait même pas exister encore quelque part dans la galaxie.
Le premier point que n’aime pas la compagnie est le fait qu’elle pense que le laboratoire de génétique qui est installée dans la capitale n’a pas suivi ses ordres et a fait « apparaître » des espèces non sélectionnées par eux.
En effet nombreux sont les animaux étranges et non conformes qu’on retrouve dans les environs ce qui devrait être impossible vu qu’il y a 200 ans la planète était un bloc de glace sans la moindre vie.
Le second gros problème vient que de l’espace la Compagnie a détecté de nombreux matériaux. C’est d’ailleurs pour ça qu’ils ont entreprit sa terraformation à la base. Mais malgré tout leurs efforts, aucune mission entreprise pour s’installer dans les zones en question n’a survécu.
Certes le climat est encore très instable, il change d’une heure sur l’autre sans qu’on puisse le prédire. Des fois vent brutaux et extrêmement froids démarrent et tuent tout ce qui n’est pas abrité sur son passage Ou même des fois l’inverse, un regain très rapide et inattendu fait fondre les rivières et provoque avalanches, glissement des terrain ou une montée des eaux inattendue.
Mais c’est tout de même vraiment pas de chance pour que ça arrive à toutes les missions lancées sur ce sujet, sans exception. Hors ces missions sont toujours gérée plus ou moins par des autochtones. Le transport qui se fait en traîneaux à chiens, seul moyen stable de voyager dans la neige quand on n’a rien d’autre. Et ils sont aussi engagés comme guides et assistants pour trimbaler le fragile matériel de sondage.
Du coup quand Yana arrive et qu’elle ne peux plus vraiment travailler pour la Compagnie du fait de son invalidité, le colonel en charge de la base lui propose un marché. En échange d’une augmentation de sa pension (qui est très très faible vu qu’elle est encore jeune et n’a pas pu cumuler beaucoup avant d’avoir son accident), elle devra enquêter sur la question et essayer de trouver si c’est vraiment les indigènes qui sont responsables des échecs successifs ou si c’est juste le hasard.
Mais bien sur Yana se retrouve avec un conflit d’intérêt car elle c’est prise d’amitié avec les indigènes qui lui sont tous venus en aide généreusement depuis son arrivée. Elle n’aurais jamais survécu sans eux, avec juste l’aumône que lui donne la Compagnie. Même la boutique de la Compagnie à la capitale n’a pas suffisamment de matériel pour faire survivre une personne sans aide extérieure !
Mes ses « supérieurs » s’en foutent un peu, ils pensent que si les indigènes ont survécu par eux même depuis 200 ans, c’est que ça doit pouvoir se faire. Du coup seule la solidarité d’une communauté soudée permet de survivre sur Effem.
Ceux ci ont d’ailleurs été totalement abandonnés par la Compagnie. Même ceux recrutés sur la base sont illettrés et sans culture. Ils n’y a pas de livres sur la planète vu que le livre papier n’existe quasiment plus dans ce monde, et que les appareils électroniques habituellement utilisés pour faire la classe ne fonctionnent pas. Tout repose donc sur une tradition orale. Le quotidien et les événements marquants sont racontés sous forme de chansons.
On retrouve la une des marottes de l’autrice (on retrouve le chant comme élément principal dans Pern, dans la Transe du Crystal, dans Le vaisseau qui chantait …). Toujours aussi sympa.
La planète semble de plus en plus mystérieuse au fur et à mesure. On sent qu’il y a quelque chose derrière. Yana ne veut évidemment pas que la situation finisse comme lors de son accident. Elle est tiraillée entre les autochtones qu’elle comprend, et la Compagnie qui lui fait peur par les décisions qu’elle prend, et le fait que ces décisions ne sont pas compatibles avec la réalité de la situation.
Le premier thème important est évidemment celui du retour à la nature en opposition avec le « tout technologie ». Les habitants sont tous descendant de peuplades habituées au froid, la majorité sont Inuit, Lapons, Yupik, ou Russes. Ils ont reprit comme leurs ancêtres les gestes artisanaux traductionnels, la médecine à base de plantes et l’entraide face au froid.
L’ensemble est donc très divers sur ce point la, et l’autrice n’hésite pas à insérer des personnages LGBT+ comme par exemple le couple qui « dirige » de façon non officielle la petite communauté qui est un couple lesbien.
La seule chose qui m’a un peu gêné est le fait que certains passages sont pour moi à la limite de la grossophobie. C’est expliqué par le fait que Yana a toujours vécu dans des stations ou l’espace est très restreint donc où ce genre de personnes n’existent pas (la Compagnie n’en emploie pas). Elle a donc une espèce de réaction d’étonnement qui frise le rejet qui se ressent dans sa description de la personne au premier regard, je trouve. Heureusement ses relations avec la personne en question évoluent vraiment au fil du récit donc ce n’est vraiment que sur le tout début que ça se ressent.
Yana évolue au quotidien et découvre ce monde froid et sans pitié. Elle passe de citadine (si on peut dire ça) déprimée à actrice de son quotidien. L’évolution de Yana est vraiment un des points centraux de ce premier tome. Elle apprend a apprécier son nouvel environnement au fur et à mesure, ainsi que tout les habitants et leurs façon de vivre.
On ne peux pas dire qu’on est sur un livre d’action, mais l’écriture très fluide de l’autrice fait que l’ensemble passe bien et se lit vite. Le mystère reste au cœur de tout mais on n’est pas non plus sur une enquête active, Yana ne va pas aller fouiller partout. Au final on est vraiment sur un livre d’ambiance.
Au final j’ai passé un bon moment dans cette redécouverte. L’autrice a su une fois encore m’emporter avec ses ambiances et ses personnages, ainsi que son usage de la musique et du chant. Je lirais la suite avec plaisir !
https://delivreenlivres.home.blog/202...
Je continue ma relecture des Anne McCaffrey avec le planète opéra La trilogie des Forces. De cette série j’avoue que je n’ai pas l’impression de me rappeler des tomes autres que le premier, un peu comme ça me l’avait fait pour la Transe du Crystal.
Dans ce livre nous suivons Yana. Employée par la Compagnie (oui, avec un C majuscule) qui possède la planète d’Effem et l’a terraformée.
Les médecins donnent 1 an à vivre à Yana. Elle a eu les poumons détruits dans sa précédente affectation par un gaz toxique qui a tué toute son équipe et de nombreux autres employés de la Compagnie quand une révolte d’autochtones (qui appartiennent aussi à la compagnie mais sans faire parti du personnel actif) est entrée dans la station pour essayer de trouver de la nourriture car ils étant en train de mourir à cause d’une terrible de famine sur la planète.
Effem semble être la planète idéale pour se ressourcer. Planète glacière ou la température ne monte guère au delà de zéro, récemment terraformée (200 ans), l’air y est encore pure et la population très restreinte.
Mais une fois sur place elle se rend compte que tout n’est pas rose. Déjà l’air glacial peut faire encore plus de dégâts sur ses poumons endommagés si elle ne prend pas garde. Et en plus la Compagnie est très mécontente de l’état de la planète et semble penser que c’est la faute des autochtones.
En effet Effem est une planète très spéciale. En dehors de la base qui est un grand complexe chauffé à grands frais et toujours à température constante, le reste est toujours plus ou moins en contact avec les températures glaciales (qui peuvent aller au delà de -100) de la planète. Du coup tout ce qui est technologie n’y résiste en général pas, ou alors rarement sur du matériel bien isolé, entretenu et maintenu à température correcte h24 comme par exemple les deux traîneaux électriques qui servent pour transporter le matériel ou les personnes importantes de la base à la « capitale » de la planète.
Le reste des habitants vivent sans eau courante, sans électronique, avec juste un peu d’électricité juste pour s’éclairer (mais pas assez pour se chauffer, ça se fait au bois). C’est une vie très rude, et un retour à la nature que Yana n’attendait pas et ne s’imaginait même pas exister encore quelque part dans la galaxie.
Le premier point que n’aime pas la compagnie est le fait qu’elle pense que le laboratoire de génétique qui est installée dans la capitale n’a pas suivi ses ordres et a fait « apparaître » des espèces non sélectionnées par eux.
En effet nombreux sont les animaux étranges et non conformes qu’on retrouve dans les environs ce qui devrait être impossible vu qu’il y a 200 ans la planète était un bloc de glace sans la moindre vie.
Le second gros problème vient que de l’espace la Compagnie a détecté de nombreux matériaux. C’est d’ailleurs pour ça qu’ils ont entreprit sa terraformation à la base. Mais malgré tout leurs efforts, aucune mission entreprise pour s’installer dans les zones en question n’a survécu.
Certes le climat est encore très instable, il change d’une heure sur l’autre sans qu’on puisse le prédire. Des fois vent brutaux et extrêmement froids démarrent et tuent tout ce qui n’est pas abrité sur son passage Ou même des fois l’inverse, un regain très rapide et inattendu fait fondre les rivières et provoque avalanches, glissement des terrain ou une montée des eaux inattendue.
Mais c’est tout de même vraiment pas de chance pour que ça arrive à toutes les missions lancées sur ce sujet, sans exception. Hors ces missions sont toujours gérée plus ou moins par des autochtones. Le transport qui se fait en traîneaux à chiens, seul moyen stable de voyager dans la neige quand on n’a rien d’autre. Et ils sont aussi engagés comme guides et assistants pour trimbaler le fragile matériel de sondage.
Du coup quand Yana arrive et qu’elle ne peux plus vraiment travailler pour la Compagnie du fait de son invalidité, le colonel en charge de la base lui propose un marché. En échange d’une augmentation de sa pension (qui est très très faible vu qu’elle est encore jeune et n’a pas pu cumuler beaucoup avant d’avoir son accident), elle devra enquêter sur la question et essayer de trouver si c’est vraiment les indigènes qui sont responsables des échecs successifs ou si c’est juste le hasard.
Mais bien sur Yana se retrouve avec un conflit d’intérêt car elle c’est prise d’amitié avec les indigènes qui lui sont tous venus en aide généreusement depuis son arrivée. Elle n’aurais jamais survécu sans eux, avec juste l’aumône que lui donne la Compagnie. Même la boutique de la Compagnie à la capitale n’a pas suffisamment de matériel pour faire survivre une personne sans aide extérieure !
Mes ses « supérieurs » s’en foutent un peu, ils pensent que si les indigènes ont survécu par eux même depuis 200 ans, c’est que ça doit pouvoir se faire. Du coup seule la solidarité d’une communauté soudée permet de survivre sur Effem.
Ceux ci ont d’ailleurs été totalement abandonnés par la Compagnie. Même ceux recrutés sur la base sont illettrés et sans culture. Ils n’y a pas de livres sur la planète vu que le livre papier n’existe quasiment plus dans ce monde, et que les appareils électroniques habituellement utilisés pour faire la classe ne fonctionnent pas. Tout repose donc sur une tradition orale. Le quotidien et les événements marquants sont racontés sous forme de chansons.
On retrouve la une des marottes de l’autrice (on retrouve le chant comme élément principal dans Pern, dans la Transe du Crystal, dans Le vaisseau qui chantait …). Toujours aussi sympa.
La planète semble de plus en plus mystérieuse au fur et à mesure. On sent qu’il y a quelque chose derrière. Yana ne veut évidemment pas que la situation finisse comme lors de son accident. Elle est tiraillée entre les autochtones qu’elle comprend, et la Compagnie qui lui fait peur par les décisions qu’elle prend, et le fait que ces décisions ne sont pas compatibles avec la réalité de la situation.
Le premier thème important est évidemment celui du retour à la nature en opposition avec le « tout technologie ». Les habitants sont tous descendant de peuplades habituées au froid, la majorité sont Inuit, Lapons, Yupik, ou Russes. Ils ont reprit comme leurs ancêtres les gestes artisanaux traductionnels, la médecine à base de plantes et l’entraide face au froid.
L’ensemble est donc très divers sur ce point la, et l’autrice n’hésite pas à insérer des personnages LGBT+ comme par exemple le couple qui « dirige » de façon non officielle la petite communauté qui est un couple lesbien.
La seule chose qui m’a un peu gêné est le fait que certains passages sont pour moi à la limite de la grossophobie. C’est expliqué par le fait que Yana a toujours vécu dans des stations ou l’espace est très restreint donc où ce genre de personnes n’existent pas (la Compagnie n’en emploie pas). Elle a donc une espèce de réaction d’étonnement qui frise le rejet qui se ressent dans sa description de la personne au premier regard, je trouve. Heureusement ses relations avec la personne en question évoluent vraiment au fil du récit donc ce n’est vraiment que sur le tout début que ça se ressent.
Yana évolue au quotidien et découvre ce monde froid et sans pitié. Elle passe de citadine (si on peut dire ça) déprimée à actrice de son quotidien. L’évolution de Yana est vraiment un des points centraux de ce premier tome. Elle apprend a apprécier son nouvel environnement au fur et à mesure, ainsi que tout les habitants et leurs façon de vivre.
On ne peux pas dire qu’on est sur un livre d’action, mais l’écriture très fluide de l’autrice fait que l’ensemble passe bien et se lit vite. Le mystère reste au cœur de tout mais on n’est pas non plus sur une enquête active, Yana ne va pas aller fouiller partout. Au final on est vraiment sur un livre d’ambiance.
Au final j’ai passé un bon moment dans cette redécouverte. L’autrice a su une fois encore m’emporter avec ses ambiances et ses personnages, ainsi que son usage de la musique et du chant. Je lirais la suite avec plaisir !
September 6, 2017
Intriguing, engaging, and filled with a lovely blend of magic and science fiction. The romance was predictable, which is typical in Anne/Elizabeth collabs, but I never mind. I love the writing style and the LBTQ representation. I recommend to those looking for an interesting, easy, wonderful sci-fi/fantasy story!
April 18, 2018
I really liked this one, love the "new world" stories populated by people from the old world. Now I need to find the second book in this 3-book series!
August 21, 2017
Always enjoy re-reading this. It's one of my favourites. It's a bit cheesy but I just enjoy it.
October 16, 2013
Powers That Be by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough is the first book set in the Petaybee universe. The book is a romantic science fiction story whose main character Yanaba Maddock discovers that her life may not be over after all when she is sent off to the world of Petaybee. When the story begins her lungs are shot from poison gas which she inhaled during an insurrection on a planet where she was serving as company military. As a result she is discharged and sent to the ice planet of Peetaybee where there are enough mysteries to keep the company investigators jumping all the time. The situation is complicated when the planet manages to heal her and she realizes that it has a life of its own. She also falls in love with the resident super scientist Sean Shongili who is from the family which originally oversaw the genetic engineering which was needed for animals to live on Petaybee. I was struck by three main things while I read through this story. The first was the idea of Gaea's or world organisms which underlies everything in the book. Petaybee is a living entity made up of rocks and soil and animals and so it fits that in this type of world even humans have a role. I guess I can imagine it the same as I could any alien species but it still seems somewhat more mystical rather than defined. The second thing has to do with how the characters learn that not everything fits into the nice little box which they have prepared for it. Maybe that is my problem in that a living world which does not seem organic in nature could have life seems to stretch credibility beyond my limit. The third thing I thought about while reading this book was how interesting the lifestyle of people that live in extreme climates is and how much I am thankful I don't live in one. I liked how the authors portrayed many of the realities of life on the edge of nature not as some fairy tale but as a hard struggle which is helped by the companionship of friends. We must remember that we are all on this world we now live on together and strive to make it feel more like home for everyone.
June 19, 2014
My wife recommended that I read this book, and she's the primary reason that I've become a fan of Mercedes Lackey, so I decided to give it a go.
Powers That Be reads very distinctly as written by feminine hands, and this is made most clear in the romance of the main character (Yana), as well as the very socially-oriented aspect of the book. Despite the conflict, this is really a book about healing, friendship, and a chance at a second life.
There's a definite idyllic charm to some of the characters that I enjoyed, and far and away, my favorite characters were not the protagonists (whose behavior I found wearying and a bit inconsistent). I also enjoyed the emphasis upon survival aspects, communication with animals, and cooking/descriptions of food, all of which are done pretty well.
As far as the plot is concerned - it's not transparent, but most of the end events are very easy to see coming about halfway in. The ending was a bit of a surprise, however. Refreshingly, there was no cliffhanger, but a relatively positive all-around resolution, with the high-and-mighty company representatives that were wielding power brought to their senses and even swayed.
I would say I enjoyed this mildly (probably would rate 2.5/5 if possible), but enough so that I'm interested in checking out the other two books of the trilogy someday in the not so distant future.
Powers That Be reads very distinctly as written by feminine hands, and this is made most clear in the romance of the main character (Yana), as well as the very socially-oriented aspect of the book. Despite the conflict, this is really a book about healing, friendship, and a chance at a second life.
There's a definite idyllic charm to some of the characters that I enjoyed, and far and away, my favorite characters were not the protagonists (whose behavior I found wearying and a bit inconsistent). I also enjoyed the emphasis upon survival aspects, communication with animals, and cooking/descriptions of food, all of which are done pretty well.
As far as the plot is concerned - it's not transparent, but most of the end events are very easy to see coming about halfway in. The ending was a bit of a surprise, however. Refreshingly, there was no cliffhanger, but a relatively positive all-around resolution, with the high-and-mighty company representatives that were wielding power brought to their senses and even swayed.
I would say I enjoyed this mildly (probably would rate 2.5/5 if possible), but enough so that I'm interested in checking out the other two books of the trilogy someday in the not so distant future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2016
I was surprised that I could come to like a setting that was mostly ice and snow! But once again McCaffrey, along with Elizabeth Scarborough this time, created a world that I could live in, and especially characters that I could love. I think my favorite is Bunny, the teenaged snocle driver who first befriends Yana Maddock and becomes her guide to this frozen world.
While the story is science fiction with a little fantasy, there's almost a spiritual aspect to it. It presents us with a planet that is a life form in itself, and that's a concept we find in many spiritual beliefs. I've read comparisons of this story to Avatar, and I have to say there are similarities, but, in addition to there being no avatars here, this is a much less violent story, and while the landscape and life forms may not be as alien, it is certainly as intriguing and beautiful. (This story's publication predates Avatar by quite a few years, by the way.)
I look forward to reading the second in this series.
The only reason I'm giving it four stars rather than five is, well I'm not sure. It's more a feeling than anything I can put my finger on. I have enjoyed other books by McCaffrey more, that's all. But this is still an intriguing and enjoyable read, and it kept me turning pages right to the end.
While the story is science fiction with a little fantasy, there's almost a spiritual aspect to it. It presents us with a planet that is a life form in itself, and that's a concept we find in many spiritual beliefs. I've read comparisons of this story to Avatar, and I have to say there are similarities, but, in addition to there being no avatars here, this is a much less violent story, and while the landscape and life forms may not be as alien, it is certainly as intriguing and beautiful. (This story's publication predates Avatar by quite a few years, by the way.)
I look forward to reading the second in this series.
The only reason I'm giving it four stars rather than five is, well I'm not sure. It's more a feeling than anything I can put my finger on. I have enjoyed other books by McCaffrey more, that's all. But this is still an intriguing and enjoyable read, and it kept me turning pages right to the end.
December 11, 2012
One of the reasons I picked this up is, at the time it was written there were few good stories involving female veterans, at least not as the central character. In this, we have a female veteran who has been "released" from active duty, and sent to the planet Petaybee to recover from an injury she suffered in the line of duty. Like any military service, the release has a few conditions, in this case Yana is to spy on the colonists and report back on why the company is not seeing the results (profits) it expects.
The reason didn't take long to discover but it took a while for the Major to accept .
The problem is, the miners are unable to extract and ship the minerals / ores that space stations can locate, and Yana needs to find out why - and correct the problem, or bring in someone who can.
Interesting and fun to read, while dealing with definite social issues of big government and corporate bigshots run amuck.
The reason didn't take long to discover but it took a while for the Major to accept .
The problem is, the miners are unable to extract and ship the minerals / ores that space stations can locate, and Yana needs to find out why - and correct the problem, or bring in someone who can.
Interesting and fun to read, while dealing with definite social issues of big government and corporate bigshots run amuck.
April 6, 2016
Strange things were happening on the icy planet called Petaybee. Unauthorized genetically engineered species had been spotted, while some people were simply disappearing. None of the locals were talking to the company, so the company sent disabled combat veteran Yanaba Maddock to spy. But a strange thing happened. With her relocation to the arctic planet came a return of Yana's health and strength. And the more she got to know the people of Petaybee, the more determined she became to protect her new home. Interesting book from McCaffrey, TPB, the powers that be or Petaybee. She becomes involved with the indigent peoples of a colonized planet, & learns that they are a valuable culture & endeavors to not let them get run into the ground. Compelling read.
July 19, 2009
I enjoyed re-reading this book, having just finished the Twins of Petaybee which is a sequel trilogy. It's been years (10?) since I last read it and I can't wait to get my hands on the other two in this first trilogy. Major Yanaba Maddock, her lungs badly damaged in a military incident, is being retired to an out-of-the way planet populated by "ips", short for "inconvenient people". Strange things happen to Company investigators looking for the planet's supposedly rich resources, and Yana is asked to keep her eyes and ears open. In the process, Yana discovers how the Company is treating the planet's inhabitants and how the planet itself is treating the various groups of people.
June 2, 2015
As joyful a read as my first Pern novel didn't think it possible
I have read all the pern books more than once and thought it was not just Pern but the tantalizing mix of dragons,riders, telepathy and music that held me. It is really grand descriptive storytelling with all those elements making the created planet and characters jump to life which holds me. All the best of Mccafrey and Scarborough storytelling alive and thriving onPetaybee. Off to buy book 2 and recommend it to you.
I have read all the pern books more than once and thought it was not just Pern but the tantalizing mix of dragons,riders, telepathy and music that held me. It is really grand descriptive storytelling with all those elements making the created planet and characters jump to life which holds me. All the best of Mccafrey and Scarborough storytelling alive and thriving onPetaybee. Off to buy book 2 and recommend it to you.
July 16, 2016
Most excellent, sci-fi and paranormal thriller
This is one of my families favorite books. Maj. Yana has been deposited onto this ice ball of a planet with only one year to live after she is damaged during an uprising on another planet. She has to work through all the company and service big wigs to get to health, love, and protection of the living planet. Well-written with well-developed characterization that you will love. With the violence and sexual content, I would recommend this book to those 13 and older.
This is one of my families favorite books. Maj. Yana has been deposited onto this ice ball of a planet with only one year to live after she is damaged during an uprising on another planet. She has to work through all the company and service big wigs to get to health, love, and protection of the living planet. Well-written with well-developed characterization that you will love. With the violence and sexual content, I would recommend this book to those 13 and older.
April 19, 2011
while i could take or leave most of the Pern books (they're good, but not stellar), i LOVE the Petaybee series. the setting is definitely unique and i like the people, the bits of background of why and how Petaybee was terraformed, and the mix of Celtic and Inuit cultures. also Yana and Sean's romance is wonderfully written throughout the whole trilogy, not overwhelming the A plot but intricately woven with it so that you want to find out what happens both with the planet AND the couple.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2024
A Quickie Review
Anne McCaffrey may be one of the best-known names in science fiction literature, but this book was merely mediocre. The plot was okay, but it wasn't as engrossing as it could have been, and the writing felt lackluster. If you're new to this author, I would suggest reading The Dragonriders of Pern first, though veteran McCaffrey fans might enjoy this to a degree.
Score: 2.75/5
Anne McCaffrey may be one of the best-known names in science fiction literature, but this book was merely mediocre. The plot was okay, but it wasn't as engrossing as it could have been, and the writing felt lackluster. If you're new to this author, I would suggest reading The Dragonriders of Pern first, though veteran McCaffrey fans might enjoy this to a degree.
Score: 2.75/5
February 13, 2010
This was another of those books where the characters changed so much between the beginning and the end that I felt compelled to start re-reading right away. The unusual mix of Inuit and Irish traditions meant for interesting reading, and from an anthropological standpoint I also enjoyed seeing the comparison between The Company and The Natives.
June 24, 2014
This has a wonderful sense of wonder, character and worldbuilding that reminds me why I read science fiction. It's paced on the slower side to really give you a feel for the world and immerse you in it (as a caveat for those more into extreme action books), but that's intentional and it comes across very naturally and well written. Beautiful book all the way around.
September 10, 2010
First in a new series by the author. I've actually read it before, but it had been a while, and I grabbed my own copies of the series.
Sentient planet, corrupt Company, lots of cool happenings!
Sentient planet, corrupt Company, lots of cool happenings!
February 1, 2011
its a good book so far i need more action though this is one of the bests books ever
May 10, 2011
Awesome
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