Tarizon: The Liberator Vol. 1 - Book Review

"Tarizon: The Liberator - Vol. 1", like "Dune" and "Star Wars", uses the essence of the myth of a messiah from another world coming to save the conflict driven motivations of two separated factions. This telling doesn't change it too much except for making the boy brought in as "the Liberator" as an immigrant who is kidnapped from Earth because of his knowledge of an alien conspiracy. Now while this angle gives it a supposed real world mentality, the follow through does not leave as much of an impression. The one aspect that anchors the book on this new planet is the introduction of Lucinda, the Liberator's guide, lover and eventual mate. The aspect of "mating" and the general "1984" nature of the society on Tarizon have its merits in terms of narrative inlay and retribution but without Lucinda truly being able to diversify there is something lacking. The beginning of the book has her as unwitting participant doing her duty, not unlike Padme in "Star Wars", and she is relegated as the damsel later in this tome manipulated by erstwise but formulaic dialogue. This angle needs to be stronger for the essence of what is coming possibly in later books to be resolved.The lead character, Peter, is fulfilling his destiny all for her, much like Anakin, which will lead him on the road to ruin. The one cool sequence that has a really neat set up is the rescuing of Tam from the Island Of Muhl by going through mines and then the attack of the Drogals. This interlude in the book really carries a sense of originality and tension. The rest of the actions in the remainder of the book in alot of ways are simply bridging exposition. Videl, like the Emperor, is not seen so much as felt in terms of an antagonist while the Chancellor is much like Qui Gon in terms of his mentorship of Peter. Granted the structure of myth works well in general but this is also the first book this writer has read to show a progression similar to the prequels. The problem is that its structural similarity is at times too easily seen."Tarizon: The Liberator Vol. 1" has its moments of clarity and, as a science fiction progression, is not bad considering some generally clunky dialogue and repetitive essence but it is essentially the liberation of Tam from Muhl that keeps it afloat. Part 2 needs to bring internal struggles of all much more into focus and keep the superficial perceptions more subtle. Out of 5, I give it a 2.