Set approximately one thousand years from now, this is the story of the first two interstellar Earth colonies. They were abandoned by Earth after the failure of early attempts at faster-than-light travel. The problems were solved, but ideological differences concerning genetic engineering caused outlaw scientists to sever all contact with Earth and set up their own worlds.

The Reetions of Rire regulate every aspect of their lives with advanced computer technology. The Sevolites of Gelion are much more of an honor-bound people. The wearing, and using, of swords in public is a normal part of daily life. It is also a rigidly class-defined culture, where one is expected to use the proper pronouns when speaking "up" or "down" to someone else.

The two civilizations fought a major war about 200 years previously, which left large regions of space uninhabitable. Despite severing all relations with each other, another war between them is increasingly likely.

Ann, a Reetion pilot, meets, and falls for, Von, a Sevolite male courtesan and sword-dancer (who Ann calls Beauty), who may be an actual Prince. Ranar, a Reetion archaeologist with dark skin (a novelty in Sevolite society), meets Di Mon, a high-ranking member of Sevolite society, who is also in love with Von. Unintentionally, perhaps they can prevent another major interstellar war.

This is a good piece of society-building. Since this is not the usual sort of new world, this novel will require some patience on the part of the reader (it takes a while to get going). It is also the first of a projected ten-book series. It's very much worth reading.

I first started reading the Okal Rel Universe with Lynda Williams' first book (the third in the series), "Throne Price", with Alison Sinclair. I had difficulty with that book, because I wasn't yet familiar with the Okal Rel Universe. But this one, I didn't put down until I was finished. I began reading, and became so absorbed in this rich and captivating place that I went back and read "Throne Price", along with anything I could get my hands on to do with Okal Rel. Williams' characters are fascinating; her stories complex and intriguing.

One of the aspects I most enjoyed with this book was the dialogue; the interactions between the handful of primary characters. This book is far more engaging than any movie could ever be. It rivals Herbert's "Dune", both in its complexity and in its richness.

Williams takes a brilliant and complex universe and invites us in, pulls us in, and keeps us there, turning pages, wanting more, voraciously lapping up everything she tosses our way. I should like to thank her for creating this wonderful thing, this series of books that will be treasured for years to come.

"Why only four stars then?" you ask.

Only because it helps to be familiar with Okal Rel before diving in. It helps to know a little about the history - a little more than what's in the preface - and to have read some of the Okal Rel novellas to familiarise yourself with the background of the universe. It isn't strictly *necessary* to do so, but I recommend it. Luckily, all of this is available: http://www.okalrel.org/

This is a fascinating new world of rich, complex characters, relationships and cultural conflicts! I love how Lynda has chosen to grapple with difficult social issues by presenting them through a "safe" distant world.....

This book is truly, simply put, amazing. Set in the universe of Okal Rel, I found myself awestruck and lured in by the meticulously thought-out galaxy and characters.
Oh, the characters! Electric, brilliant characters, both unique and full of life, they grab hold of your affection (and sometimes hatred) and don't let go.
And of course, to accompany all this, is a wonderful plot, brimming with adventure, seductive romance, politics and more then the characters' fair share of hardships.
Plus, as an extra bonus, the universe is open to fans! Enthusiasts can write novellas set in the Okal Rel universe and get a chance to work with the author, Lynda Williams, herself!

This is indeed one of my favourite books of all time! Okal Rel is a whole new, wonderful universe and will get the reverence it truly deserves.

Sex, swords, spaceships, what more could you want? Courtesan Prince by Lynda Williams is the story of the beautiful, soul searching, anguished Amel's search for and discovery of his hidden identity and his passionate liaison with the fiery pilot, Anne. The half-naked female spacer finds her male "Beauty" in the midst of painful, physical, psychologically generated cultural clash, rushes to his defense, and sets into motion a destiny of lust, romance, compulsion, and intrigue.

First contact between two lost societies of Earth, genetically enhanced super beings the Sevolites of Gelion and the humans of Rire, had failed eons earlier and accident has brought renewed potential for conflict. Small numbers on both sides struggle to balance a fragilely wrought peace confounded by motivations of duty, honor, and sacrifice. All the factors contrive for the enticing entry into the world of Okal Rel.

Courtesan Prince is the first novel in a ten book series. Book two, Righteous Anger, set for release in 2006, follows the tale to the House Nersal and Sevolite intercultural, religious, genetic conflict. Book four, published first in 2002, written with Allison Sinclair, Throne Price details the search for the next heir to the Sevolite Empire. All three novels are produced by Edge Publications of Calgary, Alberta. Lynda's novellas, Kath, Mekhanstan, and The Lorel Experiment, are available through Windstorm Creative, of Port Orchard, Washington. The Okal Rel website offers current work and visual representations of the universe: [...]

Dark/ light, good/evil, and the blurred lines in between, Amel and Anne, later Horth Nersal and Ameron, struggle to do right between the simple honesty of sword law and artificially arbitrated intelligence. The personal battles are situated against ingrained values of ethnocentric cultural superiority. Set in an alternate universe, the perennial struggle mirrors the fissures in society today. Cosmic, a colossal tale, written by a lady with a universe in her head, the Okal Rel series fills the void left in the conclusion of Star Trek and Star Wars franchises.