Merari

by Mari Atherton

MERARI by Mari Atherton is a fascinating science fiction story that takes place on a rigidly hierarchical planet...Marianthia. Marianthia....A beautiful planet with an incredible, living technology.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1934041033
• ISBN13: 9781934041031
• Release Date: May 2006
• Publisher: Swimming Kangaroo Books
• Length: 380 Pages
• Weight: 1.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Unexpected adventures and twists

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (1/07) Superb salesman for Space Technologies, Inc, Aviv Gerbo, eagerly looked for a planet with enthusiastic buyers, when his talking computer, Albert alerted him to danger. His space ship was about to explode. When Albert lands the ship, on an earth-like planet in sector theta-1, the humidity level is extremely high. There's a garbled message warning to wait inside the ship until help arrives and to watch out for Secures. Overcome by curiosity, Aviv opened the door of the ship and stuck his head out side. There was a sickening odor. "The air smelled like the Jovian Mining Colony soccer Team's locker room after a losing tournament." "Aviv, I have a problem," Albert informed Aviv that the ship was being eaten by fungi. Albert transfers to his belt computer and the two escape the ship as it dissolves into a green carpet. The Secures are humanoids but look a lot like reptiles. They ride in a vehicle that is bubble-like. Aviv manages to stun all four of them when they show up looking for him. Merari and her mother Moreina are brought before the Authority, A-5. Merari is expecting the commissioner's baby and has been placed under guard 26 hours a day. Meri is very thin and almost rejected as a surrogate; those rejected are sent to the Oster. When Merari wonders off, searching for quiet and peace she meets Aviv. Was it a chance meeting or fate? "Merari," written by Mari Atherton, is well done. Ms. Atherton's style of writing is humorous. I eagerly turned the pages to see what would happen next. The plot is filled with adventure and twists that keep the reader on the edge of her/his seat. The ending was unexpected. The cover is a tease to what lies inside, depicting the giant mushrooms. I recommend this book to those that enjoy science fiction.

Love the Book, Hate the Ending

I read Merari by Mari Atherton because I liked Atherton's other book, The Dreamer's Way, so much. Merari is a science fiction book, but it is also a mystery novel with romantic elements. Atherton has created some marvelous characters in Merari, Aviv and Sabian, and some truly hideous aliens in the brutish Secures. The book kept me guessing all the way to the end as to who was the villain and who were the good guys. I do have to say that I absolutely hated the ending--don't want to give any spoilers, but I really just hated it--which is, in itself, a tribute to the excellent job Atherton does of developing her characters. Someone told me that Atherton expected people to hate the ending, which shows she's willing to take some risks. Good for her!

Great Sci Fi

Merari by Mari Atherton is an exciting science fiction novel. It takes place on a planet called Marianthia, which is controlled by a giant telepathic fungus. Not only that, but the inhabitants are rigidly divided into classes based on their occupation. The planet is very xenophobic so when traveling salesman Aviv Gerbo crash lands there, he is immediately under attack, and he can't leave because his spaceship was eaten by the fungus! While escaping from the "Secures" monstrous security agents, he runs into Merari, a member of the Surrogate class, whose sole function is to deliver babies. Aviv and Merari get tangled up in a conspiracy that is attacking the foundations of Marianthian society. This was a terrific book and I can't wait to read the sequel! Merari by Mari Atherton is an exciting science fiction novel. It takes place on a planet called Marianthia, which is controlled by a giant telepathic fungus. Not only that, but the inhabitants are rigidly divided into classes based on their occupation. The planet is very xenophobic so when traveling salesman Aviv Gerbo crash lands there, he is immediately under attack, and he can't leave because his spaceship was eaten by the fungus! While escaping from the "Secures" monstrous security agents, he runs into Merari, a member of the Surrogate class, whose sole function is to deliver babies. Aviv and Merari get tangled up in a conspiracy that is attacking the foundations of Marianthian society. This was a terrific book and I can't wait to read the sequel!

Loved it!

I loved Merari by Mari Atherton! It had a great combination of humor and adventure, but it was also sad and scary at times. Merari is a terrific character! She's brave and she does what she needs to do. I hope Mari Atherton writes a sequel because I'd love to read more!