Monday, November 30, 2009

Zoe and Doc

Dark Stranger brings together two very different people. Dr. Matthias Raven, Doc, is a high ranking Byzant officer in the Space Marines which puts him in charge of Camp Five and all the POW's brought there. He runs the prison camp under Raven's Rules, encouraging all prisoners not try to escape and tries to maintain a working society between the various groups that are being held. Doc gives the prisoners a sense of order, routine and responsibility. He is also a Prime and because of his telepathic talent could easily escape. He chooses duty and remains in Camp Five.

Zoe is a blue-haired diplomat who also happens to be the Porphyrgia, or heir to the throne. She isn't supposed to be involved in any of the war violence, but finds herself a POW sent to Camp Five. Zoe has already decided that her royal status puts her, and others, in grave danger so she keeps her identity a secret. While in the camp she uses her diplomatic skills and acts as a translator for Doc- helping to further communications with the Asi in camp.

Doc and Zoe both hide their true identities from each other, even as they form an attraction to one another. Both have very different reasons for doing so. Do you think Zoe was right to keep her status a secret? Or does she endanger everyone even more by not telling? Others in the camp know what Doc is, so why do you think he continued to keep the secret from Zoe? Were you surprised by their actions when they discovered the truth about each other?

6 comments:

Marilyn Victor said...

I'm half way throught the book and loving it! The characters are fun and continue to surprise me. Also love all the weird aliens. It's a great mix of scifi and romance. Now excuse me, I have to keep reading. And then go to work.

Cyd said...

Zoe was right to keep her status a secret, her secret isn't something you would want the masses to know while in a prison and around telepaths. I think Doc was keeping his secret from Zoe because she was keeping secrets from him. I think Zoe and Doc reaction to each others secrets was believable.

Anonymous said...

Zoe and Doc are truly one of my favorite couples. The dynamic between them was electric! The keeping of secrets was necessary but I was glad that it didn't last too long. Sometimes authors get carried away with that element but Sizemore provided the big reveal at just the right time, and in such an interesting way.

Susan sizemore said...

Zoe and Doc are about my favorite of any couple I've written To me they're so -- grown up. I loved the world building too and want to play around in the Byzant Empire some more.

Marilyn Victor said...

Grown-up is a great way to describe them and their relationship. They have very valid reasons for keeping their secrets, not petty, silly stuff. I also liked that neither came with a lot of old baggage they needed to trip over. Raven and Zoe are well adjusted adults dealing with a very difficult situation.

jay said...

Both where right to keep the secret, especially Zoe being royalty she was clearly in more danger what she was doing.It did endanger others in camp but she still needed protection.