Earth Logic By Laurie J. Marks

Karis, as the G`Deon, is the rightful ruler of Shaftal. Only she has the power of the land, to heal and to help her once peaceful people. Unfortunately, she`s been rejected by the council, and though the head of this council, Mabin, wants to change her mind and accept her, she`s not having anything to do with it. Karis is waiting...for what, she -- and the reader -- won`t know for a while. A sign, perhaps. Instead, Karis and her family of Elementals (humans who have an elemental talent that is part of how they define their very being) visit villages stricken by a deadly disease reminiscent of the Black Plague of our own world.

When they return, they are separated...Karis and the bratty little girl Leeba are long gone from the cabin, and the fire elementals realize that she is chained into immobility by her great love for Zanja, and decide to ritually sacrifice her...which Zanja is willing to allow. Little do any of them know that Norina, an air elemental, thinks they`re all loopy for this (I have to agree) and has made plans of her own to circumvent their plans.

In some ways, we accompany Karis on the search for her mission. The Sainnites, who have no land of their own, so feel they must conquer Shaftal in order to find a home for themselves, are affected by the plague as well, and this, combined with some other events is making Lieutenant-General Clement long for peace. It may be too late...once a gentle people, the influence of the would be conquerors, who are trained from an early age to be warriors, may change the people of Shaftal irrevocably. Seeing this, and seeing how this effects the land, Karis will finally find the sign she`s been looking for and take action. The flyleaf says ��When Karis Takes action, even the stones stand up and take notice.�� and that, you`ll see, is no exaggeration.

What I`ve said thus far sounds a little inexact to me, but the way it`s written, so much happens during the whole story, but it`s not until the very end you realize what the point is, what we`re building towards. We visit Clement, Zanja and Karis often, and see the world through their very different perspectives. Clement is a warrior who is tired of war. She`s very practical, on one hand she wants to feel the sun on her face, (it`s winter in Shaftal) on the other, she knows she`s old enough to realize there`s no point in wanting an