Read About ‘Beast Master’s Circus’

“Beast Master’s Circus” by Andre Norton and Lyn McConchie, 2004, Tor, $6.99, softbound, 301 pages: The second in a series by these two authors, “Beast Master’s Circus” is easily understood without having read the previous installment or any of Norton’s “Beast Master” series. For those who don’t know, Beast Masters are people who are able to form a special connection to animals. This includes the sensing of emotions and thoughts in those to whom they are connected.
Focusing primarily on Laris and her large telepathic cat, Prauo, the book takes place in an interstellar circus where the girl and her cat work. Laris has been illegally bound to her employer and is poorly treated, sometimes beaten (although this is never graphically portrayed). She is forced to commit unlawful acts on his behalf and dreams of starting over somewhere else.
When her employer, Dedran, begins kidnaping beast masters’ animal teams, things begin to get more dangerous and more complicated for Laris and her feline partner, as the girl’s compassion for the kidnaped animals makes it all the more difficult for her to follow orders. Placed in charge of keeping the beasts alive until they can be put to profitable use, she plots with Prauo to escape.
Then, Laris meets Logan and his family, all beast masters themselves and therefore targets of Dedran. Laris quickly becomes friends with Logan and the others, but again is compelled against her will to aid in the capture of their valuable animals. This betrayal might be unbearable to Laris except for Prauo’s continued support.
Making matters still more interesting is the entrance of a pair of thieves and Dedran’s other employee, Cregan, who is secretly something of a friend to Laris. As the girl grows closer to Logan and his family, she learns more about her own mysterious past and her forgotten family. When Logan’s family is attacked by Cregan and the thieves, Laris is once more in charge of the stolen beasts. Meanwhile, Cregan begins to uncover talents he thought long gone.
The writing is clean, and there’s no telling one author’s words from the other’s. The characters are interesting, diverse and clearly defined, including the enigmatic Prauo. Fans of the series will surely enjoy reading yet another in the “Beast Master” series, and those unfamiliar with Norton or McConchie’s work have a treat in store. 
Lee’s take: A pleasurable read.
J.J.’s take: Prauo’s remarks are particularly enjoyable.

LEE AND J.J. MACFADDEN are twins and voracious readers living in Bristol Tennessee. E-mail them at .