My God, Bones [or pulp SF character of your choice...], it is a Planet of Women. Long a standard trope of pulp Science Fiction speculates of planets where 1950s gender roles are reversed, so it was a matter of time before Traveller would also tramp over this fertile field.
However, this is no adolescent heterosexual or lesbian fantasy power trip this is an intelligent and well written guide to what if women would dominate an entire pocket empire with a ratio 2:1. Ok, there is some creative imagery in terms of the writing (which clearly was not passed on to the art director, as the art shows nothing what the text would suggest, in fact, the opposite) notwithstanding for the most part, the writing is solid and clear cut. There are some problems with the text, as critical reaction tables are reversed thus it is necessary to read through the text to weed out the errata. But these are nitpicks for what presents a great new resource for a new minor race.
Naturally, one gets a comprehensive history of the race, new careers associated with the race, unique gizmos (mainly in the area of reproductive technologies but also ships along with deckplans) and a discussion of the worlds under the influence of the Luriani. So, other the disappointment with the art not conforming to the text (maybe the cover is the exception) – one should pick up this judiciously and cleverly written booklet. Hopefully, sooner than later, Mongoose will put several of these together for a deadtree copy (along with revising the art).
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