ISBN: 1-59222-083-5 Order from: Amazon.com
Full of non-stop adventure, colorful characters, and slowly evolving trust, this classic space opera has a tight focus on protagonists amids a grand conflict.
Reviewed by David on July 10, 2005
Genre: Science Fiction (War, Space Opera, Romance)
Synopsis: Long before the established Liaden culture (see, for instance, Pilot's Choice), the scattered human worlds were locked in a deadly conflict with Sheriekas, an evolved and highly-modified human culture, now bent on establishing their perfect dominion over the galaxy.
In the increasingly desperate struggle for survival, the "normal" humans have taken a book from their enemies, and have created modified strains of soldiers, spies and workers, selected for strength, speed and so on. The modified strains are still close enough to human to interbreed, conspire and love.
M. Jela Granthor's Guard is a former such soldier, now increasingly driven by the fear that the humanity, with all its armies, small and large criminal organizations, squabbling local governments and outright pirates, is losing the war for survival. Cantra yos'Phelium is a loner captain, hiding her secrets under a ruthless mask, and easily crossing the line from legitimate trading to smuggling, although perhaps not quite an outright pirate.
A chance enounter has the two running from an unexpectedly vicious local gang. Or—is the gang quite so local?
Full Review: Full of interestellar travel, amazing weapons capable of destroying star systems (although always in the background), treacherous ports and vast conflict, the plot concentrates on the conflicts of the main protagonists. While the science does not stand too-close a scrutiny, the personal focus works well—with snappy dialogue, hand-to-hand and handgun fighting, and the difficulty of trust.
The building of trust is the main theme of this romantic adventure, with sexual attraction being a distant second.
In the beginning of the book, some of the interaction is too elliptical, leaving much vague or subject to guesswork. On the whole, however, this allows a rapid pace, and by the middle of the novel the main characters and their interactions are well developed.
As one would expect in a space opera, there is both melodrama, and numerous close calls. It's a good space opera, however, and despite being predictable, the protagonists easily engage the reader's sympathy. The villains don't get much exposure, but the background of the desperate struggle provides enough motivating power.
While the first of a two-book sequence, this novel provides a very reasonable and satisfying closure.
Universe: Liaden Universe
Version: 1
Overall: 6; Plot: 6; Characters: 6.5; Style: 6; World-building: 6; Originality: 6.5;
Copyright date 2005, Meisha Merlin Publishing (MM), February 2005, Cloth, 321 pages
ISBN: 1-59222-083-5 Order from: Amazon.com