This is actually the third book in the continuing adventures of Jak Jinnaka, thirty-sixth-century secret agent and unwitting pawn, as he once again gets thrust into situations beyond his control. Far in the future, the solar system is a strange and bizarre place, with much of humanity dwelling on massive space stations, or on other planets, since Earth itself was largely ravaged by meteors during an alien attack known as the Bombardment. Mars, for example, is home to thousands of tiny nations, one of which has just found the lifelog, an electronic diary, of Paj Nakasen, the man who long ago created the social system known as the Wager, which influences all of human society. This relic could uphold, or destroy, everything humanity has come to believe in. Naturally, it’s up to Jak to lead a team to negotiate for it. It’ll be a true test of his abilities as spy, diplomat, and secret agent.

Unfortunately, there are a few wrinkles. His “superior” on the mission is a blithering, incompetent, politically valuable idiot who has to get the credit while being prevented from wrecking things. Jak’s uncle, also a secret agent, is along for the ride. Jak’s old friend Dujuv, now an ambassador, is present also. And Jak’s psychotic ex-girlfriend, now princess of an opposing society, has just shown up to make his life a living hell. The only way Jak can succeed is to betray the entire human race, and his own self-respect, but can he accomplish that much before his ex-girlfriend’s brainwashing kicks in and he surrenders to her tender, malignant mercies? Jak’s been in hopeless situations before, but this one takes the cake.

The Jak Jinnaka adventures aren’t for everyone; the future slang which permeates conversation may be difficult to pick up on quickly, and the societal attitudes towards love and sex are a bit looser than younger readers are comfortable with. But for older teens, the free-wheeling, chaotically whimsical nature of these stories may entertain. It’s as if someone took Spy Kids and James Bond, shoved them into a blender, and fired that blender into a Buck Rogers-meets-Futurama future. In the Hall of the Martian King is great fun, as is the series as a whole, and John Barnes doesn’t look like he’ll let up on the gas anytime soon. It’s occasionally hard to find good YA science fiction that isn’t media-related, so this is certainly quite welcome.