Star Trek Destiny #2: Mere Mortals, by David Mack (Pocket Books, 2008)

Posted on by
Reply

As the Borg continue their relentless, unstoppable assault upon the Alpha Quadrant, the Federation and its allies examine every possible solution in the hopes of preventing an otherwise-inevitable extinction. Entire worlds are dying, and the clock is ticking, while Starfleet’s finest ships desperately pursue various avenue. The U.S.S. Enterprise, as usual, is at the forefront of the action, with Captain Picard determined to hold the line against the invading Borg. Teamed up with Captain Ezri Dax and the U.S.S. Evantine, they begin to explore a number of recently-discovered subspace tunnels, convinced that one such aperture holds the secret to the Borg’s new method of instantaneous cross-galaxy travel. Meanwhile, the U.S.S. Titan has stumbled across the same xenophobic, powerful alien culture that ultimately spelled doom for the lost Columbia, centuries ago. Back home, Federation President Bacco uses every political trick she knows to convince the Federation’s allies and enemies to join in a common defense of the Quadrant. With things truly heating up, it’s swiftly clear that this is the make or break moment for the sentient beings of the Alpha Quadrant. The Borg are no longer interested in assimilation… only extermination.

Even as things swiftly escalate beyond the point of no return, people still find time to worry about the smaller things. Deanna Troi struggled with a pregnancy that might just kill her. Geordi LaForge shares flirtations with another engineer. Ezri Dax and Worf meet for the first time in quite a while, to deal with their shared history. And the tragic saga of the Columbia and her crew unfolds in its entirety, a tale taking place over a matter of centuries. But all of it may mean nothing as the book closes on a cliffhanger, one of epic proportions, with the stage set for the last book in the trilogy.

Once again, David Mack juggles a cast of thousands and a dozen major and minor plot threads as he tells one of the most ambitious, far-reaching, potentially universe-changing stories of the Star Trek setting. We’ve already seen some major and minor characters change and/or die in recent books, and with the exception of some core characters, it’s clear that no one’s entirely safe anymore. From massive starship fleets, to technobabble, from cute character moments to visceral combat scenes, from strange new worlds to alien civilizations, this book has all of those things which make Star Trek what it is. A fan can’t ask for much more.

Mind you, Mack really raises the stakes with the ending of this book, and I’m quite curious to see how it’s all going to be resolved. At this point, it’ll call for one heck of a deus ex machina — with several possibilities introduced through the course of the storyline — and he’ll have to be very careful how it’s applied so the audience doesn’t cry shenanigans over the ending. I also anticipate a heroic sacrifice or two along the way, since that’s how these things always go.

One thing I really liked was the political maneuverings of President Bacco, dealing with the various ambassadors from the Ferengi, the Gorn, the Tholians, the Romulans and so forth, as she bribed, cajoled, and manipulated them, not just to secure them as allies, but to protect the Federation’s borders against the more opportunistic factions. There was some nice chicanery and clever dealing involved here, and Mack played out the intrigue nicely. I must admit, I had to do a little research to refresh my memory on who some of these races are, as I was never more than a casual viewer of the shows. He’s done his homework, that’s for sure.

I’ll sign off with the usual caveat: This book is mired in continuity stemming from decades’ worth of television episodes and literary explorations of the setting, and it’s the second in a trilogy which is the capstone to an arc running through a number of books. Newcomers would be advised to, at the very least, check out the first in the trilogy, Gods of Night, or start even further back with Resistance, by J.M. Dillard for the start of this current Borg-related saga. I think that existing fans will be pleased by this installment.

Originally reviewed for SF Site, 2009

Razor Girl, by Marianne Mancusi (Shomi, 2008)

Posted on by
Reply

In 2030, as the world was descending into chaos thanks to a flu-like plague that killed many and mutated others into ravening monsters, Molly Anderson and her mother hid away in a specially-prepared bunker, courtesy of her father, a brilliant scientist and conspiracy theorist who always knew this day would come. Six years later, the bunker’s locks release, and Molly is released into a world devastated and transformed, a post-Apocalyptic society where decaying corpses litter empty houses, and vicious zombies prowl the streets. Armed with nanotech-granted speed and strength, retractable razor claws, and advanced ocular implants, again courtesy of her father, Molly is ready to take on the world and fulfill her father’s last request: meet him in Florida to help rebuild civilization. She’s capable of handling anything.

Well, anything save for running into her former love, Chase Griffin, who’s all grown-up and helping to lead a ragtag band of survivors. Though the two have plenty of unresolved feelings for one another, partially stemming from the way they parted as the world ended, they’re soon forced to work together to protect a group of children as they all head for Florida and safety. Even as Molly and Chase confront their rekindled love, they have to fight zombies, battle treacherous survivors, and make their way through a world where no one can be trusted. All it takes is one bite from the so-called Others, and you’re a goner. Will they give in to their desire and trust one another, and find everything they’re looking for in the Magic Kingdom — that’s right, Disney World — or will they become zombie chow?

Razor Girl may honestly be the first post-Apocalyptic, zombie-fighting, cyberpunk-inspired action romance I’ve ever read, and I’ll say right out, it was surprisingly enjoyable. Mancusi manages to make the various elements work, with her futuristic society, both pre- and post-collapse, coming off as believable and easy to picture. The technology is advanced, but not too far-fetched, and the culture of the day is certainly logical and well thought out. This is a setting that works for me, and it wouldn’t be out of place in science fiction proper, and there’s plenty of room to explore it.

The story itself is told in alternating chapters, following Molly’s quest across country in the hazardous world of 2036, even as we see the events leading up to society’s collapse in 2030. In both cases, we’re treated to the evolution and progress of Molly’s relationship with Chase (originally named Chris) as they go from the most tenuous of friends to something much closer. It’s a natural progression under the circumstances, and it’s easy to see how they fit together, with sparks flying as they fight and make up.

Razor Girl works as both a science fiction story and a romance, and it’s quite entertaining. The Shomi line has been hot and cold for me as I sample its offerings, and I’m happy to say that this is definitely one of the better releases to date, and one of Mancusi’s strongest efforts to boot. I do have one minor quibble, and that’s with several character names. Whenever I see “Chris Griffin,” I can’t help but think of the show Family Guy, and Molly’s father, Ian Anderson, makes me wonder where the rest of Jethro Tull might be. Intentional or not, those names throw me off a little whenever they pop up in the text. In the grand scheme of things, I guess that’s not much of a complaint, though. For the sheer novelty of it all, or because it’s generally a good book, I don’t mind recommending it one bit.

Originally reviewed for SF Site, 2009

Kris Longknife: Intrepid, by Mike Shepherd (Ace, 2008)

Posted on by
Reply

The infamous Princess Kristine Longknife of Wardhaven is, surprisingly enough, bored. Sure, she has her very own warship, disguised as a merchant vessel, laden with scientists and researchers intent on exploring beyond the rim of human space, but she’s a creature of action, and the action just isn’t happening. To most people, this would be relief. To her, it’s the sheer knowledge that something will happen, and she’s tired of waiting. And so Kris Longknife goes hunting for pirates and trouble anyway. One hostile ship later, she’s on to something, and that something leads to the troubled planet of Pandemonium, where a rogue expedition seems intent on taking the place over and installing new management. Nothing will do at that point, but for Kris and her people to lead the natives of Pandemonium in a cunning battle for freedom. It’s a shame her enemies always underestimate her. Because once Kris is done mopping up on Pandemonium, she stumbles over the worst problem of the week: a plot to assassinate Henry Peterwald, one of the most powerful men alive and one of her worst enemies… and she’s implicated. Should she fail to prevent this plot, she’ll be blamed, whether it succeeds or not. And so Kris Longknife rushes off, to save her worst enemy, to place herself deep in hostile territory, and to take a terrible risk with thousands of lives on the line, all for a man who hates her. Maybe she should have stayed bored.

As always, the Kris Longknife series is one I turn to when I need some fast, fun military science fiction. It’s action-packed and fast-paced. Mike Shepherd’s distinctive staccato writing and snappy dialogue makes for a quick, constantly-moving story, and he always delivers on the easy-to-visual battle scenes. At this point, six books into the series, I’ve thoroughly bought into the legend of Kris Longknife, willing to believe in her over-the-top ability to escape any situation while still cracking wise and shooting straight. I almost feel sorry for anyone who underestimates her skills or dismisses her offhand, be they friend or foe. Once you get used to the folk hero-esque achievements of Kris and her friends, you realize that Shepherd’s done a great job of creating a memorable, lasting set of myths for the science fiction age. How can I explain it? The more I read in this series, the more I read of Kris Longknife’s exploits, the more I want to compare her to some of the old-fashioned space opera or pulp heroes. Am I reading too much into things? Perhaps. What counts, though, is that Intrepid is a fun addition to the series, and I’ll be looking forward to the next one.

Originally reviewed for SF Site, 2009

The Flaxen Femme Fatale, by John Zakour (DAW, 2009)

Posted on by
Reply

Good news: No one has managed to kill Zachary Nixon Johnson, the last freelance P.I. on Earth yet.
Bad news: It’s still early.

That’s about how you can sum up any day for our hero. And when a mysterious woman appears in his dreams and asks him politely not to try and find her, he’s surprised… but only a little. And when the military summons him to try and find their missing secret weapon, an impossibly-dangerous psychic named Natasha, who just happens to look like his earlier visitor, Zach has no choice but to take the case. Even though the death threats and assassination attempts start almost immediately. From laser-eyed librarians to battlebots, upstart slot machines to mind-controlled military, it seems like everyone’s out to get him. And that’s before Natasha literally turns the entire world against Zach as a small demonstration of her power and desire to be left alone. But does that stop him? Of course not.

Armed with GUS, a gun with a mind of its own, and HARV, a supercomputer who uses Zach’s mind more than he does, Zach sallies forth against all odds. Not even (temporary) death is enough to stop him from trying to find a solution that makes everyone happy, especially Natasha (who, like Greta Garbo, only wants to be left alone and not used as a superweapon anymore). From the New San Diego New Convention Center (home of the Comic-Con) to the UltraMegaHyperMart Grand Canyon, from New Vegas to a secret orbital station, Zach Johnson is on the case. And hardly anything has blown up. Yet. Lately. But things can change.

I’m always glad to see new books in this series come out, as there’s a serious deficit of comedic hardboiled science fiction adventures on the market, and John Zakour has filled that niche quite adeptly. It’s goofy, it’s quirky, it’s iconic in its own way, and it’s way too much fun. Like the rest, The Flaxen Femme Fatale borders on parody, but maintains enough good-natured charm to maintain an air of legitimacy. It may be a world full of robots, psychics, aliens, genetically-engineered superhumans, and wacky technology, where anything is possible, but it has the internal consistency and earnestness required to sustain such a setting.

There are a few elements which grate on the reader after a while — the usage of DOS, Gates, and Windows as swearing and exclamations comes to mind — but in general, there’s very little to complain about here. It’s exactly what it makes itself out to be: another exciting episode in the career of Zachary Nixon Johnson, the last freelance P.I. on Earth… and it’s particularly fitting that his adventures have turned him into a media figure and a cultural icon in his world, even as they entertain us in ours. Here’s hoping the next book shows up soon.

Originally reviewed for SF Site, 2009

Ex-KOP, by Warren Hammond (Tor, 2008)

Posted on by
Reply

Juno Mozambe is a bad man on a bad planet. Formerly the leg-breaker and chief enforcer for Paul Chang, the ruthless chief of the Koba Office of Police, he was forced into retirement after things went sour in a big way a short time ago. Now he acts as a private investigator, taking nasty cases involving even nastier people, all of his money going towards hospital bills to help heal his grievously-hurt wife. Under Juno and Paul, the Koba police might have been dirty, but at least they were controlled. With them out of the picture, the authorities on Koba are corrupt, unprincipled, and undependable. But Juno’s ex-partner Maggie Orzo is a bright spot amidst the chaos, one of the few honest, decent cops left… and she needs his help on a case.

Juno flatly refuses to be part of any attempts to clean up the system. He’s been there, done that, and has the scars to prove it. But he gladly takes the money to investigate a horrible series of murders, in which people are being brutally tortured and killed. Juno suspects that offworlders are involved, which is never a good sign. After all, offworlders mean nothing but trouble. And the deeper Juno gets in this case, the more he gets sucked back into a world of corruption, treachery, abuse and danger. Because now he’s gained the attention of Maggie’s new partner, a steroid-abusing monster named Ian Davies, and his band of vicious cronies, some of the worst cops in the city. Now Juno’s playing a dangerous game for survival, trying to keep Ian from killing Maggie or himself while he gathers the information he needs, the information which will crack this case once and for all. But with Juno’s wife in the hospital, his greatest weakness lies exposed, just when he needs to be at his hardest. On Koba, it’s damned hard to be a good person. Luckily, Juno Mozambe is anything but good.

Ex-KOP is a dirty, gritty, squalid story, noir carried over into a science fiction setting. On Koba, it’s always raining, and the dichotomy between the haves and have-nots is in sharp evidence. It’s a brutal little bit of civilization carved out of an uncaring jungle, and the author goes all out to evoke that sense of darkness and ugliness all around. Juno is the sort of hero the setting deserves, a brutal thug beaten down by time and circumstances, fiercely clinging to the few points of light in an otherwise bleak existence, attempting to believe in something that will make it all worthwhile in the end. Outgunned, outnumbered, and an easy target for the younger, nastier crowd that has sprung up as he has aged, he has to fall back on cunning and experience, rather than brute force and a gun. And yet he never gives up, not entirely, even as things really get bad.

This is not a pretty, shiny, feel-good book. It’s very much the story of a struggle for dominance and the fight to maintain some small sense of decency when it has been just about beaten out of everyone. It’s a two-fisted murder mystery with noir sensibilities, a high-tech ambience and a science fiction setting, and a hell of a read. It’s certainly not for everyone, especially the squeamish, but Warren Hammond really does a good job of telling the story at hand, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next in the series. Do keep in mind that this is a sequel to his first book, KOP, so start there if you get the chance.

Originally reviewed for SF Site, 2009

Countdown, by Michelle Maddox (Shomi, 2008)

Posted on by
Reply

Kira has been eking out a passable existence as a thief and pickpocket ever since the brutal murder of her family when she was in her teens. Occasionally using her psychic ability to “read” people, she picks her targets carefully. Unfortunately, she’s finally crossed the wrong person. She wakes up in a dark room, chained, with an infamous mass murderer likewise secured. Kira and her unexpected companion are then given sixty seconds to use the provided keys to free themselves, and escape the room, as a deadly game called The Countdown begins.

Now Kira and Rogan are linked by fate and technology, implants in their heads designed to kill them if they get more then ninety feet apart from one another. They have to make their way through a series of ever-deadlier levels in The Countdown, performing bizarre tasks and cheating death time and again, forced to work together despite an inherent lack of trust or understanding between them. As they survive, and are plunged deeper into The Countdown, closer to the ultimate end, they discover a number of hidden truths, about themselves, about each other, and about the true nature of the deadly game they’re playing against their will. And in the process, they grow closer as a team… and a couple. But The Countdown demands blood and sacrifice. Can they see their way through to the end of Level Six, and escape their fates, or will they perish for the pleasure of a rich, decadent audience and a soulless manipulator?

Countdown, part of Dorchester’s Shomi line of speculative romance fiction, is a post-apocalyptic romantic thriller clearly inspired by Stephen King’s The Running Man and The Most Dangerous Game. It’s an odd story, fast-paced and quick-moving, that still manages to meander along the way as the author throws one surprise twist after another into the mix. It gets to a point where neither the characters nor the reader can be entirely certain what’s true and what’s false, and no one’s sure just what’s going to happen next. Except for the times when it’s almost painfully obvious what sort of twist is about to present itself. (He’s a murderer! No, he’s not. He killed her family! No, he didn’t. He’s guilty! He’s innocent! He’s really… and the bad guy is really… but wait, there’s more!) The basic plot — two people are forced to work together to survive an escalating series of deathtraps while a jaded audience cheers for their blood — is simple enough, but the tension and suspense is further augmented by the occasionally ridiculous number of surprises tossed in.

However, all of that can’t quite overshadow the romantic thread which wraps around the two protagonists as they bond through shared near-death experiences. Kira and Rogan discover an almost instant attraction to one another, despite all of the initial distrust and the lies they’re fed about one another throughout the course of the story, and it’s interesting to watch them become closer emotionally in such a short time frame. I do have to question the pacing in some ways, and the timing of the inevitable love scene, given the circumstances, is hard to swallow. They’re in the middle of a game demanding their death, and they fall into the first soft bed that’s presented, in what even the characters understand to be a setup, and then they’re surprised later on when it really does turn out to be part of the game?

There’s a lot of potential here, especially in the portrayal of a post-apocalyptic Earth that’s down to half of its pre-plague population, a world that just doesn’t have the manpower or energy to rebuild like it should, where the people dream of leaving Earth for a newer, happier, more prosperous world. Unfortunately, it doesn’t entirely ring true. We see all sorts of somewhat advanced technology, psychic powers are apparently commonplace among women, and it’s clear that there’s a severe class distinction between the haves and the have-nots, and yet… it just doesn’t seem to work as well as it should for me. The pieces are there, and the potential, but it’s not a world I can wrap my mind around, which is a pity because I really wanted to envision it.

Ultimately, I’d have to say that Countdown is competent and enjoyable, but in a direct-to-video sci-fi action movie would be. It’s a good way to pass some time, but it only works if you don’t put too much thought into just how it’s put together. The Shomi line has been pretty hit or miss for me, and Countdown is a prime example of how the executions don’t always live up to the conceptual potential. This is a shame, because as Michelle Maddox, the author has turned out some rather nice humorous romantic fantasies in the past, and I was really looking forward to seeing how she tackled science fiction/thriller. Perhaps I’m just not the right audience; romance readers might get a real kick out of this book, but it lacks a certain something when looked at from the SF reader’s point of view. Your mileage may vary.

Originally reviewed for SF Site, 2009

Agent to the Stars, by John Scalzi (Tor, 2008)

Posted on by
Reply

The good news: There’s intelligent life out there, and they’ve come to Earth to meet us. They’re friendly, and eager to get to know us.

The bad news: They resemble gelatinous cubes, and communicate amongst themselves by means of odor. In short, they’re ugly and smelly. And they’ve familiarized themselves with our popular culture, and let’s face it, the “good” aliens never look like ambulatory Jell-O or smell like wet dog farts in summer.

That’s why the Yherajk have decided to do what other people in need of an image makeover do: get a Hollywood agent to make them palatable and acceptable to the public. And that’s how up-and-coming Thomas Stein, one of Hollywood’s hottest young agents, gets tapped by his boss for the hush-hush project of a lifetime. Introduced to the Yherajk known as Joshua, Thomas is granted carte blanche to drop as many of his client list as he can manage without drawing attention, and focus upon the most unusual client ever to grace Hollywood, all in secret.

Of course, life goes on, and one client Thomas can’t drop is one of the biggest starlets around, Michelle Beck, a pain in the ass action heroine better known for her good looks than her acting abilities. She may have just signed on to the next big summer blockbuster for an obscene price tag, but she has ambitions towards (gasp) serious acting, and she’s making Thomas’s life difficult as a result. Not only does he have to juggle her and Joshua, but he has to navigate the usual shark-infested waters of Hollywood, dealing with rival agents, pesky former clients, and a gossip rag reporter with delusions of serious reporting. As Thomas learns more about his alien client, he stumbles across a plan that might just work, but it’s going to take some cooperation, an unexpected sacrifice, and the best negotiating any agent has ever done. Is Hollywood ready for real aliens?

Agent to the Stars, John Scalzi’s first written novel and second to be published, has been available in various formats since 1999, but the Tor edition is the first time it has been released in paperback, making this something of a new debut for the book. Thought-provoking and entertaining, it takes a hard look at our own cultural attitudes and prejudices towards that which is alien to us. It’s really a great idea, and a logical thing to address, this thought that we naturally make “good” aliens attractive or cuddly and “bad” aliens ugly or unsympathetic. I love the idea that the aliens are friendly and curious enough to want to get to know us, and considerate and cautious enough to seek a makeover before dropping onto the White House lawn. There have been enough first contact stories where the aliens didn’t come in peace, or exhibited a superior, even condescending attitude, that it’s nice to see aliens who don’t want to eat/enslave/destroy/economically exploit us (even if they’ve seen those Saved By The Bell reruns we keep broadcasting into space…)

If anything, the Yherajk may be too humanized, too culturally adept. But rest assured, there are reasons for that, addressed in the course of the story, and as it so happens, they differ from us on some fairly serious issues. Those differences prove crucial for much of the plot’s later development.

The humans of this piece make for a nicely memorable cast. There’s Thomas, of course, trying to survive in the treacherous wilds of Hollywood, and his faithful (if long-suffering and occasionally sarcastic) assistant Miranda, who keeps him in his place. There’s Michelle Beck, a highly-paid actress who’s better off as set decoration, even if her ambitions towards serious acting outstrip her skills. Then you have Jim Van Doren, the afore-mentioned gossip reporter who catches wind of the story that could finally grant him legitimacy… if it doesn’t get him punched in the face, first. Scalzi grants them all interesting depths, making for an interesting read.

Thoughtful and down-to-Earth, Agent to the Stars is a thoroughly enjoyable work, reminiscent of Robert A. Heinlein or Spider Robinson, and a nice change of pace from the less optimistic SF out there.

Originally reviewed for SF Site, 2009

The Final Sacrifice, by Patricia Bray (Bantam Spectra, 2009)

Posted on by
Reply

Following the untimely deaths of the rest of the royal family, only Prince Lucius remained to be crowned emperor of Ikaria. Now Lucius reigns supreme over a land that could crack apart at any moment, thanks to the high-level rivalries and scheming of the court, and the just-ended war with the seafaring Seddon Federation. What only a small handful of people know is that Lucius, at one time exiled for a treacherous attempt to usurp the crown in his youth, is not the man he used to be. Dark magics were used to place the soul of a dying monk, Brother Josan, into Lucius’ body, and now the souls of two men occupy one space, coexisting awkwardly. Unfortunately, the magics are failing, and the body is dying. Lucius and Josan may have learned to work together to maintain a fragile masquerade, but it will all be for naught if they both perish now.

Thus, the “Emperor” of Ikaria announces he’s going to his summer palace… and promptly vanishes, leaving a small handful of people behind to keep Ikaria safe while he journeys to far-off Xandropol in search of a cure for his condition. But what sort of cure will succeed, and who will be left inhabiting Lucius’ body when it’s all over? The trip is far and hazardous, and Lucius may not even make it to his destination if some people have their way. To make things even messier, Lady Ysobel, the Seddon merchant-captain who’s plotted against Ikaria several times in the past, is on Lucius’ trail, eager to figure out what could possibly draw the Emperor away from his land. She’s either his worst enemy, or one of a tiny number of useful allies, but even she can’t decide which would be better. Meanwhile, back in Ikaria, several of Lucius’ advisors plot to seize the throne. Unfortunately, someone wants a renewed war to break out between Ikaria and the Federation, and only Lucius can stop it. But if he detours now, it could mean the end of his quest… and his life. With time running out swiftly, what course will he take? The shared tale of Brother Josan and Prince Lucius, two men forced against all odds to work together, ends here, and only one will live to tell the tale.

The Final Sacrifice wraps up the trilogy, tying together all of the loose ends and disparate threads that have run throughout the books. Lady Ysobel’s loyalties, Proconsul Zuberi’s political scheming, the fates of two lands, and most definitely the separate yet joined existences of Lucius and Josan, they all come into play for the last time. Patricia Bray does an admirable job of keeping the various plot threads from getting too tangled, as she brings everything together for the home stretch. It’s a nice payoff for those who’ve been reading, and right until the very end, she keeps us guessing as to just how things will be resolved. Honestly, it’s pretty clear from the title and story that only one person — Josan or Lucius — will survive due to their current predicament, but it’s up in the air as to which one will make that “final sacrifice” and I appreciate the lingering suspense. As well, Lady Ysobel’s self-serving nature is played to good effect here, making her ally and enemy all in one.

All in all, I enjoyed The Final Sacrifice, and it was a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. I’ll miss Lucius and Josan, but they told an interesting story before they were through. I’ll be looking forward to whatever Patricia Bray does next, as she’s really proven she has the ability to take the usual fantasy trappings, and tell an unexpected, almost subversive story with them. The Sword of Change trilogy reinvented the “chosen one” concept, and this series interwove political intrigue and unusual magics to look at the nature of a man’s soul and what defines his existence. Some might find it a little dry and intellectual — there’s very little romance or action to be found here — but it’s nice to occasionally find a fantasy series that doesn’t feel the need to resort to sex or violence when things get quiet. No, as is fitting for a tale about two souls trapped in one body, The Final Sacrifice plays out on a cerebral level for the most part, where things get accomplished through conversation, negotiation, political maneuvering, research, and quiet events, with only a few larger action scenes occurring to move characters from one stage to another. It’s a breath of fresh air, in some ways, and helps to distinguish the overall tone for the trilogy. Here’s hoping Bray can keep up the good work.

Originally reviewed for SF Site, 2009

The Lost Fleet #4: Valiant, by Jack Campbell (Ace, 2008)

Posted on by
Reply

Captain John “Black Jack” Geary never asked to be a hero. He never dreamed of becoming a legend. In fact, by all rights, he should be long dead by now, one of the earliest casualties of the war between the Alliance and the Syndics. Instead, thanks to a fluke of fate, he spent a century in suspended animation, only to be rescued and brought back into service, just in time to assume command of the massive Alliance fleet, lost deep within Syndic territory. Ever since then, he’s fought an ongoing battle to keep his people alive as they make the long, circuitous journey home, in possession of information and technology which could put an end to the never-ending war. It hasn’t been easy, with the Syndic forces harrying him from all sides, and a constant undertone of distrust, conspiracy, and mutiny running through his own forces. But if there’s one thing Black Jack Geary does, it’s to survive.

Now his ragtag, exhausted fleet is forced into battle once again, as Geary makes a snap decision to return to the scene of a recent conflict, there to crush the bulk of his enemy’s forces, and rescue as many captured Alliance personnel as possible. It’s a hell of a gambit, but Geary’s allies have gotten used to his unconventional tactics and record for victory. In fact, some of them are muttering that if he can command a fleet this way, why not command the Alliance itself, when they get home? Of course, getting home is still the hard part. Once again, Geary will make some hard choices, and risk everything in order to keep his people alive and get back to Alliance space. But further complicating matters is the revelation that a non-human species may have been interfering in human affairs all along, and their machinations could spell doom for Alliance and Syndics alike. What’s a legend to do?

Jack Campbell continues to entertain and satisfy with Valiant, the fourth book in The Lost Fleet series. It’s clear that he’s working with a larger picture in mind, since in many ways, Valiant is pretty much just like the books that came before it in terms of plot (Geary tries to get closer to home, while dealing with internal strife and external threats, while space battles ensue). On the other hand, there are some significant developments on a personal level, as Geary deals with the women in his life, and continues to grow into the reputation that grew up around his name while he was in suspended animation. Adding to that are some interesting revelations dealing with the Syndics themselves, as well as the theoretical aliens manipulating things, and it’s easy to see the progression of the plot threads that link the series.

This is a great series, at any rate. Campbell’s achieved an interesting dichotomy here, in which he features, quite literally, a cast of thousands, and yet we only see a tiny handful with any real depth to them, making it a rather small and personal story set against an epic backdrop. Apart from Geary, his lover/sometimes antagonist Victoria Rione, his right hand officer Captain Tanya Desjani, and a few of the other high-ranking officers in the fleet, the vast majority of characters to walk through this book are ciphers, there to follow orders or get blown up. In some ways, the ships of the fleet are more important than the people who crew them. It’s a fascinating way to handle things; I couldn’t tell you offhand what the characters look like, and that’s because Campbell seems to eschew physical description for revelation through words and deeds, and we can form our own impressions based on that. It’s a stylized, broad sketch that captures the essence, if not the details, and it works for this series.

Campbell has a knack for writing broad, fluid space battle scenes, involving dozens or hundreds of ships, without letting things get out of control, and yet he manages to make each wounded or destroyed ship mean something in the process, harkening back to my comment about the ships being characters in their own right. Things get pretty busy, but never overwhelming, making for some enjoyable action sequences. These action sequences play out nicely against the quieter scenes of introspection and moral quandaries and political intrigue which keep Geary busy the rest of the time.

This is one of those series where a new installment leaps to the top of my reading pile, because I know it’s going to be a quick, fun, quality read that’ll give me my military science fiction fix for the time being, and I’ll definitely be looking forward to the next book, whenever it comes out. If you like military SF, The Lost Fleet is always enjoyable, and Valiant is a worthy continuation of Black Jack Geary’s saga.

Originally reviewed for SF Site, 2008

The Cold Minds, by Kristin Landon (Ace, 2008)

Posted on by
Reply

It has been centuries since the malevolent machine intelligences known as the Cold Minds conquered Earth and sent the remnants of humanity fleeing into the depths of space, where they established a refuge in the form of the Hidden Worlds. There, humanity has built itself a new home, but it’s by no means a paradise. The Pilot Masters, an elite caste who hold the secret of interworld and interstellar travel in an iron grip, rule the Hidden Worlds, imposing their will and privilege upon the masses. A few planets prosper; many struggle to get by on the outskirts. And somewhere out there, the Cold Minds are still looking to finish the job of subjugating the human race.

But now a challenge to their piloting monopoly has arisen, in the forms of Iain sen Paolo and Linnea Kiaho, the former a Pilot Master exiled from the Line, the latter a woman who defies the strictly-held belief that women can’t pilot at all. From their base on the planet Terranova, they’ve started recruiting pilots from outside the Line, hoping to build a free coalition that will break the Pilot Masters’ stranglehold on travel, communications, and shipping. Moreover, they’re all too aware that the Cold Minds have already found the Hidden Worlds, their nanobot-infested slaves preparing for all-out invasion. Unfortunately, a great many plans are thrown into disarray when the Cold Minds launch a daring, merciless assault upon Nexus itself, home of the Pilot Masters, capturing or killing many of them in the process. When the survivors regroup on Terranova, they’re forced to work with Iain and Linnea, but will politics and infighting doom the fragile alliance before the Cold Minds destroy them? Or will an ill-conceived attempt to reclaim Nexus spell doom for the Pilot Masters? One thing’s for certain: Iain and Linnea couldn’t have picked a worse time to try and build a relationship together.

Clearly, there’s a lot going on in this book, which is actually the sequel to The Hidden Worlds. There’s the romantic subplot between Linnea and Iain, which dovetails with Linnea’s attempts to overcome recent emotional and mental trauma. There’s the politics within the Pilot Masters, both before and after Nexus is invaded, which run into Linnea and Iain’s attempts to find and train new pilots. And then there’s the overall plot involving the Cold Minds and their attempt to conquer humanity. Luckily, even though there’s plenty of plot to go around, and Kristin Landon bounces between viewpoints and settings frequently, it’s not too hard to keep up with things. This is a nicely-told space opera, some of its elements highly reminiscent of Steve Miller and Sharon Lee’s Liaden series, though it clearly has its own distinct identity.

I have to say, the aspect of this book I found the most interesting was the paranoid, claustrophobic nature of the Cold Minds and their infiltration of human society. When anyone can be a potential tool or traitor, it makes for an interesting story. The descriptions both of Nexus post-invasion, and the true nature of the Cold Minds’ own pilots are chilling. The story falls a little short for me in the emotional development between Iain and Linnea; I’m not sure why, but their chemistry lacks something, and it’s hard to get too excited or worried about whether they find happiness together, though Landon does a good job of keeping it uncertain.

All in all, I really did enjoy this book. The plot is fast-moving, the setting interesting, and the danger all-too-real. Landon isn’t afraid to shake up the status quo, and she’s clearly got a knack for world-building. As romantic space operas go, The Cold Minds is pretty good, and I’m looking forward to seeing what Landon does next with the series, despite my own minor quibbles.

Originally reviewed for SF Site, 2008