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Author: C.S. Goto
Title: Dawn Of War
(Warhammer 40,000 / Bk 1)

They are hand-picked from the elite of the galaxy's fighting men. Then they're surgically augmented for years until they are finally implanted with a black carapace that runs under their entire skin, permitting them to interface completely with the ancient power armor that enwraps them like a second skin. They are the Adeptus Astartes, , the Emperor's Space Marines.

Brother Gabriel Angelos is captain of the Blood Ravens, Third Company. He and his men arrive on the planet Tartarus to aid in its defense with the Tartarans Planetary Defense Force. A brutal ork invasion is devastating the planet. At the same time, the mysterious eldar is clashing with the forces of Chaos in a battle that has raged since before human time.

Gabriel would have his hands full with all this alone. But things become worse when Inquisitor Mordecai Toth arrives, demanding that Gabriel and his Blood Ravens evacuate Tartarus immediately. Yet things just do not seem right to Gabriel, especially when the inquisitor continues to say there are no Chaos forces on the planet even though there is evidence otherwise.

**** This military sci-fi begins in battle and ends in battle. Non-stop war and mayhem is the order of the day. I recommend this novel to all military sci-fi fans, but especially to those who have played the game! Well done! ****

Author: C.S. Goto
Title: Dawn of War: Ascension
(Bk 2 in Dawn of War trilogy)

The young squadron sergeant from Tartarus, Ckrius, now undergoes trials and surgeries to join the Adeptus Astartes. Due to all the previous casualties, the need for new recruits is vital. Ckrius is being rushed through it all, more than doubling his chances of dying.

Captain Gabriel Angelos is driven to return with all haste to Rahe's Paradise. Attacks by Eldars and Dark Reapers are underway. The Space Marines eagerly join into the fray. Gabriel is shocked to come face-to-face with Farseer Macha again. Gabriel wants nothing more than to set the blame for everything at her feet. He soon comes to find it impossible to do so. Gabriel is also being besieged by visions. He is not the only one. It seems that at least one of the Adeptus Sororitas, Sister Superior Meritia, is getting them as well.

Sister Meritia and Father Jonas have found some interesting Eldar artifacts under the foundations of the monastery-outpost. While Gabriel and his men deal with the attacking aliens, Meritia and Jonas learn. It seems that whatever lies beneath the planet's surface is a far deadlier foe than imaginable.

***** I found this one to be as exciting as the first. Author CS Goto had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Battles, ancient mysteries, and even a Blood Trial will keep readers practically drooling for more! Impressive! *****

Author: C.S. Goto
Title - Tempest (Dawn of War #3)

Captain Gabriel Angelos of the Blood Ravens Third Company, Commander of the Watch, finds himself at a loss since his friend and battle-brother, Librarian Prathios, fell. Gabriel hopes the Medicius can save Prathios. If not, Prathios deserves the honor of receiving the Rites of Enshrinement.

Gabriel arrives at Lorn V (an ice-planet) to find that the situation in the Lorn system was more serious than he had imagined. The debris shows that the Alpha Legion, Ultramarines, and even the Necron were involved in the skirmish. In sick-bay (the Apothecrion), Gabriel feels the mental touch of Taldeer, a Biel-Tan Eldar. It is through her that the Blood Ravens learn that the battle is not finished. Lorn houses a hidden portal to the ancient webway, an access point to Arcadia, the planet of law. Gabriel must take Taldeer to the ice-planet surface to find out if the Yngir has destroyed the portal.

The Adeptus Telepathica (psykers) still hunt for their lost battle-brother, Rhamah. He was lost during battle as he defended the gene-seed. Rhamah had plunged his blade, the Vairocanum, into the fabric of space and tore it asunder, opening a breach into the warp through which he fell, dragging the enemy with him. The only thing remaining from the battle was a fragment of Vairocanum.

***** This is the third installment in the Dawn of War series. As I read, I felt as though I were reading two W40K novels simultaneously; one involving Gabriel and another involving Rhamah. Ever so slowly, I began to see exactly why C.S. Goto wrote the story this way. To explain would reveal spoilers, but I mention it to let readers know that about mid-way into the book they will begin to understand why the scenes and characters keep changing. The author does not toggle between the two so often that readers will get frustrated. Nothing is stopped suddenly, leaving major cliff hangers.

I found the story to be extremely well written and engaging. It caught my attention on the first page and held it tightly until the very end. (On a side note, if you purchase the omnibus, you will get to read The Trials of Isador between books one and two. Gabriel reads the journal of a fallen battle-brother to learn some shocking information. It is about twenty-two pages in length and makes for an interesting intermission.) *****

Author: James Swallow
Title: Faith & Fire
(Warhammer 40,000)

Sister Superior Miriya of the Adepta Sororitas and her Battle Sisters are part of the Order of our Martyred Lady. Miriya's group is a Celestian squad. They are usually deployed for front line combat operations. Even though they are used to fighting at the heart of heretic confrontations and mutant uprisings, they do not balk when they are given a simple duty such as this one, a prisoner escort. Miriya's elite squad is the deliver Torris Vaun, a dangerous psychic heretic, to Lord Viktor LaHayn on the planet Neva.

Vaun had been locked up tight, sealed up, automatic gun mounts at ready, and guards placed around him, yet he still managed to escape. Seraphim Miriya is disgraced in the eyes of her fellow sisters and superiors. Miriya and her sisters follow Vaun to Neva with thoughts of capturing him and perhaps wreck a bit of vengeance. They end up uncovering a dark and horrible plot that could very well destroy the Imperium.

***** This is the only novel I have found that stars the Sisters of Battle. I certainly hope there will be more forthcoming. Battle is joined and blood has spilled before I even reached the second chapter. It remained full of action until the very end. Author James Swallow paints a vivid picture that pulled me in quickly and brought the story to life. Stellar novel! *****

Author: Richard Williams
Title - Relentless (W40K)

First Officer Tomas Ward, of the space frigate "Relentless", has never seen real battle. The captain died months ago and Commander Ward took his own sweet time reporting the fact. Since then, Ward and his officers have patrolled the sector, but instead of boarding vessels for inspections of illegal items they simply take what they want out of the cargo hold, whether or not the ship boarded really had anything hidden or not. It all comes to a halt when the new captain arrives.

Captain Becket and his aide, Officer Samuel Warrant, are two survivors of a previous ship. The two have no idea about any of the corrupt schemes surrounding Ward and his men until it is too late. Unwilling to lose his "collection", Ward has decided that Becket has to die. It is planned during the stop on the planet Pontus. The scheme works out exactly as Ward planned, except that Becket's body is not found. The only mistake made was in assuming Becket is dead.

Becket has not only survived, but has also figured Ward for the weasel he is. Before Becket could settle on a plan of action, he finds himself conscripted instead. With all his injuries, no one looks close enough to realize who Becket really is. He, and hundreds more like himself, are forced to toil in the ship's lowest and most dangerous underbelly. And so begins Becket's ruthless campaign to fight his way back up through the ranks to seize back control of the ship and claim his revenge.

**** If you are expecting to read of space marines, heroic space battles, and loyalty to the Emperor, then this book is not for you. This story is all about traitors, greed, and mutiny. The character of Ward is well done, in a sleazy way. Readers will hate Ward immediately. The readers will feel the total opposite about Becket. However, I cannot help but feel that Becket, with all his battle experiences, should have seen through Ward and his closest officers much earlier on and done something about them. I would not wish to serve under one so blind about the officers closest to him. Still, ignoring that, the story is very entertaining and the author did a pretty good job on showing the less glamorous aspects of being on a ship. All-in-all, though the ending felt rushed I believe most will thoroughly enjoy this tale set in the W40K universe. ****

Author: Susan Grant
Title - Moonstruck (June 1, 2008 / Borderland #1)

The war between the Coalition and the Drakken Horde has finally ended. The Drakken has surrendered. The Coalition has won. Now it is time for both sides to begin anew - as one. From here on out, the Coalition and the Drakken are gone. Now there is only the Triad Alliances.

Admiral Brit Bandar is the Coalition's most experienced commander. The merest whisper of "Admiral Stone-Heart" struck fear in the hearts of the Drakken. They knew that she held no mercy in her soul for them. Brit does not believe that the treaty will last for long. In all honesty, Brit did not want it to last. As yet, she has not killed enough Drakken to satisfy for the Arrayar Massacre, where she lost everyone she cared for.

Brit is ordered to the Prime-Admiral's headquarters; there, Brit receives command of the first Triad ship, the "TAS Unity". The name is apt, due to the fact that the crew has two hundred and twenty officers and enlisted personnel. (Sixty percent are Coalition, thirty-five percent are Drakken, and five percent are Earthlings.) Brit's biggest adjustment will be that her new second-in-command is not only Drakken, but Warleader Finnar "Finn" Rorkken. Every time she got close to capturing the pirate, something came up and made her duty-bound to break off the chase and go elsewhere.

Finnar could barely keep his ship running and his small crew from starvation when Prime-Admiral Zaafran orders him to report to his headquarters. Finn considers it to be a blessing that he and his crew are to be part of the "TAS Unity". However, they are startled to find themselves under the command of Admiral Stone-Heart. The Drakken Borderlands now have an air of acute desperation. With the implosion of the Drakken government, many are starving. But Finn, once known as the Scourge of the Borderlands, is determined to do well in his new position. He and his small crew will thrive within the Triad Alliances. There will be no more starvation or lack of medical attention.

Neither Brit, nor Finn, expected to feel the instant and strong attraction upon meeting. To Brit, he resembles her long dead husband. To Finn, she resembles a goddess. It soon becomes apparent that Brit intends to keep him at arm's length, but Finn intends to chase Brit's true affections the way she chased him through the Borderlands.

The reaction to the press release announcing the "TAS Unity" and its diplomatic mission came in the form of a band of terrorists slaughtering innocents. The terrorists expected the treaty to fail due to the Drakken-style execution of the murders. Instead, the entire, multi-national Triad crew go hunting their terrorist prey.

***** This tale packs a punch! Fans of the Honor Harrington series (by David Weber) will thoroughly enjoy Brit and Finn's story. Men, do not let the cover fool you. Even though there is romance between Brit and Finn, men need not assume that they will not enjoy this title. If Captain Kirk's dozens of romances did not churn your stomach, then neither will Admiral Bandar's.

I found this to be a well written story with an ingenious plot and a few interesting sub-plots among the crew members. (I hope to see more of Hadley in the future.) I could not help but give a spontaneous high-five when I finished this gem. *****

Author: Ann Aguirre
Title - Grimspace

Sirantha Jax is one of the rare people that carry the J-gene. This gene allows one to travel grimspace. (Much fast than even Warp travel. Several weeks of travel is done in moments.) Those with the J-gene are located by the Farwan Corporation (referred to as simply "Corp"). Corp than trains the recruits to jump into and out of grimspace. Thus far, Corp has a monopoly on jump-travel, charging high rates and taxes for people to board a ship and be taken through grimspace. But each Jumper has a limit. Ten jumps is the normal amount for most J-gene carriers. However, Jax has jumped hundreds of times and has yet to burn out. No one knows how or why.

At the end of Jax's last jump something went horribly wrong. Seventy-five people on the ship "Sargasso", including elected Conglomerater representatives and Kai, Jax's pilot and lover, were killed. Jax is the sole survivor. As the story begins, Corp has Jax confined and undergoing mental treatment. She has been accused of killing everyone during her last jump. Jax has no memory of the crash which followed her jump or what caused it. She may very well have crashed the ship deliberately. So Jax is having a hard time defending herself. After ruthless interrogations, Jax is about to succumb to madness when a former merc breaks into her cell and offers to break her out if she agrees to help his small group break Corp's monopoly on jump-travel. Jax literally jumps at the chance; but to find the answers needed for the future of jumpers, Jax must first remember what happened on the "Sargasso".

**** This was a perfect book until the rushed ending. I could not help feel that several pages, if not paragraphs, were missing. As I read, I kept comparing this story to the StarDoc novels (by S.L. Viehl) and a few novels by Linnea Sinclair. The flavor is very familiar to me; however, the plot line about Jumpers is totally unique to me. Fans of Viehl and Sinclair will love this fresh new voice in the genre. ****

Author: Lucien Soulban
Title - Desert Raiders (W40K / Imperial Guard series #4)

An Imperial listening station's psykers laps into death seizures when someone from the planet Khadar sends a mortis-cry. However, intelligence says there is no expedition, no life, no anything on the uninhabited desert planet. Yet there is no mistaking the enigmatic call for help. The 892nd Regiment is sent to investigate.

The 892nd is a new regiment. It is compiled from the Turenag and Banna Alliances. This creates a huge rift between soldiers due to the fact that the two alliances have been enemies for too many centuries to bother counting. Colonel Nisri Dakar (Turenag) and Lieutenant Colonel Turk Iban Salid (Banna) have a hard time keeping their men from killing each other. The two leaders can barely tolerate each other, much less control their people. However, Commissars Rezail and Tyrell keep them all under control or simply execute the ones causing problems.

Trouble multiplies when (later christened) Cavern Balilica is located. Cavern Balilica holds layers of rich, verdant jungle. It is filled with an eco-system unlike any other seen before; and both alliances want permission to colonize Khadar. Most, but not all, hatreds are put aside when a new threat arrives in the form of a Tyranid Horde.

*** Never before have I seen such segregation among W40K soldiers and I hope I never will again. Who needs Chaos when regimental troops will simply assassinate each other? Almost half the book is bickering, accusing, slowly killing each other off. Once the tyranids enter the story, the two alliances begin to work together; however, the hatred still simmers. The story gets much more interesting as the different forms and weaponry within the Tyranids are revealed. Readers will also get the treat of seeing a tyranid psyker, a hive brain. That, alone, would make this book worthwhile. My opinion is that if you can through all the in-fighting and reach the tyranids, this becomes a great story by the end. ***

Author: Jeffery Thomas
Title - Blue War (A Jeremy Stake novel, Punktown)

Private Detective Jeremy Stake has chameleon-like abilities dubbed "restless skin". This mutation came in very handy during deep cover missions during the Blue War. The Blue War ended eleven years ago though. Now Jeremy keeps tight control on his features and tries not to look at anyone for too long, else his features will begin to mimic whoever he was looking at. For the most part, Jeremy succeeds. Yet every-now-and-then Jeremy forgets himself and finds himself with a stranger's face.

When Colonial Forces Captain Rick Henderson shows up, Jeremy knows something interesting must be going on. Jeremy has not seen Rick since their time together in the Blue War. Sure enough, Rick needs his help on Sinan, in another dimension. (Sinan was where the Blue War was fought.) A company named Bright Horizon has been working with the Jin Haa, creating little condo-type village complexes, in and around the capital city of Di Noon. No one seems to know why, but the smart matter used to make the village complex is not following the program originally placed. The smart matter is supposed to make the complexes and then stop. Instead, the smart matter has begun making a clone of Punktown, which houses millions of people. People are calling it Blue Town. It has already grown much bigger than it was originally supposed to and Blue Town does not look like it will stop growing until it reaches the size of Punktown. Should this happen, the cities nearby will be totally wiped out, including Di Noon. There may be a new war between Ha Jinn, Jin Hass, and the Earth Colonies too.

While the smart matter was consuming the area's vegetation to make a clone version of Punktown, it also seems to have consumed the remains of a few MIA soldiers. Three cloned humans are found in Blue Town. One of them, a five-year-old boy (nicknamed Brian), is alive!

**** If you read DEADSTOCK then you already know Jeremy Stake and his morphing ability. Since Jeremy spent four years fighting on Sinan, he already knows much of the surroundings and customs. It is also where he met Thi Gonh (Earth Killer) and had an affair for one week. Being back on Sinan, Jeremy looks up Thi to see how she is doing. Therefore, readers delve deeper into what happened during the Blue War, as well as into Jeremy's personal background. It all runs, like sub-plots, during the Blue Town investigation. By writing in this way, the author makes Jeremy much more realistic, more human. This story is more than worth your time and money to pick up! Author Jeffery Thomas has the most intriguing writing style I've seen in quite a while. ****

Editor: Ben Bova
Title - Nebula Awards Showcase 2008

**** There is literally something for almost every science fiction fan in this anthology. Ranging from poetry to literary essays, from high fantasy to hard, technical sci-fi, the entire universe is covered. One of the highlights was returning to the world of the Last Unicorn, as Peter Beagle shows us how King Lir has aged in the years after his adventure with the unicorn who became a girl. At once, this is both poignant and exciting. James Patrick Kelley shows us how being green can go too far in Burn. Elizabeth Hand's Echo is a moody, psychological piece that has the ring of reality to it which almost makes it frightening. I dare say if you once had a regular subscription to Asimov or Analog, this definitely belongs on your shelf now. ****

Author: Sandy Mitchell
Title - Scourge the Heretic

The job of the Inquisition is to hunt down the heretics who corrupt the human Imperium from within. Inquisitor Carolus Finurbi of the Ordo Hereticus and his Angelae team are sent to Sepheris Secundus. It is believed than an interplanetary people-trafficking operation is happening there. As Inquisitor Carolus and his team arrive, a jail break is in progress. All the imprisoned psykers have been liberated. That, alone, is enough to keep them busy for quite awhile; however, they soon learn that it is the least of their problems. A particularly lethal "witch" known as Ariadne Thane has been spotted.

Two of the few surviving Imperial Guardsmen, Danuld Drake and Vos Kyrlock, are recruited by Inquisitor Carolus to help his team root out the real evil before Chaos spreads and takes total control.

*** This is not author Sandy Mitchell's best work by a long shot. However, it is still very entertaining. Inquisitors are usually held in fear and high regard, yet I do not feel that Carolus was intimidating in the least. His character simply did not hold true to what those in the Inquisition are suppose to be. I would dearly love to see more of the assassin, Keira, in future stories though. The character of Keira stole the spot light very often. All-in-all, a good beginning, but some changes need to be made in future books if this series has a chance to continue. ***

Authors: Anne & Todd McCaffrey
Title - Dragon Harper

During the Third Pass of the dreaded Red Star (three passes before the events of Moreta, six before the events concerning F'lar and Lessa's generation), a threat worse than the Thread arises. An epidemic is sweeping Pern, and it falls to unlikely heroes to save their world from influenza. Young Harper's Apprentice Kindan finds his woes over a star crossed romance to pale in comparison. However, with the sudden loss of critical records, the Pernese have little idea how to deal with the plague.

*** Though superior to the last few novels in the series, the magic that distinguished the first seven books in particular; the first trilogy, the Harper Hall, and Moreta, is just lacking. Long time fans will be gratified to learn more about this marvelous world and have some of the mysteries of the Ancients cleared up, however. ***

Author: Dan Abnett
Title - Only in Death (A Gaunt's Ghosts novel, W40K)

The men and women of the Tanith First-and-Only, a.k.a. Gaunt's Ghosts, knew that this would not be an easy task, but when are they ever easy? Trouble is what they do. Now they are on Jago, a fortress world built along the trailwards salient of the Cabal System. As others are thrown into areas where the fighting is already intense, Gaunt's Ghosts' objective is Hinzerhaus, a labyrinth house full of hidden passages, surprises, and possibly something supernatural. Though no one has set foot in Hinzerhaus for decades, if not a couple of centuries, the lights are still on. Dim, but on, the lights pulse as if in rhythm to its own heart beat. The Ghosts are to find, secure, and hold it. They are to deny any attempt by the enemy to enter or pass through the area.

Each member of the team begins hearing odd sounds. Echoes from people that do not exist. Ghostly footsteps seem to come up from behind them, pass, and then continue on down corridors. Teammates, long dead, show up to offer tactical advice, give a heads up on incoming fire, or leave small gifts. To make matters worse, the enemy seem to know all the hidden passages and use the information to set up ambushes. Lack of water is a major problem. Snipers keep attention to the areas and nowhere seems safe choppers to land and deliver the much needed water or ammo.

Commander Ibram Gaunt does his best to keep his people alive as the situation continually worsens. Dalin Criid, the first son of the Ghosts, has Hinzerhaus as his first mission. He has to do more than prove himself. It just may be up to Dalin to save them all.

***** This is probably my favorite of the Gaunt's Ghost series. Not only is this story well planned and executed, but the strange happenings seemed to have no credible explanations. There were scenes that sent cold chills down my spine. The story starts out unnerving and keeps getting worse until the very end. For perfect effects, read during a storm at night. Military warfare meets paranormal in this Ghosts installment. Absolutely wonderful! *****

Author: Timothy Zahn
Title - Star Wars Allegiance

In the days shortly following the Battle of Yavin, Han Solo finds himself being sent on yet another mission for those crazy Rebels that he just cannot seem to get away from. While he, Luke, and Chewie go in one direction, Leia Organa has her own assignment from Mon Mothma. Meanwhile, Mara Jade is far more at ease with her force skills, albeit on the Dark side, than Luke Skywalker is with his Light ones. Her assignment as the Emperor's Hand takes her to the same planet the Falcon's crew is headed for. The real stars of this adventure are a bunch of AWOL stormtroppers who want to do the right thing and don't feel like they can uphold their oath to protect the citizens of the Empire as official servants of it. Having turned renegade, they will prove to be great allies for Luke and Han as they try to successfully complete their mission and get Leia to safety when she runs into the inevitable trouble.

**** Though until now, I had somewhat given up on the Expanded Universe novels as they did not retain the same emotions that the original trilogy inspired me with, at least, they did not for me, this book brings back that old "YES!" feeling. Having Luke, Leia, and Han back to being the people I fell in love with as a little girl made the prose sing for me. The plot was fun and fast paced, but didn't skimp on the characterization. If you've gotten bogged down trying to keep track of who is who, what the Vong or what have you are, and you have turned to fanzines in hopes of recapturing the magic of Star Wars, then add this book to your keeper shelf. It's got all the right stuff. ****

Author: Linnea Sinclair
Title - Shades of Dark (July 29, 2008)

Captain Chasidah "Chaz" Bergren is no longer the pride of the Sixth Fleet. Now she is a fugitive from the corrupted Empire. She is captain of the Boru Karn, the ghost ship belonging to Gabriel Ross Sullivan "Sully". Sullivan, the man, is the most confusing being Chaz has ever met. He is one of the extremely rare human Kyi-Ragkiril. It is as though he is two men in one and sharing a mind link with Chaz, his wife. Chaz loves the entire package of Sully/Gabriel and has learned to call him by the name of whatever aura (for lack of a better word) he has around him. "Sully" is the warm human man, often cocky, and always available to help with the needs and concerns of Chaz and the crew. "Gabriel" is the wild human, domineering most times, hardly in control, and possessive of his wife. As one entire package, Sullivan is a mercenary who is slowly learning to control his Kyi-Ragkiril powers. Fleet and normal humans hate/fear the six-fingered, blue-skinned Stolorths who are Ragkiril. The instant they learn what Sullivan is, they cast him into the same hate filled category, a Soul-stealer.

Chaz and Sully are hunting a ship breeding monsters before those monsters are released and started hunting them, so their hands are already kept busy. But when Chaz hacks into an Imperial drone for news, she learns that her brother, Thad, has been stripped of command and is being held for questioning (about her and Sullivan) before he is executed for treason. They know it is a ploy, by Sully's cousin Hayden Burke, to draw them out of hiding, but it still works.

They must locate and join forces with Admiral Philip Guthrie (Chaz's ex-husband) and Del (a full powered Kyi-Ragkiril too attracted to Chaz) if the fractured Empire is to have any chance of surviving.

***** This story has long been in the making and I had high expectations of it. I am happy to say that am not disappointed in the least. There are a few times the story got slow, but these sections are filled with much needed information. Such as in life, not everything is nice and tidy. The author can decide to end the tale right here, right now, or publish another novel and continue this amazing adventure. I sincerely hope to see these characters again.

The character of Sully/Gabriel can sound confusing while reading the synopsis; however, readers need not fear becoming confused. The story is crystal clear and flows smoother than silk. Author Linnea Sinclair is a natural when it comes to giving her characters multiple major problems while keeping her story easy to understand and hard to pull away from. Fantastic! *****

Edited: George Mann
Title - The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction

This is a collection of sixteen stories by some of the best BL & Solaris Publishing authors. No need to worry that you will read stories from unknown writers, hoping to make it in the tough world of publishing. These authors have already proven their worth, most in Warhammer, W40K, Punktown, or some other well known series. Here is a list of the authors with a story in this book, as well as the title of a book s/he is known for:

Introduction by George Mann
Jeffrey Thomas (One of my personal favorites. Author of Deadstock.)
Neal Asher (Author of Polity Agent)
Jay Lake (Author of Mainspring) & Greg van Eekhout (Author of Show & Tell and Other Stories)
James Lovegrove (Author of Escardy Gap)
Paul Di Filippo (Author of Neutrino Drag)
Peter F. Hamilton (Author of The Dreaming Void)
Adam Roberts (Author of Gradisil)
Stephen Baxter (Author of Time's Tapestry)
Ian Watson (Author of The Inquisition War [W40K])
Mike Resnick (Author of the Starship series) & David Gerrold (Author of the War Against the Chtorr series)
Mary A. Turzillo (Author of Your Cat & Other Space Aliens)
Brian Aldiss (Author of Harm)
Keith Brooke (Author of Genetopia)
Simon Ings (Author of The Eye)
Tony Ballantyne (Author of Divergence)
Eric Brown (Author of Helix)

**** As with all anthologies, some stories are better than others. Every reader will have their personal favorites and possibly realize that there are a few other authors with writing styles they may wish to look in to. To me, the entire experience was like sampling various writing flavors to see which I loved best. I sincerely hope to see another such Solaris anthology in the future. ****

Authors: Various
Title - The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction: Volume II

iCity by Paul DiFilippo: People live in cities that can change formation over night.

The Space Crawl Blues by Kay Kenyon: Now there is QT, quantum teleportation. People can be instantly teleported to their destination of choice. But when people re-emerge on the other side, are they still the same?

The Line of Dichotomy by Chris Roberson: A team invades a bacteria farm in hopes of rescuing those trapped within.

Fifty Dinosaurs by Robert Reed: Kelvin has just turned twenty-one. The last thing he recalls is being at a bar. Now he finds himself in the company of a T-rex that can talk.

Mason's Rats: Black Rat by Neal Asher: Farmer Mason trains the rats on his farm.

Blood Bonds by Brenda Cooper: One twin sister lives in a virt bed due to an act of terrorism. The other twin goes to Mars in hopes of earning enough to help her crippled sister get surgery.

The Eyes of God by Peter Watts: Before traveling each person must go through a check point that reads minds.

Sunworld by Eric Brown: Yarrek has graduated and he parents finally tell him the truth about himself. Afterward, he is sent to Icefast to enter the office of the Inquisitor General.

Evil Robot Monkey by Mary Robinette Kowal: Sly may look like the other chimps, but he is much more.

Shining Armor by Dominic Green: A mining company prepares to invade the city. Their work will poison the water supply of the village. It is time to awaken the ancient Guardian.

Book, Theatre, & Wheel by Karl Schroeder: Lady Genevieve Romanal is under investigation to see if she is unlawfully educating her people or is a heretic.

Mathralon by David Louis Edelman: This mostly reads like a type of manual. It tells how to mine a mineral, Mathralon. This is followed by a few pages about the isolated people who do the actual mining.


Mason's Rats: Autotractor by Neal Asher: It is time, once again, for Farmer Mason to activate the Autotractor and send it out. The machine terminates vermin (except for his rat employees), ploughs, cultivates, and seeds the fields. Trouble arrives in the form of a suit from a health and safety agency. They want to exterminate all of Mason's rats.

Modem Timines, a Jerry Cornelius story by Michael Moorcock: In this story you will follow Jerry Cornelius (and sometimes see Mo). A bit of erotica is found in this tale as well.

Point of Contact by Dan Abnett: When a space craft lands and First Contact begins, will it be a historical event? Will our lives change for the better or for the worse? Or will we not really care?

*** Not as many good stories as the first volume, but this is still worth your time. None of the stories within are more entertaining than the two about a farmer named Mason and his intelligent rats. Like me, you will end this book with at least one new name in mind to search previous titles from. All-on-all, you will find this collection of stories a terrific way to spend a rainy night. There is simply no way to feel lonely when you are busy sampling the various treats from some of today's best BL sci-fi authors. ***

Author: Jim Erjavec
Title - The Caverns of Mare Cetus

Set in the Earth year 2165. The Explora Corporation sends ten people to inspect the caverns on Mare Cetus. Mare is an enigma to most. It sits at the edge of Tau Ceti's habitable zone. Though conditions are excellent for a thriving habitat of various species of life, Mare is void of any life whatsoever. Only Commander Hunter Larson knows at the beginning that the team is actually on Mare Cetus to lay claim on a large, priceless mineral deposit hidden deep within the caverns. Once known, the team members pack up to leave. Each member is an expert in their field. To lay claim on a stake is beneath them. However, once Hunter tells of the bonus they would receive if they remain, all agree to stay.

Renata "Rene" Stone is Second in Command, a pilot, engineer, and Cavern Scientist. Trent Logan is Third in Command. He is an archaeologist and robotics expert. Ramon Ramirez is a Subsurface Engineer and Groundwater Specialist. Arielle "Ari" Talarian is a Planetary Geologist. (Ramon and Ari are a couple.) Edison March is a Subsurface Engineer with a history in dentistry. Garrett Jansen is a former mercenary, now the Security Specialist. Devon Snow is an Internal Observer (IOB). Isis Sandale is a Biochemist subcontracted to Explora. Richelle Ivers is an Organic Sedimentologist, also subcontracted to Explora.

Shortly into the caverns, the robotics start disobeying commands and go rogue. Sometimes they actually seem to go beyond what is in their programming, as if they were actually thinking for themselves. Trent, the expert in robotics can find no possible way for this to be. When Hunter and Ramon cannot seem to stop bickering at each other, Rene must assume command. One team member dies and soon others are lost. Stranger still, instruments are now acting odd and a bio-scan shows that the team members are having abnormal spikes in their brain waves, pointing toward mental impairments. One catastrophe after another has each person looking at the others with suspicions. The worst part is that a few team members are positive they are being followed in the caverns even though no life registers on any piece of equipment. One member is attacked during a blackout, even though no one was close to her. Yet the scars support her claim.

Rene becomes the glue that seems to hold the group together. Each member is trying to sway Rene to their view, but with the outrageous changes in everyone around her, Rene feels alone. Unable to contact Explora or request help, Rene must keep the team moving toward safety, while avoiding rogue robotics out to kill them, possibly one or more unknown entities stalking them, mental disabilities showing in everyone (including herself), and more. Even with all this, Rene has no idea just how much trouble she is really in!

***** This is hard sci-fi. By that I mean you must read every word to get the full impact of everything going on and to ultimately understand what happens toward the end. Those who understand Spanish will be able to follow everything Ramon says. Most of the time he speaks English, but he often switches over to Spanish when talking to himself or making some sort of rude remark about someone in the party. Even if you read every single word, chances are you may not "get" the things mentioned or shown toward the beginning of the book unless you read it twice. (I did.) Personally, I love books that you can re-read and find things you missed the first time around. They are subtle things that most will not catch the first time.

The author has the option of stopping the story right here or continue another using some of the same characters. Toward the end of this story, the author gave many cool scenarios that could easily turn into future plots. I can only hope that Jim Erjavec decides to run with the Mendrax thread. *****

Author: Susan Grant
Title - Moonstruck (June 1,2008)

After years of warfare, enemies are now forced by a peace treaty to work together. This chafes Admiral Brit Bandar, aka, Stoneheart, who can hardly believe barbarians could ever be anything but foes to be despised. Yet, when she meets her newly assigned counterpart from the Drakken Horde, Finn Rorkken, a man who strongly resembles her late husband, the man whose death turned her into a stone hearted soldier, she is shaken. By necessity and passion, the two who would have not long ago killed each other, find themselves discovering a passion that gets past both of their defenses. Meanwhile, her personal assistant is finding that a backward Earthling has much to teach her, especially about love, as two much more innocent people make an equally reluctant journey to first romance. Even as love begins though, its opposite still seethes out there, seeking an opportune moment to disrupt all the good that has been accomplished.

**** Though there is plenty of action, what is most intriguing about this novel are the emotions that drive it. Brit and Finn's healing process is beautiful to see, as is Hadley's awakening to the joy of love and her determination to only give herself to the man who is the One for her. Many times, futuristic novels seem cold and heartless. Happily, this one DOES NOT. It's all heart and soul. ****

Authors: John Ringo & Travis S. Taylor
Title - Von Neumann's War

Approximately two years ago NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Russian Space Agency began to lose contact with probes that had been sent to the planet Mars. A little over one year ago, scientists at the Space Telescope Science Institute and NASA discover that the color of Mars was changing from red to gray. In a period of less than two years, Mars has been hyper-industrialized. It has been completely developed into a planet-covering grid of giant city-like structures. Recent studies of other planets in our solar system suggest that the outer planets, or their moons, have undergone the same transformations. It did not take long for the real situation to become clear; automated robots (somewhat resembling Starlings) from outside our solar system are transforming entire worlds to meet their goals.

Governments of our world are too late to figure out a way to keep the robots from landing on Earth. When the menace touches down, chaos reigns supreme. Weapons are useless since they seem to eat, or tear apart, metal. Armageddon may actually be near.

***** Much of this book is set in Alabama, around Huntsville. The story has a variety of characters that kept me thoroughly entertained while a complex plot kept me riveted. Traci, a Hooters' waitress and an astrophysics grad working on her master's, is spunky! There are two thirteen-year-old girls that are so smart they can be scary. As for the military, First Sergeant Thomas "Top" Cady is one bad dude! Whatever Captain Shane Gries wanted done, Top is the one who found a way to do it, while killing off as many enemies as possible.

It is not hard to see which parts were written by which author. When it came to the high-tech science stuff, rocket scientist Travis S. Taylor put pen to paper. When it came to making it the plot and story line work and smoothing out any wrinkles (so that the normal people, such as myself could understand what was going on,) brilliant John Ringo's pen is at work. Together, Ringo and Taylor are a force to be reckoned with. Excellent story that I highly recommend! *****

Author: Orson Scott Card
Title - A War of Gifts (An Ender Story)

Zeck Morgan's dad is the minister of a church. However, just because the father is a minister, it does not mean he is nice. Truth is, the father is physically abusive to Zeck. Zeck does not understand this. Zeck believes his father is "purifying" him. Representatives of Battle School test Zeck, find he has photographic memory, and whisks him off to Battle School. Zeck learns what they want him to, but refuses to participate in "killing" targets in the war games.

Even though one member of the Rat Army refuses to kill targets in the games, they are still in second place. At first everyone was upset that Zeck would not even try to help the team. Even so, they soon began to ignore Zeke. They did not really hate Zeke, they simply learned never to rely on him for anything.

In Battle School, there is only one curriculum: the strategy and tactics of war. Since the children are gathered from all nations, all races, and all religions, it makes perfect sense that there is no open observance of any religion. In Battle School there is no room for cultural differences.

When Zeke sees a member of the Rat Army quietly leave a Sinterklaas Day gift in another team member's shoe, he decides to take it up with Colonel Graff. Thus, a war of wills (and gifts) ensues, and it is a war that the staff of Battle School never prepared for.

***** If you look at this hardback book from the front cover, it is about 3/4 the size of a normal hardback book. There are approximately one hundred and twenty-five pages in it. That is why this book costs only about half the price of normal hardbacks. In this case, Orson Scott Card proves that size does not matter. If a reader sat down and read from cover-to-cover, as I did, it will take you around two hours, if that. However, I cannot begin to describe how awesome this story left me feeling. Once again, little Ender Wiggins shows his advanced maturity. The moral behind the tale is serious, very straight forward, and Card managed to tell it in a way that only he can. MAGNIFICENT! *****

Author: Linnea Sinclair
Title - The Down Home Zombie Blues

Bahia Vista ( Florida ) Homicide Detective Sergeant Theophilus Theo Petrakos thought he had witnessed everything. But that was before he walked into a residential crime scene to find a mummified corpse and a lap top unlike anything he has ever seen. When Theo finally returns to his home, he is attacked by what look like some sort of futuristic zombie. He is rescued by a lovely woman outfitted with an array of high-tech weaponry. Before the night is over Theo learns that the corpse and the lap top are just the beginning of a sci-fi movie gone bad.

Commander Jorie Mikkalah and her team are with the Guardian Force. When communications from a hunter agent cease, they beam down to Earth to find out why. They learn that the agent is dead; killed by a zombie. These zombies, originally created about two hundred years ago, were a mech-organic entity produced by her own government to help with space traffic. They were designed to operate in small herds, all under the control of the C-Prime, the largest zombie. Commands were issued to the C-Prime by her people, who then prodded the herds to work. If a herd member was destroyed, the C-Prime made another. But then a flawed program upgrade turned them into monsters. To fix this error, the Guardians hunt down the zombies. Problem is that the herd on Earth is far larger than any noted in history. Even worse, this herd is not only growing larger in bodies, but they are becoming more intelligent! It is Jories job to find out how and why, then to terminate the three hundred, or more, zombies on the planet without the nils (Earthlings) finding out that they are not alone in the universe. Success will gain her a captaincy.

Murphys Law kicks in immediately. The agent is dead and a nil, with weaponry training, is attacked by a zombie. Unable to let Theo remain on his planet and tell others about visiting aliens, Theo is beamed to the ship and readied for exile. To get back to Earth, Theo makes a deal. Theo allows them to implant a security device within him. Then he goes with Jorie and a hunting team back to Earth to complete Jories mission. With their agent dead, Theos knowledge of his area and people are vital to ensure success. But neither Theo, nor Jorie, expected to become attracted to each other.

***** Do not let the title fool you. These are not like the dead, brain eating zombies from horror movies. These creatures are more like the Borg from Star Trek the Next Generation. Trekkies and Jedi fans will be delighted with this story. There is a bit of romance, but most of the focus is on the plot. An engaging space episode that will engage the imaginations of readers for a long time to come! *****

Author: Matt Browne
Title - The Future Happens Twice
(The Pernennial Project, Book 1)

The synopsis on the back of the book does not touch about ninety percent of the story. My synopsis will give a much clearer idea to readers what is going on. Nothing over the half way point of this book will be told. I refuse to give spoilers. However, I do not believe the back of this book tells enough for readers to decide if this trilogy is for them or not. I, as the reader, would have liked to know what the project is actually about. Had I known, I would have picked up this book long before now.

Book One takes place in Reno, Nevada, 2064. Debrya Handsen is a thirty-three-year-old professor in computational linguistics. When offered a massive salary to join a top secret government project, Debrya leaves Minnesota and relocates to Nevada. She is eager to dive in immediately, even though she has no idea what the project is really about, only that it would challenge her skills in linguistic programming.

The project location is in a subterranean research facility. Alexander Johrd is over the computer science section of the project. The task of escorting Debrya around and explaining the project is delegated to him. Alexander notices that as he tells Debrya what is going on, she is attracted and repelled simultaneously. He knows that he must be careful as he explains the project. After all, most people would be appalled at first and no one wants to scare the new project member away. Debrya's role is vital.

The Pernennial Project's goal is to spread humanity across space. This way, should something happen to Earth and humanity be wiped out, the human race would have a chance for survival. The planet named Acantarius, located in the Omega Altaris System (over tens of thousands of billions of kilometers away), is the chosen destination. It will take a spacecraft around forty-two thousand years to reach it. To save most supplies (including oxygen, food, and the like), it is not human beings that are frozen on board, it is embryos. Four of the embryos are chosen to be the first born. The two androids on board will defrost the four when Acantarius is only twenty years away, watch over them as they mature in an artificial womb, and then raise the children as their own. The children will not learn that their parents are actually androids until their sixteenth birthday. The children will also believe they are quadruplets until then as well.

Of course, all of this must be tested. Using embryo-splitting technology, the project members have been making twins of each of the four embryos for many years. The current four believe they are actually in space, approaching Acantarius. They do not know that they are actually in a spacecraft, underneath a military complex on Earth. It is the next batch of twins that will actually be sent on the long interstellar trip. The four kids' entire lives, from birth and over sixteen years have been nothing but lies. Since the project leaders know the public would go ballistic when they find out, everything has been kept under wraps. Only the project members with blue badges know the full truth.

*** Be warned that this is a thick book, over seven hundred pages. It is the first of a trilogy. Book two is titled HUMAN DESTINY. Book three is titled THE ANDROMEDA ENCOUNTER. Due to the way the story is written, the plot is told many times. In my opinion, it is told too often. It is told to Debrya, then to the children, then slowly to a few public people... I cannot help but feel that this could have been written in a way that I, as the reader, could learn it as Debrya learned it. Then when others became involved or the kids learned the truth, I would not need to hear it retold and retold. Do not get me wrong; the way it is written works. It is just too repetitive for me.

The plot has been done before; however, author Matt Browne has given it much more thought. (In fact, there were times I believed Browne's version bordered on genius!) It seems as though the author did a lot of research before putting pen to paper, so to speak. I could not, and still cannot, stop wondering if something like this is actually going on in a secret remote location. The very thought is disturbing to me.

If you enjoy realistic sci-fi, this book is for you. I enjoyed it immensely. I only wish the plot execution had been told differently. Recommended! ***

Author: Jana G. Oliver
Title - Virtual Evil(Time Rovers Book II)

Something has gone wrong in the timeline, not a totally unexpected thing considering that time travel has been opened up as a leisure passtime for tourists, but now the Time Rovers have to fix it. Cynda has been sent back to Victorian London to repair the damage and finds herself neck deep in another serial killer case and facing old and new enemies. As she navigates through the dangers that go beyond those inherent in her profession, Cynda must also deal with the fact that something is wrong in her mind. Like many an agent before her, she is dealing with hallucinations; well, one; Mr. Spider, an arachnid that provides often unwanted advice on his own schedule. As the body count edges higher, Cynda may pay the ultimate price to save proper chronology.

**** The one complaint I have is that a glossary would have been useful to refresh my mind on the terms, as I've read more than a few books since the first Time Rovers charmed me. However, despite that handicapping factor, I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced mystery. If you love Doctor Who, then this is a must-read. The logical narrative is also imaginative and intriguing. Book three cannot come soon enough. ****

Author: Ben Counter
Title - Chapter War (W40K)

The Soul Drinkers Space Marines are outcasts from the Imperium. They were hunted down due to the physical mutation of their gene-seed. But now they have stabilized their gene-seed. The mutation has stopped. They have new recruits from among the oppressed and rebellious people of the Imperium. For the last few months several of the novices had been earning their place in the Chapter. Finally, they are ready to fight as a Chapter again.

In the Obsidian system, on the planet Vanqualis, the Emperor's work is in dire need of being done. The planet has been invaded by the greenskins. They have asked for assistance, begged for it, from the Imperium, but by the time help would eventually arrive, it would be too late.

Chapter Master Sarpedon decides to help the people of Vanqualis cleanse their world of the orks. But the recruits have their own ideas.

**** This is the fourth novel in the Soul Drinker series. The first three could be called a trilogy. This addition could well be the beginning of a whole new trilogy. Author Ben Counter does a wonderful job of showing the inner turmoil, as well as the jostling of positions and challenges for domination within the Soul Drinkers. Bravo, Mr. Counter. ****

Author: Steve Parker
Title: Rebel Winter (W40K)

The story opens with Captain Grigorius Sebastev on trial for his actions on the ice-encrusted battlefields of Danik's World. The novel ends with verdict and a surprise. The rest tells the tale of what Captain Sebastev (A.K.A. The Pit-Dog, though few would say it to his face) and how he reacted. Captain Sebastev and his men of Fifth Company are in the Korris trench works, in the midst of a brutal battle with greenskins (orks) when the new commissar arrives and jumps into the fray.

Commissar Daridh Ahl Karif had made a powerful enemy (Lord General Breggius) and been redeployed to Danik's World. Yet Karif still took the newest (and only) reenforcement troop under his wing. The commissar instinctively knows that Trooper Danil Stavin would not last long on the front lines. Karif surprised everyone, including himself, when he requested Trooper Stavin be assigned as his adjutant. Trooper Stavin turns out to be a top notch adjutant. The lad is very good at keeping secrets. In fact, he has a few of his own.

The frekk hits the fan when Twelfth Army Command underestimates the Danikkin Independence Army (DIA). The rebels make sure they regret it too. Nhalich is the first to fall. Traitors from within and without crippled the Vostroyan army by poisoning food and saboteurs vehicles, weapons, and supplies. Sebastev and Karif come to quickly realize that Fifth Company may very well be all that remains of the Sixty-Eighth. As the company's number of men slowly drop from the four digits, to the three digits, and to the two digits, the Pit-Dog knows that with numbers such as these, there is no such thing as acceptable losses. Somehow, they must find a way to win the war from behind enemy lines, and get out alive, before all is lost.

**** The trial is an interesting way to begin this book. Not very original, but it works beautifully and adds a deeper meaning to the ending of the story. There are a couple of characters that I hope to see again in the future. Trooper Stavin is one of the most interesting, at least to me. Entering the battle at the young age of eighteen, and being a newbie, this character may have a fascinating future. I say this because not only is the lad toughened up a bit during this battle, but he has wonderful role models in the Pit-Dog, Karif, and the White Boar. It is my hope that the author, Steve Parker, consider giving this secretive lad his own novel or series. Such potential!

As for this story, it begins in battle and stays that way almost constantly. A few memories are added in to break up the continuous skirmishes. This will not be an easy one for readers to put down. Something is going on at all times. Fascinating! ****

Author: Kelly McCullough
Title: Cybermancy

The mweb (magical web) was created by Necessity. It connects all the infinite worlds of probability. Without it, the multiverse would be like a hard drive without a directory. Ravirn was designed to maintain it. He is a hacker and sorcerer. He WAS the prince of the middle house of Fate. In fact, the Fates are his great-aunts. These three are not the old hags most humans believe. They are more like Amazonian-to-the-extreme huntresses. Clothos is the spinner of life threads. Atropros wields the shears. But it was Lachesis who revoked Ravirn's name and cast him out of the family. Interestingly enough, Clotho declared him a legitimate force for chaos and gave him the new name of Raven. A name he HATES.

Melchior is Raven's webgoblin. (Sort of like a familiar.) He can take the shape of a goblin or a laptop. Cerice is Raven's girlfriend. Until recently, Cerice had a webpixie named Shara. Shara could take the form of a pixie or a PDA. Shara sacrificed herself to save Raven's life. Cerice is not only hurt emotionally at Shara's death, but is also academically shattered. You see, Cerice is finishing up a doctorate in Computer Science. The little PDA has all six years of Cerice's work on it and is currently residing on the wrong side of the River Styx.

So Raven must trick Cerberus (the dread guardian of the underworld and Raven's card buddy), hack into the computer of Lucifer's, and rescue Shara. Impossible for anyone else, but not Raven. However, this is where all ... well ... Hades breaks loose. Since her rebirth, Shara has begun acting a bit strange. The mweb is fraying and will soon disappear. Persephone is dealing some sort of goddess blackmail with Raven; and this is all just the beginning.

Everyone has been despairing of Raven's common sense for years. He seems to always be taking on higher entities than himself. And Raven is about to prove them all correct ... again.

***** Author Kelly McCullough has the most remarkable writing talent I have ever read, in a "myth-fanta-sci-full" sort of way. (Yes, that is a real word. Look in the dictionary and see where I penciled it in.) Not satisfied to write a single genre or to use a sub-genre already made, he has created a new template that others will build stories upon in later years. But know this, McCullough is the original and unparalleled. An outstanding addition to this newbie genre! *****

Author: Richard K. Morgan
Title: Thirteen

"WOW, Morgan does it again."
When I read "Altered Carbon" I said it was the new book by which I would judge all others. Morgan just keeps writing excellent books in the "Used Future", and not just the same books with the same characters (which I actually wouldn't mind seeing with the Takeshi Kovacs series), but different people in different settings in different time periods... he constantly proves he's multi-talented and can write on any level. He writes the way I wish I could. His newest work, "Thirteen", is excellent.

I researched Morgan a bit and found out we are on opposite ends of the political spectrum, and I was probably misreading the social commentary written into his work, or maybe not, because as I have said before, "If the Left could accept guns, and the Right could accept drugs, we'd all be closer to the middle than most people think".

"Thirteen", was another of those books that I couldn't put down. "MP3 player in the pocket until it was done", etc... and then I had to reflect on it a few days to let it soak in before writing a review.

The Sex is hardcore, NOT for the Kiddies, but it's not just stuck in there "out of place". I didn't think it detracted from the story any.

I don't know if Morgan actually shoots a lot or not (Probably not, being an academic in the U.K.), or if he just sticks in "people being blown backward by gun shots" because people expect it due to TV (I suspect this is the case)... "Stopping power" is a myth (do the math, F=MA) except with artillery shells and the like, and Morgan knows that a table won't stop bullets (on TV people can hide behind cardboard boxes safely), but then he talks about people being blown out doors and windows from being hit by a slug. Still, minor technicalities aside (for whatever reason they are in the book) it's still an EXCELLENT book (did I mention it was an EXCELLENT book?).

**** I wish I could give it 4.5 stars, and the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because it wasn't quite "Altered Carbon", however it was better than "Market Forces", IMHO. ****

Author: Eric Brown
Title: Helix

In the future, humanity destroys the Earth with their constant wars and by ravaging the land without giving anything back. Earth's end is in site. The European Space Organization (ESO) secretly builds a vast colony ship (named the Lovelock), trains key personnel to crew it, and readies over four thousand coldsleep pods for the humans chosen to begin life anew on another world. Terrorists object to anyone leaving Earth, thus ESO must keep everything as secret as possible. With only minor interference, the Lovelock launches, taking with it the only real hope the human race has for survival.

Five hundred light-years later (one thousand years standard Earth time), Lovelock is torn apart by a series of explosions. A skeleton crew is awakened from coldsleep and they must scramble to save the frozen colonists by crash landing on the nearest possible location: a polar section of a Helix - a vast, spiral construct of worlds, wound about a G-type sun. While most of the colonists remain in coldsleep, the four surviving crew members of the Lovelock proceed up-spiral in search of a habitable section. They will encounter extraordinary and vast landscapes, alien races, and begin unraveling the mystery of who created the helix.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on another tier of the helix, a race resembling lemurs has been under the control of the Church for millennia. The Church is all-powerful and makes all decisions for the people. Ehrin Telsa, owner of Telsa Dirigible Company, mans an expedition of the western plains for usable resources. Of course, the Church sends a representative with them, Elder Cannak. When they come across an alien (not human), the people on the expedition are amazed to learn that the Church already knew of the aliens and their strange technology, even though the Church swears no other race and no other world exists. Elder Cannak and the Church are hiding many secrets. While Ehrin wants to learn, Elder Cannak and the Church begin their well planned genocide of all alien races.

*** This novel begins with Joe Hendry on Earth as he is recruited by ESO. From then on, the book continues to follow (mainly) Joe for the entire story. The sections following the lemur-like race follows (mainly) Ehrin. However, the author does not do a good job of describing what Ehrin's race looks like for the readers until Joe's crew actually meets them, pretty far into the book. This caused me, as the reader, some confusion since I had already made my own mental image of the aliens and am suddenly forced into changing that image.

There was strife between two of the four surviving bridge crewmembers. When all became clear to me, I could not help but believe that the strife sections probably made for a sub-plot in the story during the author's writing, yet so much had to be cut (due to word count from the publisher?) that it ended up weak. All-in-all, this is a decent read. Not the author's best by far, but worth your time and money. ***

Author: Sandy Mitchell
Title: Duty Calls (A Ciaphas Cain novel)

Commissar Ciaphas Cain of the 597th Valhallan, our favorite reluctant hero, stumbles into action. Again. Along for the ride is his personal and odorous aide, Feric Jurgen. Jurgen's gift as a blank comes in handy, as does the huge melta weapon he so loves. This time Cain is assisting local forces on Periremunda to quell widespread civil disorder. Things turn out to be worse than Cain could have ever suspected. Inquisitor Amberley Vail is on the planet, though her presence is supposed to be a secret, following a lead to an ancient xenos artifact that Metheius had absconded with earlier. When it becomes apparent that Tyranids ('Nids) are not only already on the planet, but have already called in their Hive fleet, Cain knows that the frak has hit the fan around him again.

Commissar Cain becomes the public face of the Imperial Guard, thanks to the printsheets; something he truly hates to be. As such, assassins begin coming out of seemingly thin air, proving that Cain's troops have even more problems in the forms of genestealer hybrids and Psykers. Since 'Nids are bred for deception and camouflage, the horrors could be anywhere by now. To add to the chaos, The Order of the White Rose (convent of Battle Sisters) is being led by a woman named Enlantine who, to Cain's thinking, is out to prove that they can be psychotic Emperor-bothering harridans of the highest degree. To top it all off, Lieutenant Jenit Sulla is there and still attempting to batter the Gothic language into submissions with her lengthy narrations. How can the wily commissar ever hope to find the easy life he prefers?

**** This is the fifth installment of the Cain series, but all of you FNGs (frekking new guys) to the series will not find yourselves lost one bit. In fact, I have no doubts that you will scramble to locate the back list of Cain's saga. Afterwards, you will be eager for the advent of each new Cain adventure, just as I am.

Author Sandy Mitchell has done an incredible job of creating the main characters, especially of Cain who has become very real to me. Every time I hear his name I find myself smiling in memory of some sort of humorous situation he had managed to find himself within. Mitchell is to be commended for his achievement of bringing his characters to believable life. BRAVO! ****

Author: Will McDermott
Title: Lasgun Wedding (Necromunda novel #3)

In the nightmare industrial underworld of Necromunda, brutal gangs clash in the continuous battle to increase their standing with the decadent House families who occupy the uppermost spires of the teeming Hive City.

Kal Jerico thrives deep in the underhive as a bounty hunter. Though Kal is of House Helmawr and could live in the top level, he much prefers the underhive with his metal mastiff, Wotan, and the semi-companionship of two other bounty hunters, Yoland and Scabbs.

When the ruler, Lord Gerontius Helmawr (Kal's father), is assassinated, Kal Jerico is coerced (to put it nicely) into taking his place. Kal is now the target of assassins and is being forced into marrying a Spire noble. Kal has two choices: die or wed.

***** There are two previous titles about Jerico and his pals: Blood Royal & Cardinal Crimson. I have not had the pleasure of reading the two earlier titles; however, if they are even half as fantastic as THIS title is, then I would LOVE them! Even though I jumped into the series late, I never found myself lost, scratching my head in wonder, or confused. I easily immersed myself on the first page and never came up for air. This is a terrific read from start to finish by an exceptional author! *****

Author: James K. Burk
Title: Home is the Hunter (Story One)

When Rad's wild and careless ways earns him a bed in the trauma unit, his father cuts him off from the family fortune. Rad can either lie there until he dies slowly and painfully or his take a job offered by Compact, the trade alliance. Once Rad agrees, Compact pays for all medical expenses. Compact not only repairs everything broken, missing, or burnt to a crisp, but also adds components which will enable Rad to more efficiently do his job as an assassin.

His new name is Hunter. He is faceless, literally, allowing him to take on anyone's appearance. Compact sends Hunter to a few different tutors for special training. Once completed, Hunter begins to live up to his new name.

**** A spectacular tale that I wish could have been twice as long. Hunter's character deserves more than one book. The character should have a trilogy or series with various missions. James Bond would be nothing compared to Hunter's potential. ****

Author: Lazette Gifford
Title: Farstep Station (Story Two)

Farstep had been the last station built, the farthest from Earth and the first real project for the newly formed Inner Worlds Council. Farstep Station was nearly completed, and had not even been fully staffed, when the colonies went to war over power. When the war ended, Farstep Station was all but forgotten until the commander suicided.

Commander Desmond Montaigne, new to the rank, is the son of Fleet Admiral Orlan Montaigne. To say Desmond and his father detest each other would be putting it WAY too mildly. Desmond has honor and intelligence. Orlan has betrayal and greed. So when Desmond arrives at Farstep Station, he is determined to be honorable, fair, and make things better for everyone there. However, Desmond knows within minutes of stepping upon Farstep that something evil is afoot. Worse, those directly under his command are in on whatever his happening and cannot be trusted. Desmond must find information and allies quickly.

**** A terrific tale that I also wish could have been twice as long. I could not help but feel as though too much was omitted due to story space. Perhaps some day the author will use this tale as an intro for a series about Farstep Station and its people. ****

Author: Jerry Pournelle
Title: Starswarm (Unabridged)

I think the Heinlein book others have referred to while discussing this book is actually, "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress", not "Citizen of the Galaxy"… and there ARE many similarities to TMIAHM (One of Heinlein's BEST IMO).

MANY of us grew up on Heinlein,. There's "young Heinlein" (directed mostly at kids, about kids).. and there's the "Older Heinlein" that is more adult oriented.

However, the genius in Pournelle's work is that he knows "people".

MANY of us that actually grew up to be Professional Engineers (and such) remember "Young Heinlein" and we went back to re-read those books as adults at some point, and then we are kind of disappointed at how "young an audience" those books were actually written for. Pournelle has taken a "Young Heinlein TYPE" of story, and written it for Adults. NO ONE likes thinking about their favorite TYPES of stories being "For kids"… Pournelle has bridged the gap.. many have tried to do it over the years (probably without knowing themselves what they were trying to do), but Pournelle has actually DONE IT (and probably KNOWS he did it).

***** Kudos Pournelle!!!! I'd give it 5 stars, except it's not "the book I judge all others by" (Richard K. Morgan's "Takeshi Kovacs" series)… however, I've already sold 8 more friends on buying it to read (or listen to)… It's that good.

There's just no GOOD way to explain the essence of the story itself except to say, "it's the Heinlein-type book you THOUGHT you were going back to re-read as an adult". *****

Author: Dan Abnett
Title: Armour of Contempt (A Gaunt's Ghost novel)

When Commissar Ibram Gaunt left the planet Gereon, he promised he'd return with help to liberate the Chaos-held world. He expected the son of team member (Criid) to graduate RIP, become a Ghost, and go with them. Instead, Dalin Criid finished RIP (academy) only to be activated and thrown into war as a grunt soldier.

They all end up on Gereon, but in totally different sections. Dalin must fend for himself. Dalin must not only survive the hostile world and the Emperor's enemies, but also his own superior who seems to be very trigger happy (with rifle, gun, and whip) toward his own men!

*** NOT the best installment of the Gaunt's Ghost series. The battle scenes are realistically done and extremely intense. However, once RIP is over, there seemed to be more mundane "filler" pages than anything else. This is still a good read, but wait for the paperback version. ***

Author: Jeffrey Thomas
Title: Deadstock (A Punktown novel)

Punktown is a crime-filled metropolis on the colony world, Oasis. Jeremy Stake is a (mutant) private detective with chameleon-like abilities. If Stake looks too long at a person's face, his own face becomes a mirror image. Something Stake hates more than anyone could possibly know or understand. Stake's current assignment is to locate the missing, one-of-a-kind, living doll of teen Yuki Fukuda.

Yuki's doll is called Dai-oo-ika and had been created by her father, John Fukuda, owner of Fukuda Bioforms. The company not only creates limited editions of living dolls, but also grows battery animals as a food source. (Battery animals are rapidly grown by the thousands in great tanks of nutrient solution, minus heads, feathers, and other unneeded parts.) Yuki's doll had been stolen out of her locker while she attended class. The only person Yuki feels could possibly hate her enough to consider doing this is Krimson Tableau, the daughter of a business rival. No one knows where Krimson disappeared to on the day Dai-oo-ika went missing. Some say that Krimson had run off with her older boyfriend, Brat. However, Brat has also disappeared.

The Folger Street Snarlers, Brat's gang currently lead by a man named Javier, goes searching for their missing brother near the apartments of Steward Gardens. The apartments had been created on the prime land location of Beaumonde. Yet, the apartments had never opened for business and still sit empty. Upon entering the building, the Snarlers, learn that a mutant gang called the Tin Town Terata are already within it. Worse, the Tin Town Teratas have been trapped there for over ten days by some bio-engineered humans without faces. These faceless humans are referred to as "Blank People". And the Snarlers begin sharing the Teratas gang's fate. The gangs must team up to find a way to escape. Unable to call for out for help, the Blank People are slowly killing off the gang members.

Meanwhile, Dai-oo-ika pines away for his young mother as he struggles to survive and understand what is happening to him. Dai-oo-ika begins growing in size, intelligence, and resentment toward others. The doll will soon become a danger to all living beings.

**** Fans of the classic cult movie "Blade Runner" will absolutely LOVE this novel. The author, Jeffrey Thomas, has added several items and flash backs (Stake's) that do not truly matter to the plot and/or story line, except for a small reference near the end; however, I found them to be extremely creative and never got bored. If P.I. Jeremy Stake has a future assignment published, I hope to be first in line to read it. I believe Jeffrey Thomas possesses a riveting imagination and I am hoping for more on this mutant character. ****

Author: David Weber
Title: Off Armageddon Reef (Audio Unabridged)

I have always wanted to write a (Science) Fictional account of how Starship visitors to earth may have gotten stranded here thousands of years ago, and then looked at our Bible from the point of View of them trying to survive on our world amongst indiginous (yet primitive) people of the time... My Friends told me it would be too controversial, and I'm NOT a great writer, so I shelved the idea.

I can rest easy now.. the book has been written FAR better than I EVER could have hoped for or imagined, and the problems inherent in writing that type of book have been deftly sidestepped.

I admit I thought at first, "Great book!", then as I listened more I thought "Oh No, 27 more hours of this".. and then back to "GREAT BOOK!!!!!"

It got back on track of, "GREAT BOOK!", and stayed there... and it's left wide open for, what I hope are, many other books to come.

As an AVID and long term Sci-fi reader, I can usually guess the outcome of each plot or situation as the book goes along, and usually guess the ending pretty closely by about a quarter of the way through a book. A good writer gives you "Choice one, or Choice two" as an outcome of a situation in a book, and it's usually pretty easy to tell which one is coming.

A GREAT writer makes you say, "Ah! A THIRD (or FORTH) choice I didn't see!" And THAT'S really what reading sci-fi is all about, right? The Entertainment, Wonder and stirring of the imagination that seems to become deadened as you read more and become wise (and jaded) in the ways of most writers.

The Only time I think Weber can be better is when He's in League with John Ringo (Which he doesn't seem to be in this book).. but the book is simply awesome. I would have given it a 5 star rating, except it's not "Altered Carbon".

***** I am glad to see Fine Authors putting out more thought provoking and deep sci-fi, rather than the pabulum that is usually shoveled off on us, predictable, and almost written to formula.. Weber can't be accused of EVER fitting into the latter mold. *****

Author: Susan Grant
Title - My Favorite Earthling

Keira, warrior-queen of the galaxy, is famous for her beauty and her mastery of weapons, especially plasma swords and daggers. Keira has never had a real friend. She was thrust into her queenly role as a child, when her entire family was killed in "a terrible accident". Keira prefers to let parliament deal with major issues while she does little as possible. Keira wishes only to be left alone and unwed. But when a little planet called Earth seems to actually threaten her world with its fleet of spaceships and advanced technology, the fate of her people rests in Keira's hands.

Jared Jasper's family has always been in the spot light. However, Jared prefers not to be. Jared is a Sacramento real estate developer and a fighter pilot (F-16) in the national guard. That all changes when he enters a space ship, gets connected (via video monitor conference call) to an unknown lady, and lets his mouth run wild. Jared's biggest mistake is giving the sexy lady his code name "The Prince".

It is not long before Jared learns that the lady on the video screen was the warrior-queen of the galaxy! The queen now wishes (A.K.A. demands) Prince Jared wed her to form an alliance between Earth and the Coalition. This will present a united front to the Drakken Horde, their common enemy. Playing dutiful consort to the reigning queen is listed LAST on Jared's To-Do-List. Yet in exchange, over six billion people on Earth will live safely and have safer, brighter future. Well, Jared may have to wed the queen, but that does not mean he has to be a meek mate. Little "Sunshine" is about to learn that she has met her match.

Meanwhile, unknown to Jared or Keira, the enemy has slipped inside. "Terrible accidents" begin anew. Jared must open Keira's eyes to the danger and together they must save the galaxy from the latest Horde plot.

***** This Science Fiction/Romance may target the female audience, but do not be fooled into thinking that men could not easily find themselves enthralled by this novel. Author Susan Grant writes in such a way that appeals to both genders. In this title, there is not only an Alpha Male, but also an Alpha Female. Readers view the situation through the eyes of BOTH main characters. The writing is in no way stilted. The entire story flows smoothly. I could almost feel as though I were there, watching it all from the shadows. You do not HAVE to read the first book (Your Planet Or Mine?) to fully enjoy this tale. I did not; however, I will certainly be looking forward to the next book in this series. An extraordinary tale. *****

Author: Linnea Sinclair
Title: Games of Command

Lady Sass had been a merc, a rim runner from Kesh Valirr. Then "Ace" Edmonds, of the United Coalition (U-Cee), gave nineteen-year-old Lady Sass an offer to legitimately become a part of the U-Cee Fleet. Lady Sass jumped at the offer. "Lady Sass" went to prison and died.

Commander Tasha Sebastian's past looks legit. Very few knew Tasha's history as Lady Sass. There is now a new Alliance between the Triad and the U-Cee. Tasha is one of the first transferred (merged) as part of the Alliance Personnel Integration Program. Problem is that Tasha finds herself serving under her former nemesis, Admiral Branden Kel-Paten. Kel-Paten is a biocybernetic officer. He can "spike into" his Triad huntership, the Vaxxar, at any time and actually become a large part of the ship! It is said that the "Tin Soldier" is more 'cybe than human. Neither Tasha, nor Ace, could understand why Kel-Paten had personally requested Tasha Sebastian be transferred to the Vax. He even allowed Tasha and his new Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Doctor Eden Fynn, to bring their pet furzels with them! However, the two furzels, Tank and Reilly, are more than anyone could possibly imagine.

Wanted rebel Jace Serafino literally tears out of a vortex and ends up in the Vax's sick bay. Eden must keep the pirate alive for interrogation. Jace is supposed to have information to help the Alliance, but he also has information that could expose Tasha's past and rip the Alliance apart. Then Eden finds out that Jace also has an implant that only his unconscious self is aware of. As a touch empath, Eden must bring Jace's split personality together if the much needed info for the Alliance is to be received.

At the same time, somewhere aboard the Vaxxar, resides a dangerous entity. It quietly waits bides its time. And only two playful furzels sense its deadly presence.

The Tin Soldier and Lady Sass must team up, put all their secret cards on the table, and learn to trust each other. They find that together, they make one hell of a team!

***** Author Linnea Sinclair NEVER fails to please! I am, once again, in awe of this author's ability to spin complex webs within multiple plots. This one is NOT TO BE MISSED! *****

Author: S.L. Viehl
Title: Plague of Memory (StarDoc novel)

As the story opens, Dr. Cherijo Torin has returned safely to her ship and been reunited with her husband, Duncan Reever, and her daughter, Marel. However, she has still not regained her memory. She does not remember anything previous to the ship wreck (in the previous book, REBEL ICE). In Cherijo's mind, she is :Jarn". Jarn has been reading Cherijo's journals in hopes of understanding the miraculous things people have been telling her about. Yet Jarn fears recalling her memories at the same time. The person Jarn once was would never have picked up a weapon, much less used it. The new Jarn proudly wears her daggers in plain sight and looks for each person's weakness to exploit rather than listening with trust. The Jorenians are nervous around Jarn due to the wariness in her eyes. Even the cats in her apartment fear Jarn. After all, on the ice world cats were vicious predators and Jarn's maternal instincts to protect Marel are not easily overcome.

The Peace Talks between the reptilian Hsktskt species and the League are now in jeopardy. The Hsktskt demand that Cherijo come to their planet, Vtaga, and help them defeat a horrible plague that is quickly killing off their race. Jarn goes and meets ChrrechoVa "ChoVa", the personal physician to the Hanar. (ChoVa is one of the Hsktskt babies that Dr. Cherijo delivered in one of the earliest books, at the peril of an entire medical facility.) The plague is unlike any known before and Jarn soon realizes that the answer may lie in the past. Jarn must probe into the past of the Hsktskt race, as well as, Cherijo's.

At the same time, outlaws are attacking various places on Vtaga. They even go so far as to kidnap Jarn. The worst part, though, is that the leader of these outlaws is almost identical in appearance to someone from Cherijo's past. It is a complication that may very well rip the Peace Talks to shreds.

*** I was ready to write off this series after the disappointment of Rebel Ice. However, the author has returned to writing in the First Person style and Jarn has grown a spine. The spine has not totally solidified as yet, but it is well on its way and things are looking up. In my personal opinion, it is time to end Cherijo's series and begin a new one on Marel's adult life. ***

Author: Various
Title: Tales from the Dark Millennium
(W40K anthology)

The Falls of Marakross by Steve Parker
Interrogater Chaplain Artemius Grohm of the Dark Angels is after a dark traitor in order to bring redemption to his Chapter.

Vindicare by CS Goto
The Tempest of Blades descended onto Orphean Trine seven days ago. It is up to the assassin Nyjia to save the last remnants of her world.

The Prisoner by Graham McNeill
Orina Septimus is a lethal world. Its acid ocean surrounds the Zhadanok Prison Complex, that has received a new and dangerous prisoner. This prisoner is about to make the prison into a slaughter house.

The Invitation by Dan Abnett
Pavlov Curtz, Regent of Kaerograd, hired Lowen Tegget, a headhunter, to track and capture the mass murderer hiding in Namgorod. But when Canoness Olga Karamanz arrives with two battle-sisters, Curtz realizes things are worse than he could ever have imagined.

The Balance of Faith by Darren-Jon Ashmore
Sister Hospitaller Verina is known as the most devout surgeon to come out of her order for generations. Verina and the remnants of the Hyrusian Guards are holding back the enemy to buy time for one of the evacuation centers at Eretov spaceport. Within hours, fifty Word Bearers (towering, dead-eyed monsters of Chaos) will overrun them. All is lost. But the words of Lord Crucius, a dying Dark Angel, helps Verina decide what the next move will be.

Gate of Souls by Mike Lee
The planet Dirge may be bleak, but it is rich in mineral resources. Thousands of prospectors die daily, yet still more come. Recently, a new cult has spread among the population. Colonel Ravin of the Terassian Dragoons has no idea how deadly the tide has turned until Inquisitor Alabel Santos arrives to inform him. A Chaos warship may be hiding close by. Santos believes that the beasts of Chaos are not mining for resources, but are actually excavating for something in particular. And may the Emperor save them all, because it now looks as though Chaos has found what it's been searching for.

Fate's Masters, Destiny's Servants by Matt Keefe
Captain Elogos of the Ultramarine chapter is amazed to learn that his ship has received an Ultramarine distress signal. He and three other captains follow the transmission source to a far distant planet. Records state that no Ultramarines have ever been to this planet, yet they find a primitive fortress that bears all the marks of the Astartes. Upon inspection, the symbol does not match any in the Chapter's long history.

Tears of Blood by CS Goto
Master Kalidian Axryus of the Dark Angels turns his strike cruiser in the direction of the Tyrine system, just inside the fury of the Maelstrom. Unencrypted, repeated signal of warning from the system reports of things which lead Kalidian to believe a renegade Space Marine resides there. At the same time, a little girl named Ela is the only seer to receive glimpses of the terrors that lay in wait for her planet, Kaelor. This innocent little girl may be Kaelor's only chance of survival.

*** Eight good stories of the W40K universe reside in this anthology for fans of the series and games. One of the best things about the W40K novels is that the reader never knows if good or evil shall stand triumphant in the end. However, in this dark and depressing anthology, evil always seems to win. Each story has lots of battles and a couple have some very interesting twists; however, often I ended a story with the feeling that much was left unread. One story left me feeling as though several pages had been ripped out of the novel. I was left wishing that I had never began the story because there was no ending. All-in-all, this is good reading, but nothing special and not worth paying full price for. ***

Authors: David Weber & Linda Evans
Title: Hell's Gate

The Union of Arcana thought that they were the only human society which existed. They have expanded through naturally forming portals that link parallel universes. Of course, there was a prodical for peaceful first contact should they ever encounter another human society. Yet since no other society had even been found in their century and a half of exploring and mapping Multiverses the prodical seemed a mute point. But that changed the instant an Andaran Scout met a Sharona human. No one will ever know which man fired first.

Hundred Jasak Olderhan was in command of the military unit exploring the new area. Not wanting a second disastrous confrontation and still hoping for possible peace, he began a hunt for the other humans and made sure his men knew not to open fire unless attacked. Unfortunately, Fifty Garlath disobeyed those orders and killed an unarmed man that had been trying to peacefully communicate with him.

The other human society, Sharona, had been exploring the Multiverses for a long time as well. However, the Sharonian group was made up of civilians and their task was to simply survey and map. The group defended themselves well, but in the end only two survive and are taken prisoner. Shaylar and her husband, Jathmar, had been devastated as the fireballs rained down upon their small group. Shaylar established a telepathic link with another "Voice" (telepath) far away named Darcel. As Shaylar fought for her life and watched those around her burn alive, Darcel could See, Hear, and Feel everything as if he were there...until Shaylar was knocked unconscious.

The Union society had been built with a MAGIC foundation and could not understand how the other society had survived without it. The Sharonian society had been built on a foundation of something called SCIENCE and knew nothing about magic. Neither society understood the other and events were beginning to roll out of control and into war!

***** This is a blending of two exemplary talents by authors David Weber and Linda Evans that will have you begging for more. Having read both authors previously, I could often tell which author did major work on each section. However, there are several sections where the line between the authors blurred. As the reader, I was treated to intelligent tactical strategies and politics. Yet I could easily sympathize with the horror and grief both societies went through. The novel succeeds in telling the view from both societies, not just one. All-in-all, an outstanding beginning for what may very well be one of the best sci-fi series of the decade! *****

Author: David Weber
Title: Off Armageddon Reef

In the early part of the twenty-fifth century, the Gbaba had succeeded in almost making humanity extinct. Had the Gbaba known that even one human remained, they would have hunted him down and finished their task. In a last desperate move, the people under Admiral Pei gave up their lives to insure that a few human beings slipped away without the Gbaba's knowledge. It was called Operation Ark and was to create a refuge for humanity without the betraying high-tech spoor which might draw Gbaba scout ships to it. The colonists aboard the Ark would sleep for many, many years.

The sleeping colonists had volunteered to have false memories of a false life implanted. None of them expected the colony's chief administrator, Langhorne, and the colony's chief psychologist, Bédard, to also program them into believing that Operation Ark's command staff were gods. There were quite a few among the command staff who balked at the notion of people actually worshiping them, mere humans no matter how advanced in technology, but it was too late. The deed had been done. A short revolution ended with the deaths of all the command staff.

The colonists led simple lives on the planet they named Safeholden. Invention, progress, change, any advancement at all is strictly forbidden. In orbit, a surveillance system still sweeps the planet, automatically striking anything that emits tech spoors. The colonists believe these rare blasts to be lightning bolts from their god, Langhorne, to keep them in line. Even in death, Langhorne would have won had it not been for Pei Kau-yung and a few select others. Kau-yung's elite few hid a PICA (Personality-Integrated Cybernetic Avatar) deep beneath a mountain. It looked, thought, felt, and basically WAS the human female named Nimue Alban. The biological Nimue had been one of the more brilliant tactical officers the Terran Federation Navy had ever produced. She had been one of the many that sacrificed her life for Operator Ark to succeed. A PICA may not have a heart, but it is identical to a real human, fully functional. This Nimue can eat, sleep, bleed, feel emotions, and more. However, this Nimue can do so many things that a real human could never accomplish. Kau-yung also left Nimue several high-tech gadgets. But nothing that would attract the attention of the orbital surveillance system. This Nimue "slept" beneath the mountain until Kau-yung's recording "woke" her up...750 years later.

Nimue Alban's task is to undo the mess created by Langhorne and Bédard's extra programming to the colonists. She is to restore the rich, varied heritage to the humanity from whom it had been stolen. And since this Nimue is 98% as real as the biological Nimue, she takes her tasks very seriously indeed.

**** Author David Weber never writes a short novel. This is because he is so descriptive, especially when it comes to weaponry and tactical maneuvers. There is absolutely no way that I can write a clear, concise synopsis of the book without it being over triple the size of this one. However, I believe I managed to give enough so that potential readers can decide whether or not this book is one they wish to purchase. This is the first of a new series by Weber, who has taken the sci-fi community by storm since his first Honor Harrington novel was debuted. And it has created a solid foundation upon which the rest of this series will build upon. Very well done and highly recommended!

Author: C.C. Ekeke
Title: Star Brigade: First Renaissance

By the year 2403, Terra Firma or Earth, the original home planet of human beings, is gone…destroyed by the actions of a tiny terrorist cell, whose members came from an telepathic alien race, the Korvenites, but their extreme views and actions are unrepresentative of the overwhelming majority of the Korvenite species. The Korvenites were not alien to Terra Sollus, humanity’s new “home” and seat of the Galactic Union of Planetary Republics, an alliance of several sentient species, including humans, but excluding the Korvenites, who have been shunted aside and their issues ignored. After the terrorist attack on Earth, all Korvenites were rounded up and shipped to “Internment Protectorates” off of Terra Sollus—for their own safety, of course—faster than you can say Japanese-American Internment Program.

To protect and defend the Galactic Union there are many resources available, but none has proven as able, courageous, well-trained, or unwavering in the performance of their duties as the Star Brigade Special Forces. Unfortunately, the Star Brigade and its specially talented and enhanced Brigadiers are under attack by enemies that transcend the stars and the boundaries of species…politicians and bureaucracies. If the Star Brigade is to survive, they will need their most able Brigadier to return to active service. Sadly, that Brigadier, a human, Habraum Nwosu, hasn’t been going through the best of times, either.

While the Star Brigade is having its painful dramas, Maelstrom, a telepathic and telekinetic Llyriac (priest) of great psionic strength, who would free his exiled and captive fellow Korvenites and reclaim Terra Sollus, after ridding it of all non-Korvenite filth, especially humans, is becoming strong enough to make his power and threats felt within the Galactic Union; even reaching out to touch Chouncilor Ari Bogosian, the leader of the Galactic Union. The timing, in political terms, couldn’t be worse—it is the eve of the signing of a trade agreement with the Kedri, a large non-human species and a powerful empire.

Tough times call for tough measures and the Star Brigade is called to reconstitute, reorganize and serve the Galactic Union, only to have its own leaders wonder if, with the ranks desperately thinned of experienced and capable Brigadiers and plagued by the interference of political manipulators, they can accomplish their missions. Their new commander, Habraum Nwosu, has a hold card, Marguliese, a cybernetic organism who saved his life, even though they were on opposite sides, during the Ferronos Sector War War, but her/its presence and her/its effects on the outcome of the Star Brigade missions and the internal morale of the Brigadiers are questionable.

Can Habraum, Honaa (a reptoid Rothorid), Sam (a totally female Earthling), Liliana (a human female physician) , Khrome (an almost indestructible Thulican), and the rest of the Star Brigade evolve into an effective and formidable combat unit and save themselves and the Star Brigade, much less the Galactic Union and the sentient species of which it is composed? Who is the enemy…Maelstrom and his band of Korvenite followers or are there other enemies? What is justice and how will the Brigadiers react to attacks on their moral courage, something that most never thought would be an issue? If the hook isn’t firmly set and you aren’t searching for ways to get a copy of the space opera Star Brigade: First Renaissance as soon as possible, then I have done C.C. Ekeke an injustice with this synopsis.

***** If you’re getting the feeling that Star Brigade: First Renaissance is not just another cookie-cutter, formula driven science fiction novel, you right. It’s layer after layer of superb science fiction by first time novelist C.C. Ekeke…a real treat for this book reviewer.

Ekeke has spent a long time developing the characters and getting this plot of Star Brigade: First Renaissance the way that he wanted. In a telephone interview with this charming and passionate man, he shared more on the process than is available on the Star Brigade website (visit it at http://www.shatterhouse.com/index2.htm ; it is better after you read the book). I was impressed with his desire to create a universe that is so much richer and interesting than the often trite, human and male dominated, diversity lacking universes in the jejune novel tales often thrust upon science fiction readers.

Ekeke succeeds in his goals. His “good guys & gals” are far from perfect and his bad guys are not caricatures of evil who lack moral justification for their ire. Human and aliens both have depth of character that is deliberate and this is often lacking in the work from many first-time science fiction novelists. Humans are a part of the Star Brigade universe, but they do not overshadow the other species. The subplots are intriguing, ambrosial and leave the reader craving more, and more, and more.

As I read and then reread Star Brigade: First Renaissance (it’s one of those books that is almost impossible to put down once you get into it), I found myself comparing C.C. Ekeke to David Weber, C.J. Cherryh, Orson Scott Card, David Drake, et cetera, and firmly believe that, if he continues with this quality of work and can meet the demands of potential publishers and a loyal following of fans, C.C. Ekeke is going to be a new and very large voice in the genre of science fiction. I eagerly and anxiously await the next novel in the Star Brigade “space opera” series and recommend Star Brigade: First Renaissance wholeheartedly to science fiction lovers (buy it and treat yourself to a good read…you deserve it). I hope that the powers-that-be at publishing houses, e.g. Toni Weisskopf and the people who work for her at Baen Books, really give C.C. Ekeke a hard look. If he has what it takes to go the distance and they miss out on getting C.C. Ekeke into their stable of authors, I suspect that they’ll regret it more than people who didn’t buy Pfizer stock just before the FDA approved Viagra. You don’t have to be an astronomer to see the birth of a star, and, in my opinion, the arrival of C.C. Ekeke into universe of science fiction literature is the dawn of a star who, with continued hard work, appropriate grooming and a bit of luck, will mature into a stellar science fiction phenomenon. *****

Author: Catherine Asaro
Title: Alpha (Sequel to Sunrise Alley)

Alpha is an AI, an android. She is a deadly biomechanical construct. She may very well be one of the most sophisticated android-AI combinations ever created. And it is all wrapped up in a gorgeous package. Charon, the most brilliant and ruthless criminal of the twenty-first century, made Alpha for much more than just to be his forma companion. Alpha is the prototype for a new generation of warriors. It is believed that every copy Charon had left of himself has been located, contained, and deleted. Even so, Alpha is determined to complete the duties assigned to her. It seems that Charon had the foresight to have back-up orders ready for the slight probability of his demise.

Lieutenant General Thomas Wharington is the only person Alpha will speak to. His superiors want Alpha dismantled and studied. Thomas believes it would be murder and convinces them to give him time with Alpha to see if he could get the wanted information out of her.

When not with Alpha, Thomas is at home, caring for his three-year-old granddaughter, Jamie. Both Jamie's parents are out of town (work related) for a few days. Thomas is amazed at Jamie's intelligence. At her young age she has the capability of understanding high school level mathematics and college level computer analyzations. Thomas wants her tested.

It is about this time that Alpha escapes from an "escape-proof" compound. She kidnaps Thomas and takes him to one of Charon's hidden installations. Alpha still refuses to tell Thomas what her orders are, except to say that Thomas must be brought in alive. This is difficult since Thomas has frequently been having cardiovascular problems. Add to this the difficulty Thomas has simply to walk due to Alpha accidently breaking one of his legs. (Well, heck! She did not realize that humans were so fragile!)

Alpha has constantly told everyone that she is an android without free will and that she does not have emotions, wants, or desires. Yet Thomas is beginning to believe that Alpha's mesh code is evolving on its own, without her specific direction. Is she still an "AI"? A machine with complex programming? Or is she becoming an "EI"? Evolving into a sentient being with a conscience and emotions? What are her orders? Will she continue to carry out these unknown orders? There is simply no way to know.

***** This novel picks up three weeks after the previous novel "Sunrise Alley" ends. Sam and Turner play brief roles. I enjoyed seeing how their unique situation was going. BART plays a few minor parts as well. Author Catherine Asaro can either stop this story now, since it ends at a good place, or she may publish (at least) one more novel with these characters. I would be very interested in reading a novel with Jamie as a main character, but only if she is an adult. This is a world of potential for the author in Jamie's grown character. I can only hope the author uses it. Extremely well done! A stellar series! *****

Author: Catherine Asaro
Title: Sunrise Alley

Dr. Samantha "Sam" Bryton is one of the top in the biomech field. Unlike most research scientists though, Sam believed there were ethics even when dealing with EIs. There is a difference between AIs and EIs. AIs are artificial intelligence. Androids. EIs, however, are evolved intelligence. In this day and age, most humans are part biomech. As long as over fifty percent of the person remains human, the person is considered alive. But if the human is over half mesh, then the human is no longer considered human or alive. Unlike AIs, all EIs can evolve. The thin line deciding where humanity ends and mesh begins remains unknown. To Sam, EIs should be treated humanly. Sam "retired" from BioII when her husband, Richard, died due to experimental components used in creation of forma bodies.

One morning, after a storm, Sam goes walking upon her private beach to discover a shipwreck with one survivor, Turner Pascal. But records show that Turner died previously. She learns from Turner that he really did die, but he woke up to find himself in a lab and being experimented on by a mad man known as Charon. Charon is the most ruthless criminal of the twenty-first century. No one knows who he really is or what he really looks like. Sam and Turner find themselves on the run across the country, pursued by Charon. They seek help from an underground organization called Sunrise Alley. Thought to be only a myth, Sunrise Alley is an organization of AIs and EIs gone rogue. Those within Sunrise Alley grant Sam and Turner sanctuary, as well as, support. Problem is that the cybernetic outlaws have their own hidden agenda.

***** This book is written with a bit of SL Veihl's flavor. If you have ever watched and enjoyed the old movie "Logan's Run", then you will simply adore this tale. Sanctuary is for EIs, instead of humans over age thirty. This title is a stand alone story; however, one of the characters from this book, Alpha, has had her story just released as well. Be sure to look for it! If it is even half as enjoyable as this story is, you are in for a treat. Highly recommended!

Author: Kelly McCullough
Title: WebMage

Magic has kept up with the times, changing as the world does. So of course magic has gone digital. The three Fates are sisters. Lachesis is the absolute dictator of the Fate family. She measures each life thread. Clotho is the spinner of destiny. She decides the destiny of each. Atropos is the cutter of threads. When her shears cut a thread, the life depending upon it dies, cut off from life.

Prince Ravirn, of the House of Lachesis, is a junior in Classics and Computer Science and his college midterms are looming in the near future. As a child of a Fate, descended from Lachesis's blood line, he is far from your average computer whiz. He is a wizard at hacking viruses and programs. He can zero in on any flaw and manipulate it to his desires. That talent is what causes Great Aunt Atropos to summon him.

Atropos is out to crush free will of mankind. To do this she has spelled a digital virus called Puppeteer. She needs Ravirn to debug the program before she downloads it into the Fate Core. The Fate Core is the place where the destiny of every living thing is laid out. From inside you can rewrite that destiny. However, Ravirn is all for free will. He not only refuses to debug the spell, but actively opposes her.

By Ravirn's side is Melchior "Mel", his webgoblin/familiar. Mel can shapeshift into a sleek lap top or into a blue goblin form. Also with him is Cerice, a sexy sorceress who happens to also be a mean programmer. With Cerice is her webgoblin/familiar, Shara. Problem is that no matter how Cerice feels about Ravirn, there are times she must wonder if Ravirn is working with dysfunctional motherboard for a brain. Lastly, there is the webgoblin underground. But to go against all three Fates, as well as the Furies and other relatives is difficult, to say the least. Ravirn's destiny is now uncertain and it may take all the power of Orion to stop Puppeteer.

***** It has finally happened. Someone has crossed the genres of sci-fi and fantasy to create a magical world that has modern (futuristic) computer hackers. Since I love to play online RPGs and mess around with computers (never mind how), reading this novel was a MUST! I am happy to say that I am in no way disappointed. Author Kelly McCullough has taken characters out from the darkness of mythology and brought them into the light of the modern digital age. Deciding to use a child of the Fates is not unique; however, this magical/digitalized twist is. Out-freaking-standing! *****

Author: Andy Hoare
Title: Rogue Star
(Rogue Trader Gerrit series / W40K)

Lucian Gerrit is a rogue trader. The starship captain has ancient trading rights granted along the Eastern Rim. Over the generations, the family's fortunes have been declining. Now the family has a pile of debt. Desperate, Lucian strikes a deal with Culpepper Luneberg, Imperial Commander of Mundus Chasmata - a backwater Imperial world. Korvane, Lucian's son, and Brielle, Lucian's daughter, are to help carry out the deal with their father. Word has it that Luneberg had come into a supply of ancient technological artifacts. Luneberg needs Lucian's team as a broker.

Brielle knows that things that seem too easy usually are. When she learns what they really picked up for Luneberg, she realizes that she must keep her father from sealing the deal. She also knows that her father and brother will not thank her for it. Yet should Brielle succeed, they must still manage to flee with their lives and hope they do not end up in an even worse position.

***** Author Andy Hoare shows the strength of a trader family, as well as, the shortcomings. Though the Gerrit family works well as a team, the siblings are direct opposites of each other and may yet come to blows as to who eventually inherits the family charter. The author goes beyond dealing with a madman who controls an entire world, he also gives the family a second world ruled by insanity and possible Alien Fleet take-over of the whole sector. Trust me when I say you will never expect all the twists that appear, nor all the surprises. An outstanding novel that I hope to see a sequel to someday soon. *****

Author: Matthew Farrer
Title: Blind
(Bk 3 of Shira Calpurnia series / W40K)

Shira Calpurnia bore the office and duties of arbitor senioris in the service of the "Lex Imperia". Having failed in one of her duties, she is preparing for her trial. But then the unexpected happens. The master of the Bastion Psykana is murdered. Shira's trial is postponed. Master Chastener Dast and Preacher Orovene divert the garrison ship to the Bastion Psykana. It is a vast fortification housing countless telepaths. Due to possible violent tendencies, each Astropath takes every step at gun point. Should the seer lose control of his mind, the armed vitifer automatically executes the psyker without hesitation.

Shira is temporarily given back her rank and tasked with finding the killer. Master Otranto's body had been found within his inner chambers. Whoever killed him got through all seals and wards before doing the deed. The killer should not have been able to get in, but more disturbing is the fact that once sealed within the chambers, there is not way out. The killer should have still been in the room with the body. No auspex can smell the killer. No psyker-seance can pin him down, and no Verispex can track him.

The murderer is like a phantom. Everything and everyone, alive and machine, claim that Master Otranto was alone at all