Sean Mcmullen, Voidfarer

Voidfarer

Sean Mcmullen

Tor, Feb 2006, $27.95, 400 pp.

ISBN 0765314371

Lupanar sorcerers invade the neighboring planet of Scalticar. The locals are overwhelmed as the superior technological forces of the off-worlders prove victorious in battle after battle. Bows and arrows cannot dent the armor of the Lupanar military, and their laser beams cause death and destruction on an unprecedented level.

Scalticar Wayfarer Constable Inspector Danolarian Scyverin puts together an odd team to initially harass, and hopefully eventually defeat the invaders, though they know the chances are nil to none. Still 87 pound no-weakling Constable Riellen, feline Constable Waller and Lavenczi, join with the Inspector to forge a counter insurgency. Meanwhile Danolarian hides his desire for a personal relationship with Lavenczi, who's unable to reciprocate due to the guise of a magical spell. When she obtains two Lupanians' fighting machines, the Constable team suddenly believes they have a fighting chance, though the enemy still has overwhelming technological superiority.

The third Moonworlds' tale (see GLASS DRAGONS and VOYAGE OF THE SHADOWMOON) is a fine fantasy remake of the War of the Worlds in deep space. The storyline is fast-paced and filled with plenty of action, but also contains numerous subplots moving back and forth between the various factions making it a bit difficult to follow at times, though all this scrambling cleverly augments the core theme of the chaos of the resistance. With more science fiction than the previous two tales, yet still loaded with fantasy elements (just ask Scyverin on unrequited love), fans of the series or Wells will want to read the Moonworlds' version of the War of the Worlds.