Mike Shepherd, Kris Longknife Intrepid

Kris Longknife Intrepid

Mike Shepherd

Ace, Oct 28 2008, $7.99

ISBN: 9780441016518

Born on the planet Wardhaven, Kris Longknife's great grandfather King Rex rules over one hundred worlds with more to be formed as the United Sentient Confederation any day. Her father is the prime minister of her homeworld and she easily could have been a pampered princess, but Kris chose otherwise joining the space navy. Right now the warship the Wasp is disguised as a merchant vessel beyond the Rim of humanity home to pirates.

Kris and her crew learn that a ship has come from Xanadu, a planet whose residents chose to isolate themselves from the rest of the galaxy. The inhabitants are humans who believe aliens are coming and man should return to Earth and hide. Kris and her crew go to Xanadu to confront the religious leadership after finding the pirate ship's hold was filled to the brim. She warns them they are near so many jump points they will have to open up their space to travelers from all over the galaxy. The people who find living on Xanadu too restrictive colonized Pandemonium and when Kris goes there she finds mercenaries are fighting to control the planet. They are led by the princess' old nemesis Captain Bill Thorpe. Battles occur over the right to choose self government as the orb turns bloody with Kris trying to kick the mercenaries off planet.

'Intrepid' is an accurate description of Lieutenant Longknife as she bravely goes where few would dare; some might insist stubbornly intrepid is a more valid description. She will remind readers of David Weber's Honor Harrington with her strength and intelligence. Mike Shepherd provides an exciting military science fiction thriller set in a future in which mankind has colonized various galaxies. His latest tale focuses on a world in jeopardy with a heroine not sure what is the best course of action for her to take to avert a war.

Harriet Klausner