Susan Kearney The Quest

The Quest

Susan Kearney

Tor, Jul 2006, $6.99

ISBN: 0765354497

Captain Angel Taylor knows that her beloved ship The Raven desperately needs preventative maintenance and some major repair so this salvage is critical to her. However, as she brings the booty on board, the Zin demand she hand over the living part of her loot. Apparently Federation Rystani Psi Warrior Kirek hides among her catch from the Zin. Kirek offers Angel a deal she cannot refuse. If she helps him escape, he will lead her to the largest salvage ever, a place where his mind landed when he was caught in an explosion while on the astral plane eight years ago; he has become whole only over the past year.

The Zin threaten to destroy the Federation by overheating the core of each planet. Kirek knows how to prevent pandemic disaster, but the Zin know his psi print and want him dead. He believes she is his and the Federation's enabling angel that will help him defeat the enemy.

The latest science fiction romance in the Kearney universe is a terrific tale that grips the audience from the opening line when Raven First Officer Petroy informs the Captain "we aren't alone" and never slows down until the final alteration with the Zin. The action-packed storyline is fun follow as the heroes land in one hot spot after another even as love blossoms between the salvager and the psi. Sub-genre fans will want to read this tale and obtain the previous novels (see THE CHALLENGE, THE DARE, and THE ULTIMATUM) as each is an outstanding stand alone (with minor ties) outer space thriller.

Harriet Klausner