Irene Radford, The Dragon Circle

The Dragon Circle

Irene Radford

Daw, August 2004, $6.99, 512 pp.

ISBN 0756401941

The Galactic Terran Empire considers the O'Hara brothers (Konner, Kim and Loki) as smugglers. The imperial military police (IMPS) were in hot pursuit of them when the siblings entered into an uncharted and unusual wormhole that took the trio to an unfamiliar part of space. There they found a colonized world that devolved into the Bronze Age. Because of their visitors' advanced technology, the natives thought the O'Hara brood had to be gods. However, the jump damaged the crystal that powered the ship so Konner had to grow new crystals.

While in his ship, Konnor notices a beacon, one that will lead the IMPS to the world that the O'Hara brothers have come to love. He knows his ex-wife Melinda is behind this because she wants to prevent him from reaching her planet and gaining custody of their son. When they go to destroy the beacon they find an old enemy is still alive, walking in the form of a trusted friend. Between fighting him and the IMPS, the O'Hara brothers chances of survival are slim to none.

Once again Irene Radford has written a riveting tale that will appeal to any reader who loves science fiction. The world the O'Hara brothers have come to call home is also populated with wise dragons with superior brain power, who only interfere in human affairs when they are in need of aid. Readers will love this world that enhances psi powers. The protagonists of THE DRAGON CIRCLE are true heroes, willing to face any danger to preserve a world that is in harmony with itself before the outsiders arrived.

Harriet Klausner