When her husband, the charismatic leader of an intergalactic religious movement, falls prey to a powerful alliance of slavers, ex-assassin Magen Hirsch takes up her old profession to rescue him and break the might of the Slavers Guild. Hopen's first novel features a strong, dedicated female protagonist and a well-imagined, dystopic far-future setting. Combining elements of space opera, action-adventure, and hard sf, this tightly crafted story of revenge and redemption is a good choice for large libraries. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
The setting of Hopen's riveting, action-driven first novel is in a distant future and a distant star system in which faster-than-light travel has been outlawed due to its damaging effect on the fabric of space time. In a worlds-spanning society of battle-hardened guilds, Magen is a roving mercenary desperately searching for her husband after his abduction by a sadistic slavers' guild. With the help of trained assassin Chev, a psychic named Veil, and wealthy ex-warp pilot Amelia, Magen crosses worlds, frees slaves, and tests her warrior skills to the limit in a quest that ultimately becomes spiritual, for the husband she seeks is the charismatic leader of a faith espousing nonviolence. Hopen skillfully combines elements of space opera, cleverly drawn battle scenes, and metaphysical speculations on the power of faith--all without pausing a single step in a story line of unrelenting action. Great entertainment for fans of military sf and an excellent first effort from a writer to watch. Carl Hays
Description:
From Library Journal
When her husband, the charismatic leader of an intergalactic religious movement, falls prey to a powerful alliance of slavers, ex-assassin Magen Hirsch takes up her old profession to rescue him and break the might of the Slavers Guild. Hopen's first novel features a strong, dedicated female protagonist and a well-imagined, dystopic far-future setting. Combining elements of space opera, action-adventure, and hard sf, this tightly crafted story of revenge and redemption is a good choice for large libraries.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
The setting of Hopen's riveting, action-driven first novel is in a distant future and a distant star system in which faster-than-light travel has been outlawed due to its damaging effect on the fabric of space time. In a worlds-spanning society of battle-hardened guilds, Magen is a roving mercenary desperately searching for her husband after his abduction by a sadistic slavers' guild. With the help of trained assassin Chev, a psychic named Veil, and wealthy ex-warp pilot Amelia, Magen crosses worlds, frees slaves, and tests her warrior skills to the limit in a quest that ultimately becomes spiritual, for the husband she seeks is the charismatic leader of a faith espousing nonviolence. Hopen skillfully combines elements of space opera, cleverly drawn battle scenes, and metaphysical speculations on the power of faith--all without pausing a single step in a story line of unrelenting action. Great entertainment for fans of military sf and an excellent first effort from a writer to watch. Carl Hays