| Jade Darcy is a carc, a human/machine hybrid, on the run from her life back on Earth. She has managed to find her way to Cablans, a planet in the far outreaches of the galaxy that she hopes is beyond the Dominion's notice. She is the only human on the planet and enjoys the company of no one - except her trusty computer, Val. Jade works as an arbiter/bouncer at an ingesterie/restaurant on Cablans and her alien clientele keep her busy.
Over the years, Jade has become familiar with the different races and knows who can sit by whom and who she should keep separated. She knew that the Lemmant would be trouble when he was seated in her area. He was seated next to a table of Commancors, vicious aliens who invaded and decimated worlds, including Lemmant. Jade saved the Lemmant's life by mediating for him and dismissed him from her thoughts. After all, she had more to worry about from the new human female on Cablans, a female named Megan Cafferty, who kept getting herself into trouble with the resident aliens due to cultural differences. Jade liked Megan, which was unexpected and wasn't sure what she was up to. She did know that she needed some time off of Cablans, just in case, so she took the Lemmant's job offer. Jade traveled to Haldek with Fastal ip Fornen, where Fastal was determined to kill the Commancor commander in retribution for his family's brutal murder. Jade kept trying to explain to Fastal that it wasn't worth it, but he was determined. She had no idea that Fastal planned to leave his ceremonial dagger behind - in the dead Commancor's chest - a surefire way to make the Commancors hunt both Fastal and Jade down and kill them in a very painful way. But Jade has started to come alive again after being with Fastal and Megan, both who live and love and care for others around them. The awakening of feelings is very painful to Jade and she does her best to deny them. But when tragedy befalls one of those whom Jade has painfully come to care for, Jade knows what she must do... This was a simply wonderful book that I enjoyed immensely. Jade Darcy is a strong female character who is starting to come alive again and she is very likeable. She has weaknesses, which she is very aware of, and does her best to minimize them, but she doesn't let them cripple her. It was very interesting to watch her interact with the aliens around her and to learn about the different races in the universe she lives in. The plot was well paced with all kinds of sub plots to keep the reader busy and intriguing characters to watch over to try and guess their next move. I highly recommend this book and it is available in ebook format so you don't have to hunt it down in a used bookstore if you don't want to. I am excited to read the sequel, Jade Darcy & the Zen Pirates and hope that you enjoy getting to know Jade as I did! | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - very upbeat FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story Spying & Investigations Yes What is main char. doing? - finding a killer (criminal) Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 20 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 % Main Character Identity: - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Main Adversary Identity: - an entire race How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an above average amount How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting Terrain A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a futuristic society - inhabited by friendly aliens - unfriendly aliens Planet outside solar system? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - very explicit references to deaths and torture scientific jargon? (SF only) - a moderate amount of scientific explanation How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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