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Book Review By Harriet Klausner
Waystation by Steven E. McDonald



Tor, May 2004, 24.95 271 pp.
ISBN: 0765304856

The last remaining High Guard Starship from the defunct Systems Commonwealth, the Andromeda Ascendant, heads to Kantar on the outer rim of the galaxy in their quest to rebuild galactic society. However, instead of a friendly welcome, hostile fire batters the Andromeda forcing the crew to flee the planet in a crippled vessel.

Desperately in need of repair, but near nothing except a three century abandoned Waystation, Captain Dylan Hunt lands on the frozen orb over the warnings of time traveling crew member Trance Gemini. The Captain will find his belief system, already shaken to the core, further wrecked on this tundra as the so-called empty station has a creature stalking the crew with a different justice system than the corrupt Commonwealth had.

WAYSTATION is a fine fast-paced entry in Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda universe that is clearly targeted for fans of the series though newcomers will enjoy the unique cast, the moral question of what is justice, and the outer space action. Trance steals the show, but she is a two edged humanoid like heroine as she is an intriguing distinctive protagonist, but her time travels can become quite confusing when the audience tries to follow her non-linear movements especially when she argues with herself at loci when “two” of her converge (will need more than a scorecard to keep track). The Roddenberry faithful will especially take delight with Steven E. McDonald's entry in this long running space opera.

Harriet Klausner


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Magical Beings/Mental/Magical/Powers Yes
magical powers:
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10 %

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - 40's-50's

Main Adversary
Identity: - An "It".
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters

Setting
Spaceship setting: - a space station
Takes place in spaceship? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - some scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
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