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Book Review By Harriet Klausner
Starfist: A World of Hurt by David Sherman and Dan Cragg



Del Rey, Nov 2004, 19.95, 312 pp.
ISBN: 0345460529

The 34th Fist of the Confederation encountered intelligent and hostile space faring Skinks on two planets and defeated them in battle, but the war continues. The human populace remains unaware that the 34th Fist is under quarantine on Thorsfinni's World until humanity learns about the Skinks and other species.

Just after gunnery sergeant Charles Bass is promoted, the 34th Fist goes to Maugham's Station because of the recent acid deaths of colonists there; Skinks use acid guns as part of their weaponry. While exploring the area, the marines come under attack by acid, but no reports of Skinks have surfaced. While they seek the truth, an armada from the planet We're Here is traveling to the beleaguered station because they believe that an illegal mining operation has occurred on The Rock and the planet believes it is part of their empire. They think Maugham's Station is behind that operation and a trigger happy admiral is willing to go to war to stop them from mining that uninhabited, mineral rich planet.

Harriet Klausner



Plot & Themes
Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Political power play Yes
Political plotlets - preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Tech./$$$/Info hunt Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
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: - 20's-30's

Main Adversary
Identity: - An "It".
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount

Setting
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a futuristic society
Planet outside solar system? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
scientific jargon? (SF only) - some scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
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