Jade Darcy and the Affair of Honor [Paperback]

Stephen Goldin (Author), Mary Mason (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1999

For the past five years, Jade Darcy has not seen another human being. A computer-augmednted mercenary, she lives on the planet Cablans, a stopover point for traders from hundreds of worlds -- and a good place to meet customers who need the services of a skilled warrior.

She turns down what she considers a suicide assignment: traveling to an enslaved world to assassinate one of its military leaders. But then she learns there's another human being on Cablans -- a human being with the potential to expose Jade's mysterious past, with possibly fatal results.

All of a sudden, a suicide mission looks positively appetizing....

This is the first published volume in the Rehumanization of Jade Darcy series.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Long before there were any buffed Xenas or xenophobic Buffies in the pantheon of fighting females, there existed a remarkable woman warrior named Jade Darcy: a computer-assisted mercenary so formidable and so smart that the Dark Angel, Friday and the Bionic Woman together would have hesitated to piss her off--yet so emotionally mixed up that she broke your heart. Even better: unlike any of those ladies just named, this jade's adventures were most definitely _not_ rated PG. Indeed it was her creators' deep insight into female sexuality and spirituality, as much as their mastery of action scenes, that gave Jade Darcy an uncommon plausibility, a _real_ness, so often missing in other woman-warrior fictions. The restoration to print of the two volumes of the Rehumanization of Jade Darcy series is long overdue, and most welcome; you'll have to go a long way to find a more addictive heroine." -- Spider Robinson --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

From the Back Cover

A LEGEND RETURNS
"Long before there were any buffed Xenas or xenophobic Buffies in the pantheon of fighting females, there existed a remarkable woman warrior named Jade Darcy: a computer-assisted mercenary so formidable and so smart that the Dark Angel, Friday and the Bionic Woman together would have hesitated to piss her off--yet so emotionally mixed up that she broke your heart. Even better: unlike any of those ladies just named, this jade's adventures were most definitely not rated PG. Indeed it was her creators' deep insight into female sexuality and spirituality, as much as their mastery of action scenes, that gave Jade Darcy an uncommon plausibility, a realness, so often missing in other woman-warrior fictions. The restoration to print of the two volumes of the Rehumanization of Jade Darcy series is long overdue, and most welcome; you'll have to go a long way to find a more addictive heroine."

--Spider Robinson

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: e-reads.com (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 075920554X
• ISBN-13: 978-0759205543
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,357,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Philadelphia in 1947, Stephen Goldin has lived in California since 1960. He received a Bachelor's degree in Astronomy from UCLA and worked as a civilian space scientist for the U.S. Navy for a few years after leaving college, but has made his living as a writer/editor most of his life. He's published more than 30 books, and lots of articles and stories.

His first wife was fellow author Kathleen Sky, with whom he co-wrote the first edition of the highly acclaimed nonfiction book, THE BUSINESS OF BEING A WRITER. His current wife is fellow author Mary Mason. So far, they have co-authored two books in the "Rehumanization of Jade Darcy" series.

He served the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America for close to three years as editor of the SFWA Bulletin, and another three years as the organization's Western Regional Director. He has lived with cats all his adult life. Artistically, he enjoys Broadway musicals and surrealist art.

Learn more about him at his Web site, http://stephengoldin.com. Many of his books and stories can be bought through Parsina Press at http://parsina.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imagine still having this ahead of you. WOW you are lucky!, January 5, 2003

By 

Jim Phillips (Mesa, Az United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jade d'Arcy and the Affair of Honor (Paperback)

I believe the two books in this series to be the best I've ever read. The character is true to herself. And demonstrates the insecurites she has in a vivid manner. I found this to be a welcome change from the self assured always on top main character you get from most books. I was really able to connect with the character. Well done indeed

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fem merc fight for physical and emotional survival, August 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Jade d'Arcy and the Affair of Honor (Paperback)

This was a GREAT book. The fight Jade Darcy is involved in is only partially the physical disputes that she becomes involved it. At a deeper level this book creates and evolves a strong character that has faced incredible adversity. And being not godlike, Jade has not fully overcome every betrayal.

This is the story of her continuing struggle to win the true battle, mastery over self. I highly recommend this book for anyone who has or is walking this road, when its rocky and sharp.

There is great entertainment value here too. Jade's cynical wisecracking, and sometimes coldblooded, humor is something that I really enjoy. I'm only sorry that there is only one sequel to the book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Science Fiction Adventure!, September 12, 2003

By 

Silmarwen (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Jade Darcy and the Affair of Honor (Paperback)

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!